Eluard paced back and forth on the 2nd floor of the lobby. He was hesitant now that a recruit was about to arrive. Or maybe no student would arrive?
'No, it's said that Heavenly Magic Academy was once a renowned magical institution of old times. Maybe some people should still remember of it, or be obsessed once they realize that it truly exists, right?'
In order to relieve himself of the stress, he tried talking to his system.
"Say, system, since I am the academy master, what responsibilities do I have in this place?"
[ As an academy master, you are tasked to maintain the Heavenly Magic Academy. ], the system replied.
"Forget it, you're unreliable.", Eluard rolled his eyes.
'I obviously know I have to overlook this academy but what about the specifics?'
That detestable old man just dragged him into a heap of responsibilities he never expected to take over.
"Then what about me teaching the students? Are there any other advantages I have against the other academies?"
He was worried about this matter. If this was just any other magic academy out there, bolstering the same 'We can help you in your magic cultivation' crap, then he was out of here.
[ A student enrolled in the academy is gifted with their system panel. ]
The system's reply dumbfounded Eluard.
"Uh, what?!"
They were gifted a system panel? Then wasn't this just like a VR game where the students were the players and he was the game master?
[ As the academy master, it is you who is tasked to gift them a system panel. ]
[ You have full authority on implementing or removing the system panel from a student as you like. ]
[ You can also issue tasks on your own. Rewards are limited based on the Heavenly Academy's Resources. ]
Before he knew it, another tab appeared in his system panel. It was named "Resources". Eluard disregarded it for the meantime and listened in on the system.
[ Each student's system panel is the same but it is limited in functions, however. ]
Eluard breathed a sigh of relief.
At this rate, it was easy for students of the academy to cultivate.
Their biggest advantage lies in the existence of their system panels. He could simply con them in him giving them tasks and avoid teaching magic to the students. That way, he would have an easy life as an academy master.
[ As an academy master, you must hold a public lesson at least once a week. ]
This prompt darkened Eluard's expression, 'You damn system! Can't you give me a break?!', snorting in disdain and asked something else instead.
"Can everyone else outside the academy know about the system panels?"
[ Impossible. Any student banished from the academy is wiped off of their memories. ]
[ Memory repairing spells or the relevant will not retrieve them. ]
This eased off any worries Eluard had with the students and their system panels.
[ Attention: A recruit has arrived at the Heavenly Magic Academy. ]
Eluard widened his eyes, 'That fast?'
[ Host, please equip the Mask of the Magus at once. ]
[ It is of great importance to hide your real identity from the rest of the world. ]
[ Due to inexperienced communication with the natives, the host must strictly follow the script displayed on your system panel. ]
The successive prompts elated Eluard, 'It looks like my system isn't that bad at all.' He took a glance at the mask and felt a mysterious aura wash over him. It was as if there was a spirit that resides within the mask.
'Here goes nothing.'
…
Outside the Heavenly Magic Academy stood a man adorned with royal garments around his body.
His blue eyes stared widely at the name of the academy engraved on top of the entrance gate.
On his left was an envelope he found on his desk. It was the invitation Eluard sent out earlier.
"So it is real! The Heavenly Magic Academy is real!"
A hint of nervousness and amazement rang in his voice. His hands were shaking in surprise as he couldn't contain the excitement deep in his heart. In some historical books back at the Imperial Library, only the chosen ones with excellent talents were invited to this fabled magic academy.
The tale of the Heavenly Magic Academy faded through the years. He never expected to hit the jackpot and be invited.
The large wooden door in front of him opened.
'It's here. Let's be calm now, Lucan. We can't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity.'
He rubbed his hands and hoped to the Morning Star deity that he would be accepted into this magic academy. Cold air drifted out of the lobby. Lucan could feel the chilling aura.
He slowly took his steps and once inside, the door closed on its own. The lobby was faintly illuminated. There was a chandelier on the top, providing light down below. A navy-blue carpet rolled from the entrance towards the two staircases in the distance.
Stepping on it felt like he had just stepped on fresh natural grass. It was a refreshment on the mind. Even the carpets in the Imperial Palace couldn't be compared to this.
"Hello?", Lucan called out.
Little did he notice Eluard on the 2nd floor. He lightly tapped on the smooth wooden railing.
After equipping the mask of the magus, Eluard's mind was as clear as day. His thoughts were more organized, logical, and an inexplicable sense of confidence rose within his heart. The usual things that would make him nervous were now worth nothing to him.
"Oh, a guest.", his deep mysterious voice startled out Lucan.
"Ah! Who are you?!"
Lucan scrutinized the robed figure in front of him.
He was wearing a mask with diagonally inclined slithered eyes curved like the blade of a scimitar. The smile on its face stretched out from cheek to cheek. Lucan couldn't make out the facial expressions of the robed figure.
The robe was large and seemed to be 'floating' in the air. Lucan could tell that the figure must be smaller than the robe they were wearing.
'He emanates a mysterious aura! And this pressure! Academy Master Emilia couldn't be compared to this!'
He was unable to utilize his mana at all when facing the robed figure. He tried to use magical analysis but it failed.
'Even that doesn't work?! Are the people in this academy that powerful?'
On the other hand, Eluard also scrutinized the young man in front of him.
[ Name: Lucan Hermes ]
[ Age: 14 years old ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Status: Eldest Prince of the Morning Star Empire ]
[ Affiliation: Morning Star Empire ]
[ Magic Power: Apprentice Mage (Median Ring) ]
[ Magic Root: Sequential Magic Root (Legendary) ]
[ Magic Aptitude: 9.0/10 (Apprentice Mage) ]
[ Magic Affinity: Fire, Lava, Earth ]
'A legendary magic root at the start? System, may I know the further details of his magic root?'
[ Sequential Magic Root (Legendary) ]
[ User can consecutively cast spells with increased mana consumption in favor of greater power. Reset timer set at 5 seconds. ]
[ Additional effects: Multiple Simultaneous Spell Casting ]
[ User can simultaneously cast spells of different magical elements, removing the usual restriction observed in other mages or wizards. ]
Eluard's luck shot off the roof.
'An excellent student! I must bring him over to me!'
This Lucan could cast spells consecutively with each spell being stronger than the last one. It's just that he had to cast them within 5 seconds between the last spell.
There wasn't a restriction to the type of spells cast consecutively. If he casts a shield spell followed by an offensive one, the offensive spell is amplified in all sorts of cases.
'Does this mean that if he had huge mana reserves, his last few spells could be utterly devastating?'
Hiding the shock in his voice, Eluard continued.
"I am the academy master of the Heavenly Magic Academy. You can address me as the academy master. I have been expecting you, Prince Lucan Hermes of the Morning Star Empire."
Lucan wondered how the academy master managed to identify him at a single glance. Moreover, his arrival was 'expected' according to this academy master.
Driven by the fanatic thoughts running through his mind, he thought, 'Is he… omniscient?!'
"Honorable academy master, it is my great honor to be in front of you today. I am hoping that you would accept this young one's foolish request in enrolling to your prestigious magical institution.", he bowed in respect to the figure in front of him.
Eluard wanted to immediately accept this guy but he knew that he has to test Lucan. Otherwise, Lucan might think that being accepted to the Heavenly Magic Academy only takes a legendary magic root to boot and a noble background.
The young man might perceive it otherwise.
"What makes you think you are capable and worthy, Prince Lucan of the Morning Star Empire?"
The two slithered eyes glowed in red, striking fear to Lucan who was staring straight into Eluard's eyes.
"I… am the prince of the…"
Eluard cut him off.
"Nonsense. Do you think I care about the Morning Star Empire?!", he extended his hand and pointed his left index finger downward, forcing Lucan to kneel on all fours.
Lucan regretted his choice of words. He knew he had messed up his answer just now.
'Damn it! I should've known that they are indifferent to our backgrounds the moment we step in here!'
He had been arrogant for far too long that it has been ingrained in his brain to use his status as the eldest prince whenever he was met with an adversary. Lucan knocked his head to the floor and shouted with deep regrets.
"I am sorry, honorable academy master. This humble one seeks of your forgiveness!"
The pressure from before vanished. Lucan could feel the weight on his shoulders easing.
Weng!
He looked up and saw the academy master standing in front of him. 'Te-teleportation?!', unable to contain the shock on his face.
"You still have a lot to prove, Prince Lucan. Come back to me once you are done reflecting on yourself."
Lucan found himself flying out of the academy. Once he landed, a teleportation magic circle emerged below his feet. He started to panic and tried to get away but he couldn't.
"What? No. You can't do this to me! I'm-!"
"Ah!"
He fell on his royal bed back at the Imperial Palace.
The door to his room was abruptly opened and a middle-aged man with an agitated expression ran to Lucan, "Prince Lucan, it's bad! The emperor has revoked your title as the crown prince!"