Chapter 45 - Prologue

"Archdean Shivra, we have a request from the transfer student hall."

Archdean Shivra was a large, built [Rochur], his mane clearly marking him as a Arctursakin. Arctursa were huge, bearlike beasts that lived in the wintry regions of [Illrya]. He was the granduncle of the current King of Avena, a position that marked him as an Emeritus Prince, one of the royal family. However, his deepest interests were not in governance or politics, but in academic pursuits. As a young man, he too had studied in the Royal College Academy. Enthralled and inspired by the materials and records that he encountered, he travelled the world in search of rare specimens and samples that could further his research.

True to his [Tamer] , Grasil Shivra's preferred area of research was into monster biology and [Mana Cores]. Over the years, he made his way up the academic chain of succession, eventually becoming the Archdean of the Academy. As Avena was a fundamentally noble and royal centric continent, there would be no called the head of the Academy a "President". Instead, Dean positions were offered to heads of faculty, and the grand overseer would be named an "Archdean", derived from the rank of "Archduke".

"Oh? We don't get too many transfer student requests. What is the situation?"

"Archdean Shivra, we have received their documents. The nation concerned is the Empire of Daceli on the Megaceris continent. The patron is the Empress of Daceli. The transfer student is the First Princess of Daceli, Ava Kino dis Daceli."

"Oh? An appointed royalty?"

"Based on the information we were given, she rendered service of the highest merit to the Empire."

In noble speak, "service of the highest merit" usually meant consolidating the governing power of a nation under its reigning monarch or sovereign. Usually, that would mean bestowing upon someone a noble title like Marquis or Duke. However, for a Princess title to have been bestowed...it indicated that the service rendered was so large that efforts would have failed completely if the person had not been involved.

"Umu. I understand. Bring them here."

"Yes, Dean Shivra."

Before long, two women had entered the Archdean's office. Freya dis Rodania, the Empress of the Daceli Empire, stood regally alongside the newly installed First Princess. While the First Princess lacked the graceful elegance considered typical of most royals, she instead moved and stood with a razor-sharp elegance.

"This woman is strong," Grasil remarked inwardly. Being of S-ranked strength himself, he could tell that her movements, while not graceful in the way a flower floating in the wind might be, they were elegant in the way that a sword master's blade dance might be. It would suffice for royalty. Above all, royals were the governing core of a Kingdom or Empire. If a royal failed to impress upon its people the majesty of their person through their movements, they would invite misunderstandings of incompetence and weakness. That would be a fatal mistake for a royal.

"Greetings, Archdean Shivra. I come today to request your approval for the First Princess of my Empire to become a transfer student to the Royal College Academy."

"Oh? And what's wrong with the academies in your own Empire?"

"As you are no doubt aware, Archdean Shivra, the Royal College Academy are where the best and brightest are gathered. The kind of research that can be carried out here simply cannot be compared to the likes of other academies. My Empire's First Princess is dissatisfied with the lack of possible avenues for her to extend her own research, and thus I thought it suitable to send her here."

"Umu. I see. So, First Princess of Daceli. Just what is it that you wish to study?"

Ava curtsied in the manner of nobility, saying, "Archdean Shivra, my research is in [Runic Magic] and the particularities of ancient magic. I noticed that the teleportation arrays that are present here and in our Empire are leftovers from when ancient magic was the norm. I am very interested in studying the composition of such magics."

"Oya? You are interested in the old ways, are you..."

"Although I am aware that our magic use nowadays is very different thanks to having support, I believe it would be important to detail exactly how magic works, even under our current circumstances. It would allow us to develop new {Subskills} rather than be restricted by what is currently available."

A light shone in Grasil's eyes. This was certainly an impressive field that scholars had left dormant for centuries, due to a lack of archival records and few being interested in looking at [Runic Magic] now that they had supported magic. In fact, most research in the Academy was being conducted on magitools and magitech, with a smaller portion of people studying the phenomenon of [Demonisation], and others studying the demonised flora and fauna to uncover unexpected uses for their parts.

"Umu. I believe that alone is as good a reason as any to allow you to transfer into the Academy. I do want to offer you a word of caution. As you are not only foreign royalty, but appointed royalty, I cannot imagine that your reception by the resident nobles will be too pleasant," Grasil said, watching her expression carefully.

However, the expected widened eyes or downcast expression never surfaced on her face. Instead, her expression unchanging, golden eyes shimmering with deeply held resolve, she said simply, "it is immaterial. I only care for my research."

He nodded, adding, "please also be aware that you are here as a representative of the Daceli Empire. Your actions and words will affect how others view your home nation."

"Understood. I will pay particular attention. However, please also allow me to offer a word of warning in return. I have nothing to say about my reception by the resident nobles, and I will follow all relevant laws. However, should any of them attempt to inhibit my research out of condescension, malice, or spite, I have no mercy to offer."

Grasil raised an eyebrow. Clearly, this young woman intended to do whatever she could to adjust to the environment here and not cause any issues. However, if their own people were the ones causing her unnecessary trouble and inhibiting her research, she would be merciless...is it?

"Umu. I understand. For many of the scholars here who pursue their fields of research, it is more important to them than their own lives. The students here also understand that it is prohibited to interfere with a scholar's work. You should be able to carry out your research uninhibited. However, should you discover any disruptions caused by malicious actors, please instead seek to gather evidence and prioritise capture over execution. It would not do for you to be falsely accused of regicide or rebellion against the Kingdom."

"I thank you ever so much for your magnanimity and wise advice, Archdean Shivra."

"While the Academy strives to ignore rank as much as possible while students are being educated here, it is inevitable that divisions along rank lines will occur. For that reason, the number of attendants and guards are limited to four per student. However, as you are a transfer student, that number can be increased to six. It simply would not do for a transfer student to be harmed while within our Academy."

"Thank you kindly for your consideration. I will bring four attendants on a daily basis and leave two in my room. As much as the Academy wishes to protect transfer students from suffering harm on the soil of the Kingdom, I too wish to not stand out more than I already will. Additionally, may I bring another four of my people to work in the Academy city?"

"Certainly, certainly. Many nobles and royals do the same. I applaud your discretion in choosing to bring only four with you at all times. Are you sure that will be sufficient?"

At that moment, an overwhelming pressure fixed every single person in the room to their places. Gracil himself felt as though he was seeing his life flash before his eyes, about to be extinguished simply by the weight of the [Haki] released by Ava.

"If you are the strongest person in the Academy, I believe I shall fare just fine."

The unseen pressure disappeared without a trace. More than one guard collapsed, unable to handle the pressure released by such strength that was beyond their capabilities to even comprehend. As Gracil watched, he realised that he had not been able to sense even a trace of any unruly mana billowing about her, as was typical for most people of such strength. She was clearly an expert at concealing her strength, to the point that if he had not just experienced it for himself, he would have thought that while she seemed strong for her age and position, she would at most be around a B-rank.

"Goodness, Princess Ava. Was that necessary?" Empress Freya asked the very same question that Gracil was himself thinking.

"Unfortunately, my strength concealment is too impenetrable. Unless someone possesses [Investigate], my would come up as blank. This was the most direct and easiest way to set your worries at ease, wasn't it, Archdean Gracil?"

"Kohon. Princess Ava, while that might be true, I am now worried for a different reason. Your strength exceeds just about everyone in the Academy by a large margin. Of course, I do not expect that you will use it irresponsibly, but as a royal from this Kingdom, you can imagine my anxiety?"

"Certainly, Archdean Shivra. I expect to be placed under strict observation. It would simply not to do to leave a foreign person of such strength to walk unobserved about the Kingdom."

"Of course-what?"

With a start, Gracil realised that he had been baited and manoeuvred into the exact position that Ava wanted him to be in. Since she was confident that she was not about to be involved in any illicit activity, she had instead weaponised her strength and status as a visiting royal to raise the alert level against her to the maximum, ensuring that she would be observed at all times. This way, if anyone else decided to interfere in her work, she would have the benefit of a full audience of observers, and could not be accused of unprovoked aggression.

"How terrifying..." Gracil muttered under his breath.

"Princess Ava...it seems I have to bow to your skill."

Seeing that her plot had been figured out, her expression changed for the very first time. The hint of a smiled graced her lips, and her eyes sparkled with a faint amusement. Yet, to Gracil, this was even more terrifying than her expressionless face. He finally became aware that this young woman was someone who would do anything to achieve her goals, and had the skills to back them up. As long as she did not become an enemy of the Kingdom, it was fine, but if she ever decided to rebel...

He shuddered at the thought.

"Vord, prepare a room for Princess Ava."

"At once, Archdean."

"You can move there when the room is ready. The autumn semester will begin in three days, so while time is tight, you should be able to prepare and move in."

"Archdean Shivra, I can move in within the next hour. May I be shown to the room with my attendants and have them clean up and rearrange the room instead?"

Gracil raised an eyebrow again at her words. Somehow, he was having to do that a lot with this young woman.

"If that's what you say, you may. Vord will await your arrival in the transfer student hall in one hour. He will also provide you with the necessary documents to confirm your transfer, as well as the materials you will need."

"Thank you very much, Archdean Shivra."

Instead of heading back to the transfer student hall like Gracil expected, though, Ava opened a portal and took Freya with her, vanishing before his very eyes. Seeing that, he sighed and leaned back in his chair. It was going to be a long and eventful year.