Amy was in another room watching as her maids move her things. All her essentials and school supplies are carried out the door and into the carriage. Viola is more involved as she is checking every corner of her room for anything she might be missing. As for the things kept secret, Amy took care of that long ago.
After the Winter ball two years ago, her household has gained prestige and her family are now even more respected than they already are, especially as one of the Noble Houses.
Leon has never ceased sending the invitations but at least he is sending them in moderation and in good time.
Everyone progressed well in the past two years. Viola is an expert sniper now. Her archery skills have surpassed her expectation.
When it comes to power and combat, Harry is still the weakest, but he is intelligent and sharp in other matters just like his original self.
Melissa's ability is by far the most incredible. There was an incident with a plague near the border and she healed everyone. Her appearance there was coincidental, but everyone praised her, and her popularity soared. Since becoming the prince's fiancee, she is now tasked with maintaining a noble, pristine image while gaining her influence as well as the trust of the people of all classes.
Melissa mentioned that it was a lot of work and she only cared about taking necessary action rather than focusing on her public image, something Leon agreed with.
Sabina's personality is cheery and stable to the point that Amy no longer considers her as a threat and that includes Salvador. The positive influence in their lives has really changed them.
Nathaniel started wearing glasses just like his old self but other than that, he isn't struggling. He is starting to get the hand on the Magic Thread theory he created which is at least ten years earlier than scheduled.
Theseus is actually a skilled swordsman now but decides to join the magic academy to join his best friend.
Rufus and Leon continue to keep their powers a secret, something Amy doesn't care about since she already knows the truth, but there is one thing that frightens her.
Rufus's aura has become darker, almost overnight. The wispy smoke she has seen has begun to look closer to a thundercloud. He must have gone and started collecting monsters for his own personal arsenal.
Amy left the room to the guest room to sit down. In an hour, she and Viola will head to orientation at the Magic Academy.
"Ah~ this brings me back. I remember the day when I got into the Royal Academy. It was quite exciting."
Amy turned to see Rosalina who is watching the whole thing outside the window while sitting across from her. Amy gave her a deadpan look which Rosalina failed to read and notice.
Ever since the ball, Rosalina was rumored to brag about her blood ties to the Anthos. However, she has been humbled when she found out that she and Viola are also close friends to the prince. Even her visit to her home is expected and notified beforehand. She is tolerable now that she's not arrogant, but the stubbornness remains.
"Shouldn't you be at the academy?"
Rosalina shook head. "Nope! Class doesn't start til next week for us. Right now, it's orientation day for the first years. I'm a third year now and I'm used to the same boring stuff." Then she looked at Amy who is still staring out the window. "You should count yourself lucky. The Royal Academy is a nine-year term while the magic academy is shorter. But how are you going to function in High Society without their education?"
"You should consider yourself lucky that you're not expelled at all for the incident you caused." Her retort resulted in Rosalina turning her head in a huff, not wanting the reminder.
"Hmph! When I graduate, I will use my knowledge to help the family name."
Honestly, Amy is not interested in high society. Her interest and long-term plans involve learning and teaching Aron everything he needs to know. Besides, she has already known everything that is taught in the royal academy because she taught it to herself. Not that she'll say it out loud~
"What did Prince Leon say about his enrollment in the Royal Academy?" Rosalina asked with a blush on her face.
There it goes. Questions about the damn prince.
"He didn't say anything except that he seems to be looking forward to it." she answered indifferently.
Amy was telling the truth about Leon but as the day gets closer and closer, he wouldn't stop giggling. Rufus is giggling alongside him too. It's like they're not even trying to hide their scheme. Amy never dropped any hints about her knowledge, but she wouldn't be surprised if any of them could correctly guess as to what they are planning. Leon wants to keep it a secret because he wants to dupe everyone into thinking he would be going into the royal academy.
While Rosalina is visibly excited and living her own world, Amy noticed that all their belongings are put in the carriage.
"Amy!" Viola burst in the room. "It's time to go."
Amy nodded.
"Good luck! You're gonna need it." Rosalina said in an uncharacteristic cold tone.
"We'll be fine." Amy said and they left.
Both parents are already outside and they were almost crying.
"My sweet girls are going to the academy. Thankfully the headmaster has taken care of everything so do not worry. But if anything happens, just call." Their father said.
"Don't worry, father!" Viola says happily. "We will do all right."
"You are already grown up." their mother says while wiping her tears.
Both girls slowly got in the carriage after a final hug and they continue to stare back until they can no longer see them anymore.
Viola pulled out a box from her bag and opened it, revealing a cream-colored wand with a tiny pink crystal embedded inside the blunt end. She observed the wand with a blush and smile on her face. Viola has been so excited to get her own wand that the moment she got it, she never parted with it. She even sleeps with it.
Viola's decision to go to the magic academy happened immediately upon finding out that Amy would be going. Truthfully, she is more suited to go to the Royal academy but her reasoning is sound. In addition to staying together, Viola wants to further improve her budding skills.
"I can't wait to learn spells and use the wand." she whispered. "We'll be strong together."
Amy can't help but smile sheepishly. "Me too," she answered quietly.
It'll take a while before reaching their destination. Amy looked at the book she has on her lap and thought of Rosalina's unexpected words of good luck. It reminds her of the differences between the two academies.
The Royal Academy are mostly made up of noble children who wish to inherit their parent's land, title, fortune, etc. Even if they are not the heir, they could get government positions after graduating and are eligible to earn the successor title as a spare if by account, the heir dies. Rosalina says that the academy is a nine-year term, but students mostly stay in the academy for seven years while the last two years are basically like internships and a foreign exchange program outside of Solin.
The Magic Academy has a five-year term in school but it is seen as a seven-year term because the of the same reason as the royal academy.
The Magic Academy produces the world's mages and are best in the world for that reason. The moment they graduate, they will be sent to other territories and fight off any monsters that threaten to destroy their peace. It was hectic, chaotic and extremely dangerous. The world is shorthanded of powerful, capable mages because they keep dying off. This is why Rosalina says good luck earlier.
The school doesn't just teach magic either, they learn physical combat, the typical core curriculum and other necessary topics for them to know.
The royal academy mostly focus on teaching politics and diplomacy, languages, sciences, art, culture, history, strategies, as well as other courses and topics. The Royal Academy is required in order for commoners to get government positions once they graduate, get knighted, succeeding their parent's territories and leading troops in battle. Many politicians/ministers, officials in both civil and military positions and royalty have graduated from there. The Royal academy also has magic courses, but it is more of an elective than a major.
Unlike Amy, not all nobles are smart enough to just simply not attend without any consequence. If they don't, they lost their eligibility to become future heirs.
Leon and Rufus are intelligent though curiously, she isn't quite sure how much. Amy noticed that they both have studied hard together in the annex for some reason and saw that they are studying for something called the Dragon's test. Amy didn't know what that was but found out from Melissa that it is an imperial exam. Anyone who passes it would not need to attend the Royal Academy but still have the privileges of a graduate. Current students who pass the test would automatically be qualified to graduate early. Leon and Rufus are heirs so it was strange to her that they both decided to enter the Magic academy instead of the Royal Academy. So this is the reason.
At this point, Nathaniel isn't even the heir to the Yistle County yet so he will joining the magic academy. But Amy knows that he is quite intelligent and has Leon's support so she isn't worried. Theseus and Sabina are also not heirs and their passions lie in the Magic Academy.
Melissa is the only one exempted from going to the Royal Academy for no other reasons as she is getting the personal education and training she needs from the palace but is expected to follow Leon. The Queen also probably anticipate that Leon might try something so she stopped Melissa from enrolling in the Royal Academy.
Harry is the only one in their inner circle who is not going to the Magic Academy. He will be in the Royal Academy. It seems that even with the changes she made for him, he chooses to be Leon's aide. At least, he will train his powers better there.
Amy stroke the spine of the book. It is a bit faded from age but then again, it hasn't been touched in years. This book is her treasure.
Amy watched as the trees appear and disappear from view and began to hum.