After a week, Veritas acquainted himself even better with his peers. Although they did not share the same classes except for two. Veritas still found himself being connected to the people of the Sacred Echelon.
That said, the classes that he attended were Wisdom and Intellect, History, Geography, and Psychology.
Wisdom and Intellect was already natural as Veritas wanted to train his brain.
History also lied in his area of expertise and interest, whereas Geography challenged his knowledge of the various places around the world.
As for Psychology, Veritas wanted to study the human mind in order to understand his own better.
The Mind was greatly related to the Soul after all, and upon understanding the Mind, it would be easy to understand the Soul further.
The past week wasn't really that progressive in further advancing the plan, Veritas built his classmate's trust first before he could ask around for mysterious events.
"Pleasant morning."
Veritas waved at Alice, who sat down and read a book about animals.
"Morning.." She said without even glancing at Veritas.
"How's Zoology?"
Alice flipped a page and responded:
"It's alright. How about you?"
"I'm having fun so far. It's really nice acting like a normal student and taking a breather from all the Princely stuff."
Veritas lied through his teeth, he was not at all engaged in stuff that befitted the Prince prior to his enrollment at the Academy.
The things he mostly did were gamble and have fun, though he still commenced in studying, the amount of time he spent on being a Prince was miniscule to none.
"I understand.. Back in Dragonia, I mainly spent my time studying for future prospects, and I didn't even like what I studied. It was mainly what my Mother ordered me to."
Veritas sympathized with her. Maybe she loved studying so much that it was all she did in the Academy. Alas, whenever Veritas saw Alice, she was always reading a book of some sort.
Leaving Alice to her own business, Veritas sat down and read a book of his own too.
The book was about the study of the Soul, mainly composed by countless researches made by notable scholars.
He began reading at a fast pace, flipping the page every 2 minutes or so..
Veritas was only 5 page-flips in when he was suddenly asked a question by Alice.
"How are you reading so fast?"
Veritas looked to his side and noticed the blonde-haired girl, peeking through the corner of her book.
"I- I don't know either. I think it's just an innate ability within royalty. Everyone in the Elrod Family can read quite fast, especially my brother.."
"I wish I had the same ability as you. Imagine how many books I would finish in a day."
If her eyes weren't emotionless then Veritas would've seen a bright gleam in those red eyes.
"That'd be a delight to see."
The two of them engaged in reading once more, only stopping once the Professor had arrived.
It was a Wednesday and as per their class schedule, they were supposed to spend half of their day for Soul Training class.
Sacred Echelon's schedule was simple.
On Mondays, they would spend the time for homeroom activities and in the afternoon.. the rest of the class would engage in Swordsmanship Class with the exception of Veritas, of course.
Tuesdays were given to them as a time to attend 2 of their chosen minor subjects.
For Veritas, he would spend this time on History and Geography. Those classes wouldn't even take up half of his day and always ended before lunch had started.
Wednesdays were days for Soul Training Class, half a day would be taken and they were to be dismissed in the afternoon.
On Thursday, it was another day for Minor Classes, Veritas would take Wisdom and Intellect Class, along with Psychology.
If the Tuesday classes were spent learning more about the world, then Thursday classes were all about improving his Intellect and Mind.
Lastly, Fridays were the most important out of all.
A whole day would have to be spent engaging in the For Honor Class. Last week, they were merely oriented about the things that they needed to do, but for this week's class.. They were finally going to participate in particular activities.
Saturdays and Sundays were given to the students as rest. Veritas spent his days back at the castle and handling business in Copper Borough.
'He's late..'
It was already past 9, the time for the supposed meeting with the Professor for Soul Training Class.
"Why is Professor Shin always late.."
Hearing a voice behind his back, Veritas turned around and saw the ever-talkative Leo, who had just entered the room.
"Aren't you late too?"
"Ah- Good morning, your majesty.."
He showed his respects with a bow and a light tap to his left chest.
"Yeah.." he responded with a lack of credence in his voice.
Veritas turned back and continued reading his book.
Before Leo could even sit down, the door busted wide open.
Some were startled by this and some just didn't give enough care because they already knew who he was.
Light orange hair, eyes that looked like they were resting, and the normal professor attire.
Shin Morteza, the first Professor from the orientation. His charisma made the students inside the Sacred Echelon remember him well and last week.. he made a very bad impression to their eyes.
He arrived a whole 30 minutes late and made up some lousy excuse like traffic or something.
'As if anyone will believe his reason now..'
Before he even reached his desk, the resty-eyed Professor pointed at the direction of Veritas.. or rather, Leo.
"You there! You're late! Be grateful that I'm kind or else I would've reprimanded you!"
"Me? What- But Sir, you're-"
"Stop right there, no talking back. You should've stayed quiet, I wasn't going to give you a punishment but now I'm going to!"
Leo looked mortified.
"Go. Get my things from the faculty, that includes my lesson plans and my books. Go fast."
Leo wasn't even given time to contest his side and was immediately ordered to head to the teacher's faculty.
He mumbled as he was walking out and Veritas was shocked by the Professor's attitude.
'What a pain in the ass-"
Veritas kept a calm composure yet his mind had its mouth agape.
'Isn't he more late than Leo?'
He shook his head.
"Good morning class! How are you all? Good? That's great.. uhh- I forgot what were supposed to do today, so let's just wait for your classmate. How about I go around and lighten the mood up huh? You all look sullen and dejected."
'It's because of you!' Veritas screamed in his thoughts.
He walked through the seats and traversed the entire room.
"You there! How is life in the Academy so far.."
A black-haired boy with a dignified presence was suddenly asked.
"Sir, I don't think that you should treat your students like-"
"Oho! Lousy attitude, next person!"
He went around in circles and held an imaginary mic to a particular amber-haired student.
"How is your life in the Academy so far??"
"Weren't we supposed to get our aptitudes tested today?"
The lively Professor leaned in closer.
"Oh, were we? Are you sure? Or were you just imagining things.."
He twinkled his fingers and slowly turned away from the student as if he were acting like a ghost.
This went on for a couple of minutes, students were asked questions about how their life at the Academy was. And then.. the Professor finally reached Veritas' seat.
"Next up! You! Oh- your majesty. Uh, I'm not going to get executed for asking a question, am I?"
Veritas stood calm and replied:
"Unfortunately, no.."
"Ehe- that's good... wait what do you mean unfortunately-"
That is when the door busted open once more, revealing an auburn haired boy with a petite stature, carrying various papers and books in his arms.
"Mister! You have done well, please leave them at my desk.." He ignored Veritas and looked towards the sound of the door.
Leo was panting due to the rushing sprint that he made.
"You... damn... lazy... Professor!!"
"Foul words are not allowed mister, but thank you so much.."
Seeing the success of the student's task, Mr. Shin finally walked back to his desk and read a small notebook of some sort.
"Let's see here.. Sacred..1st year.. Ah! You are right we were supposed to get your aptitudes tested!"
He pointed at the direction of the amber-haired student.
"Ding ding ding ding! 100 points!"
Everyone was quiet and scorned him.
"Why the sad faces everyone, do we need another round of cheering up by yours truly..?"
They all sat quietly but in their minds they were screaming 'Hell no!' or something like that..
With that, the Professor gestured his hands in a 'come with me!' position, and slowly walked out of the door.
"Come on everyone! To the lab room!"
Without even giving a chance to make the students prepare, Professor Shin already left the room and made his way to the Laboratory Room.