Chapter 37 - Astra Academy

Lucius, who had just arrived soon, stood calmly beside Magnus. They were also waiting for the carriage, which was being prepared by the servants.

Ragnar also walked and stopped right in front of them. He stared at them and shouted, "Magnus! Lucius! Listen well."

Ragnar then began to lower his voice and said, "Magnus may have heard this before, but I'll say it again: The academy will be filled with people who think themselves better than you."

Ragnar then raised his fist and shouted again, "You need to remember that you are Volcaria! You are better than them, and if anyone dares to stand in your way, beat them into submission. Do you hear me?"

Magnus stepped forward and also raised his fist as he shouted, "Yes, Father! I'll make them remember the Volcaria name!"

Lucius bowed down and smirked. He also said slowly, as he was not like Magnus. "Of course, Lord Ragnar. I'll ensure they understand their place."

Ragnar's fierce face soon turned into a smile. He then turned toward Magnus. "Good. Magnus, keep an eye on Lucius. He is our family elder but his strength lies in his mind, not his fighting ability. Make sure no harm comes to him."

Magnus nodded and shouted again. "I understand, Father! I'll make sure to protect him."

Savra then approached them and looked at Magnus. "Magnus, do not let your pride cloud your judgment. Lucius is more important to this family than you can imagine."

Magnus nodded as he also knew how important Lucius was as he was the family's Evolist. He quickly bowed his head. "Yes, Mother. I'll make sure nothing happens to him."

Lucius chuckled as he turned to Magnus. "Don't worry, Magnus, I am not so weak that I need to be protected continuously."

Savra's gaze then turned to Lucius as she smiled a bit. "Perhaps not, but the academy is a different battlefield. Even you, Lucius, need to be cautious."

Lucius only smirked upon hearing it and nodded. "Of course, Lady Savra. But caution, like any weapon, is best used sparingly."

Savra only stepped back as he reminded them, "Just remember, you carry the Volcaria name. Make sure it remains untarnished."

With the final preparations complete, Lucius, Magnus, and their companions entered the black-and-gold carriage that carried the crest of the Volcaria family.

Magnus soon leaned back in his seat and grinned toward Lucius. "Are you ready to see the academy, Elder Lucius? It's where the best young tamers and evolists are located."

Lucius leaned at the other side of the carriage as he was amused. "The best of the best, you say? I suppose it will be entertaining to see how they measure up. And also, you can just call me by name there."

Magnus soon laughed and nodded. "Entertaining? You'll see. The academy isn't just some playground. And also sure, I will call you by name."

Lucius smirked after hearing and soon changed the question and asked. "How long until we arrive at the academy?"

Magnus then said, "Not long. We'll use the teleportation platform to cover most of the distance. After that, it's just a short ride to the academy gates."

Lucius nodded. "I see. It is quite efficient. I looked forward to it."

The carriage continued its journey and soon arrived at the teleportation platform ahead. Inside, Lucius and Magnus prepared themselves in their own ways and soon they were teleported to the academy.

In an instant, they were transported to the outskirts of the academy. Lucius soon looked outside the window and was amazed by it, as the academy was massive. It wasn't merely a school but a city in its own right. 

Magnus grinned after seeing Lucius' face. "Welcome to Astra. The academy for nobles, where only the best of the best learnt. What do you think?"

Lucius stepped out of the carriage and smiled with amazement. "Impressive. It's larger than I expected."

Magnus laughed and held Lucius' shoulder. "Larger? This place is a world of its own! Every noble dreams of coming here and now we're here to carve our names into history."

Lucius only raised an eyebrow as he was amused "A world of its own, huh? How fitting."

Behind him, Luna and Liora also stepped out of the carriage. They instinctively looked around and also stayed close to Lucius.

They then went to the gates of the academy, where two armored guards who bore the academy's crest soon stepped forward. 

One of the guards immediately raised his hand to stop Magnus and the others and said, "ID cards, please."

Magnus immediately took out his ID card from his pocket and gave it to the guard while introducing himself: "Magnus Volcaria of the Volcaria family."

The guard scanned the card and nodded after everything was checked out before turning to Lucius. "And you?"

Lucius then took out his ID card that had been given by Ragnar before their departure. The guard was a bit surprised as they scanned it.

"You are a new student, huh? It is a bit weird that a new student suddenly joined in and also, you don't have a family name." The guard said as he was curious.

Lucius nodded as he explained about his name. "You can say that I am the new son that was adopted by the Volcaria family because of my talent. I was also permitted not to use the family name."

The guard soon nodded as there was some case like that and soon he turned toward Luna and Liora, who were standing behind Lucius. "And them? Are they your maids?"

Lucius glanced back at the two and smirked. "Yes, they are my maids that will serve me later. They can go in, right?"

The guard nodded and said. "Yes, they can but remember that they don't wander the campus unsupervised. The academy has strict rules about non-students roaming freely."

Lucius only replied, "Don't worry, as they will always be by my side."

The guard nodded again, stepping aside and motioning for them to proceed. "Welcome to Astra Academy."

As they passed through the gates, Magnus soon turned to Lucius, "So, what do you think? The place is amazing, right?"

Lucius looked around and said, "It's... intriguing. A place where the ambitions of nobles collide. This will be... entertaining."

Magnus only laughed, "Entertaining? You'll see, Lucius. The academy is no joke. The strongest tamers and evolists from across the land come here. It's not just a school. It's a battlefield."

Lucius smirked. "A battlefield, eh? Then let's ensure the Volcaria name dominates it."

Lucius' smirk returned, his crimson eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "A battlefield," he repeated softly. "Then let's ensure the Volcaria name dominates it."

Magnus nodded. "Absolutely! With you and me here, we'll crush anyone who dares to stand in our way."

As they continued deeper into the academy, the hum of activity surrounded them. Students dressed in elegant uniforms moved in groups, their conversations filled with laughter, rivalry, and ambition.