Meanwhile, within the academy grounds, classes had already begun. The corridors appeared deserted, but not for Marina Delfilian. The girl asked for permission to leave class under the pretense of going to the toilet, but her footsteps led her toward the corridor of Class 1-D.
A faint smile was etched on her lips. Her mind was filled with curiosity mixed with sadistic joy.
I must verify how those assassins performed! she thought with enthusiasm.
Her pace slowed as she arrived near the door of Class 1-D. Coincidentally, the classroom door was slightly ajar, and a female student had just come out carrying a stack of books, seemingly heading to the library.
Marina immediately approached the girl, wearing her sweetest and most innocent mask.
"Hello?" Marina greeted in a friendly tone. "Sorry to interrupt. Is the Elf and his two friends in class? I have something to ask them about yesterday's lesson."
The student frowned for a moment, recalling. "You mean Alvin, Kazien, and Allen? No. The three of them haven't been in class all morning."
Marina's eyes sparkled briefly, but she quickly hid it with a feigned expression of shock.
"Are you serious? It's only our second day as academy students! Why are they already skipping?"
"I don't know." the student answered with a shrug. "I was also surprised to see their seats empty. Our homeroom teacher doesn't know the reason either."
"Ah, I see..." Marina said with a tone of fake disappointment.
However, inside her heart, Marina cheered in delight. Satisfaction exploded in her chest. The fact that the three of them were not in school meant only one thing to her.
That means the assassins have completed their task well! she cheered inwardly. They must be dead or at least dying somewhere. Hahaha! It wasn't in vain that Father was willing to pay a high price for the Shadow Hand's services.
"Oh my, what a pity. Even though I wanted to ask them something important. Oh well, I'll head back to class then. Thanks for the info!"
Marina waved her hand and left the girl. She walked back toward her class, 1-B, with steps so light she felt like she was dancing on clouds. Her biggest problem had vanished.
Meanwhile, on the crowded streets of the royal capital, an unusual sight attracted the attention of several citizens, though they did not realize the truth of it.
The royal carriage newly created by Kazien was speeding through the streets. In the driver's seat sat an elite soldier holding the reins stiffly. Kazien had deliberately asked for a soldier to sit there so that no citizens would be suspicious. He didn't want people to know that the gallant white horses pulling the carriage were not living creatures, but golems moving on their own without needing to be steered.
Inside the luxurious carriage cabin, King Nalvon sat back very relaxedly. He held a glass of fresh juice available on the table, and surprisingly, the liquid inside the glass did not shake in the slightest even though the carriage was moving fast.
"Amazing!" praised King Nalvon, his eyes twinkling with awe. "There is no shaking at all in here! What damping system did you use? This carriage is truly very comfortable, as if we are sitting in the palace living room."
He looked at Kazien sitting opposite him.
"The soldiers' special carriage is also extraordinary! I saw it earlier. I can't believe it is so spacious inside thanks to dimensional magic, even possessing thousands of proper bunk beds. That is not just a carriage. It is a moving barracks! That carriage could transport a legion of soldiers when heading to the battlefield without needing to set up tents."
Kazien smiled politely. "I am very pleased if you like it, Your Majesty. Comfort, security, and efficiency are my priorities."
"Not just like! I love it!" King Nalvon stated firmly. His face then turned serious. "And I swear on my name, I will always keep secret who the creator of those two carriages and this royal carriage is. The world is not ready to receive the shock of such great technology."
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty! I trust you."
Before long, their journey reached its destination. The royal carriage slowly decelerated and stopped right in front of the magnificent gates of the Royal Magic Academy.
Kazien, Alvin, and Allen prepared to get off first so as not to be seen walking side-by-side with the King in the main corridor.
The gatekeeper on duty, the man who had underestimated Kazien's words before, now stared wide-eyed. He jogged toward the gate and nearly tripped over his own feet upon seeing the royal crest engraved in gold on the carriage door.
Moreover, an elite soldier in full armor was driving the carriage.
The gatekeeper's heart pounded fast. It seems that earlier this morning the boy was indeed speaking the truth... I never expected His Majesty the King to actually come to this academy just because of a student's report! Who exactly is that silver-haired boy with sapphire blue eyes? he wondered about his identity.
The carriage door opened from the inside. Kazien, Alvin, and Allen stepped down calmly. The sunlight reflected the shimmer on Kazien's silver hair, Alvin's golden yellow hair, and Allen's distinctive purple hair.
King Nalvon also stepped down from the carriage, causing the gatekeeper to immediately bow in respect. The King greeted the gatekeeper briefly to stand at attention, then approached Kazien and his two fiancés.
"You walk ahead to class through the student path!" ordered King Nalvon in a low voice so as not to be heard by others. "From here on, let us handle everything. I must meet Dean Claus first."
"Yes, Your Majesty! Thank you very much. And please remember your promise, do not say anything about my identity." whispered Kazien reminding him, his eyes looking sharp yet polite.
King Nalvon winked one eye. "Rest assured! My soldiers and I will say nothing! Now, go inside before you get even later!"
After giving a short salute to King Nalvon, the three of them hurried into the academy area, leaving the King who was now heavily escorted toward the headmaster's office.
They half-ran toward the first-year building. The academy corridors were already very quiet because all students had started studying half an hour ago. The sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty hallway.
Finally, they arrived in front of the door of Class 1-D. Kazien took a breath for a moment to normalize his breathing.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Kazien knocked on the wooden door. Silence for a moment, then the sound of footsteps approaching from inside was heard.
Creak!
The door opened. The figure of Dania, the beautiful yet strict woman who was their homeroom teacher, stood in the doorway with a sharp gaze. She held a textbook in her hand.
"Why did you just arrive after lessons at the academy have been going on for a long time?" asked Dania in a cold tone. Her eyes looked at the three of them in turn. "It is only the second day, and you are already late."
Kazien bowed slightly, showing regret. "Sorry, Ms. Dania. We had important and urgent business that had to be carried out this morning."
Dania was about to scold him again, but Kazien stepped forward slightly, bringing his face close to Dania's ear, and whispered in a very serious tone.
"Ms. Dania, we just arrived with the King from the palace. At this moment, His Majesty is heading here with Dean Claus. Soon a major arrest in Class 1-B will take place," whispered Kazien quickly. "And please, do not say anything about my identity or my involvement with the King. His Majesty has also promised me not to reveal my identity in this academy."
Hearing that whisper, Dania's eyes went perfectly round. She was slightly shocked and looked into Kazien's sapphire blue eyes with disbelief. His Majesty is here? An arrest?
However, seeing the look in Kazien's eyes that was not joking, Dania's instinct as a senior mage told her that this child was not lying. She immediately composed herself.
"Very well." said Dania trying to be calm, although her heart was beating fast thinking about what chaos would occur. "Please come in and sit in your seats."
Dania shifted her body, inviting the three of them to enter the class.
Inside her heart, Dania wondered. Arrest? Arrest of whom? It seems the academy will become very tumultuous today if that indeed happens.
Their classmates who were taking notes turned their heads simultaneously. They were very surprised to see Kazien, Alvin, and Allen who had just appeared. The presence of the three students attracted attention. Whispers began to be heard, but soon went silent again when Dania gave a warning glare.