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Join the ServerTwo days later, the registration day for St. Hall Academy’s new students arrived.
Alice Liddell emerged from the auditorium where the freshman orientation had just concluded. She and the other new students were divided into several small groups, each led by an upperclassman assigned by the academy to guide their tour.
On this initial day of registration, no classes were scheduled for the new students; their sole task was to familiarize themselves with the sprawling campus.
“The predecessor of the Capital’s St. Hall Academy can be traced back to the Dark Ages, to the Philanthropic Monastery established when the Holy Church was introduced to the Central Region. It boasts a history of over a thousand years.”
“This divine tree you now see was planted when the monastery was first founded,” the upperclassman leading Alice Liddell’s group explained, pointing to the towering ancient tree in the center of the grand plaza.
“This academy has produced countless great figures, much like the leaves and branches of this tree. Some have become history, some have become legends, and some continue to support this nation even now.”
“The foundation here runs far deeper than you might imagine. If you were to liken this academy to a book, everything you knew before coming here was likely just its cover.”
“I know that all of you here come from extraordinary backgrounds, but here…” The upperclassman suddenly turned, smiling at the new students. “…it will likely be difficult to truly stand out.”
Alice Liddell understood the implication of their words.
The lessons arranged for her by the Duchess Liddell had, to some extent, sharpened her discernment. As soon as she was assigned to this group, she had subtly observed the other new students and the upperclassman.
After analyzing everyone’s family backgrounds from their attire, she quickly reached a conclusion: every student in this group was a noble, and moreover, from the more prominent upper echelons of nobility.
Even the upperclassman leading them was no different. Though clad in a uniform, he exuded an air of importance, having added a thin, red-lined cape and leaning on a jewel-encrusted cane.
Other freshman groups were much the same; students from seemingly similar backgrounds were grouped together. It was probable that the assigned upperclassmen also belonged to the same social class as the new students they guided.
In a way, this arrangement was a thoughtful consideration. The class divide in this nation could be as vast as mountains and seas. It was almost impossible for the children of great lords to converse with impoverished students whose families struggled to make a living by street vending.
By segmenting students’ social circles early based on class, many potential conflicts could often be averted. The upper-tier circles gathered within this academy essentially represented the nation’s elite.
Even though Alice Liddell was now, overtly, a duchess inheriting vast territories—a status so noble that the principal of Southwest St. Academy would personally greet her at the entrance—at St. Hall Academy, she was merely ‘one among many noble freshmen.’
“Many of you might not fully grasp what I’m saying, or perhaps… some might even feel unconvinced,” the upperclassman remarked, a playful smile gracing his lips as he surveyed the newcomers.
“Coincidentally, there’s a rather significant ‘diplomatic event’ at the academy’s East Gate today, which should be quite an eye-opener for you all. The time is almost right, so let’s head over and take a look.”
He led the group to a wide intersection, hailed a carriage, and motioned for everyone to board. The academy was as vast as a small city, even offering rental horses and carriages for transport.
The carriage carried the group to the eastern side of the academy. The upperclassman directed everyone to disembark early, and they continued on foot for a short distance.
Alice Liddell noticed a growing number of students on the path, and even the figures of patrolling guards appeared.
Further ahead, she saw that the distant avenue was already teeming with people. Such a grand spectacle was comparable to Maplewood City’s entire population gathering to witness the triumphant return of an army.
“It seems we won’t get a prime viewing spot, so let’s go up there instead,” the upperclassman sighed wistfully, leading the group onto a covered bridge. The academy was dotted with these bridges, connecting the second floors of numerous buildings.
From the covered bridge, they looked down upon the avenue leading to the academy’s East Gate. The upperclassman pulled out a golden pocket watch, checked it twice, then synchronized it with a distant clock tower before announcing, “They’ll be here any moment!”
Soon after, a golden carriage entered the campus. Alice Liddell noticed two flags affixed to it: one bearing the imperial golden sun emblem and national flag, and the other displaying an eagle—the emblem of the Imperial Royal Family.
‘A royal carriage!’
The carriage halted beside the East Gate avenue. A lavishly dressed young man stepped out, followed by a female attendant. The surrounding crowd erupted in cheers.
Knights in full armor were arrayed along both sides of the avenue, maintaining order. The moment the young man appeared, these knights simultaneously knelt in solemn salute.
“Isn’t that—” A girl beside Alice Liddell gasped, covering her mouth.
“That’s Kleiman, the Empire’s Second Prince, and an alumnus of this very academy,” the upperclassman introduced calmly. “The attendant accompanying him as a bodyguard is Miss Eve, a mage instructor from the Inner Court. She will perform in the show presented by the Inner Court for new students later.”
“So that’s Prince Kleiman? He really is as handsome as the rumors say,” a girl immediately gushed with infatuation.
“But I heard my father say that Prince Kleiman has no interest in, nor opportunity to inherit, the throne. He’s always been idle and doesn’t have a very good reputation,” a boy interjected. “I heard the other royals call him something…”
“The Merry Prince,” the upperclassman finished for him. “Indeed, this fellow has always been idle, only knowing how to eat, drink, and be merry. He’s a standard good-for-nothing. Honestly, if he weren’t a prince, he probably wouldn’t even have had the chance to study at St. Hall Academy.”
“Fortunately, he has a decent face, so he’s quite adequate for public appearances representing the royal family, acting as a mere figurehead.”
The new students exchanged glances. This upperclassman dared to speak of His Royal Highness in such a manner, suggesting he too must be related to the royal family, likely the son of some prince.
Alice Liddell gazed at the distant figure of the Second Prince, her eyes wide and fixed, much like the infatuated noble girl. However, her reason for staring was entirely different.
‘What is going on? This chill…’
‘The Merry Prince? A good-for-nothing?’
‘What a joke.’
The moment the Second Prince stepped out of the carriage, Alice Liddell distinctly felt her sixth sense activate. An intense chill ran down her spine, and she immediately understood that its source was His Royal Highness.
The witch’s intuition told her that this prince was dangerous, an entity capable of posing a severe threat to her destiny.
Alice Liddell involuntarily shivered, instantly recalling the Mad Hatter’s earlier warning. ‘Could it be… this prince is the ‘Bishop’ of the Fifth Order or higher that the Mad Hatter spoke of?’
Something felt wrong. Why would a Fifth Order or higher expert conceal their true nature with rumors of being a wastrel? Perhaps… his true duties were not meant to be public?
‘Inquisitor’—the word immediately surfaced in Alice Liddell’s mind. The idea of the emperor’s respectable son being connected to the infamous Inquisition sounded truly preposterous.
Regardless, Alice Liddell was absolutely certain that this seemingly jovial prince was likely the most terrifying presence among everyone present.
Thankfully, she was now a considerable distance from His Royal Highness, and hidden within the crowd, so there was no immediate threat. According to the upperclassman, the prince was merely using the academy as a venue for diplomatic reception, meaning she likely wouldn’t encounter him within the academy itself in the future.
‘Hmm? Diplomacy?’ Alice Liddell suddenly realized something.
‘Does this mean another important figure from a different country will arrive soon, requiring personal reception by a member of the royal family? And this visitor, it seems, will also tour the academy…’
‘Who could it be?’
Alice Liddell immediately recalled her previous encounter in the commercial district. ‘No way!’ She couldn’t help but gasp.
“However, no matter what, he is still the emperor’s son, representing the royal family in diplomatic affairs. All of you, take a good look: this academy is even qualified to serve as a diplomatic venue of this caliber.”
“But let me tell you, the main character today is not our Second Prince, His Royal Highness, oh no,” the upperclassman continued.
Another white carriage entered the academy’s East Gate. This time, it bore a different national flag—the snowflake banner of the Winter Kingdom.
When a frost-faced young woman descended from the carriage, the onlookers couldn’t help but grow excited, murmuring amongst themselves. After all, the title of the Winter Kingdom’s Snow Princess had always resonated loudly.
Only Alice Liddell remained motionless, as if frozen solid. Only one thought consumed her mind now:
‘This Snow Princess truly is a persistent nuisance!’
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