Weldphal (1)

A few days had passed since the news of the attack broke through the newspapers. Although it was a shocking event, it only affected Glendione a little—but still needed, nonetheless. The townguards increased their presence since then.

The masked rider still remained at large. The girl who was attacked was still unconscious in the hospital, but her family had been discharged. Still, a number of townguards were assigned to protect them, in case of another attack.

Valan's stance remained the same: he'd stay out of it. Because the target is a girl at the same age as his, he did have a worry growing inside him. What if the attacks is planned? Or maybe it's just a bias because he thinks it's related to his mission to find the Centurion?

He decided to keep his eyes peeled in case if there was a situation.

But it wasn't the right time to dwell on them for too long, he had an important work to do.

"Look, we're almost there!" Celica shouted beside him.

As Valan processed his thoughts, his carriage rounded a bend in the road, and he could see a part of Weldphal Academy from his seat. From outside, it looked like a military fortress.

Stone walls and towers stood with their battlements. Weldphal's banners—a dolphin embedded in a blue flag—waved in the afternoon, as if they welcomed the incoming applicants from around the world. Part of copper pipes could be seen on the surface of the wall, linked together from one place to another like vine made of metal.

Townguards could be seen almost everywhere—from the windows to the battlements. He already knew this was a new measure to keep the academy safe—although at the level of near paranoia.

But Valan also thought it was to sent message to the applicants and their families who accompanied them—making sure everyone felt safe and secure.

"Well, this is it," Arline said as the carriage rolled to a stop before the academy's main gate.

Valan stepped down first. Celica bounced out with her usual energy, while Arline stepped off just calmly.

"I can't believe Uncle Garon and Aunt Rhea couldn't come with us," Celica said, smoothing her dress.

"They can't just cancel a meeting appointment from months ago," Arline reminded her. "Uncle said it's related to an important deal for his business."

The three of them started walking toward the gate, joining other applicants and their families. Commoners and nobles alike walked into the same place as they entered the gate. Some of them looked pale. Others were excited.

Valan scanned through all of them, gauging their mana level. The level varied between each of them. Nobles mostly had above average level, but a number of commoners surprised him—some reached the same level as nobles or even surpassed them. But still, unlike nobles, not all commoners were well-trained from young ages, so in their case, having high mana level didn't equate high proficiency in using arcane.

What he found interesting, was the fact that Celica's mana level actually surpassed even some nobles.

But then, a flamboyant applicant came right into his sight—a tall, red-haired male with bright skin.

He stepped out of his gilded carriage, which from its looks alone, could be more valuable than the attires of the whole people here combined. He just around several meters away from Valan, walking off as if he was on a performance stage—just to show off his expensive attires and boots.

The way he carried himself already told Valan that he was from a high-nobility.

"That's Darda of Hanzir," Celica suddenly whispered.

"I never like him," Arline sighed.

"You know him?" Valan raised an eyebrow.

"We're in the same middle school. I can tell you he's just a pompous brat."

Although Valan put a wry smile, he disagreed with what Arline had said.

His mana level alone was already high as Arline's, he assumed. Though unlike her, he didn't even shy away from it. He made it for everyone to see. "Now, where is that nerd?"

"I'm here."

A male teen with glasses stepped out. Nobody seemed to notice his presence before, which made Valan surprised. He had short, blue hair—but lighter in color compared to Celica. His height just reached Darda's upper arm, highlighting their contrast in height.

"Who is he?" Valan asked.

"That's Benar of Lamwel," Arline said. "Probably the smartest person from all the applicants."

"You seem to know much about these guys." Valan referred to both Benar and Darda.

"They're the sons of dukes in our generation. Of course you will hear their story eventually."

Valan just shrugged as he put his attention back to Benar again. Again, like Darda, he managed to take Valan's attention. Not out of his intelligence, or his mana level which was showed to be poor, but the fact that he suppressed his mana level just like what Arline did—yet the difference was that Benar had done a better job in concealing his mana level.

Valan wasn't even sure whether he was just a scrub or actually the strongest out of all—it was possible with such mastery.

Benar might be painted as just a simple nerd, but he might hide more than what people know.

"Where is she?" Darda asked Benar. By this time, people already stared at both of them.

"She told me she'd be late."

"Is it because of what happened a few days ago?"

"Yes. Just extra safety measures. It's the protocol."

"Who's the person they meant?" Valan asked, although he already knew the answer.

"Probably Lyra of Almidia," Celica said. "The middle-school champion."

Arline nodded. "She's strong."

"I know the rumors said she will enter Weldphal, but I didn't expect Hanzir and Lamwel as well. This crazy!"

Valan watched as more applicants gathered around Darda and Benar. The duke's sons drew attention like magnets. A few commoners lingered at the edges—in awe, but also fear.

"Should we go say hello?" Celica suggested, already taking a step toward them.

"No," Arline said, catching her arm. "Let's just focus on ourselves today."

Darda's voice carried across the courtyard as he gestured dramatically. "Father says the academy's standards have dropped significantly. Too many commoners diluting the bloodlines."

Several nearby applicants shifted uncomfortably. Valan noticed a few clenched fists among the common-born students—and a death stare, for those not in his line of sight.

"See?" Arline whispered. "Told you he was a pompous brat."

"Isn't the academy prevent nobles to abuse their status?"

"He isn't a student, yet—remember."

Valan could only sigh as he stared at them one last time.

Benar adjusted his glasses and said something too quiet to hear, but it made Darda laugh loudly.

Inside, he questioned about how modern Earth was lucky they didn't have to face such a farce.

"Come on," he said. "We should get inside as well."