Chapter 27: way to the Academy

Today is the 23rd day of the fourth month of the year, aperiō.

Inside the lively city of Sidus, the crowd began to fill the streets as the empire's largest sanctuary for learning opened. Aster Academy opens its gates to welcome the future learners they will nourish.

I Apollo Lionheart was about to enter the registration area for the upcoming entrance exam however a certain someone blocked my path.

It was a tall handsome man(according to big sister Adhara) wearing a black uniform symbolizing the darkness of the night while its hem was covered in fine golden linings. A high collar jacket adorned with silver buttons and the crest of the imperial army. This cold-looking man stood like a tower in front of me. It made me wonder does he think I'll be intimidated because of this?

"Address what you want soldier," I said feeling annoyed since the line for registration was getting longer.

"His majesty the emperor would like to speak with you"

He finally speaks, just what the hell was he doing looking at me like that?

[Creator that man was using a spell to scan you, he even went through your space ring]

"I see I did notice it since his eyes would scan me from head to toe"

[What should we do?]

"Let's just follow him"

And so I nodded my head showing that I was obeying his command however he said something suspicious.

"His majesty only asks for the boy as for all of you"

He looked at the six dozen tower mages with me and said "You may all stay here and wait for our return"

"Wait"

Uncle Arthur said stepping forward and his aura immediately overwhelms the soldier.

"How can you assure us that you are taking Apollo to the emperor"

"Are you.."

"I am not insulting you soldier nor the emperor, I just couldn't trust a random guy suddenly appearing out of nowhere and taking our kid"

Arthur's voices were very sharp like blades that can cut you down however the soldier in front of him didn't want to be defeated.

"I need an oath" Arthur continues not letting the soldier speak.

"If you can't provide that then let us all go with you"

I looked at the guy in front of me and his black uniform highlighted the emblem of the imperial army on his chest. I thought for a moment, will he agree or not? then all my thoughts stopped when he nodded.

"Alright I don't mind"

And so the senior mage Arthur and the imperial soldier both went through the process of an oath before letting Apollo leave with him. Quietly the boy followed until they arrived at a small cafe. Neither of the two spoke only the sound of their footsteps can be heard as they stride across the city.

Strangely as I move closer to the establishment it looks detached as if no one can see it other than them.

"We are here"

The imperial soldier spoke cutting off my thoughts slowly he went forward and opened the door for me.

"The emperor is waiting inside"

I nodded and as I entered a simple yet cozy atmosphere welcomed me along with the cafe's wooden furniture. While a soft touch of light and a few potted plants on each table can be seen. The menu is written on a chalkboard offering a variety of brewed coffee and pastries for the customers to choose from. The fresh scent of brewed coffee becomes an enticing aroma as if telling you to take a cup. It was simple yet welcoming at the same time.

On one of the wooden tables, a man sits leisurely as he calmly drinks his coffee.

A striking blonde hair with emerald green eyes, slowly I approach and greet him.

"Hail the ruler of the continent I salute you"

I humbly bend on one knee while putting my right hand on my chest.

"Raise Lionheart I called you here for a task"

I was a bit confused and wondered "What kind of task is it your majesty and why me?"

However, my thoughts are not needed. What the emperor needs is my attention and focus not my thoughts. And just like what I was ordered to do I stood up and waited for his command.

"You may sit here so you can comfortably listen" I nodded and sat right in front of the seat of the emperor.

"I know you are here for the entrance exam and I am already certain you can succeed"

He started off then he took a file from his space ring and put it right in front of me. I frown confused with the names compiled inside the file.

"Those students are sure to be admitted however they are anticipated to enter the lower class"

I took each paper inside the file while I waited for the emperor to finish.

"Apollo"

I suddenly froze when he called my name for a moment a feeling of rejection rose to my chest. It wasn't because I hated the emperor it was because I had gotten used to only the mages of the tower calling my name. However, hearing it from a person I am not close with feels too foreign and it's as if my mind won't accept someone calling me.

"Yes your majesty" I managed to say.

"I want you to lower your performance and enter the lower-class department"

"No," I said deadpanned if I did what the emperor said my plan to antagonize my siblings would be ruined. I can't pass the part where they clench their teeth and curse my name repeatedly in their heads. The angrier they become the happier I will be.

"I will enter with the highest rank and.... "

The emperor remained quiet as if waiting for me to finish.

"And as for entering the lower class, I will still obey his majesty's order"

I only want to break their entrance exam record and their grades in their time as first year. The class placement doesn't really matter to me.

"I knew you would say that" The emperor smiled as if everything I said was predetermined.

"Your majesty, may I ask why you want me to enter the lower class?"

"Hmmm... it's because I want you to take care of the students of the lower class"

"Me? Taking care of whom?"

The emperor then pointed the files in front of me as if urging me to take a keen look over the students.

"They seem ordinary"

However soon enough I realized something.

"Monastery," I said making the emperor nod.

"Protect them until the end of this school year"

"I will, your majesty"

I said becoming interested in the students' background.

"Well then run along and score higher than any upcoming student"

"Will do your majesty"

Protecting these students will be a good pass time before I ruin my sibling's school life.

First-year students are basically isolated from other upper-year students for the first three months of their time in the academy. This was set so the first-year students would get used to each other and the school's environment before being introduced to older students.

"Just for three months" I grin as I leave the cafe.

After I went back to Sir Arthur and the rest of the tower mages. I was shocked to see a long line at the registration office.

"What the" I couldn't help but say.

The sky was barely lit but the crowd was already there.

I sighed but still went to the line as I left, I waved to the tower mages who immediately waved back to me.

"Let's get this over"

The registration was the first filter the students needed to pass, there your background and status would be judged. Although the Aster Academy accepts different students from different backgrounds and statuses they would remain strict in their selection.

For example, people who fake their age and background would immediately be sent back for interrogation. It is also a way to identify spies and potential geniuses that got mixed in the crowd.

After a couple of hours of waiting, I finally finished going through the registration and was led to a separate room.

It was a room filled with a pedestal containing a series of different floating orbs.

"Please answer every question you encounter inside the orbs," one of the staff said, gladly I approached one of the orbs and put my hand on top of it.

"As expected at the academy the questions are very decent"

Quickly I answered every question and went to another separate room.

As I walked I saw the hidden magic embedded on the door. The function of each spell was to strip any disguise or illusion and even hypnosis that could threaten the Academy.

I passed through the door and saw a spacious room similar to an amphitheatre. Rising tiers of seats ranged around an elevated stage while curtains and lights were hung up above the ceiling.

Through the lane of the seat, I pick one which not too close and not far from the stage. That way I would feel comfortable watching whatever the academy wants us to see.

Another couple of minutes passed by and I waited patiently. And in a strange way, the room was filled with students.

[Notification Alert!

Time magic is being used inside the room!

The creator is advanced to be cautious

Time inside the amphitheatre is much slower than the time outside!

Be cautious!]

"I see, so in order to accommodate the massive flow of enrollees they had someone cast a time spell here"

I muttered and immediately studied the spell through Jeremiah.

Without me knowing all the seats were filled. Then a man slowly appears on the stage.

That man wore an ivory long-sleeve shirt with a black necktie fixed on his collar, on top of it was a black waistcoat with a black overcoat resting on his shoulder. His lower body is clothed with dark charcoal grey pants, and laced up on his feet are a pair of men's shoes with low heels.

As soon as he arrived in the middle of the stage he finally spoke.

"Welcome to the Academy aspiring students"