[Vol. 7] Chapter 127: A Chance Encounter
As the two little girls, showing no signs of nervousness, followed their teacher into the classroom, the students below quickly started chatting excitedly.
“Wow! They’re so cute!”
“They look way too young! Did they really get in fairly?”
“Don’t judge people by their appearance, you dummy~”
Amid the lively discussions, the guardian lady standing outside the classroom could only shake her head helplessly. She quietly observed the situation with Yulia by her side.
On the way here, the headmaster’s secretary had already explained the general situation to them. Sainz Academy enrolls new students once every three years, and the standard graduation period is around nine years.
This means there are usually three classes of students at any given time. While older students tend to be a bit more mature, there isn’t a strict age requirement.
After all, Sainz Academy accepts students from all intelligent races across the world, and their lifespans and cultures vary greatly. For example, Tree Spirit Race only reach adulthood at 50, whereas humans at that age are already approaching retirement. Because of this, the key difference between students is simply how long they’ve been at Sainz, rather than their actual age or appearance.
Among these students, the most unique ones belong to the [Experimental Class].
Unlike regular classes, the [Experimental Class] doesn’t follow the usual class system. It’s a special group completely separate from the rest of the student body, and in extreme cases, the age gap between its members can be astonishing.
Rather than a normal class, it’s more like a research facility where Sainz Academy houses and observes individuals with extraordinary traits. For instance, there’s Xiao Guang, a child who, aside from their magical attribute, has almost no readable data and is shrouded in mystery. Then there’s Lenka, who was born with a magic reserve equivalent to a Tier 5 (sky level) mage. Or Qionghua, an incredibly rare and highly specialized astrologer.
Regular students follow the academy’s set curriculum, but the [Experimental Class] operates differently. Each student receives personalized lessons tailored to their unique situation, taught by different instructors as needed. There are no graduation rules, students remain until the academy deems them capable of independent survival, or until they personally request to leave. In short, they enjoy full special privileges.
While the academy nurtures these students, it also studies them, hoping to uncover the mysteries they carry. After all, not every student in the [Experimental Class] is necessarily talented, but every single one of them holds valuable research potential.
Watching the two little girls stand at the front of the class, introducing themselves under Priscilla’s guidance, and receiving warm applause from their new classmates, the priestess lady finally let out a small sigh of relief. It felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
Xiao Guang was a highly perceptive child, understanding, intelligent, and much more adaptable than before. However, just like her true nature, she still carried the arrogance and solitude inherited from her dragon lineage. Violet could teach her many things, but when it came to socializing and interacting with others, only the right environment could help her grow.
Lenka’s presence was a surprise to Violet. It was good that Xiao Guang was willing to befriend her, but that alone wasn’t enough. The growth of a divine being required more than just absorbing [Origin Power].
She needed real experiences, encountering all kinds of people and situations, whether friendly or hostile. A complete worldview could only be shaped through these ups and downs.
That was something she had to go through on her own. As her guardian, Violet’s role wasn’t to constantly stay by her side like in the game, raising her into heavy dependence. Instead, she was only there to provide guidance and correction when necessary, ensuring Xiao Guang’s basic safety.
This was why Violet had brought the little dragon girl to Sainz Academy. It wasn’t about expecting her to learn anything specific but rather about experiencing what it meant to go to school.
Standing outside the classroom, Violet exchanged a quick glance with the golden-haired girl on the podium, who had just finished her brief self-introduction and was sneaking a look outside. Seeing that, the priestess nodded in satisfaction before turning to leave, walking down the corridor in the opposite direction.
This was Xiao Guang’s stage for growth. She would let the child find her own way.
Yulia, as Lucine’s most trusted secretary and head maid, was incredibly sharp when it came to reading the situation. She silently followed behind Violet, waiting until they had fully left the [Experimental Class] area and reached the upper floors before finally speaking.
“Lady Violet, regarding the honorary professor title ceremony…”
“Ah, just keep it simple. I don’t like making a big scene. It’s too much of a hassle.”
“Understood. If that’s your wish, I’ll notify the relevant departments to make adjustments. Aside from that, the Headmaster also…”
Before the secretary could finish, an abrupt, furious shout erupted from an office not far away!
“What do you mean!? I lowered myself to personally come and speak on your behalf, and you won’t even give me this small bit of respect? Ismael, are you getting too arrogant? Don’t think that just because the Headmaster is protecting you, you can do whatever you want! This is the Austre Empire, not your backyard!”
The voice sounded like a young man, loud, commanding, and arrogant. From just those few sentences, Violet had already formed an image in her mind of someone who was cocky and full of himself. It was clear that this wasn’t going to be an easy person to deal with.
She stopped in her tracks and curiously glanced in the direction of the voice. It was coming from the place they were headed. Turning to Yulia, she noticed that even the usually composed secretary was frowning slightly, deep in thought. It seemed that this situation had caught her off guard as well.
After a few moments of silence, another voice, this time filled with helplessness and a hint of fear, finally responded.
“But, Prince Xiluo, the academy is already dealing with resource shortages due to various issues. All the available materials have already been allocated. Aside from what has been set aside for you, the rest is essential for the students’ training and practical exercises. We can’t just take those away…”
“I don’t want excuses! Ensuring resource supplies is your department’s job! The Empire funnels billions into this academy every year, and now that I need some materials, you people are just pushing me away with excuse after excuse. Unbelievable! Or have you all been lining your own pockets with that money instead!?”
“Your Highness! Y-You can’t say something like that! I swear, I have never embezzled a single quark from public funds! But the amount you’re asking for is just too much, and right now—”
“Enough! I don’t want to hear any more of your nonsense. You have three days. I don’t care how you do it, but if you can’t get me what I need… hmph, then you’d better be ready to step down from your position!”
BANG!
With an aggressively loud sound, the door was shoved open.
A tall, red-haired young man stepped out of the office, wearing the uniform of Sainz Academy. He was accompanied by a man and a woman, both also in academy uniforms but carrying weapons, clearly acting as his bodyguards.
As they exited, they immediately came face-to-face with Violet and Yulia, who had been standing in the hallway listening in.
At first, the red-haired young man seemed to have no interest in acknowledging them, striding forward as if they weren’t even there. But then, just as he was about to walk past, he suddenly hesitated. His gaze, which had only briefly swept over them, snapped back to Violet, and his brows visibly furrowed.
“Hm? You… you’re…?”
Seeing his face clearly, Violet also froze for a brief moment. But then, an indescribable, amused yet knowing smile curled onto her lips.
“Oh my, so His Highness still remembers a small nobody like me? Seems like we really are quite fated to meet again~”