Acquaintance.

Countless students that were wearing uniforms flocked the pathways, crowding every corner where Veritas stood.

It would seem suffocating for a normal person but Veritas was already used to such situations. He has served as a Prince for 16 years after all..

That said, in the horizon, Veritas saw a looming gothic castle with spires that pierced the heavens. It seemed to be the main building where students attended their classes and other things.

'The castle from the vision...'

It looked intimidating and daunting, as if a deep mystery lied inside of it.

This was Veritas' destination too! So, it was helpful that he could see the intimidating aura of the gothic castle.

Traversing through the loud crowds, Veritas merely responded to their pleas with a warm smile. 

Everyone was in awe due to his splendor, but none of them had the courage to even speak to him.

This was beneficial to Veritas as it saved him trouble but also he wanted all the attention to be directed towards him.

Bello was somewhere in the crowd, blending in with the crowd.

There were many students that wore the Knight's Academy uniform, but the new enrollees had not been tailored their respective uniforms yet. So, there are people that wore formal dresses and suits for the orientation.

'That bastard is actually good at mixing in..'

If he was the Bello of the past, Veritas would immediately notice his peculiar makeup and clothing. But now.. Bello looked like a normal-suited enrollee.

Usually, enrollments for people that aren't from nobility, needed a two-set exam to be partaken.

A written and a practical one.

However, due to the King's influence, he used the Head Wielder's influence in order to get Bello enrolled easily.

Although they were sure that Bello was capable of passing the exams, it would take a lot of time to do so and it needed great planning.

Using a recommendation was the easiest and cleanest way of getting in.

Of course, the Academy still did a background check but that was not too much of a problem.

Veritas kept up his pace, and got nearer to the castle. Countless people were staring at him, and there were many that flocked him from a distance.

Then, he arrived at the castle entrance.

There were crowds of students wearing uniforms and formal attire, but Veritas was given special entry due to his noble status.

'How unfair.. yet convenient.'

Thus, in minutes, Veritas was able to get in without any problems.

Once inside he saw the large venue of the academy where the students are supposed to gather. 

There was a great podium in front where the speaker would likely appear. Different halls that led to different rooms, Veritas guessed that the hall on the right was the respective area for food due to the winds feeling slightly warmer inside it.

There were many other halls but Veritas did not pry further.

Although that crowd wasn't as big as the crowd outside, it was still a considerable amount of people.

Most of the people inside were wearing formal attires, with only a few people wearing regal dresses designed for luxurious events.

Overall, there were no students that wore uniforms to be found.

Veritas wondered if the orientation was only meant for the new enrollees. He had been informed that its supposed to be for the first years. But, he guessed that he was wrong.

He walked gracefully to the middle of the venue, clearly wanting to garner attention from the people.

In a setting like this, Veritas rather stay hidden than be swarmed by attention. However, due to their plans and missions, Veritas needed to do this.

The people inside were of nobility and royalty, there were even individuals from other regions that chose to study in the Knights Academy!

One of these individuals was a particular blonde-haired girl.

Veritas saw the calm and expressionless girl and slowly approached her.

"Lady Alice, I see that you are well.."

She wore a frilled golden dress with ribbons of red on the side. Various accessories made of ruby were layered in her skirt and neck. Her hair looked shiny and curly as ever, it stretched down to her back and fluffed with each step that she took. 

Her fierce yet cold eyes mesmerized people of nobility and mundane alike.

Upon hearing her name, she somberly turned back at the direction of the voice.

"Your majesty.. Prince Veritas."

Alice slightly bowed and tapped her left chest.

People in the surroundings saw the two's encounter and whispered among themselves.

"The Prince and the Daughter of a Duke are talking.."

"It's only natural that they're already acquainted."

He turned back at Alice and made small talk with her.

"Lady Alice, I am pleased to see you study at Knights Academy.."

Veritas kneeled down and kissed the palm of her hand.

People saw this and went into an uproar. Their faces reddened, some covered their mouths, some eyes gleamed in a sparkle, and others gasped in surprise! Whispers amongst each other got louder.

"How- How utterly romantic!"

"It should've been me! Not her!"

"Their elegant faces make me fall deeply in love with them! Its giving a romance historical genre-vibe!"

Veritas flinched.

'What the hell is a romance historical genre vibe!?'

Of course, this act was only a facade. 

People can't know the secret plan that they are currently conducting. To the outside world, Veritas and Alice hadn't known each other yet.

It is normal for them to introduce themselves as a pleasantry.

"I see that you've come over from Dragonia to study at this Academy. I assure you that it is the best that Elrod has to offer. I am pleased to see the Daughter of a Duke studying here.."

"It is of my Mother's orders. But the academy piqued my interest quite as well."

She spoke in an indifferent manner, yet her attention focused solely on Veritas, not letting the gossip take it away.

"I see. It is a pleasure to be acquainted with you, I do hope that we encounter each other in the future more frequently."

"I do hope so too.."

Then, Veritas slightly bowed and excused himself.

With that finished, Veritas went ahead and talked to many people of nobility. There were only a few ones that caught his eye. Half of them, he already knew from his childhood.

There was the son of the finance manager, who looked reserved and cold. Although Veritas knew that once he got comfortable, he would act all unrestrained and forceful.

It was not a good experience to say the least..

Another was a nephew of one of the Knights in the castle. Back when they were kids, Veritas would play with him. But, the business of his life came and the two of them drifted apart.

He was surprised to see his former friend enroll in the Academy!

And then, Veritas talked to people that lived in Diamond Borough. Sons of Barons, Marquis, and many more! He knew that most of them were two-faced and based on their conversation alone.. Veritas already knew that they would suck up to him.

'This is great.'

Due to the nature of their plan, Veritas needed as many connections as he could get, even if it meant acting fake towards his peers.

So far, among all the people that he talked to. No one seemed to be suspicious just yet.

It was unlikely for the Puppeteer to be one of the noble's children but it was not impossible.

If only Veritas could use Memory Manipulation, verifying these people would be so much easier.

But even with 30 days of training, Veritas could still not grasp how he used the power back in the Golden City.

One, he unconsciously used it and saw Duncan's memories and two.. the Seraphim of Gold used it for him.

So, all in all, Veritas hadn't used it even once through his will.

He smiled brightly and didn't let any of his thoughts leak out.

Then, he went back to Lady Alice.

He spoke to her mildly, conversing about the daily travesties and experiences that they handled.

In their eyes, pure innocence was shown to the public. However, deep inside, they knew that risks of their plan and how they were going to execute it.

"A week from from, classes will start and-"

"Gah!-"

A sudden sound echoed in the direction of the castle entrance. Veritas and Alice gazed towards the commotion and saw a peculiar figure laying down face first on the ground.

It was a black-haired boy with a black turtleneck as an undershirt, and he was wearing a tight suit along with a black trenchcoat.

'Is that-'

Everyone gossiped and whispered.

"That's.. Head Wielder Mikella's recommendation right?"

"Yeah, that's Bello Agalia.. Apparently he piqued the Head Wielder's attention."

"He seems really clumsy, is that really him?"

"To think that such a person is recommended, I would've been a better pick!"

Veritas maintained a warm smile, and kept his composure.

'How did he even trip!?'

Alice stared at Bello with an emotionless expression but Veritas could tell that she too, questioned his capability.

Bello was supposed to blend in, but he already caused the nobility's viewpoint of him to plummet.

That in itself is a good thing, as he was supposed to stay in the shadows. But, being infamous for tripping in the orientation was something that still caused attention.

Maybe it would've been better if Bello went through the proper procedure and examinations rather than being endorsed by the Head of Knights Academy.

Bello... stayed on the ground for a good 10 seconds before getting up, walking towards the crowding people with a calm expression on his face.

'He just stood up and acted like nothing happened!'

Veritas face twitched for a second before maintaining his composure once more.

As the commotion ended, Veritas and Alice went back to conversing with each other.

However, moments later, their conversation was abruptly stopped by a feminine and imposing voice.

A young woman with dark-silver hair suddenly appeared on the podium and let out her commanding voice.

'Auntie!' Veritas screamed in his thoughts.

"Welcome to Knights Academy!"

As she let out her commanding voice, everyone in the room directed their attention to her and listened attentively.

"Virtus et Fortiter!"