Afternoon Investigations.

Stumped by the sudden declaration of the Prince's path, Leo and Hana's eyes were widened in awe. 

Two Sacred Ranked Paths were sitting on a table with them.

It was a once in a lifetime experience..

Sacred Ranks were considered to be really rare. Statistically, they were at least 1 in a million. 

And now.. two one in a millions were sitting together, side by side.

In reality though, it was much greater than they expected.

Veritas.. lied about his Path and Attunement, he was a Seraph Rank! No human in the world has been recorded to have had this rank, and yet.. Veritas existed to be the first one to obtain it. 

He didn't feel the obligation to tell the two about the truth about his Path, nor was he ever planning to do so. Maybe he could tell Alice in the future, but it would take a considerable amount of trust.

Still, only those that he considered as very close to him could get to know the truth.

Veritas reached for a cup of water and drank it, acting calm and nonchalant in the process.

"You two are actually Sacred.. I can't believe I'm even this close to the both of you" Leo said with surprise in his voice.

Veritas too was surprised by Alice's Path, he did not expect her to possess a Sacred Path, and its name sounded cool too!

'Dragon of the Purgatory..'

It seemed related to fire, clearly related to her Attunement: Daughter of Flames. Maybe it could be something more, but Paths are really confusing most of the time.

Not only were they subtle in their wordings but sometimes.. they are also misleading.

Take for example, Leo's Path of Sandstorm doesn't necessarily mean that he would become a physical manifestation of a Sandstorm. Rather, he would possess attributes that a Sandstorm had. 

Veritas was still unsure of what it could potentially mean but he guessed that it would be something like being a source of arid heat and amassing potential destruction by accumulating small particles as a medium to form a larger and potentially more destructive device.

These small things could be the things that individuals see in their daily lives. Such as fixing ties, taking a bath, and walking. 

Thus, the study of Paths is considered to be an endless road that leads to nothingness. No one could ever grasp the full extent of their Paths, except for those that are blessed by the Gods.

Aurelium, the Seraphim of Gold is an example of such an individual, utilizing his Path to its maximum potential. Possessing a Path related to gold doesn't necessarily mean that he was limited to controlling gold.

The Seraphim realized this, and controlled everything that resembled gold, which to him is Brilliance.

'I wonder what the full extent of Visionshaper could be..'

Pondering no longer about Paths, Veritas changed the topic of the group to various things such as the unique Swordplay of Central City and Eastern City. 

He focused mainly on Alice, who practiced the Swordplay of the East.

"That being said, I would love to spar with you Lady Alice."

"I.. am not that potent in the ways of a sword."

"Oh.. Is that so-"

Unlike Veritas, there were many people that was not as good with the blade as him. 

"Still, I'd love to spar with someone that can use the Eastern Swordplay."

Alice nodded her head.

"I'll try my best."

After their exchange, Leo cut in their conversation and inserted himself.

"I'd love to spar with you, your majesty!"

"M-me too!"

Veritas awkwardly chucked.

"I-I'll see if I have the time." 

The time went by quickly as the four of them were immersed in conversation. Since the two were alumni of the previous semester, Veritas asked them various things about the Academy's structure.

However.. nothing too fruitful came out of their mouth. Veritas remembered that the two were also noble-blooded and enjoyed the privileges of their life. 

Veritas studied the society of the Academy in order to form better relations with others. Ultimately, he was also a privileged student belonging to the royal family. But as time passes, he hoped to change the system that the Academy had, making everyone equal in status.

It was delusional.. yet one could only dream.

Their entire lunch time was spent and it was almost time for Swordsmanship Class. Veritas waved goodbye to the three as they headed to the direction of the changing rooms in the training grounds.

With the three of them gone, he could act more freely. No one else was in the cafeteria, leaving Veritas alone. 

He walked to the opposite direction of his class and headed towards the direction of the Knight Curriculum. 

He walked and his face and attire gradually changed. Once a white splendor, now a mundane looking black coat.

Veritas seemed unrecognizable now..

Veritas wore a faceless mask, layering his disguise even more. His black cloak fluttered and swayed.

* 

In the courtyard.

A student with a bulky physique was surrounded by a group of his peers, forming an intimidating group.

They wore the typical black cloak but their neckties were undone and messy. Their white shirts were unbuttoned and loose, it almost seemed like they were a group of delinquents.

And currently.. They were terrorizing a group of frail students.

They made it seem like they were having fun in the public's eyes. However, no sane person would fall for such treachery... in reality, they were bullying the students.

"Tsk. What's taking that kid so long, I told him to simply buy me bread."

The student with bulky physique, who was considered to be the leader, complained at the tardiness of his lackey.

"Let's give him a beating once he comes back, boss."

"Nah let's strip him naked and make him bathe in icy water"

"Or.. Or-"

The leader grunted.

"Shut up! He's already here."

In the horizon, a frail looking boy ran with two bags that were filled to the brim with bread.

He arrived shortly after..

"You useless brat! What took you so long?!"

He grabbed the boy's tie and brought him closer to his face.

"I-I… there were a lot of people in the cafeteria, boss!"

"I told ya to skip the line didn't I?!"

The bulky-physique student threw him on the ground.

"I-I'm so sorry! It won't happen again!"

"Better be damn right. Sit down with your pathetic group."

The frail boy walked towards the group of other pathetic looking boys.

"Damned slaves. Can't even buy the order properly. I oughta give ya beating y'know, you're lucky were inside the campus right now. Once dismissal arrives, I'll give you the worst time of your life!"

The delinquent looking group all smirked ruthlessly, while the frail boy's group trembled in fear.

The delinquent group feasted joyfully, chatting amongst each other while tormenting the frail group. 

"Oh ya, I've heard that the Prince actually enrolled in this damned Academy."

"Oh, right. A buddy of mine saw him last week, he said that he actually looked royal and stuff."

"I got an idea, if we suck up to him.. then we can use him to our liking!"

"I like yer idea pal!"

They got so lost in conversation that they failed to notice a boy of normal height standing amongst them.

He had silky black hair that was flowing down to his eyes, hiding the deep dark nature. The boy wore a similar black coat and tie as the delinquent group, but he looked more refined and proper.

In his chest, there was a symbol of a circular laurel that was enveloping two blades that crossed each other.

"What are the rest of you doing...?"

Immediately, the group stood up in shock, clearly surprised by the boy's sudden arrival.

Their eyes widened at his presence.

"Shit! It's Vice President Lumen, run!"

They dispersed, running through different directions.

However! None of them got far as they were suddenly stopped in their tracks!

Vice President Lumen controlled their clothes in order to stop them. By now, their coat and shirts were as heavy as steel itself.

Then, all of them were dragged towards the Vice President's front. 

"I ask once more.. what are the rest of you doing?"

His eyes were hidden by his black hair yet the delinquents felt the terrifying gaze of his deep dark eyes.

"We- we were eating and enjoying our lunch! We weren't breaking the rules!"

"Seems to me that you were up to no good.."

"I am true to my word! I would never lie to the Vice President!"

The delinquent group felt an imposing pressure.

"Then why did all of you run?"

His obsidian colored eyes glowed tenebrously.

"We, uh."

"I hereby declare you all to be expelled."

"What?! No! You can't do that!"

"Do you challenge my authority?"

The delinquent was humbled.

"I.."

With a sigh, the Vice President proposed a decision to let their actions pass.

"Hah.. I will let this pass only if you listen to my request."

"We will do anything!"

The Vice President raised his bangs, revealing the deep darkness harbored inside the depths of his eyes.

He smiled ear to ear.

"Become my dogs for a day."