The Academy Trials

All the other siblings were training both of Magic and Swordmanship.

Some focused more on Magic, while others prioritized Swordmanship.

Except for Ouyang Yuansan, who majored in Swordmanship, most of them were leaned toward Magic.

Yuanjiu was the only one who "lacked magical ability."

Yuanjiu shook her head. "No, I would join the Swordmaster Class."

Ouyang Yuanyi and Ouyang Yuanba fell silent.

Both of them guessed that their Father Emperor must have secretly arranged for her to be taught, as there was no other way she could directly qualify to join the Swordmaster Class.

The others didn't think that far ahead.

Ouyang Yuanwu's eyes widened in surprise. "Xiaojiu, if you're skipping levels, you'll need to take an exam. I've heard it's really tough."

Ouyang Yuansan interjected, "If Xiaojiu joins the Swordmaster Class, she can request to be in the same group as me."

Since the college had a large student body, each grade was divided into multiple groups.

Yuanjiu gave a nonchalant hum and glanced at Xiaoyi.

Xiaoyi who is responsible for her registration, quickly responded, "Yes, Your Highness, I will handle it."

Ouyang Yuaner clung to her brother. "Brother, Brother, you have to escort me to the Mage class the day after tomorrow!"

Ouyang Yuanyi said, "Xiaojiu, you've probably heard by now, the testing will be held tomorrow morning. So, take it easy for today and rest well. After your get tested tomorrow, how about I take you on a tour of the academy?"

Yuanjiu nodded. "Thank you, Eldest Brother."

With his suggestion, the others had no choice but to leave.

Once they were gone, Xiaoci and Xiaoyi started chattering.

"Your Highness, the Second Prince's words earlier were too much. Please don't take them to heart," Xiaoci said urgently.

Xiaoyi also complained, "They're just envious of how much the Emperor loves you."

Yuanjiu merely listened without commenting.

After venting, Xiaoyi took the necessary documents to complete Yuanjiu's registration, while Xiaoci headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Meanwhile, Yuanjiu quickly running upstairs to her room and used her spatial ring to chat with her father.

"Father Emperor."

After activating the spatial ring, Ouyang Qingcheng's deep and melodic voice came from the other side.

"My darling, how's the academy?"

"Mm, I met my royal brothers and sisters."

"Mm, as expected. My darling, you need to know that from the moment you enrolled, you've essentially stepped into the public eye. Today, it's just your royal siblings. Tomorrow, their mothers will all hear about it. Your dangers will only increase. Some will be sincere toward you, but others will have ulterior motives. So, you must protect your true identity and take good care of yourself, understood?"

"I will, Father Emperor. One day, I'll show you that I can protect you too."

Yuanjiu was serious every time she said this, but her father always seemed to think she was joking, brushing it off with a laugh.

As expected.

"Hehe, alright, my darling. Father Emperor will look forward to that day."

Forget it. I'll prove it with actions in the future, she thought.

"Father Emperor, I plan to enter the Swordmaster Class directly."

"Oh? … Very well. If you're skipping levels, there'll likely be an exam. The swords are unpredictable; be careful, my darling."

Ouyang Qingcheng had already arranged for Jin Yi and Jin Er to stay by Yuanjiu's side, ensuring her safety.

Still, he couldn't help but worry.

After all, it was his sweetheart's first time living away from home.

"And, my darling, Father Emperor had a secret underground room built beneath your small building for you to practice. There's an invisible barrier inside your wardrobe that leads down to it. Without you as a guide, no one else can enter."

When Yuanjiu heard there was a secret training area, she immediately ended the conversation and checked for the barrier inside the wardrobe.

She stepped in, descended over twenty steps, and was greeted by a clear, watery glow.

As she approached, she realized the light came from luminous pearls embedded in the walls, just like the ones in her room.

Yuanjiu couldn't help but smile slightly.

After dinner, she practiced magic in the underground room for a while.

However, she started feeling as if a cluster of energy was trapped in her body, refusing to disperse.

She wasn't sure if it truly existed or was just a figment of her mood.

She went back to her room while feeling frustrated.

The excitement of starting school had faded.

Yuanjiu hugged the cushion embroidered with Ouyang Qingcheng's emblem and tossed and turned around for a long time before drifting off to sleep.

The next morning, Yuanjiu woke at the same time as her Father Emperor everytime he go to court.

For five years, she had been waking at this hour like clockwork.

Drowsily staring out the window, it took her a moment to remember she was now at the academy.

After washing up, she strapped sandbags to her legs and ran five laps around the training ground.

It was an old workout method from her previous life, perfect for strengthening her body.

Ouyang Yuanyi, having mentioned he would watch her trial, arrived early and was intrigued by her training method.

Yuanjiu explained it was simply for physical fitness and then went to her private bathroom to bathe.

Afterward, the three of them, along with her small magical pet, xiaoding, ate breakfast together.

Ouyang Yuanyi had already eaten and sat by the side, waiting for them.

Once breakfast was over, Xiaoci and Xiaoyi stayed behind at the small building, while Ouyang Yuanyi took Yuanjiu and xiaoding to the testing grounds—the academy's stadium.

It was the venue for student practices, competitions, and large-scale events.

On the way, they ran into Ouyang Yuanba and Ouyang Yuaner.

At the stadium, they discovered that the twins and Ouyang Yuansan were already there, having saved seats for them.

The circular stadium was divided into two halves: the left side was for the College of Magic's trials, and the right side for the College of Swordsmanship's trials.