Velrune

"Wow…"

Only one word came out of Analeis's mouth once they left the teleportation tower. As for Aaran, it wasn't anything special as he had spent plenty of years in Velrune throughout his incarnations.

But this city is always a sight to behold.

Tall buildings stretched everywhere as if desperately clawing to touch the sky. Countless carriages flew in the sky, pulled by griffins, while horses pulled the ones on the ground.

With a population of over ten million citizens, Velrune was one of the most crowded cities on the continent. Aaran remembered the continent was called North America on Earth, but it was known as Flessia on Elysium.

While Analeis was busy gawking at the sight before, a carriage stopped before them. Painted in the bright colors of the empire's flag, the doors opened and a butler walked out, curtly bowing before Aaran.

"It's an honor to meet you, your highness," the old man said.

Aaran politely smiled before nudging Analeis. She snapped out of her thoughts and immediately bowed.

Even though the old man was a butler, he was the butler of the emperor's family. Anyone but distinct royalty had to pay their respect to Sir Donovan.

"The honor is all mine, Sir Donovan," Aaran said, bowing slightly.

Surprise reflected on the old man's clean-shaven face. His hair had turned white, and it was the first time someone had given him such respect.

Nor did he expect the young prince to address him by his name. After all, none of the royal children did that. For them, he was just a butler.

But there was a reason Aaran paid his respect to the butler. It would be rude for him to not greet his teacher respectfully.

Although Donovan wasn't his teacher yet, he had been his master in twelve of Aaran's twenty lives, and Aaran wanted that tradition to carry on this time as well.

"Your Highness, please, do not embarrass yourself by bowing before a servant—!"

Donovan hastily replied, but Aaran walked past him and got into the carriage. In time, everything would become clear. For now, Aaran wanted to see what waited for him in the preschool this time around.

***

"Analeis…"

Aaran whispered, and the maid immediately got back in her seat. Even though the barbarians devoted themselves to the Marki empire, most of them had never stepped foot in any major city.

Blorena, the Marki empire's capital, had far taller buildings than the ones before them. But for Analeis, it was the first time seeing such buildings or a flying carriage.

It was natural for her to be so excited.

But there was a time and place for everything. At the moment, she wasn't a barbarian but Aaran's maid. Like him, she also represented Aurelia, and her actions were quite unbecoming of her.

[She's supposed to take care of you? HAHA!]

Dread's voice echoed in Aaran's head. He sighed, focusing his gaze out the window. Velrune was beautiful, but it saddened Aaran.

The city's beauty couldn't hide the darkness covering it. Especially the source of it all: the magnificent castle sitting on top of the mountain overlooking the capital.

That was the so-called Royal Excellence Academy. An institution managed by the Runedral empire, where all individual identities were erased and the nobles were transformed into the empire's loyal dogs.

Of course, no one knows about it.

Why would the Empire open a preschool, of all things? They could have formed an academy to nurture talent or, even better, a military training facility exclusive to the nobles.

But they made preschool.

The answer was simple.

Children were impressionable with ever-changing ideals and beliefs. It wouldn't be strange if they suddenly became loyal to the Empire, even if they hated the Empire with all their being before entering the preschool.

However, people would start questioning the empire if the same happened to young adults.

Hence, the seventh emperor devised this plan to turn the nobles throughout the empire into loyal puppets from a young age.

This prevented any unrest or rebellion from the nobles. One could call it nipping the issue in the bud, only at an extreme level.

This preschool was why the Runedral Empire could extend its borders with no internal conflicts.

It was also the reason taking down the empire wasn't a joke. One would have to fight every noble family in the empire before even having time to harm the emperor.

I was once the same.

Before obtaining the [EXP Store] in his fifth incarnation, Aaran had fallen for the same trap time and time again.

The store helped him build his mental barriers. Only when they try messing with his mind does he learn about the empire's ploys.

But this time… I'll ruin it all for you, Emperor.

"We're here, Your Highness," Donovan announced as the carriage began its descent.

***

As they landed, an entourage of guards and servants awaited them. At first, it seemed they were there to welcome the noble, but reality was starkly different.

They were there to strip Aaran away from his belongings.

After entering the preschool, their lives belonged to the empire. Any attachment they had to the outside world would end at the gates. As such, belongings with sentimental attachment weren't allowed inside the castle.

"But that's his highness's favorite—!"

Analeis tried to fight as the guards took away the teddy. Amara had told her to make sure the teddy stayed next to Aaran at all times, but the guards didn't care. They put it away in a locker, along with the rest of Aaran's belongings.

"Analeis, it's fine," Aaran replied, smiling at the guards. "I need to grow out of childishness, eventually. This seems the right time to start."

"Well said, your highness."

A bold voice echoed alongside thunderous steps. Aaran did not have to look up to know who had arrived there. It was the headmaster, Igor Vankoff. The second-in-command to the former emperor, also known as the One-Armed Calamity.

The bald man wore an eye patch over his left eye, still dressed as if ready for war, even with his right arm missing. The bulky, muscular build complimented his powerful aura.

Everyone was intimidated by his presence, everyone but two people. Donovan and Analeis. Obviously, Aaran was an exception. After the things he had experienced, a lone soldier could never intimidate him.

Igor squatted to Aaran's level before letting out a loud laugh.

"Even nobles fear this scarred face," he commented. "But it seems I've lost my touch over the years. I look forward to seeing you excel here, Your Highness."