Imperial Academy Zeek

The continent of Realmere is ruled by the Empire, supported by six Kingdoms positioned at different edges of the continent.

Imperial Princes are called Princes Of Realmere while the sons and daughters of the kings are merely Prince and Princess of their respective kingdoms.

Before the Empire's creation, it was a Kingdom whose people believed they were the only ones in existence.

Thus, naming themselves as Realmere

The Empire and the continent share the same name, though the Empire is also known by the name of the Emperor's bloodline. Sundown was the name of the first king.

Sundown is also the title that every Ruler happily takes.

The emergence of the Empire sparked humanity's extermination campaign against evil creatures known as Endoēr.

Now, humanity has conquered 79 percent of the continent with undeniable might.

***

A tall man in bulky flowing robes, decorated with medals and magical artifacts, sauntered through well-polished walls.

His presence was overwhelming, and all the servants who saw him stepped aside and bowed.

His thick beard bore streaks of white, and his hands held a large bag containing enormous tomes.

He came to a stop before an elegant woman. She bowed slightly and opened the door.

"He has been waiting for you!"

He nodded, and he sauntered inside.

His presence changed the atmosphere. A force drowned everything and increased focus on the individual seated within.

"You are above and beyond their scorn. May the throne blaze through you!"

The dignified man said, placing his hand on his chest.

"I give you blessings of the throne!" Seth replied, though he didn't look up.

His eyes pretended to focus on reading a book, allowing them to return to normal from the emotional upheaval.

The past memories came with emotions and flashes of scenes.

"Please, sit!"

The Imperial Academy Principal sat opposite the prince, his stern eyes studying the young man.

He thought, 'Every prince calls me within two or three days of their awakening. It looks like my old Influence Spell is still functioning after all this time!'

Seth looked up when he was ready. He stood and said, "Thank you for coming."

Principal Zeek stared into his eyes. The weight emanating from the boy's head and presence was not like someone who had been crippled.

"It's my honor to be here!" The man composed himself as Seth sat down.

"Father gave me a short blade, a key to any ruins of my choosing. I would like a comprehensive review of every available ruin, both claimed and unclaimed by anyone!"

Principal Zeek might be the leader of the Imperial Academy, but he was also the Wisdom Overseer of all knowledge and historical research under the Imperial Family.

"That will not be a problem, but some information cannot be shared, My Prince," he said, leaning forward respectfully. "Some ruins are under your siblings' control and some nobles which have Imperial Orders protecting their information."

Seth leaned back, befitting a prince who commanded the world. "I can get an overview of them, right? It will help me narrow down some things I'm interested in!"

"Yes. I will send it over the moment I reach my office."

"Good." Seth smiled. "I'm thinking of joining the school. Though I won't be regular, I need to have some focus. Do you have an exceptional elite class this year?"

"Yes, we do. There are some incredible scions who will interest you. But what subjects would you be interested in?"

"All of them."

Principal Zeek smiled, knowing that he had over 35 subjects, each one a field of knowledge requiring dedication to understand.

But he also knew Imperial Princes absorbed knowledge like insatiable sponges. Their only weakness was maintaining interest in the subjects.

"What about excursions? Where do you plan to go this year?" The Ninth Prince asked.

"We have not yet decided, but we were thinking of the central plains. However, some professors proposed the Forest of the End for in-depth combat training."

Seth subtly nodded.

Imperial Academy excursions were under the direct supervision of the Emperor, making them very valuable with all resources poured into maximum effectiveness.

Seth could go anywhere, but he wanted to travel in safety and under watchful eyes, especially for combat purposes.

The main reason he asked was because, from the memories he'd received, there was something valuable in a certain place.

"Can I influence your decision?" He smiled. "I will throw in some generous contributions."

"Of course, My Prince. Having the Ninth Prince in the excursion would be very much desired. Do you have a place in mind?" Principal Zeek was very much in favour.

Seth was the last Prince of the empire. His presence would definitely attract more influential people to be interested in the event.

"Yes. The Black Plains!" Seth answered.

Chamberlain Rin stiffened. That place had fewer monsters than the Forest of the End, but the place was just wrong.

"That is an interesting choice. We will go there this year. But may I know why you chose it?" the principal asked.

"Ah, yes." Seth mulled his word before he said, "I am curious about the black sand,"

Seeing the old man looking at him, he chuckled and added, "I believe I have a clue about another ruin around that place!"

"A ruin in that place?" the principal asked. "Interesting. We will definitely go there."

Seth leaned forward and asked, "My Psion Hand is too thick. How can I reduce it for efficiency?"

Seth's head pulsed with power, and an invisible hand formed, one meter long.

"Fifteen centimeters. That is quite thick. There are tricks like imagining it thinning. Or..."

"I tried all that, but it is stubborn. It never reduces!"

"Well, then there is a Chart Art at the academy that solves that. If you want, I can send one over. But it's a big device."

"Do you have a small one? I will be traveling to the central plains, so I want to practice on the way!"

The Principal pulled out a paper and made sketches of devices. "This is a small device sketch that can easily be crafted. You can use it. It's very effective."

"Thank you, Principal. Last thing: by any chance, do you know where to get, or do you have, a Miracle Stone? The transparent one!"

"Yes, I know!" Principal Zeek said, which made Seth spring forward. "His Imperial Majesty has some."

Seth deflated as he leaned back.

"You can get it, but there is an Imperial Order that dictates one must undergo a trial to get their hands on it."

Seth sprang forward again with a smile. "I want one."

"So you are willing to go for the trial?"

"What is the trial about?" Seth asked. "If it's exploration, I am free for that. But I can think about it."

"Well, you can't have it," the principal said. "Since the order can't act on you, then you are ineligible. That's how the Emperor set it."

"Is it hard? Because I can allow the order to work on me!" Seth said eagerly.

"Four of your siblings tried, and all failed."

"Fine." Seth leaned back, no longer interested. It must be an impossible mission to deter everyone.

Seth asked something slowly as he eyed the old man before him, "Tell me an honest truth. Do I stand a chance at getting the throne?"

A deep sigh escaped Wisdom Zeek's mouth. "You want the hard truth or the soft truth?"

Wisdom is a title given to people of the Principal level.

"Let's start with soft!" the Ninth Prince answered.

Chamberlain Rin had already sent the sketch to make the device and stood watching the careful conversation between the two.

"You have no chance at all." Wisdom Zeek said.

Something gripped the Ninth heart. He felt the urge to chase the man away, but he held himself back.

He didn't hide his misery, running his hand through his raven hair.

"Why?"

"It's obvious. You are late. The crowning second session is about to begin any moment now, and you have nothing in your name!"

"The hard truth?" Seth croaked.

"You absolutely have no chance!" Wisdom Zeek blurted out with no care to the prince desire.

"Haha!" Seth burst into laughter, his eyes going red. Fear and anger mixed together. It was as if he would lose his heaven right before his eyes.

"So, what do you think I should do?"

Seth's voice was coarse. He was standing now, looking down at the Principal with apparent hostility.

"There are two things I would advise. One is to visit your siblings, talk, and make a decision about who to support.

"Second, you can decide to be neutral and enjoy life. Find meaning in other things."

Seth's voice rose as he went around the couch and rested his elbow on the backrest. "There is nothing in the world more valuable than the throne." Seth spread his hand,

"I can get anything I want. Women, riches, fame, authority. Nothing is out of my reach."

He slammed his hand at the couch but Wisdom Zeek was unflinching . "Nothing has meaning!"

"May I speak bluntly?" Principal Zeek asked. Seth hesitated. He didn't like it when people like the Principal sought this kind of permission.

But he nodded. He needed to face other truths and other perspectives to broaden his worldview.

"The world revolves around the throne. True," he said slowly before adding, "Emotions are what govern our lives. Your heart yearns for the throne, so you see no reason, no meaning in anything. Bluntly speaking, that is the naive thinking of an inexperienced young man."

Seth's hands clenched.

"But that is a given. You are young; you are allowed to make mistakes. But we are obliged to show you the whole truth.

"Let me tell you something. Did you know that the empire came close to destruction the day you were born?"

Seth's heart skipped a beat.

He knew it.

His father had gone ballistic when the empress died.