The sun was out, and the surrounding seemed to have become lively. Felt took a look out of the large open window. The infirmary was on the third floor of the main tower. Green fields and mountains from afar with clouds over them along with bright blue sky covered his view.

Majestic a view!

Just before the mountains, the town of Zrenn was in his sight. Brown-red buildings, with colourful green, yellow, and red trees made the town a sight to see. Placing his gaze even lower, and to his left, he could see many former facilitators preparing some sort of welcome in front of the Academy’s Grand Gate.

The gate was huge, leveling equal to third floor, and soldiers on top of them… fit perfectly the long sturdy walls surrounding the academy, with parapets and pathway for soldiers to patrol. The walls were one as high as seven meters. It made one wondered whether this Academy was a training facility or a full-time military base.

The reason he could see the town clearly even from only the third floor was because the main tower was located even higher than the rest of the buildings in the academy. On top of that, the academy was built on top of a hill surrounded by the Town of Branna in front, and the grand lake behind.

“That’s right… today is the day the seniors return. Ah, a good chance to practice my presence and scan skills. Better get to it…”

- Ah, I need to change into my uniform.

Felt was about to get out from the infirmary when he sensed an existence in front of him… A mere five meters…

“Who’s there?”

An eye peeked into the room from the side of the door. A golden hair with a rather large eye… and such a small stature…

- Ah, it’s her… what was it…

“Ana?”

She flinched, and hid herself back.

“Ah, I won’t tell anyone of what happened before… and I put your cookies and milk on the registrar desk…”

Some time passed…

The eye came out!

“You didn’t eat?”

“No, it’s yours afterall. Since you gave them to ‘vengeful spirit’, I don’t have the right to take them. I’ll go take my breakfast now…”

She flinched again. However, she did not hide this time. He slowly went up to her… to the other side of the door, actually.

“I’ll be on my way then… by the way, my name is Felt.”

“Ana… Anastasia… Umm…”

“Yes?”

“You really won’t tell anyone?”

“Of course I won’t.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah, why not. Not even for a joke would I tell others…That’s a promise.”

Her eyes lit up.

- Uh… I think I better get out of here.

“I… Um, I…”

- Then again, I could not just leave like that. That would be rude.

“What is it?”

“I… Umm… I have my shift every morning weekdays at 6.30, but… umm…”

“Yes?”

“No, no… If, if… if you’re injured or tired, just come to the infirmary!!”

- Ouch! My ears… did she has to shout?

“O-Of course… Then I’ll take up to your offer. After I trained, I’ll drop by once awhile.”

Her face was filled with delight. She beamed and nodded several times.

“Then, Ana, I’ll be on my way… nice to meet you.”

“Y-yes… do come again…!”

- Ah, another unusual acquaintance I made… she’s not a student, is she?

Hurrying to his room and changed into his red-brown uniform. His shirt was red, while his trouser was dark brown. There were linings here and there. He ran a bit towards the cafeteria, before going downstairs down to the ground level. The cafeteria was not in the main building, but just beside it. A separate building next to the front square with a large pool and ornamental sculpture of “Seven Waterfalls of the Heaven”, a true art of the Ming, with cascading water that falls from first from the top down to six other levels to the bottom.

The cafeteria -- the place was a bit crowded with 1st Years…

> Quote:Majestic Presence is in effect.

The students, noticing his arrival, opened up a path for him. Some recognized him, while for others it was their first time.

“Hey, who is that… looked important.”

“You don’t know? He’s the one I met yesterday.”

“He sparred with the seniors beautifully.”

“Oh? A high noble?”

“I don’t know, maybe… look important enough.”

Felt sensed everyone was gawking at him. Especially with his Intelligence of Wind, he sensed just how many people were behind him, and what they were doing. The vibration in the air reached him more now with his new skill. It was a little tingling in the ear.

- With higher level in the skill, I wonder if it will become a nuisance.

Thanks to his charisma, charm, fame, honour, and art working along with his Majestic Presence, his walk was steady and full of dignity. To the eyes of the beholders, it was like sunlight which went through into their dark dungeon for the first time in their life.

It was a work of Art.

“Oh my… my heart… is this they call love at first sight?”

“Steady, girl. People are watching.”

“As a hospitaller… I wish my superior would be like this.”

The girls were whispering with each other. Felt nodded to them all the while smiling.

Some giggled, while some seemed to be supported by their companions.

Felt stood in front of the staff.

“Ojii-san, please give me some rice, salad and hot soup. I’ll have green tea and goat’s milk to go along. Do you have some eggs? Ah, half-boiled one is better.”

“Ah, yes, please wait young lord…”

It was not unusual to ask for rice for breakfast. Radiant’s staple foods were both bread and rice. Especially for Felt, who lived in the North, the place was rich with paddy fields thus rice was the staple food.

“Thank you Ojii-san.”

The food in the cafeteria was free for all academy members. He gave the staff member his thanks. Unlike in Franz, Radiant did not have the culture of giving out tips.

Felt found himself a seat in a corner beside a window, where he could see everyone in the whole hall, while to his back was the wall. He tried to use whatever he remembered, to eat as gracefully as possible. Since he needs to keep his presence, he could not eat as cheerfully as he usually did. However, he did not find it uncomfortable.

- Breakfast is one of the blessing of the Merciful to us human… Huhu… eating slowly is the appropriate manner.

“I thank the Merciful God for this provision. By your permission, may it become the better part of me.”

Felt gave his full attention to his morning meal. He had the urge to scan the whole cafeteria, yet decided against it as it may cancel his Majestic Presence.

Ding…

> Quote:Charisma + 1

> Charm + 1

When he finished his meal, he stood up and walked out gracefully out of the hall, towards the Academy’s Grand Gate.

He could hear some commotion when he left. Some were still staring at him from afar.

- Ah, I hope they won’t be disappointed when they know I’m just a commoner… wait, now that Father is a Baron, I’m in a noble family as well… the lowest rank anyway. Hm, whatever…

- Don’t worry about it Felt. What’s important is not your family’s status, but your ability. You see the Kaiser was born a commoner.

- Oh, Master. You’re quiet just now so I didn’t speak with you.

- I’m trying to get a sleep… but that commotion woke me up. What’s your plan for the day?

- I wish to raise my Scan skills more. Today is the day the seniors return. Or should I continue training, Master?

- No, no… continuously training like that will burden your mind. Take some time off and have fun… Hm, still, it’s better for you to continuously use your skills. It won’t burden you in any way aside from draining Mana.

- Of course. Even now I’m using my Time Manipulation, your breathing technique hmm what else… Intelligence of Wind seemed to operate without consent… Oh, the Imperial Free-flow Movement and Mana Circulation.

- Good. Three active skills at once… you can’t help with the passive skills that keep going on without your consent…

*sigh* Keep on breathing like me, my apprentice!

- Yosh! Yes, Master. And I’m also training my Majestic Presence now. So mingling with people should increase the skill faster.

- I see, I see. By the way, what’s your level in Qi… Mana Circulation? The Ming called it Qi circulation.

- It’s at level 3, 76%... it seemed to be harder to rise as per level increase.

- Ah, don’t worry about it. Oh, and when it reach level 9, be sure to remind me of it. It’s important.

- Huh? Oh, alright.

- We’ll be practicing Wind Manipulation later… For now… *yawn* I want to take a nap…

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

- Please rest Master, you’ve been a great help.

- Of course I would. I’m the Great Shia’rine after all… *yawn* …Sorry. Even without a body I’m still sleepy… Alright, I’m out.

- Later, Master. Have a good rest.

- Mmmm…

Felt continue walking towards the grand gate, keeping his presence up.

***

The seniors were preparing the welcoming ceremony for the return of the instructors and their fellow colleague from their training missions.

Some were lining up the banners… the so-called “final touch” before the main events started. Many were at the decorated platform just beside the cafeteria, facing the field at the left side of the main tower. The place Felt always trained was at the right side since it was the nearest to the student residence. At 9.00 am, the all students must be present on this field to join in with the welcoming ceremony. Some were already on the field. The big clock showed 8.45 am.

At the Grand Gate, some horses with their riders were present, with full ceremonial uniform of white with gold lining. They seemed quite ready. In two hours the honoured guests would come.

Some seniors did not wear much aside from their usual blue-white uniform, the uniform for second years student and green-white uniform, the one for third years. These were the backstage workers. When the ceremony started, they would just join the fray. The fourth years were not present, since they were undergoing their full year field-training.

“Hey, look at that… who is that?”

“Could it be an official?”

“Nah… he’s too young to be one.”

Felt was coming from a distance, with his sword hanging on his right waist, he walked towards the seniors.

“Thank you for your hard work, sempais.”

“Err… don-don’t mention it.”

“It’s our duty afterall.”

Felt then walked towards the riders with white, gold-lined uniform. He heard before from Zack that there were only some nobles among the facilitators, since most nobles did not like the idea of helping out commoners during the orientation period. However, those that were around would be the White Riders, the Ceremonial Guards of the honoured guest, who returned a week earlier than their counterparts. All of them were nobles.

Felt put his hand on his sword’s hilt, signifying authority.

- Wait… why should I do this? Somehow, it feels like I’m someone else… oh well. It’s enjoyable alright. Let’s go, my body!

He walked around the riders. They seemed baffled.

“Hey… is that a prince or something?”

“Never heard of any coming, aside from our honoured guest.”

“He looked like one. Perhaps from the family of the Duke?”

“Comrades, keep yourselves composed. Doesn’t matter who he is, people would be watching over us from all corners. Then again, do not wear yourself out… it’ll be another hour or two before the Prince comes.”

Felt could hear them, a side effect of wind manipulation.

“I shouldn’t be here any longer… It’s almost 9.00, I shouldn’t be late.”

As he was about to leave for the field, three Wyverns joined the fray, on top were their riders.

BAM!!

The Wyverns landed quite well, yet the sound of its landing was loud. Felt turned his attention to them.

- Oh, it’s them.

The riders noticed him.

“Felt?! What are you doing here? Recovered already?”

“Sempai, yes. I’ve recovered.”

It was Zoei, with his dark blue-violet light armor, gauntlets and boots. There were gold linings on his whole armor. He had pads on both right and left shoulders as well as waists. His Wyvern was dark blue, with sharp mouth much like a beak. Two wings, four legs which two of the front seemed could be used as hands with three big fingers. Six horns protrude from its head to its high back, and its neck was almost a meter long. It was twice as big as the Knight’s horse.

“See? I told you he’s not someone we should worry.”

Zack added. His armor was similar to Zoei’s, with linings of black-silver. His Wyvern was dark green, a little bigger than Zoei’s. Its neck was almost two meters, with six horns just like the others, but its horns were as though they were crystals. Contrary to Zoei’s, his Wyvern looked more like a dragon than a Wyvern, with mouth like alligator, with no beak plus its wings were larger than two other Wyverns.

“Eh... Someone you know?”

Another rider asked. She was wearing light pink armor, pads, gauntlets and boots. She had a light skirt over her trousers. The redhead was quite lean, with good body proportions. Looking at him, she smiled, with shining red forehead protector grabbing everyone’s attention. Her Wyvern was similar to Zoei’s aside from sturdier body.

Felt was stunned.

- She a beauty… even more so than Faith-sempai...no, no, no… she’s as beautiful as her… but her uniform seriously add to the charm. Do I have fetish for red armored lady?! Ah… her smile… no, no, no! Get a hold of yourself, Felt!

“Felt? Oi.”

SLAP!

He snapped back -- was slapped back to the real world! It was Zack that slapped him lightly in the cheek. He could feel his coarse and thick glove for an instant.

“Zack-sempai?”

“Yes, welcome back to our world… Heh… heehhh…”

“W-what?”

“Charmed at first sight, huh?”

“W-what, wa-wa what are you talking about…?!”

> Quote:Majestic Presence deactivated.

Felt suppressed and stressed his voice at the same time. Zack grinned, held his shoulder, and turned to the girl.

“Lilith, this one here is our friend, Felt. Come, Felt introduce yourself.”

> Quote:Majestic Presence activated.

“Felt Godfrey, Milady. I’m a first year. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Eh… a first year as a friend of both of you?”

Lilith covered her opened mouth with her hand. She was acting as if it was unbelievable for them to call a first year ‘friend’. She observed him. Felt was both bewildered and embarrassed, yet did well to keep his Majestic Presence. He still remembered to do his usual… scan.

> Quote:Name: Lily Theresa Aryani Alignment: Good

>

> Level: 41

> Class: Wyvern Knight’s Apprentice

> Title: Charming Lady

> Fame: 3000+

> Strength: 90+

> Vitality: 75+

> Charisma: 70+

> Speed: 110+

> Charm: 170+

> Art: 100+

>

> More Information would be possible as Scan skill increase.

- Amazing stats… as expected of a Wyvern rider… hm? Aryani… sounds familiar. Her charm is the highest I could see so far… even the second was not even ninety… Her fame exceeds even Zoei’s…

“Ah!”

She let out a gasp, seemingly realizing something. She walked towards him, now only a meter apart. She bowed a little, and held the tip ends of her skirt a bit.

“Please forgive me for my rudeness, Felt-sama. My name is Lily Theresa Aryani, second year. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“As do I, Lily-sempai.”

“The friend of my friends is my friend. Please just call me Lilith.”

“A friend… Then please just call me Felt.”

“Then… Felt. I’m from the nearby region of Jolial. Where do you hail from?”

“I came from the North. It was rather cold there during the rainy season, but the people are really friendly.”

“Wow the North… I’d like to go there someday… There’s a really high mountain there called Storn Mountain. People said the highest waterfall in the world was there. I’d like to see it myself.”

“Waterfall of Longevity. My father was quite familiar with the place. Perhaps one day…”

“Really..? That’ll be great! I hope to go there one day.”

She smiled gracefully. The smile was full of innocence. It was shining.

Felt was captivated…

It felt as if the whole world started to shine, until…

“By the way, Felt. The first years are gathering already. Aren’t you going to join them?”

Zoei pulled him back to reality.

“Ah yes… I better be on my way then. Zoei-sempai, Zack-sempai, Lily-sem… Lilith.”

He bowed a little to each of them, and then went hurriedly to the field in front of the Ceremonial Stage.

“Hah… That was funny.”

Zack chuckled.

“Funny? Why?”

Lilith asked. She seemed to have no clue.

“Nevermind him, Lilith. He must be seeing something others couldn’t.”

“Hah! Zoei, Zoei… Well let’s get going then…”

***