The entrance ceremony was held outside in a wide-open field, where a stage was built for the opening/ award ceremony. The first few rows near the stage had decorated and fancy chairs and table for the important people, and as it went further back these chairs and tables disappeared only to be replaced by posh long white benches. Each bench had a range of number engraved on their sides. This was for the award ceremony where the students would sit in their own seating plan given to them according to their id numbers.
Right now the students were sat with their friends or acquaintances, while the teacher stood by the side in order to watch them like hawks and spot anyone making nuisance during the ceremony.
I walked in with Albert while the noisy and talkative students were too immersed in their own world to notice me, except for a select few, however before even they could do anything I walked past them. The teachers that stood by the side bowed their heads in greeting as I went past them, with my usual smile. I could imagine the glaring looks they would give the students who didn"t notice me and carried on talking with their friends.
I soon noticed a particular person sitting a few rows ahead of us as we walked forward.
"This is getting interesting." I murmured as I walked forward.
"Who?" Albert asked as he turned to look where my eyes were pointing. Amongst a group of people gathered around a bench a single person stood out amongst them, a very beautiful person whose smile brought light to the hearts of anyone looking at her.
He smiled as he saw the only royal princess, Natasha, partic.i.p.ating in this exam "Did you know I once thought making genuine friends with our status is impossible? And here I stand corrected as I look at her now." He lamented as we both walked.
"You are not wrong old man. Making genuine friends with our status is barely possible. There is not a single person who we meet, who doesn"t hold a single thought of using our position or wealth to benefit their needs." I replied.
"Are you saying those people around her are fake? Kid, I may be old but I am not blind. I can see that their smiles are genuine and hold no ill, towards her." He countered me with a wave of slight anger.
"You care for her? Since when?" I asked him curiously.
"Of course, I care for her. She is the only one among your siblings, who sincerely decided to follow the path of magi. As a person using magi wouldn"t I be proud and happy when someone chooses my same path when they are offered an even greater power." He replied back.
"Anyway, I am not saying that her group of friends is fake. All I am saying is that she is not capable of bringing together a group of friends like that. Look at that group, it has a mix of people from all social standing. Do you think she is capable of that?"
"So, what if she couldn"t? What are you trying to imply here?" He asked me curiously.
"That group is brought together by someone else. That group is made up of a person who has a common link to all of them. Someone capable of bringing a group of n.o.bles and peasants together and makes them ignore their status towards each other. Someone who is unprejudiced and loyal to their friends. Someone who is frankly a good person." I said as the princess finally noticed 2 people staring at her.
She turned around to look at me and Albert as fear and shock crept up on her face. Seeing her unresponsive her group of friends turned around to notice us with surprise at seeing the fabled 3rd Prince of the empire, while the princess was shocked at seeing Albert.
"Seems like she has been partially informed about me from her family."
I smiled and nodded to the group and walked past them with Albert in tow who smiled towards the princess.
"Someone who is not here yet someone whom the whole group is eagerly waiting for. Either you are extremely good at manipulating and evading not only Natasha"s family agents but the other n.o.ble children"s family agents putting a background check on you, or you are a genuinely good person. I wonder who exactly you are."
Probably due to the eye of this whole storm being silent and staring at us, slowly the noisy hall became quiet as I started feeling everyone"s gaze on me.
We soon reached the front where a bunch of important n.o.bles, businessmen, Magis etc sat. I smiled towards them as Albert led me to the stage, where amidst the headteacher and other important people of the academy sat Merlin (The head of magi a.s.sociation) and the other two princes; James and Jack. Each of them having their own respective bodyguard/ a.s.sistant behind them, including Tom.
After greeting everyone along my way I walked towards Merlin who stood up to greet me. I could see beads of sweat rolling off his forehead.
"Good morning Merlin. I believe we haven"t met since the last court summoning a few months ago." I greeted the anti-social head of magi a.s.sociation and shook his shaking and sweaty hands.
"Good morning your highness." He kept his greetings simple as he looked at me in trepidation.
"Relax." I whispered to him as I walked past him to my two brothers.
I walked past him and stood in front of the childish crown prince. "Good morning brother."
"Don"t you dare call me brother, you piece of s.h.i.t after what you did to dad." He scolded me in anger.
Before he could carry on Tom, who stood behind him, placed a hand on his shoulder. Feeling the hand James reluctantly looked at Tom who shook his head, while James helplessly sighed.
"Looks like your bodyguard has been trained to retain you as well dear brother. You better heed his advice.
You are lucky I stood in front of you to cover you from the public as you insulted their beloved saviour and hero. You can meet me in the observation room if you want to talk after the ceremony, brother." I warned him with my smiling face as he quickly became aware of where he was and his face turned ugly, as the realisation set in.
I carried on forward without even waiting to hear what he had to say to my next brother.
"I don"t think we have met properly. John Field." I extended my hand towards Jack who smiled back as he stood up.
"No, we haven"t, Jack Luminity." He took my hand for a shake.
"Let"s meet in the observation room after the ceremony, for some entertainment if you want." I winked as I let go of his hand as he let go of my hand.
"Sure, I am quite curious at how you have planned the exams for this year." He mocked me knowing full well that there were leaks in the exam.
I nodded and went to sit beside him while observing Isabella who stood behind him. I could feel reluctance and anger radiating from her. I showed her my typical smile as I sat down.
Albert sat right next to me, while Archer stood behind me, looking very energetic and ready for anything.
Soon the whole field quieted down as the headteacher of the academy went forward to inaugurate the opening ceremony.
Not even 2 minutes into his speech I saw Albert casting a spell.
"Now we can talk." He said as he started leaning back on his chair.
"Did you cast an illusion for both of us or just you?" I asked back without turning around to look at him.
"I thought you would appreciate it as well since you seem bored." He replied back.
"Wake me up if there is anything important or if it is my turn." I told him as I prepared to doze off.
"Wait don"t sleep. I am bored, talk to me." He said as he started shaking me.
"Fine if you are bored I will give you something to occupy you. See if you can find the person that not only befriend Natasha but managed to bring about a group of people from different social cla.s.ses together, without using any help from your network, other than your eyes and observation skills before this ceremony ends. If you do I will cook you for free the next time you come with ingredients." I said as I sat back to prepare for sleep after getting rid of his hands that were shaking me.
"Hehehe, just get ready to cook for me for free you stingy brat." He replied, excitedly at the challenge he just received, with his cheeky smile.
"Also, if you plan to pull a prank on me or seemingly forget to keep up the spell on me while looking for the person who befriended Natasha, just remember that next time you eat your food it can taste like s.h.i.t." I warned him, just in case he decides to remove the spell he cast around me.
"Say what?! Oi kid don"t do that. I wasn"t even thinking of anything like that." He screamed as he started shaking me. I ignored him as I went to my dreamland peacefully.