"I think it is actually better now that I have to tour you after sundown here in Valeria, the sub-urban town well within the Crysalian Military Academy," Caileane said excitedly as she toured us around the busy streets full of students buying things for their dorm rooms, "You will find stores that cater to both commoners and nobles alike. Branded and general goods are overflowing. Here is my favorite shop for just about everything I need inside my dorm room."Our group stopped in front of a rather quaint and cheap local store full of students from the lower classes, literally taking everything off the shelves because of the new school year sale."I thought you are from the House of Azalea, one of the most prominent noble families of the empire?" Godiva asked, and Loki nodded quietly as he looked at the student council president with a bit of curiosity in his eyes, "Why are you buying in a general goods store?"Our guide just laughed off the question, "Yes, I am from a well-known noble

"...very excited for you being there, brother.""Yes, I was still surprised about it, to be honest.""Surprised? What, are you saying you are not expecting to not pass at all?""Well, yes...""Seriously, I will honestly be more surprised if you didn't.""Still expecting too much from me, Lythena.""Because you can't, that's why. Anyways, I bet mama and papa will be very pleased when I relayed the news.""You think?""I don't think, I know. This is just too much for me to take in. I am literally hyperventilating.""Really, you are overreacting, sister.""Me, overreacting? Please, if it's just some random school in Fang or Alcrima, then yes. But this is Crysalian Military Academy we are talking about which only accepts the best of the best of the cream of the cream of the crops! Only heirs and heiresses have free pass to study at that school. Celebrities are a no-go!""Speaking of that, I am put into a class together with them as well.""No way! Did they...""It is highly unlikely, sist

"Krios will, of course, handle the cooking. Godiva, will be our public representative while Himiko will take care of our finances as a treasurer. Aquilo will be in charge of our security, Loki our consultant and Cady as our logistician."Ester then looked at me kindly, and I knew that look.I have seen that so many times in my life that I've grown used to it.But it doesn't mean that it became less painful, though."Arcelon, we have already covered all of the important tasks. What you can do to help us all at least is to act as our runner," the mistress said ever so carefully as not to offend me, and I appreciated her doing that despite our differences, "If we need someone to buy things, we don't have or contact our teachers and staffs at school, you will be the one who will do it. Also, if any one of us is struggling with our own tasks, you will lend assistance as well."I nodded in agreement, as raising an objection would be futile anyway.That, and I think I am best for that partic

I stood up and put the used clothes that I removed into the wicker basket next to my bed and opened the cabinet to see the things I haphazardly packed neatly organized inside before I pulled out a boxer, short and white sleeveless undershirt for me to wear.There is a sound of running water inside the closed door on the southern part of the room, which I guess is the bathroom, so I quickly dressed before His Highness saw me butt naked.True enough, after I sat down on the edge of my bed, the door opened, and out came Loki, who was only wearing his boxer briefs, dripping wet and drying himself with the red towel he was scrubbing his hair with.And here I thought I wouldn't get amazed at how "perfect" he is.His body is not as bulky as Aquilo's, but certainly an athletic one.He had bulging biceps and pecs, six-packed abs, and he clearly didn't skip any leg day. He was surprised a little to see me sitting right in front of him and stared at me for a while.I guess he feels good about h

I nodded and took a deep breath before speaking, "As you all might already know, Alcrima and Fang seceded from the empire together when it fractured a long time ago. The two different clans of metal and earth, due to their symbiotic relationship with each other decided to unite as one nation under the palatinate. But a few hundred years ago, the Monarchy of Fang heard the calls for a more democratic government by the Alcrimans, thus granting them independence. However, they also demanded to keep the special relationship between the nations. I guess Cady can carry on from here.""I will, Arcelon," she agreed and continued from where I left, "As he said, my people wanted more democracy but not to the point of existing on our own because we are so used to be with our Fangian brothers and sisters. So our forefathers and mothers adopted a viceroyal type of government to still be technically under the palatinate's sphere of influence while getting the democracy we wanted all along without c