3 The Academy

Half an hour had passed by when the carriage finally came to a hold. The noise surrounding had died down a little by now, but it was still loud enough to make me feel uncomfortable.

After passing through the giant white gate that divided Eight God's Academy from the city, the had been a sudden change in the surroundings, as only those with invitations were allowed to enter the premises.

There were no merchants trying to grasp our attention at this side of the wall nor were their hundreds if not thousands of strangers blocking the street.

Aside from a few men and women who looked like teachers, advisers and servants, a few dozen girls and boys around my age could be seen. They had gathered in smaller and larger groups.

The by far largest group had gathered around a brown-haired boy that wore a deep blue waistcoat embroidered with a large insignia that identified him as a member of the royal family. It was one of the King's sons, probably Prince Tyren.

I wasn't sure if he enjoyed being the focus of attention or if he was rather annoyed by it instead, but judging by him not moving his lips, he was probably fine with all the noise surrounding him. I wouldn't.



«At least they will leave me alone as long as he is here...»



Just as my attention was switching to the colorful dresses of the girls, an almost inaudible voice reached me. It was only when I turned around that I realized it was Prim. She had already opened the door of the carriage and waited for me to climb out.



"Mistress," she addressed me again after making sure nobody was listening, "We should hurry. The admission tests have already begun by now."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Who would want to miss them?"

"You should give your best. Maybe his majesty Prince Tyren will notice your strength. I heard he still had no fiancee yet."

"... I am a boy."



Prim couldn't help but let her eyes wander down my body. The pale green vest had no bulges in it, making it impossible to guess that there was something that shouldn't be there hidden beneath its thick fabric. Even without it, there would still be a white shirt and bandages of the same color protecting me. If anything, it looked like I had a slightly muscular chest.



"It is such a shame..."

"..."



After thoroughly complaining about the cruelty of the world that had forced me into this messed up scenario, Prim accompanied me to a giant round hall that had 'admission tests' written on signs at both sides of its double-winged doors.

The whole building was made out of sand-colored stone, giving it a both noble and old feeling, especially in combination with the roof covered by sheets of aged copper. There were dozens of large windows to be found, each of them carefully decorated with flowerpots.

It was obvious that this hall served a single purpose: to welcome everyone who entered the premises of Eight God's Academy in the best way possible.

The boys and girls that were leaving the building just now probably had their own ideas about this. Some of them looked relieved, which meant they had managed to make it into the Academy, but others were visibly depressed instead. I could see hanging heads and even tears on the faces of two girls.

Seeing how the crestfallen made for the majority of them, the teachers testing them likely hadn't been easy on them at all. But obviously, that was nothing I would ever complain about.

«Looks like I am lucky.»



"They won't allow me to accompany you inside. Will you be okay without me?"

"No."

"Let's go, then! They are already waiting for you."

"..."



I had only managed to make a few steps before Prim shouted after me. When I turned around I found her with a pale purple envelope in her hand. She waved it around like a flag.



"You forgot the invitation!"

"Looks like I did ..."

 

Upon seeing and hearing about my supposed 'mistake' a few of my hopefully-not-classmates couldn't help but laugh before engaging in a lively conversation about who I might be.



"Does anybody of you know that family crest," a girl with long and wavy blonde hair asked. "I have never seen it before."



I didn't need more than a single glance to know which house she belonged to. Her dark blue dress and the white roses embroidered to its hems were a dead giveaway. I remembered it from the countless lessons my mother had forced onto me.

 

«Pimskeen...»



Lord Pimskeen was one of the self-declared heroes that had worked together in subjugating my father the late demon king. It was only thus that he had become rich and famous enough for him to call himself a noble.

He was an upstart, one that tried to build up a facade by surrounding him with fancy clothes and expensive jewelry. His daughter seemed to follow this principle as well.



«Why would she wear a dress like that for her enrollment? There are physical tests!»



Many of the girls were wearing dresses, but all of them had made sure they at least were easy to move in, this one, however, looked as if it was made for a wedding instead. I couldn't help but laugh to myself.

 

"Did he just laugh at you," her short-haired friend asked.

"Seems like it," a muscular looking boy confirmed. "He probably doesn't know his place."

A long sigh left my lips. "There it goes, my peace and silence."

"What did she say?"



Soon enough, the group of six had worked themselves up into a lively discussion with each of them trying to overcome the others in better and nobler sounding threats and insults aimed at me.

Their efforts were wasted on me, as my eyes were long since focused on the entrance to the hall instead, where two guards were waiting for anyone to present their invitation. I would have to separate from Prim for now.



"Good luck, Master," she forced herself to say. "I will go prepare your room."

"Thank you, Prim..."