"After passing the assessment, probationary apprentices become full apprentices. They choose a Conspectus to join and receive a Glintstone Crown as a symbol of their status."
"Above apprentices are teaching assistants, lecturers, associate professors, professors, and the dean. Each Conspectus has only one professor."
"They are also the highest authority within their Conspectus. Once an apprentice chooses a Conspectus, they must obtain the professor's approval before formally joining."
"The Dean is Her Majesty the Queen. She governs both Caria Manor and the Academy of Magic. In recent years, however, she has largely withdrawn from daily affairs, and Her Highness the Princess has been acting in her stead."
Loretta's explanation laid out the basic structure of the Raya Lucaria Academy with remarkable clarity.
As far as Nolan knew, Raya Lucaria was not the only place where magic was practiced.
The other factions, however, either operated in secrecy or lacked the academy's scale and complex hierarchy. Most still relied on simple master-and-apprentice lineages to pass on their knowledge.
Naturally, such relationships also existed within the academy, but they were established privately, and the institution itself did not interfere.
When senior sorcerers encountered apprentices with outstanding talent, it was common for them to take those students under their wing and teach them personally.
In truth, most sorcerers were scholars and researchers at heart. They gathered here purely in pursuit of knowledge.
They were willing to share their research with apprentices, eager to bring more gifted minds into the great endeavor of exploring the path of sorcery. The professors welcomed this without reservation.
There was only one exception: Primeval Sorceries.
This dangerous field of study was regarded as a grave sin. In the eyes of many, it should be completely sealed away.
"So does that mean I have to start as a probationary apprentice too?" Nolan asked.
"That can wait," she replied. "For now, I'll take you to meet Her Highness. She should be at the academy today."
"Alright."
Nolan nodded and accepted the arrangement.
As a Golden Needle Knight, he was one of the core figures of the Haligtree. Having come to another faction's domain, it was only proper to meet the one in charge.
In truth, that demigod would likely pay little attention to someone as minor as him, not even worthy of being called a champion.
Still, out of the respect and courtesy owed between allies, such a meeting was necessary.
The Royal Knight cast a brief glance at Nolan. After traveling together for some time, they were no longer strangers.
Even so, their relationship could hardly be called close.
Yet the Haligtree, with its deeply inclusive nature, held a special place in her heart.
She had always hoped to find a suitable home for the long-persecuted Albinaurics, somewhere they could finally settle in peace.
As for Nolan Bethel, he was a frail knight who should have amounted to little more than a footnote. But because of his unique connection to the Empyrean, his existence had taken on a different weight.
Nolan casually scratched his head, then gently patted the horned foal beside him, tossing it a few Rowa berries.
As he watched the little steed happily chew on the fruit, a faint smile crept onto his face.
Torrent let out a cheerful whinny, nuzzled his palm with its fluffy head, and then dissolved into a scatter of blue light.
Ever since leaving the Haligtree, most of the journey had depended on Torrent's four strong, tireless hooves.
It had to be said that the spirit steed was not only fast, but smooth and steady as well. More than that, it was perceptive and remarkably obedient.
Nolan lifted his gaze toward the magnificent structure in the distance, anticipation and excitement flickering in his eyes.
A cluster of gray-white buildings coiled upward along the steep mountainside like a sleeping dragon.
At the very summit rose a towering bell tower, piercing the sky as though it meant to touch the heavens themselves.
Majestic and imposing, the academy stood as one of the most unforgettable sights in all of Liurnia of the Lakes.
"Hmm, I'll finally be seeing Ranni soon. I'm really looking forward to what comes next."
He was a man who had once walked the starry skies alongside Ranni. Compared to the countless demons and monsters scheming to bring ruin to the Lands Between, the princess's desire was almost simple in contrast: freedom.
Of course, he wasn't thinking that far ahead yet. He merely wanted to see what Ranni was like before the Night of the Black Knives descended. Whatever the case, she certainly wouldn't be the charred corpse atop a Divine Tower.
This was still a fairly radiant age. The Magic Academy stood with its gates open, the people passing through weren't all vacant and dull-eyed, and Her Highness was still the noble Empyrean she had always been.
Nolan took this opportunity to meet the Empyrean who yearned for freedom. Once Ranni abandoned her flesh, even if he wanted to see her again, it would be impossible.
"Nice to meet you. You are Nolan Bethel, the Golden Needle Knight?"
"Yes. It's an honor to meet you, Your Highness."
Nolan inclined his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the woman seated upon the high-backed chair.
She had long hair like living flames, smooth and glossy as it fell over her shoulders.
Her face was both beautiful and imposing, and her eyes shimmered with the light of Grace. They were sharp and penetrating, as though they could see straight through a person, yet buried deep within them was a faint trace of loneliness.
Standing quietly at her side was a tall, imposing figure. His build was powerful, clad in gray armor, a fur-lined cloak draped over his shoulders. A greatsword rested on his back, exuding a cold, lethal aura.
Most striking of all was his head: a ferocious wolf's visage, sharp fangs bared at the corners of his mouth, radiating raw savagery.
This was the Lunar Princess Ranni, and the half-wolf who served her, Blaidd.
This wolfman was also the watcher appointed by the Two Fingers, the shadow bound to the Empyrean.
It was easy to tell that his standing at Ranni's side far surpassed that of any other Carian Knight.
Come to think of it, Nolan had never seen the Empyrean Shadows of Miquella or Malenia. He couldn't help but wonder whether those two audacious Highnesses had already dealt with them.
"Loretta has already told me about you," Ranni said, her voice pulling Nolan back from his thoughts.
Her tone was gentle, yet laced with a subtle seriousness that carried undeniable authority.
The contradiction left Nolan unsure how to respond. Her Highness felt a little too deliberate in her manner.
Seeing this different side of Ranni sparked Nolan's curiosity. His gaze drifted downward without him realizing it. Aside from Her Highness herself, the high-backed chair held nothing else. Clearly, she had no need to prop up her authority with books beneath her seat at the moment.
"What are you looking at?" Ranni asked, sensing a hint of discomfort.
"Nothing," Nolan replied, shaking his head.
Ranni didn't seem to mind, taking it as the shyness of youth and a reluctance to meet her gaze. She continued calmly,
"I hear you can use sorceries. Would you be willing to demonstrate?"
"Here?"
"Right here. Don't worry. Just attack with your strongest spell."
Ranni gave a small gesture with her hand. The wolfman glanced at her, understood immediately, and stepped forward.
Nolan complied, flinging out a Glintstone Shard. As expected, Blaidd shattered it with a single swing of his sword.
When the fading glow of magic finally dispersed, The Princess nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad. You are indeed qualified to enter the academy. For today, follow Loretta down and rest. Tomorrow, you'll join the other apprentices and choose your Conspectus together."