King Augustus walked quietly through the towering gates of the academy.
The entire city glittered like the night sky, with sparkling lights covering almost the entire castle.
Behind him followed a group of noble lords, like a pack of wolves closely following their leader.
It was as if the Milky Way had converged here.
Standing before the vast and majestic academy, King Augustus felt pride welling up from the depths of his heart.
He turned around and began introducing to Aurelianne and Viktor:
"This is our Star Academy."
"The premier institution for training warriors in the Kanter Kingdom."
Aurelianne followed Augustus's gesture and looked ahead.
The academy before her eyes was more like a steel castle standing in the wind.
Outlined by marble, the walls made of steel and stone blocked nearly half the horizon.
The magnificent walls surrounded vast grounds, with buildings of varying heights scattered within the enclosure.
Numerous colored flags flew in the air, representing the various factions within the academy.
The massive banners swayed in the wind, as if engaged in some silent competition.
Atop towers of varying heights, various brilliant jewels were inlaid, radiating their brilliance in colors matching the flags of each academy.
They reflected the moonlight, like a colorful sea of stars suspended above the frigid steel walls.
The gleaming lights on those public buildings were like tiny gems fused with the steel.
Under the moonlight, they resembled countless stars dancing in the night sky.
This academy truly lived up to its name of 'Star'.
Along the way, they could see countless students coming and going.
Their bodies were muscular, their eyes revealing the same determination as soldiers, clearly having undergone intensive training.
Their uniforms were crisp, with gold trim lines pressed onto the edges, and even the scabbards at their waists were carved with golden patterns.
Upon seeing the king, they would stop and bow respectfully.
Only after receiving Augustus's acknowledgment would they pick up their swords again, straighten their chests, and stride proudly into the academy.
Augustus led the group through the academy. When passing by the training grounds, the sweat being shed by the students left the diplomatic ministers somewhat shocked.
They gripped rough wooden swords in their hands, tirelessly striking at wooden posts before them.
Each strike concentrated the power of their entire body, revealing taut muscles and surging blood.
Every slash was full of force, practicing again and again.
Hundreds of warrior apprentices on the training ground were strengthening their bodies.
Their momentum and atmosphere almost seemed to distort the entire space, with waves of sword energy cutting through the air as if to slice the earth.
Though it was already night, they continued to work hard.
The diplomatic ministers present all silently absorbed the atmosphere of this academy, their jaws dropping in amazement.
To be honest, during their previous visits to the Kanter Kingdom, they had never visited this massive academy.
Naturally, they were unaware of the charm of this academy that belonged exclusively to the kingdom.
Those young students carried a powerful martial spirit throughout their bodies.
It was the blood essence representing warriors.
Like a raging river surging in their hearts, like an angry beast charging through their chests.
Looking at these vibrant young people, the ministers couldn't help but exclaim:
"The students' quality is truly amazing."
"These students could probably join the kingdom's military forces directly after graduation."
After witnessing this academy firsthand, the diplomatic ministers couldn't help but think of their empire's magic academy.
Although both academies were established in their respective national capitals,
Not only were their specialized directions different, but even in terms of student quality, the empire's side couldn't compare to the kingdom's academy.
Regarding their own academy, these imperial officials knew very well.
Before Rachel established the Royal Magic Academy,
Becoming a mage in the empire was basically a privilege only available to nobles.
Magical knowledge was completely monopolized by the empire's nobility, and commoners simply couldn't afford to purchase those expensive magic books.
Until Rachel Azure, this imperial mage who had joined the Mage Council and become a council member.
To promote the profession of mage, she established the Royal Magic Academy in the imperial capital.
Because Rachel wasn't nobility, she came from a commoner background.
Her original intention was to use the council's magical knowledge to let more common students learn magic, allowing more mages to emerge in the empire.
But reality was cruel—
Very few commoners could pass the entrance exams, while more and more nobles joined.
This was normal, after all, the Royal Magic Academy selected students based on aptitude and talent.
Few commoners would study magic from childhood, learning those complex and abstruse magic books.
Because they couldn't afford it.
But nobles could cultivate magical foundations from childhood.
With such a comparison, the starting lines were inevitably unequal.
Therefore, after layers of screening at the Royal Magic Academy, commoners were extremely rare.
It had inexplicably become a noble academy.
And the young mages cultivated from the noble class had rarely experienced actual combat.
Because those noble students were basically all privileged young masters and ladies, if you wanted them to engage in actual combat, the noble lords would be the first to oppose.
But this was also normal.
Who would be willing to send their children to the battlefield when their family circumstances were comfortable?
But the kingdom's academy was different.
According to King Augustus's introduction, this 'Star' Academy already had a long history in the kingdom.
In comparison, how long had the empire's Royal Magic Academy been established?
Councilor Rachel was still the first principal.
Of course, the Kanter Kingdom emphasized warrior training, so naturally they would put more effort into the warrior profession.
Star Academy had one condition that could attract countless commoners.
Those who performed exceptionally well at the academy
Could receive honorary star ranks and become nobles.
Although this probability was extremely low.
Every year there would still be a very small number of people who would stand out from thousands or even tens of thousands of students to obtain the title of baron.
For commoners, this was indeed the easiest path to advancement.
It was precisely because the kingdom's warrior academy set very clear goals and hopes for students
That these students would continue to push themselves harder and harder.
At this time, the king led everyone while walking and introducing:
"Students begin training when the sun first rises, and they can choose to rest or continue working hard."
"Many students will keep practicing until sunset without stopping, until their bodies are completely exhausted."
"Of course, if they develop physical problems, we also have dedicated treatment facilities."
Nevertheless, several nobles from the Kanter Kingdom appeared lost in thought.
Among them, several had risen up from here.
Before that, they too had been commoners.
What Augustus said was indeed true.
But the situations the students faced were far more complex than described.
Almost every student would undergo such training.
Unless they had extraordinary talent, they could only make up for gaps through long-term and unremitting effort.
This was a competition that required thousands or tens of thousands of times more effort.
No one wanted to train like this, but once they stopped, they would be washed away by the countercurrent of this training selection.
The dream of crossing class boundaries would be completely hopeless.
Indeed, once sick, students would receive treatment, but what about after recovery?
Compared to those students who slacked off for a while, it was even worse.
They couldn't even force themselves to undergo more intensive training, equivalent to being sentenced to death by the kingdom in this competition.
Because warrior was their easiest path to advancement, and also the kingdom's fairest advancement method.
So students could only continue to realize their wishes through such extreme to distorted efforts.
Plus the warrior profession itself relied on youth.
With just schooling providing a chance to become nobility, why wouldn't they work hard?
The diplomatic ministers listened to the king's introduction with even more respect for the students here.
No wonder the Kanter Kingdom could become a renowned nation of warriors, able to make all its citizens warriors.
Even if they couldn't become nobles after graduation, these students who graduated as warriors had many things they could do afterwards.
Join the army to become officers, become mercenaries, or worst case become the fastest farmer plowing fields within a hundred miles...
At this time, the king stood beside Viktor and casually asked:
"Councilor, what are your thoughts?"
"If I want to establish a magic academy in the royal city, should I establish a 'Star' branch directly, or find another location to establish a new academy?"
Viktor's gaze gradually turned toward this young king.
Before he could speak, a young female instructor suddenly appeared before the king.
She wore a lead-colored instructor's uniform, with two star rank medals pinned to her collar.
This indicated that she was also a viscount in the Kanter Kingdom.
"Your Majesty, your visit was somewhat unexpected, and the academy hasn't properly prepared for your reception."
Augustus waved his hand:
"No matter."
"After all, only this way can we see the most authentic side of this academy."
Then, he introduced this female instructor to Viktor and others around:
"This is one of our Star Academy's newly appointed instructors, my former classmate."
"Hilda Fantini."
Augustus smiled slightly and continued:
"Although she is female, she is currently the youngest and most excellent instructor in the academy."
As the king introduced her, the instructor named Hilda also took a deep bow toward the imperial guests, showing utmost respect.
"Welcome, our distinguished guests from afar."
"I am Hilda Fantini, an instructor at Star Academy."
She raised her head, her gaze surveying these guests from the empire.
When Hilda saw Viktor, a hint of confusion flashed in her eyes.
The person before her seemed somewhat familiar.
But she was often busy with various matters at the academy and couldn't immediately recall who Viktor was.
Perhaps just some celebrity seen around.
The king also began introducing to her.
"This is Count Viktor Kravina from the Carenthia Empire, and he is also the chief professor of the Imperial Magic Academy."
"Like you, equally young and outstanding in ability."
Viktor remained calm and composed, hands in pockets, expressionless, just nodding in response.
Hearing the king's praise, Hilda's face flushed slightly, but she still tried to maintain her composure.
However, upon hearing Viktor's name, she paused slightly.
The name seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite recall it completely at the moment.
The king hadn't forgotten to continue introducing the imperial princess on the other side.
"This is Princess Aurelianne from the empire."
"""
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