Novel Full Chapter 279: Departure to the Royal Academy
Silence settled over the Council Hall after the Count’s declaration.
The massive round table remained surrounded by the highest-ranking members of House Evergrey.
High Board Nobles.
Elders.
Senior advisers.
Each of them quietly exchanged glances before slowly nodding.
One after another...
They accepted the Count’s decision.
No one voiced any objection.
House Ashenlocke had been on a noticeable rise which seemed to be too quickly.
The Phantom Rolls.
The Colt 1911.
The Bake 1945 – E-V 26 MK.II.
Each invention had pushed House Ashenlocke higher while House Evergrey remained standing in place.
If this continued...
The balance that was already crashing between the two Gun Alchemist families would eventually disappear.
The Count calmly swept his gaze across everyone seated before him.
Then...
His eyes stopped on two figures standing quietly behind the High Board.
Both appeared no older than fourteen.
A young man.
A young woman.
Each stood with perfect posture, their hands folded neatly behind their backs.
Although they had remained silent throughout the meeting...
Everyone inside the hall knew who they were.
The brightest young talents of House Evergrey.
The Count looked directly at them.
His expression remained calm.
"You two..."
His voice echoed clearly through the chamber.
"...will represent House Evergrey at the Royal Academy."
The siblings immediately straightened.
"Yes, Father."
Their replies came without the slightest hesitation.
Their voices were firm and Confident.
The Count slowly nodded.
"I have only one important task for both of you."
He paused briefly before his eyes shifted toward the young girl.
"My daughter."
The holographic projection above the table quietly rotated.
Ezra Ashenlocke’s image slowly stopped directly in front of her.
The Count raised one hand.
His finger pointed toward Ezra’s projection.
"You... must find a way to bring him into this family."
The room instantly became quiet.
Several High Board members blinked.
Even a few Elders couldn’t hide their surprise.
Recruit...
Ezra Ashenlocke?
The young girl herself widened her eyes.
"...Father?"
She looked at him in confusion.
The Count calmly continued.
"His talent as a craftsman... can already be compared to your eldest brother’s."
Several nobles quietly inhaled.
That evaluation alone shocked everyone present.
The eldest son of House Evergrey had long been recognized as one of Britannia’s greatest young craftsmen.
For the Count himself to compare Ezra to him...
Was extraordinary.
The Count remained completely composed.
"However... He is still only a Lowline member of House Ashenlocke."
His fingers lightly tapped the edge of the table.
"A talented Lowline rarely receives treatment equal to those born into the Mainline."
His eyes gradually narrowed.
"If approached correctly... he may eventually become dissatisfied."
He slowly leaned back.
"And when that moment arrives..."
His lips curved into a faint smile.
"You will use every advantage available."
He looked directly at his daughter.
"Become close to him. Earn his trust. If necessary... use your charm."
Several Elders quietly lowered their eyes.
None of them found the suggestion unusual.
Political marriages.
Recruitment through relationships.
Winning talented people from rival families.
Such methods had existed among noble houses for centuries.
"If you can persuade Ezra Ashenlocke to abandon House Ashenlocke..."
The Count slowly clenched one fist.
"...House Evergrey will rise even higher."
A dangerous ambition quietly filled his voice.
The surrounding High Board members immediately smiled.
Several elders nodded in satisfaction.
If Ezra truly joined their family...
House Evergrey would gain more than another talented Alchemist.
They would steal away the very person responsible for changing Britannia’s transportation industry.
The young girl quietly looked toward Ezra’s holographic image.
She carefully observed his face.
His calm expression.
His black hair.
His emotionless eyes.
For several moments...
She remained silent.
He’s...
...actually, not bad looking.
The unexpected thought quietly appeared inside her mind.
She immediately frowned.
No...
He’s actually quite handsome.
Her expression almost changed before she quickly controlled herself.
Still...
He’s too... quiet.
She sighed inwardly.
I prefer someone stronger.
Someone dependable.
Not someone who looks like I’d have to protect him all the time.
Another quiet sigh escaped inside her thoughts.
Even so...
Her father’s earlier words continued echoing in her mind.
Comparable to Elder Brother...
She knew exactly what that meant.
No one inside House Evergrey received praise that easily.
If her father had spoken those words...
Then Ezra’s craftsmanship truly deserved attention.
She wanted nothing more than to rub her forehead in frustration.
Unfortunately...
This wasn’t the place.
Every Elder remained present.
The High Board still watched.
As a daughter of House Evergrey...
She couldn’t allow herself to display careless behavior.
Finally...
She raised her head.
Confidence gradually returned to her eyes.
"I understand."
She calmly nodded.
"I’ll make sure...Ezra Ashenlocke leaves House Ashenlocke before the end of the first semester."
Her tone carried absolute certainty.
The young man standing beside her glanced sideways.
A faint smile slowly appeared across his face.
That should be easy enough for her.
He almost laughed.
His sister had always been popular among young nobles.
If anyone could recruit Ezra...
It would probably be her.
His own thoughts soon drifted elsewhere.
The holographic image slowly shifted again.
This time...
It displayed another familiar face.
Veda Ashenlocke.
His smile slowly widened.
Just wait...
His fingers quietly tightened behind his back.
Veda Ashenlocke.
I’ll show you why House Evergrey will be the new power of Gun Alchemy.
A competitive fire quietly burned inside his chest.
Ever since hearing reports about Veda Ashenlocke becoming the Young Lord of the Ashenlocke family beating Vera Ashenlocke of people, known as the talent of Britannia...
He had wanted nothing more than to meet him.
Not to become friends.
But...
To defeat him.
The Count slowly rose from his chair.
"Good."
A satisfied smile briefly appeared on his face.
"I’ll leave the rest to all of you."
Immediately...
Every noble inside the chamber stood.
Chairs slid backward almost simultaneously.
Everyone respectfully lowered their heads.
The Count calmly walked toward the enormous council doors.
His personal guards followed several steps behind.
His attendants quietly carried the meeting documents as they left.
Only after the Count disappeared beyond the corridor...
Did the Elders begin leaving.
One by one...
The High Board members also departed.
Small discussions immediately broke out among them.
Some continued talking about House Ashenlocke.
Others discussed the Royal Academy.
Several quietly debated whether recruiting Ezra was truly needed.
Meanwhile...
The two young Evergrey Alchemists walked silently behind the departing elders.
Neither spoke.
Yet...
Both understood one thing.
When the Royal Academy opened...
Their first battlefield...
Would not be inside a classroom.
It would begin...
With Ezra Ashenlocke and Veda Ashenlocke, themselves.
***
With the year finally drawing to a close...
A different kind of excitement spread throughout every corner of Britannia.
From the grand estates of Duke families to the modest homes of lesser nobles, preparations quietly began for one of the most important events in a young person’s life.
The departure to the academies.
Servants busied themselves packing luggage.
Parents gave last-minute advice to their children.
Tailors hurried to complete new uniforms, while craftsmen polished weapons, tools, and personal belongings that would accompany the students on the long journey ahead.
For many families...
This wasn’t simply the beginning of another school year.
It was the first step toward their children’s future.
In Britannia, education was carefully divided among the seven great regions that formed the Kingdom.
Each Dukedom possessed its own prestigious academy, responsible for nurturing the next generation of Alchemists, Scholars, Engineers, and Craftsmen.
The Ash Academy stood within Metallica, the land governed by House Ashenlocke.
The Gale Academy belonged to Northwick. The land governed by House Galehart
The Frost Academy served the people of Frostmarch. The land, governed by House Bergwyn.
The Drake Academy educated the youth of Stonefall. The land, governed by House Drakes.
The Crimson Academy represented Thornwick. The land, governed by House Burnwick.
The Der Academy stood proudly within Ravenshire. The land governed by House Derlis
Above them all...
Standing at the very heart of Britannia...
Was the Royal Academy of Eldenford.
Each academy carried centuries of history.
Each had produced famous Alchemists, military commanders, scholars, inventors, and influential nobles whose names had become part of Britannia’s history.
These academies represented the highest level of education available throughout the Kingdom.
Of course...
Britannia also possessed many other educational institutions.
Large cities, small cities, and even some wealthy Baron territories operated schools where ordinary children could receive a proper education.
However...
Those institutions could never compare to the influence held by the seven great academies.
Graduating from one of them, especially with outstanding results, opened countless opportunities.
Many graduates were recruited directly by Duke Houses.
Others entered the service of the Royal Family.
Some joined prestigious research institutions, military divisions, or large industrial companies that drove Britannia’s rapid technological growth.
For countless families...
Receiving an admission letter from one of these academies was considered a life-changing achievement.
Students generally entered the academy between the ages of fifteen and sixteen.
By that age...
Their basic education had already been completed.
Their Alchemy had reached a stable foundation.
Their talents had become clear enough to determine which path suited them best.
If someone reached the age of seventeen without successfully entering an academy...
Society rarely viewed them kindly.
Whether noble or high-class citizens...
They were often labeled as failures who had missed the opportunity to build a respectable future.
Naturally...
Not every academy followed the same admission system.
The six academies governed by the Duke Houses accepted students from across Britannia.
Any young person who met the required standards could apply.
The greatest obstacle...
Was money.
The yearly tuition alone exceeded what many Baron families could comfortably afford.
For high-class citizens...
The cost was even more overwhelming.
Only wealthy merchant families or exceptionally prosperous households could pay such fees without sacrificing everything they owned.
The Royal Academy, however...
Was completely different.
Unlike the academies governed by the Duke Houses...
It charged no tuition whatsoever.
Not because it was generous.
But because admission itself was far more difficult than simply paying school fees.
The Royal Academy wasn’t a place where anyone could enroll.
Every available seat had already been carefully divided among the Kingdom’s noble hierarchy.
The Royal Family received ten admission slots every academic year.
Each Duke House also possessed ten reserved positions for its younger generation.
Every Count House throughout Britannia received five slots.
Viscount Houses were allocated three.
Finally...
Each High-Ember Noble House received only one reserved place.
These reserved positions ensured that the Kingdom’s most influential families could continue educating the next generation of leaders without competing against the general public.
Even so...
Those reserved seats represented only a portion of the academy’s yearly intake.
The remaining places were earned through open competition.
Anyone who believed in their talent could challenge the entrance examination.
Regardless of background.
Regardless of status.
There was only one requirement.
Pass.
The examination consisted of three consecutive stages.
Each participant received only a single opportunity.
Failure at any stage meant immediate elimination.
There were no second chances.
The first stage tested knowledge through a written examination.
Alchemy theory.
Engineering.
History.
Politics.
Mathematics.
Natural sciences.
Basic Physics.
Basic Biology.
And Basic Chemistry.
Everything a future leader or Alchemist was expected to understand could appear on the examination papers.
Those who survived the written examination advanced to the second stage.
Combat.
There...
Strength alone wasn’t enough.
Participants were evaluated on their mastery of Alchemy, battlefield awareness, adaptability, teamwork, judgment, and practical application of everything they had learned.
Finally...
Those who successfully overcame both challenges entered the last stage.
The interview.
Unlike the previous examinations...
This stage judged the person rather than their abilities.
Character.
Ambition.
Determination.
Judgment.
Potential.
The examiners sought individuals capable of shaping Britannia’s future, not merely talented fighters or brilliant scholars.
Every year...
Thousands upon thousands of hopeful applicants traveled to Eldenford carrying dreams of entering the Royal Academy.
Yet...
When the examinations concluded...
Only one hundred names remained.
One hundred.
Out of thousands.
The competition was ruthless.
The reward, however, justified every hardship.
Graduating from the Royal Academy carried a prestige unlike anything else in Britannia.
For a Lowline Noble...
Or even someone serving as a trusted attendant within a noble household...
Success at the Royal Academy could completely transform their future.
Rank.
Influence.
Authority.
Opportunities.
Everything changed.
A graduate with exceptional achievements could rise above ordinary Barons and even surpass many Low-Ember Noble families in both status and influence.
For that reason...
The Royal Academy wasn’t simply a school.
It was the greatest stage in Britannia for talented minds.
A place where genius, ambition, and determination collided.
That was why the departure of each new class resembled the preparation for a military campaign more than a simple school trip.
Every noble family made careful preparations.
Every parent hoped their child would return stronger than before.
Across the Kingdom...
Private airships prepared for departure.
Steam Carriages lined noble estates.
Servants hurried back and forth carrying trunks filled with clothes, books, weapons, and personal belongings.
Each family prepared to send its children toward Eldenford.
Toward the Royal Academy.
Far away...
Within the Dukedom of Thornwick...
The ten young nobles selected to represent the territory arrived one after another at the private airfield belonging to the Duke House.
Towering before them floated a magnificent Noble-Class Private Dirigible.
The enormous airship rested quietly against its mooring towers while steam drifted gently from the massive engines beneath its hull.
Its polished metal body reflected the morning sunlight.
On both sides of the dirigible...
The proud crest of the ruling Duke House of Burnwick had been carefully engraved, announcing to everyone exactly which great family this airship belonged to.
One by one...
The ten chosen children stepped forward, carrying not only their luggage...
But also, the expectations of an entire Dukedom.
"Cyrus, hurry up!"
A familiar voice echoed across the private airfield.
It carried the same nagging tone he had been hearing since they left the mansion.
Unfortunately...
The owner of the voice received no response.
Cyrus continued walking at exactly the same pace.
One hand pulled his luggage behind him while the other lazily rested inside his coat pocket.
Covering both ears was a compact music device connected by thin wires.
Soft orchestral music flowed steadily into his ears, drowning out everything else around him.
The melody was calm.
Gentle.
Completely different from the noisy atmosphere surrounding the airship.
Servants hurried back and forth carrying luggage.
Engineers performed their final inspections around the enormous dirigible.
Steam slowly escaped from pressure valves beneath the floating vessel while crew members shouted instructions from the loading platform.
Yet...
None of those sounds reached Cyrus.
He quietly walked up the boarding stairs.
Without looking back...
He stepped inside the Noble-Class Private Dirigible.
A long sigh escaped him.
"So..."
He looked through one of the windows toward the sky.
"It finally starts."
His peaceful days were officially over.
Soon...
He would be surrounded by children from every corner of Britannia.
Young Noble Alchemists.
Young Scholars.
And Young Craftsmen.
Just imagining the noise already made him feel tired.
***
Far away...
Within the frozen lands of Frostmarch...
Preparations had also reached their conclusion.
The ten students chosen to represent House Bergwyn steadily approached their Noble-Class Private Dirigible.
Cold winter winds gently swept across the private airfield, causing long banners bearing the Bergwyn crest to flutter proudly beneath the pale morning sky.
At the front of the group...
Walked a young girl whose presence quietly drew everyone’s attention.
Her long light-blue hair flowed smoothly behind her with every step she took.
Crystal-clear blue eyes calmly looked ahead.
Her pale skin almost blended with the snowy landscape surrounding the airfield.
She wore the formal military uniform of House Bergwyn.
Black and Light blue.
The two colors blended together beautifully, resembling the clear winter sky stretching endlessly above Frostmarch.
Every step she took was graceful.
Elegant.
Almost completely silent.
She was...
Diane Bergwyn.
"My Lady..."
A maid hurried after her while carefully carrying several pieces of luggage.
Diane slowly turned her head.
Her sleepy-looking eyes rested quietly upon the maid.
Despite the lazy expression she often wore...
Her posture remained perfectly straight.
"It’s finally time."
The maid smiled brightly.
Excitement was written all over her face.
"You’ll finally get to catch up to the Young Master. And I’m certain no one in the Royal Academy will be able to rival you."
She spoke with complete confidence.
To her...
Diane was already the greatest genius of House Bergwyn’s younger generation.
Diane quietly looked at the maid.
For several moments...
She simply blinked.
Then...
A faint nod followed.
"Yes."
That single word was all she said.
She turned around again before calmly continuing toward the airship.
The maid smiled helplessly.
Young Lady really has to change this quiet behavior or she wouldn’t be able to gain any friends.
She sighed.
Even when leaving for the biggest academy in Britannia...
She still spoke as little as ever.
Adjusting the luggage in her hands...
The maid quickly hurried after her.
***
Meanwhile...
Back in Metallica...
Inside the vast territory of House Ashenlocke...
The family’s private airport had become unusually lively.
The enormous landing grounds were filled with nobles, servants, guards, engineers, and family members seeing their children off.
The massive Noble-Class Private Dirigible quietly floated above the boarding platform.
Steam drifted gently from its engines while workers completed the final safety inspections.
One after another...
The young representatives of House Ashenlocke arrived.
The Top Ten participants from the Trial of Steel had gathered together once again.
Alongside them...
Were those who had successfully passed the Royal Academy Entrance Examination through the public selection.
Parents quietly gave final words of encouragement.
Some adjusted their children’s uniforms.
Others reminded them to write home whenever they had time.
Although everyone tried maintaining their composure...
The atmosphere carried the unmistakable feeling of a family sending someone on a long journey.
Before Ezra arrived...
He had separated from Lucy.
Leaving her waiting patiently at the Obsidior Train Station.
Not even knowing why her master had left alone...
She couldn’t help glancing at the station clock every few minutes.
Master...
Please hurry.
We’ll be late if this keeps up.
She quietly clasped both hands together while waiting.
Meanwhile...
Ezra walked alone through the quiet cemetery of Obsidior.
The morning breeze gently moved across the rows of neatly arranged gravestones.
Silence surrounded the place.
Only the rustling of nearby trees occasionally disturbed the peaceful atmosphere.
In Ezra’s right hand rested a single flower.
It was his mother’s favorite.
He stopped before one particular grave.
Without speaking...
He slowly bent down.
The flower was carefully placed before the stone.
His calm black eyes quietly rested upon the engraved name.
Several moments passed.
He neither smiled...
Nor showed sadness.
He simply stood there.
The silence itself became his farewell.
Finally...
Ezra gave a slight bow.
Without another word...
He turned around and quietly left the cemetery.
Some feelings...
Didn’t require words.
Not long afterward...
Ezra reunited with Lucy.
The two immediately continued their journey toward the Ashenlocke Estate in Lumithar.
The following morning...
Departure day finally arrived.
The private airport bustled with activity from dawn.
Many familiar faces naturally found one another among the gathered students.
Felix walked toward the boarding platform with both hands inside his pockets.
His usual calm expression remained unchanged.
As he passed Ezra...
His eyes briefly glanced sideways.
Only for a moment.
Neither of them spoke.
Felix simply continued walking before boarding the airship.
Gareth quietly followed several steps behind.
As always...
He remained almost completely silent, while their servants carried their luggage following them from behind.
Henry also arrived.
Walking beside him was Bess.
Both had successfully earned admission into the Royal Academy through the entrance examination.
Unlike many others...
Neither came from the Trial of Steel’s Top Ten.
Even so...
They had proven themselves through ability alone.
Nate arrived shortly afterward.
He walked alone.
His expression remained as serious as ever.
Behind him...
Priscilla, Lyra, Page, and Tracy approached together.
The four girls chatted among themselves while occasionally laughing at something only they understood.
The lively conversation helped ease part of the tension surrounding the departure.
Not far away...
Nickolas had once again attached himself to Veda.
He happily talked without giving him even a single moment of silence.
Linda walked on Veda’s opposite side while Cole quietly followed behind the three of them.
Soon afterward...
Another group approached.
Vera.
Nina and Zack.
Along with Zack’s personal Alchemist servant.
The four naturally walked together toward the boarding stairs.
As Vera reached the entrance...
She quietly turned her head.
Her calm eyes settled upon Ezra.
He walked toward the airship with Lucy faithfully following at his side.
For several seconds...
Vera simply watched him.
Her expression remained calm.
Unreadable.
Ezra naturally sensed her gaze.
Even so...
He didn’t turn around.
He simply continued walking as though nothing had happened.
Vera quietly looked away.
Neither of them needed words.
Their silent understanding remained exactly the same as always.
Outside the boarding platform...
Bale stood beside Hailey.
Keith also remained nearby.
The three quietly watched the departing students.
Bale enthusiastically waved toward Vera.
Then toward Veda.
Finally...
Toward Ezra as well.
"Take care!"
He shouted loudly.
Keith also raised one hand in farewell.
Beside them...
Fay smiled before boarding the airship.
Although she hadn’t entered the Top Ten during the Trial of Steel...
She had successfully passed the Royal Academy Entrance Examination through her own efforts.
Her achievement alone earned sincere admiration from many members of the family.
One after another...
Every student entered the Noble-Class Private Dirigible.
Crew members carefully completed the final passenger count.
Once everyone had boarded...
The enormous boarding door slowly closed.
Heavy locking mechanisms echoed throughout the airship.
Moments later...
The engines beneath the dirigible roared to life.
Steam burst powerfully from the exhaust vents.
The massive propellers gradually began spinning.
Slowly...
The enormous airship lifted from the ground.
The gathered families quietly watched as it climbed higher into the morning sky.
Some continued waving until the dirigible became nothing more than a distant silhouette among the clouds.
Inside the airship...
A new Chapter quietly began.
Their destination...
Eldenford.
The heart of Britannia.
The home of the Royal Academy.
*************************************************************************
This marks the end of Volume Two.
I know there may have been some slower or more drawn-out parts throughout this volume, and I sincerely apologize if the pacing wasn’t always perfect.
Even so, I truly hope you enjoyed the journey.
Now...
Volume Three begins.
The Royal Academy Arc officially starts!
Thank you to everyone who has stayed with Ezra throughout his journey so far. Your support, comments, reviews, and encouragement mean more to me than you know.
I hope you’ll continue this adventure with me, and I’ll see you all at the end of this next arc.
Let’s begin the Royal Academy Arc!