Chapter 11: The Right to the Royal Academy
For the first time since arriving in this world…
Sanat will leave the Virel Sky Citadel.
The floating island slowly drifted above the clouds of Astra Prime, surrounded by layers of defense shields and orbital platforms.
Until today, Sanat had only seen the world below from a window.
Now he stood at the edge of the launch platform.
A sleek silver transport ship waited for him.
Sanat looked down at the endless city beneath the clouds.
"…So this is the outside world."
Behind him came a familiar voice.
"Not impressed yet, are you?"
Sanat turned.
His grandfather, Lord Valerian Virel, walked toward him.
Several members of the Virel family stood behind the old man.
Some cousins nodded politely.
Others watched silently.
The hostile cousin from the council meeting only crossed his arms.
Sanat ignored him.
Valerian approached and held something in his hand.
A small silver locket.
"Wear this."
Sanat accepted it.
"What is it?"
"A protection charm," Valerian said.
"Inside it contains a fragment of my energy."
Sanat blinked.
"So if something happens…"
"It will alert me."
Sanat nodded slowly and placed the locket around his neck.
Valerian studied him for a moment.
Then he said something else.
"There is another person who knows about your true identity."
Sanat raised an eyebrow.
"Who?"
"The principal of the Royal Academy."
Sanat leaned forward slightly.
"You trust him?"
Valerian nodded.
"He is an old friend."
"And one of the strongest men on this planet."
Sanat smiled.
"Sounds intimidating."
Valerian's eyes sharpened slightly.
"He is also a very fierce man."
"Do not expect special treatment."
Sanat laughed softly.
"I wouldn't want it."
Valerian stepped closer.
For a moment the old man said nothing.
Then he pulled Sanat into a brief hug.
"Grow stronger."
Sanat nodded quietly.
"I will."
Kyala's Goodbye
As Sanat approached the ship, someone stepped in front of him.
Kyala.
She looked at him calmly.
"You will go to the academy alone."
Sanat nodded.
"I figured."
"But I will visit you once every month."
She handed him a small metal case.
Sanat opened it.
Inside were glowing energy crystals.
"These will accelerate your cultivation," Kyala said.
"You may absorb one each month."
Sanat smiled.
"Now that's a good gift."
Kyala then lowered her voice slightly.
"There is something else you must remember."
Sanat listened carefully.
"The noble houses of Astra Prime are divided into three tiers."
She raised three fingers.
Tier 1 — Duke Houses
"The most powerful noble families."
"Your house belongs to this level."
Tier 2 — Count Houses
"Extremely powerful but slightly below the dukes."
Tier 3 — Viscount Houses
"Lower nobility."
"Most academy students come from this level."
Sanat nodded slowly.
"So what identity do I use?"
Kyala answered calmly.
"You will enter the academy as a viscount noble."
"Not even a main heir."
"You will be a side-branch member of that family."
Sanat smiled.
"So basically…"
"I'm pretending to be weaker than I really am."
Kyala nodded.
"Exactly."
"That way you remain hidden."
The Hidden Noble
Sanat boarded the ship.
Inside, Boba was already waiting.
"Identity preparation complete," the robot said.
Sanat sat down.
"So what family am I pretending to be?"
Boba replied.
"A minor branch of the House Aurelion."
Sanat frowned.
"Why them?"
"Because they agreed to lend their name."
Sanat nodded slowly.
"Smart."
The ship engines activated.
And the vessel began descending from the floating island.
Sanat watched the island slowly disappear above the clouds.
The City of Astra Prime
As the ship descended, the full scale of the planet appeared.
Sanat's eyes widened.
The city below looked endless.
Gigantic skyscrapers pierced the sky.
Flying vehicles moved between buildings.
Massive holographic advertisements lit up the streets.
Entire highways floated between towers.
Sanat whistled.
"This place makes Earth look like a village."
The ship continued descending.
Soon they approached Layer one of the planet.
Sanat leaned forward.
As the ship changed direction, Sanat asked another question.
"How many major noble houses exist?"
Boba answered.
"There are three publicly recognized Duke Houses."
Sanat frowned.
"Only three?"
"Yes."
"The Virel House would technically rank fourth."
"But because the house operates in secrecy…"
"…it is not publicly counted."
Sanat leaned back.
"So the world thinks there are only three top houses."
"Correct."
"And one of those houses lent us their name."
"Yes."
Sanat smiled slightly.
"This whole planet is basically a giant political chess game."
The ship finally approached the city.
Below them stretched one of the most advanced cities in the galaxy.
And somewhere within it…
The Royal Academy of Astra Prime.
Sanat looked out the window.
Then he smiled.
"Alright."
"Let's see what this academy is really like."