Sylvester’s meaning was that, since Velis had already resolved the issue in Ushi City by reshaping her identity, this was the perfect opportunity to distance herself from the Royal Academy.
“So, why?”
Velis didn’t know much about the Royal Academy.
So she was very curious about why the Emperor and this Headmaster kept trying to stop her from going.
“Because the current Royal Academy is full of factions. Many students and teachers are no longer there simply to learn.”
Sylvester sighed, looking very troubled.
“The Imperial Royal Academy should be a place for delving into academics, developing new magic, and improving swordsmanship…”
“For research, discussing history and various fields of knowledge.”
The old man looked very sad.
“But now, there are hardly any who truly devote themselves to these paths…”
Although she didn’t know the full details, hearing him say this, Velis nodded in understanding.
Indeed.
What is the most important thing for an empire?
Of course, it’s a constant flow of talent!
If even the Royal Academy is like this, the rot of this empire is all too clear.
Maybe it’s fine during peacetime, but once war arrives, the entire empire will be shaken.
“So that’s it. Grandpa, are you afraid I’ll be corrupted by this atmosphere if I enter the academy?”
Velis asked.
The old man nodded.
“That’s part of it. And also, because your identity is special, you might not receive full protection inside the academy…”
“Haven’t you been under constant assassination attempts these days? If you go to the academy, the opportunities for your enemies only increase.”
After all, the Royal Academy was a relatively open place.
Students, teachers, and various staff members… All could come into contact with Velis.
There were too many people to screen them all.
But Velis didn’t see it that way.
“People say that without facing storms, how can a blade of grass grow strong? If I’m protected too well, won’t I just collapse at the first setback?”
“Rather than being powerless in the future, I’d rather start facing things now.”
Her words made sense, and Sylvester let out a faint sigh.
“As expected of an Imperial Princess. It’s good to have such resolve, but what you’re facing now is far beyond your current capabilities.”
Hearing this, Velis winked mischievously at him.
“Then, when I’m at the academy, Grandpa, you can just protect me from the shadows, right?”
“In your dreams!”
Sylvester immediately blew out his beard and glared.
“I’m an old man—I can’t do that kind of thing. Besides, it’d be embarrassing!”
But no matter what he said, Velis was determined to go.
Because she believed she could still find useful talents there.
To call it going as a teacher was really more about cultivating and recruiting future subordinates.
“All right. Since you insist, I’ll handle the rumors at the academy.”
Sylvester made his decision, looking somewhat relieved.
Velis couldn’t help but suspect that his attempts to dissuade her were merely surface-level concern.
Did he actually want her to go, deep down?
“But, you previously promised the academy to publish your magic circle and the method for improving spell techniques—you have to keep that promise.”
Sylvester smiled slyly.
“After all, word outside is that the fake Velis is dead, and as the true Imperial Princess, your abilities must surpass hers…”
“If not, even with my strong recommendation, if you mess up, don’t blame the academy for reopening your evaluation.”
“If you can’t pass, you’ll have to pack up and leave!”
Velis had already thought about this.
“That’s easy. At the end of this month, I’ll publish the first magic spell—Flame Armor—and an improved version of the Magic Shield!”
“What!?”
Hearing this, the old man jumped up in excitement.
“An improved Magic Shield—where did you get it!? How effective is it!?”
On the Vistoria Continent, mages desperately needed ways to protect themselves.
And while Magic Shields had existed for a long time, their practicality was low, so their popularity was minimal.
In the same realm, mages were a deadly threat to swordsmen.
But when a swordsman closed the distance to a mage, the balance of attack and defense could be completely reversed.
If a truly practical Magic Shield could be released, it would be an event that would shake the entire continent!
At that time, even the mage associations across the continent would send people!
And throughout history, even the sages had failed to improve the Magic Shield to the point of mass adoption.
So where did Velis get hers?
No wonder Sylvester was so agitated—if a Magic Shield capable of widespread use appeared…
Even as an Apprentice Mage, Velis could become a Vice Principal just from such a contribution!
“The magic circle for the Magic Shield was something I found in a book at the Grand Tower Library. It’s very complex and cumbersome—if you’re not skilled, it’s even hard to activate.”
Velis said.
“The improvements I speak of are incremental—I’ll first publish a basic, modified version.”
Because with her Real Eye, even expending all her current mental power, she could only manage this much.
“First, I’ll increase its compatibility with various magic systems. Later versions will improve gradually, until eventually it becomes universal and convenient.”
Velis took a sip of water and said calmly,
“But whether this process takes months, years, or decades—I don’t know.”
That would depend on public feedback.
Velis wouldn’t bother with things that took a lot of effort but brought little reward.
Massive mental drain would leave her exhausted for a long time.
If the response was lukewarm, Velis wouldn’t spend her energy on it.
“Oh, so that’s it… But it’s still shocking. So many throughout history have failed to improve it.”
Sylvester remained excited.
He pressed,
“So do you already have a fully improved version? Did you do it yourself, or did you take it from somewhere?”
At this, Velis glared at him in annoyance.
“Grandpa, have some faith in your granddaughter! Of course, I improved it myself!”
“But I haven’t started yet. Cleaning up the mess in Ushi City took all my energy, so I haven’t had time.”
Sylvester frowned.
“You haven’t started? Then how can you be sure you can do it?”
“I’m just that arrogant, okay?”
Velis shot back.
Sylvester was left speechless.
Confidence was good.
But arrogance…
The initial excitement faded, and the old man returned to his calm demeanor.
“So it’s not even started yet—you got me worked up for nothing.”
But then, the improved Small Teleportation Magic Circle Velis produced as a system reward nearly made the old man faint from excitement.
“Such an exquisite Teleportation Array—if we can find a Space Stone, we can manufacture it! The cost is an order of magnitude lower than the current large Teleportation Arrays!”
“And the single-use transmission range can reach 5 kilometers!?”
After calculating, the old man jumped and laughed like a child, clutching the magic circle blueprint.
He looked like a mad old man.
Velis immediately poured cold water on him.
“So, I’ll leave the Space Stone to you, Grandpa. Otherwise, traveling between Monsell and Ushi City is too troublesome for me.”
“Uh…”
The old man froze.
“I’ve lived this long, and I’ve collected a few hundred Space Stones.”
But those were his treasures!
Velis’s eyes lit up, completely unreserved.
“Grandpa! What’s yours is mine—give them to me!”
The way she reached out for them was far too practiced.
For a moment, Sylvester regretted coming to Ushi City.