Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea

Ryan thought more and more that this was the case.

The Azure Lion family adopted orphans without considering their future development; it was purely for show, to pretend they were a benevolent family.

Of course, if an orphan was good-looking, clever, and spoke pleasantly, they might get a little ahead, but that would only mean good treatment as a servant, not even as high as a regular retainer.

Yet, in the eyes of those orphans, the Azure Lion family was undoubtedly their benefactor.

If not completely devoted, gratitude was inevitable.

This also explained why that Azure Lion Golden Guard had never mentioned Flora, and why, before he stopped his investigation, he had never heard of someone named Flora in the Azure Lion family.

After all, Flora was merely an orphan-turned-servant; how could the noble lords of the Azure Lion family possibly care about such a humble person?

This also explained why Flora usually wasn’t afraid of dirt or hard work… because she was already accustomed to such a life.

But just because the noble lords didn’t value Flora didn’t mean she lacked a grateful heart.

Especially after gradually getting to know Flora, Ryan felt even more strongly that she was someone who would repay even the smallest kindness with overflowing generosity.

‘She’s such an idiot… she should think more about herself!’

Ryan couldn’t help but curse inwardly, but he didn’t voice the thought.

Because he knew that if he did, Flora would certainly turn against him.

After all, in the eyes of such stubborn idiots, repaying kindness was more important than their own lives.

However, Ryan had no intention of letting Flora continue to make mistakes.

She liked to be grateful and repay kindness?

No problem.

He could bestow kindness too.

Not only that, but he could offer conditions many times better than the Azure Lion family!

Unfortunately, these were currently just thoughts. Ryan couldn’t simply bestow many favors on Flora all at once, without rhyme or reason.

He had a premonition that if he did so now, Flora would immediately flee.

He could only give her favors little by little, just as Flora had taught him: start with small, easily achievable goals.

Like this matter of going to school.

Ryan actually didn’t have much expectation for this first day of school.

But since Flora was so excited.

If anyone dared to let her down… then they shouldn’t blame him for being ruthless.

**
The sound of camel bells gradually approached a massive whirlpool, and the outline of the Royal Academy slowly appeared in Flora’s vision.

Truth be told, the Royal Academy was far older than the Rowland Empire, having been established when the Fast Empire was still one of the Seven Kingdoms.

To prevent enemy attacks on the academy, they spent countless years transforming its location into a valley surrounded by three mountains.

A huge artificial lake was built around the perimeter of the three mountains to ensure outsiders could only cross the river to reach the mountainous terrain.

After landing, most areas were sheer cliffs, with only one road, barely wide enough for three carriages, leading up the mountain.

The academy primarily consisted of independent castles on the mountaintops, while the valley portion served as the surrounding area irrigated by the Sandro River.

The academy was divided into seven grades.

The southwest castle housed the Academy of Magic, and the southeast castle housed the Academy of Knights, where students up to the fourth grade studied.

The northern castle was the “Academy for Talents,” for students in the fifth to seventh grades.

Ryan was now directly enrolled as a fifth-grade student in the Academy for Talents, while Flora was accompanying him as an attendant. She could attend lectures with him, but generally, teachers would not oversee her studies or question her.

Of course, with Ryan’s abilities, enrolling directly in the seventh grade or starting as an instructor would have been no problem.

But His Majesty clearly did not intend for Ryan to leave the academy so quickly.

As an “outsider” suddenly transferring in, Ryan also found it inappropriate to jump to too high a level at once, which might damage the self-esteem of the existing students, so he complied with this arrangement.

As it was the first day of school, and half of the students were boarders, there were still many parents by the lake to bid farewell to their children.

And because they were nobles, they put on many grand displays: some brought dozens of soldiers to line up for farewells, famous bands played by the lake, some were reluctantly surrounded by throngs of maids, some exerted themselves on the number and decoration of their carriages, and there were even banners wishing so-and-so success in their studies… it was very lively.

“Your Highness, could the carriage be parked by the roadside so I can observe more?”

“Yes… you want to watch the performances?” Ryan subconsciously assumed Flora was curious about school to this extent.

“Performances, I am not…”

Seriously, Flora cast magic, covering the entire carriage.

Through a simple magical analysis, Ryan discovered that Flora had concealed the royal emblem on the carriage and the whereabouts of the surrounding guards.

Then, Flora took out a small notebook and began recording information about the families outside.

“Your Highness Ryan, if you wish to properly make connections with others, the first thing is to understand them…

Those who are making a grand display here now, even if they themselves aren’t particularly vain, their families certainly care a great deal about reputation… In future interactions with them, we can then cater to their preferences.”

Ryan vaguely recalled a saying: success only favors the prepared.

“I stand corrected.”

Ryan no longer bothered with redundant work like making duplicate notes. Instead, he occasionally provided Flora with information he knew, supplementing what she couldn’t observe with just her eyes.

But this method, relying solely on mundane numbers of people and money, was ultimately a low-level approach. Before long, truly powerful families began to make their move.

A student, after bidding farewell to his parents, cast magic alone, stepping onto the water’s surface, and walked to the lakeside.

“What is that?”

Others exclaimed.

“It’s a mage!”

“No, that speed and skill… it’s a Magic Knight!”

Magic Knights can essentially be knighted from the outset, and then likely become lower-middle-ranking nobles like barons.

Although students at the Royal Academy generally came from higher backgrounds, students who achieved Magic Knight status through their own strength would undoubtedly inspire envy among many lower-grade students.

However, students were young and spirited; after one person did this, more Magic Knights began bidding farewell to their parents and stepped forward.

“Another Magic Knight!”

“This Magic Knight is even faster!”

“Look, that Magic Knight didn’t even make a splash! Their control over magic and body is truly formidable!”

Before long, students of Magic Knight rank began to compete in small details.

What to do if you can’t compete in technique?

“I really envy these seniors, I wish I could reach sixth grade sooner.”

“Hmph, you think you’ll become a Magic Knight in sixth grade? Haven’t you seen that many of them are seventh-grade students?”

“Hey, what’s that fifth-grade student doing? What, he’s a Magic Knight too?”

“A fifth-grade Magic Knight!”

Many couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. Normal Royal Academy students typically enrolled at twelve years old.

However, most only reached the Knight or Mage realm by graduation, and those who achieved Magic Knight by graduation were already considered outstanding.

A student who could reach Magic Knight status in fifth grade at sixteen years old was undoubtedly an exceptionally brilliant genius.

Flora had already recorded the characteristics of every student who showed off.

Regarding the student who had specifically gotten wet after putting on his uniform, she couldn’t help but ask:

“Your Highness, does this person need to be listed as a priority recruitment target?”

“No, anyone who can’t hold their composure and runs out now is not needed.”

Ryan said disdainfully.