I just graduated

Magic Knights, Sky Knights, and Grand Mages, in any of the Six Great Knight Regiments, are at least squadron-level figures, commanding one hundred knights and hundreds of soldiers.

If there are also conscripted militiamen or farmers, they become auxiliary generals commanding thousands.

Ryan wants to build an army with relatively strict discipline, capable of both offense and defense, primarily focused on frontal engagements.

His generals naturally need to be patient and skilled at analyzing situations.

No matter how talented, he has no intention of using individuals who appear to have excess vigor but lack composure.

“Please don’t say that, Your Highness. He is still young.

Once he gains more experience and worldly knowledge, if he can still maintain his current sharpness, he would undoubtedly be an excellent general.”

“Then note it down.”

Ryan had initially wanted to say that being a fifth-grader was only one step below him, but after a moment’s thought, he realized it was a bit much to use himself as the standard for others.

Just as the two were discussing, there was another development in the field.

Several students, casting levitation magic on themselves and their luggage, slowly floated across the artificial lake—this made many people realize that the earlier Magic Knights had been too focused on showing off and hadn’t brought their luggage, which would later need to be delivered by servants.

At this moment, a student, carrying all his large and small bags on his back, leaped high, jumping dozens of meters away.

Just as he was about to fall into the lake, he punched the water, jumping dozens of meters forward again.

He repeated this several times and finally successfully crossed the river.

Whether river water splashed onto him and his luggage, that remained unknown.

“A Grand Mage is my goal!”

“How elegant! Indeed, a Grand Mage is my goal!”

“Hmph, don’t just look at how dashing Sky Knights are, but on the battlefield, those who survive are always Sky Knights with better physical attributes!”

Sky Knight, full name Sky Knight, is an advanced rank after a knight breaks through the limitations of their mortal body.

However, they can only jump onto city walls. They cannot actually fly, the word “sky” is merely an honorific.

Ordinary mages can actually fly, but with insufficient magic power, they’ll fall after floating for a short time.

Thus, they can only cast Lightness spells.

Mages with a certain level of physical ability can perform “weightless water-walking,” or Grand Mages with abundant magic power can slowly fly across the artificial lake.

“Your Highness Ryan, you should be able to jump across this lake in one go, right?”

Flora turned and asked.

“I wouldn’t do something so foolish.”

Ryan frowned slightly.

In reality, after those various knights crossed the river in such a disheveled manner, besides two or three Grand Mages making an appearance, everyone else found it too foolish and boring and disdained such antics.

But if someone could truly stand out, some would still be unable to resist.

“That carriage… it’s His Highness!”

“Is His Highness also planning to participate?”

At this moment, a collective gasp arose from the crowd.

A carriage bearing the royal emblem was seen rushing towards the lake, and then, to the astonishment of all, the carriage slowly lifted into the air, finally landing steadily on the opposite bank.

“As expected of His Highness Arno, truly amazing!”

“A sixteen-year-old Grand Mage, and an Awakened One with a Guardian… this is the pride of our Empire!”

The people exclaimed in awe and admiration.

“Always so keen on showing off…”

Ryan was quite disdainful, but as he finished speaking, he subtly glanced at Flora as if remembering something.

Sure enough, Flora was smiling faintly… It was certainly not a mocking or scornful smile, but one of delight, even admiration.

Ryan was initially annoyed, but soon breathed a sigh of relief.

This at least indicated that Flora and Arno were not enemies.

‘No, I can’t relax yet.’

Recalling Arno’s notorious history of even tricking his own people, Ryan became vigilant once more.

After witnessing the Second Prince’s display, most people abandoned their urge to show off and compete, and began to dutifully cross the lake by boat.

But there are always those with unique needs in the world… before long, the crowd stirred again.

A carriage approached from afar.

Around the carriage were dozens of fully armed knights and mages.

They forcefully parted the crowd blocking their way.

The carriage stopped by the lake, then they lined up by the lake, shouting slogans with great fanfare, creating a grand spectacle.

However, unlike any previous display, everyone present wore expressions of extreme disdain.

“It’s them again!”

“Do they really think they still have their former prestige?”

“My good mood for the first day of school is completely ruined by these guys.”

Charlton’s expression also darkened, a look of anguish on his face.

The emblem on that carriage belonged exclusively to the Adargo family, the main house of the Prison.

‘Still so keen on keeping up appearances… and this is supposed to be my ally, how laughable.’

Ryan was somewhat angry.

He was already not well-liked by the Royal Academy students, and now his fiancée continued to engage in such high-profile, hateful behavior… well, so be it.

No matter how bad the Prison’s reputation was, Ryan actually didn’t care.

But Charlton would certainly not stand idly by.

He was angry that the other party had implicated Charlton.

Soon, the Prison’s young lady, Andara, and Heckler and Aros, whom they had met before, disembarked from the carriage.

The two conversed for a moment, then Andara stepped onto a red carpet and slowly flew into the sky on a small boat prepared by her family, replicating Second Prince Notis’s “feat” from earlier.

The disdain in people’s eyes grew even stronger, and many couldn’t help but let out jeers.

The Prison family appeared unmoved, but Ryan could feel the contempt they secretly exuded.

‘With such…’

After confirming his sister had safely reached the mountaintop, Ryan walked to the lakeside.

Ryan, however, cast aside his disdain.

Unlike Stella, Ryan greatly valued this young man.

At merely fifteen years old, he was already a Sky Knight and an Awakened One.

In terms of talent alone, he was among the top five in the Empire.

The top four were that person, Bright, Champion, Ryan, and Arno.

Oh no, perhaps Flora was even above him…

Of course, in terms of actual combat power, Ryan might not even rank in the top fifty… but his potential was immense.

Ryan also wanted to see how he would perform, whether he would surprise everyone and immediately display Magic Sky Knight level strength.

The people in the crowd also slightly put away their disdain, curious about this genius of the Empire.

Just then—

“Please wait, His Majesty has a decree!”

A court attendant, accompanied by a large retinue, rushed over.

Ryan had no choice but to halt his plan to leap across the lake and turned to receive it.

“His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Rowland, has heard of your exceptional talent, astonishing gifts, your humility, and your respectful treatment of subordinates… reminiscent of Ricuan and Aros in their youth.

Therefore, he is granting you the title of Baron and, effective immediately, you are officially graduated from the Royal Academy.

You are commanded to enter the palace and serve at His Majesty’s side!”