It had already been multiple days since the encounter with Kera's friend and was the first day of opening for the Royal Academy. Both shadow and his master had agreed on his master picking up a book of basic spells for shadow after the incident. So then shadow wouldn't keep getting into trouble. From then shadow had been trying to learn some of the spells in the book until the day arrived. After today he would have to stay on the huge campus of the Royal academy. He didn't know exactly how big it was but it was definitely the biggest amount of land that was privately owned.
Even though the academy worked very closely with Marona it was technically it's own institution. They did get a large amount of money donated with perks of following Marona law and other things. Shadow had already taken his clothes and personal items that he wanted. He had only come back to his room to store his soul book and small book that Apollo had given him weeks ago into his space. In about 2 weeks he would be 12 which was scary to him because the average starting student there would be 14. Nobles knew his standing inside royalty but the common commoner wouldn't know so might even pay respect. Everyone knew that titles in a school didn't mean anything. Even for second generation students weren't given any accommodation. The only title that meant anything there was immediate royalty.
In Marona immediate royalty was anyone with the claim to the throne. Which at any point could be changed with the queen's permission. As of now his sister Kera and his two brothers Malcom and Martin has claim. Following in that exact order. The rest of his family was either talented enough to gain a noble position, go into the military or become an adventurer.
As shadow left his room a couple of maids and butlers were there waiting to see him off. Shadow neither had a close or mean relationship with the staff. So the staff never held any bad feelings toward him as they might for the rest of his family, who treated each and everyone of them like garbage. "Master Shadow enjoy your time at the academy."
"Thank you." Shadow had only said those words and kept to a steady stride once he had got to his carriage. It was a pretty long ride taking about 30 minutes. Even though the Academy and Library was the closest thing to the kingdom it had still taken a long time for the amount of space. Marona was the biggest city in the kingdom. With the Castle,Library, and the Academy only amounted to about a third of the full city. As he was nearing he had started to feel nervous while tension built up in the pit of his stomach.
"Sir if I may can I speak freely?"
Shadow had looked up toward the front of the carriage seeing the usual man who had always drove him he said of course.
"Don't feel to nervous I believe the first day is only introduction into your first class then exploring the campus grounds. You'll do great believe me. Also we are here."
Shadow could see a huge gate where hundreds of carriages were dropping or parking dropping off students. They had staff dealing with all the luggage so students could directly go to where needed.
Shadow hopped out as a man met him shaking his hand welcoming him to the Academy giving him a pamphlet and his schedule after telling him his code. They didn't let names go about at the academy at first to ensure no new student got treated better because of their family.
....
Lily was on the way to the Academy. Sono who was sitting next to her had lost his glow while he still wore his famous smile. Although anyone who knew him before his family was killed could tell that the man had lost a piece of him. His face with stubble that wasn't there before was the first indication. Lily had thought that after he found out about his family that she would be left behind. It almost seemed to be the exact opposite. He had doted on her buying her expensive gear and clothing. Even giving her mom a proper burial along with his family. As much as he smiled during the day you could swear he had never even lost them. But she knew what he did after she was supposed to be asleep. He wept from sundown to sunrise from time to time. Hearing how heart broken the man was but yet showing only the best side of him to her had made her truly want to become a great daughter. Which had made her ask the question that had had Sono thinking for so long.
"To answer your question, no there is no nobles you need to worry about offending at the academy. Truth is most nobles don't have any true power anymore."
"What do you mean, aren't nobles less powerful Kings and queens?"
"In other countries yes but my queen has long ago made sure to remove power from them. Most are just watchdogs for cities and villages they reside in. They are given money to do their job, depending on how big and prosperous their city or village is, is how much they can get. They are not allowed to have an army and the guards that they have are a separate unit of the army made to protect nobles and watch them."
"That's amazing doesn't that mean she's removed all opposition?"
"I wouldn't say that, power is not destroyed but shifted. Nobles may not have power but the Adventures Guild is a continent organization that is in most kingdoms but are privately owned. While the Adventure's guild won't most likely do anything, the Academy is different because they basically have their own army. The woman who runs it is also a Demi level power who is said to rival even the Queen. Then finally high level military like me. In truth once most people know who you are to me they won't want to offend you. We are given more perks than most in the kingdom. That being said I want you to treat everyone with kindness unless they do something that deserves less than that. One more thing if you ever see the prince in trouble help him for that boys father saved my life many of times which in turn I owe everything to that boy."
"We're here sir."
"Alright take this. It'll allow you to reach me telepathically. Enjoy your school and remember to call me from time to time even when it's not serious. At night though."
Lily looked down at the small ring as she put it onto her pinky finger. She hugged Sono tightly and then followed her advisor who had given her the pamphlet.