Markus spent the night at the military bunk, saving credits instead of renting a hotel room for the night. After spending a week in the Forbidden Forest, the bunk bed felt like a 5-star hotel.
The communication watch vibrated on his wrist at 6 a.m., informing Markus that the Royal Central Underground Metro had started its service. He headed for the administration office to bid Celeste goodbye, exchanging contact details in the meantime.
At the Illinois City station, he picked up a Korean beef bulgogi gimbap for the ride back to the capital and a reprint of the Iron Man comics from the Marvel Series.
After awakening, Markus has not had the leisure of pursuing hobbies such as reading, sports, or other creative avenues.
'Life in the academy is actually so boring, missions, classes, missions, more classes, maybe I should spend some time in alchemy like Grandma.'
Markus thought to himself, whilst waiting for the first train to arrive and begin its boarding procedures.
[Boarding for Valerian Capital in 2 minutes]
..
[Illinois City Platform 2 3/4]
..
Markus stood up from the bench and walked over to the platform.
He had missed his annoying childhood friend's inexhaustible energy. Life has never been boring with her around.
The smooth ride, powered by geomagnetic mana lines, allowed the bullet train to glide through the air along the railway lines.
Markus closed his eyes and checked in on Nagini. She has grown larger, almost the size of an adult boa constrictor, 7 feet long.
Nagini was curled into a comfortable position, resting in her separate spatial dimension atop Markus's head. More patterns have emerged along her scales, streaks, and spots of white interwoven along her sleek black outline.
As long as Nagini is healthy and safe, Markus would have 1 less worry to stress about.
[Valerian in 5 minutes]
[Passengers, be ready to alight]
[Thank you for riding with RCUM]
[We wish to see you again]
**
The familiar scent of the Valerian Capital metro station welcomed Markus home. Markus picked up an order of New York strip from the steak restaurant and made his way out, heading towards a taxicab stop.
"Good Morning, are you Markus Blackwell? Student from the Valerian Royal Academy, Grandchild of the Blackwell household?" Two men approached Markus.
They wore a black suit that seemed designed to be forgotten—a silhouette of charcoal wool and a crisp white shirt that offered no clues to his identity.
"Yes, I am. How many can I help you, gentlemen?" Markus asked, his curiosity piqued.
"We're from the Valerian Swiss Guards. His Majesty Valerian the First has invited you for a conversation over lunch today at the Royal Palace. This is your authorisation letter, please keep it safe," The guard handed Markus a letter embossed in gold.
At the top of the card sat the Royal Cypher, embossed in a gold so deep it looked like molten sun. It wasn't just a logo; it was years of lineage pressed into a square inch of paper.
The script was a masterpiece of Copperplate calligraphy, the ink still holding a faint, wet luster. It didn't ask; it summoned, using the polite, frozen language of the crown.
'Mana ink, inscribed by an array grandmaster, talk about overkill.'
Markus had seen several fanciful invitation letters from other families in Grandpa Sloane's study, but he had never seen one from the Royals.
The mana ink inscribed by an array master ensured that the text written within could not be forged or faked by another.
'I'll have to consult Headmistress Elena before I head to meet the Emperor, since Grandma and Grandpa aren't around.'
Markus boarded the taxicab and headed straight for the academy.
He intended to head home to check out the storage rings Bloodhound's team generously donated to him.
The taxicab stopped by the decorated gates of the academy. It had only been a little over 3 months, but he could never get used to the grandeur of this academy.
Markus swiped his student badge at the side entrance, a walking path towards the inner academy. Only permitted vehicles are allowed entrance through the academy gates; taxicabs can only drop off or pick up outside the academy gates.
Markus headed straight for the private lift in the center of the academy. He scanned his student badge, waiting for approval from the administrative department.
Within 30 seconds, the lift doors opened, bringing Markus up directly to Headmistress Elena's office.
**
"Welcome back, Markus. How has the north been treating you? I personally dislike the chilly weather there," Elena jokingly commented, clearly warming up to her favourite young prodigy.
"It's fine, the Vane's tried something with the adventurer's guild this time, they never learn HAHAHA," Markus laughed without smiling, his eyes razor-focused, looking through the office window.
The view of the academy from the Headmistress's office is stunning.
One can view students sparring in the combat arena below, the beautiful gardens in the academy's backyard, and the city of Valeria on the horizon.
Markus sat on the couch, stroking Lucy resting on the armrest beside him. His fingers sank into her striking, snowy coat, a living plush cloud that was well-trained and obedient to those she recognised.
"Do you need me to intervene?" Elena asked, her expression switching immediately to a look of visible annoyance.
"Nah, it's fine, I find it fun anyway, I plunder the resources of those who seek to meet god ahead of schedule," Markus laughed, taking out a treat to feed Lucy, making him her second favourite person in this academy.
"If they seek to meet god so desperately, I'll set the appointment for them ahead of time."
"How are you only 10, my boy, you're talking like a 70-year-old war veteran that's used to bloodshed and killing," Elena sighed, astounded at Markus's indifference to taking another's life.
"Showing them mercy would just endanger my life even further, and I would rather not involve my grandparents in this; it would get messy real fast, you should know that as well, Headmistress."
"By the way, take a look at this letter," Markus handed the royal invitation over to Elena.
"Wow, it's been a while since I've seen the intricate works of Grandmaster Merlin." Elena took the intricately written letter into her hands, placing it on the table, careful not to damage it.
"Hmm, Markus, if you would like to decline this invitation, I could do it on your behalf. The Emperor can be difficult at times, you have to tread very carefully around him, and mind every word you say," Elena advised, her fingers gently caressing over the mana imbued words written on the letter.
"Well, I was wondering if you would like to tag along as my guardian. Them sending this invitation when my grandparents aren't around smells like a conspiracy." Markus replied, stroking Lucy's chin as she leapt from the armrest onto his lap.
"Ugh, I hate involving myself in such diplomatic events. But fine, I'll do this for you, and Sloane will owe me one for this favor," Elena giggled, returning the letter to Markus.
"Let me inform the administrative office of my absence, then we can depart for the Royal Palace."