Once the doors to the throne room closed, Sasha hugged Kojo.
"Thanks for standing up for us, darling," she said, kissing him on the cheek.
"Oh, it was nothing," Kojo said, blushing.
"(Pervert.)"
"Huh?"
"(Why are you thinking about how soft Sasha's boobs are? Pervert.)"
Kojo groaned. He and Sasha walked to a summer hut where Rey and the others were seated.
Kojo saw Sharone and Koniko trying to restrain Lin from getting her hands on a girl. He recognized her as the one who bumped into him when he was going to see the king. Now that Kojo was looking at her properly, she was quite beautiful and had the elegance of royalty. Kojo also saw she had firm breasts.
"(Pervert.)"
"This is my cousin, Klara," Adriana said.
The girl got up.
"Good morning," she said. "I apologize for bumping into you in the hallway."
"Oh, it's fine. And you don't have to speak so formally. We are friends now, after all," Kojo said. Klara thought that Kojo was quite charming and blushed.
"Yes, of course," she said. Lin managed to break free and hugged Klara from behind, grabbing her breasts. Klara let out a small moan.
"You're really sensitive, aren't ya?" Lin said mischievously as she groomed them. Kojo's face turned red. "We're in a public area. Please conduct yourselves in a fitting manner," Rey said, taking a sip of tea.
Lin stuck her tongue out.
"So what did the king say?" Rey asked.
Kojo sat down and told them everything that happened.
"I see," Rey said, putting the cup down.
"So you turned down His Majesty's offer to stay in the Capitol. Well, it can't be helped. Your display the last time put you in a position where you can't be forced to do anything. Not that the king would try to force you. I do have a major concern about your confrontation with Cabolt."
"How do you mean?" Kojo asked. "He was talking bad about you guys, and I couldn't just let a small man get away with talking big."
"That's not it. Politically, he is the highest-ranking noble here in the royal court and has influence over the majority of other nobles who are supporting the enthronement of Billiam," Rey said.
"Why did you say majority? Isn't Billiam the crown prince?" Sharone asked.
"Due to... obvious reasons, Father has not taken an heir," Klara said.
"This matter is quite complicated. You see, it's law that the firstborn of the king should inherit the throne and rule the people. It's been that way since the establishment of the Kingdom of Archadia, with the only known deviation being that of the king and Duke Philip," Sasha said. "The Kingdom is very strict about their rules."
"Okay, I think I get it now," Kojo said.
"So, the corrupt nobles don't want another breach of protocol 'cause then it would lead to reforms that would prevent them from manipulating the people," Sharone said.
"And, since Billiam would be the perfect puppet through which they can rule the people," Lin added.
"And the leader of the pro-Billiam faction is none other than Cabolt V'ray," Kojo said, finally coming to that realization.
"Cobalt wasn't able to manipulate Sasha when she was champion, so he was hoping she'd lose. He planned to use intimidation to hound you into working for him. But you turned out to be even more free-spirited and stubborn than she was," Klara said, smiling at Kojo.
"Uh, thanks?" Kojo said.
A butler walked up to them and bowed.
"It's time," he said. Rey got up.
"Let's get going," he said.
"Going where?" Kojo asked.
"We're going to the Academy for the graduation ceremony," Rey said. He saw Billiam also boarding a carriage to the venue.
Adriana looked at him questioningly.
"Just ignore it," he said, climbing in.
"We need to get rid of that Kojo fellow," he said, speaking to the projection of a man in a robe.
"Were you unable to turn him?" the man asked.
"That bastard. How dare he belittle me!" Cabolt yelled.
"Hmm, I see. But is he really on the same level as Sasha?" the man asked.
"I believe he may possess a strength far stronger than she has," Cabolt replied. "That is why he needs to be eliminated."
"I see. Well, you're in luck. I have just the puppet," the man said, turning around to look at a huge beast inside a cage.
Kojo stepped out of the carriage. The Jewel Academy was a beautiful place.
"(The architecture of this place is pretty advanced.)"
"This building is over 700 years old," Rey said with an air of pride.
"(No scientific technique could preserve a building for such a long time and in such good shape.)"
"Hey, that's magic for ya." Many students looked at them as they passed, whispering to each other.
"It seems the two of you were quite popular," Sharone said. Rey groaned.
"Excuse me," a girl walked up to them.
"Chelsea, what's up?" Klara asked.
"I'm alright. I'm actually working in guiding students and parents around the venue."
She noticed Kojo.
"He's so handsome," she said.
"Huh?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing," she said quickly, her face turning red. She coughed.
Kojo looked at a cluster of girls looking at them. He waved, and they fainted.
"(Stop fooling around.)"
"Well, graduates and students are going to be separated, so if you'll follow me."
"We'll see you after the event," Adriana said. They separated, entering two different entrances to the hall. Chelsea led Kojo and the others to their seats while Adriana and Rey went over to the graduate side in their robes.
There was an opening speech by the headmistress of the Academy. Kojo slept through it. Lin nudged him awake.
"And now a speech by the outgoing Student Council President," he said.
There was a round of applause as Adriana mounted the podium.
"Ladies, gentlemen, I believe it's been a rough 5 years of study we've had here at the academy, years that broke dreams, soured relationships, drowned us in loss of friends, loved ones, and companions.
Second or two of silence.
But nonetheless, years that brought us improvement in our worth, prowess, and self as a whole. Through struggles, we've persevered and persisted, all to receive our just rewards today, our graduation.
But let me ask you, ladies and gentlemen, is this the end?
NO.
This is but a new beginning, the end of life under protection, supervision, and guidance, and our genesis into society as we know it.
People out there not as privileged as us to attend such an institution have already been successful. Famous raiders in the raiders bureau, wealthy merchants of the various Provinces, prestigious mages making major breakthroughs. There is no end to people who become successful in life as a result of their diligence.
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we all know of the new Champion of the recent Diori tournament?
Would you believe that our current champion is no older than 17 years old?" she asked.
"I'm older than that," Kojo said.
"One who could have been our peer had he attended the academy.
I thus implore you to strive to reach greater heights, further improve ourselves, and thus bring glory to yourselves, your family, and our kingdom Arcadia. I congratulate you all on your efforts these years, not as Adrianna Listowell, Student Council President, but as Adrianna Listowell, your fellow graduate in study. Thank you for the wonderful memories."
Silence, utter silence, enveloped the hall.
"Woohoo, you go, girl!" Kojo shouted in the auditorium as he clapped his hands. Adrianna blushed and turned her head.
The audience then erupted in a resounding applause and cheer.
There was a loud roar and the flapping of wings in the distance. The building shook as something heavy landed on the roof of the building. There was silence. The roof was suddenly ripped off, and a dragon peered inside. It purred then roared.