Imperial Academy

In the days that followed, the Mind Network showed no further abnormal fluctuations. Daniel had already begun investigating the rumors surrounding the strange phenomenon, while Gawain continued to keep watch over affairs both within and beyond the empire, watching the operation of the vast imperial machine he had built. Time passed quietly amid all this.

The first rest day of Fog Month brought unusually clear weather.

Today, Cecil City had something worth celebrating.

The radiance of the giant sun scattered the thin clouds overhead, and brilliant sunlight shone over Cecil's winter streets. Citizens bundled in thick winter clothes gathered together in high spirits, streams of people converging in the Mage District in the southern part of the city.

A brand-new and enormous complex stood at the end of the district, adjoining the Mage District's architectural complex, the Rune Research Institute, and the Magic Technology Research Institute. Facing the Mage District's main avenue and the semicircular "Knowledge Square," it was like a crown worn by the southern district, receiving the citizens' admiration and cheers.

—The Imperial Academy would officially open today.

The honor guard stood in proud formation on Knowledge Square. A tall reviewing stand had been erected before dawn, with long banners of black and blue bearing the golden Sword and Plow emblem hanging from either side. Under the rising sun, they gleamed with solemn splendor. Four heavily armored White Knights stood at attention beside the platform. When Gawain appeared in formal attire, the White Knights and the soldiers assembled in the square turned as one, their metal armor clashing as they saluted the monarch they served.

Before ascending the platform, Gawain turned to look at the buildings behind it that were about to be put into use.

The castle-like main building of the Imperial Academy stood beneath the bright