Transmission of Message

Koennas City, the royal palace.

"King Auston, you don't look like someone who's just recovered from an illness."

"Haha, that's because seeing you, Ambassador, has lifted my spirits!"

"Hmph! I've come this time to discuss the Magic Crystal Quota with Your Majesty."

The king's face instantly fell. "Ambassador, wasn't the quota just adjusted three years ago? If we adjust it again, I fear food production..."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, no, no... We'll definitely increase grain output this year! The quota... last time, quite a bit was already shifted to the Thorn Empire. If we keep adjusting, a single dominant power on the Hells Continent wouldn't be good for you either... Ah, yes. Balance! You've said it yourself, continental balance is in your interests!"

"Your Majesty, you misunderstand me. I'm not here to cut the Feymont Empire's quota—quite the opposite!"

"The opposite? You mean... increase the quota?!" King Auston thought he must have misheard. For the past century, as the Thorn Empire had tirelessly cultivated farmland and boosted grain yields, the Feymont Empire's Magic Crystal Quota had been steadily slashed. Though the kingdom had also encouraged land reclamation, its population could never match the Thorn Empire's—there was no helping it.

"That's right. I was originally going to increase the quota, but now it's a bit late." Natia Vida dangled the words before the king, well-versed in the art of negotiation.

"Ambassador, please stop joking. Whatever it takes, we'll pay any price to increase the quota."

Natia Vida took a sip of tea from the cup beside her and said slowly, "I had intended to send a gift through Your Majesty to a friend of mine as a surprise. But now, perhaps he no longer needs it."

"How could he not need it? He must still need it! Gifts are always welcome! What gift is it? How about jewelry—I'll give her the queen's finest jewels? Or a horse? I'll give him my horse! Or a magic staff? My grandfather's staff?" The king was now acting like a peddler hawking his wares.

"Maybe it's not too late. Your Majesty, today is the first day of winter term at the empire's major magic academies?"

"The first day? Is it the first day? Adrien, is it the first day? Does anyone know if it's the first day?" In the palace hall, everyone was suddenly asking those around them if it was the first day. Soon, the court mage confirmed to the king that yes, it was the first day.

"Then it's fine..."

"Yes! It's fine! Then there's still time!" The king had no idea what the other party was driving at; he only needed to know there was still time. As long as there was time, the quota could be raised, and the empire could be saved!

"But... I'm afraid it's still too late. Even the fastest messenger from the capital would need ten days to reach Tris Province... If only I'd seen the king sooner..." Natia said regretfully.

"It's not too late! It can't be too late! Adrien, does the fastest messenger really need ten days? Is the empire that vast?"

Adrien wanted to remind the king that his words were unbecoming, but this wasn't the time for that.

"Your Majesty, using a White-headed Messenger Crow, it could arrive by tomorrow. But whether the crow can carry the gift the Ambassador intends to send is another question."

"Yes! With the crow, there's still time! Ambassador, what is the gift?" In his desperation, the king addressed Natia Vida as "Ambassador" just like Adrien, which was clearly improper, but no one was about to correct him now.

"What I want to send is very light, but even tomorrow is too late."

"It has to be in time! Find some way to send it today! Does anyone have an idea?"

"How about... using two White-headed Messenger Crows?"

"Idiot!" The king struck him hard with his scepter, and the Imperial Guard Knight Commander paid the price for his stupidity.

"Your Majesty, there is a way to contact Tris Magic Academy, but sending something there is still impossible." The court mage suddenly remembered that the palace had an emergency Communication Array linked to the empire's magic academies.

King Auston looked at Natia Vida with a pleading expression until the corners of her mouth slowly curved into a beautiful smile. "I knew Your Majesty would find a way. The gift I want to send only needs to be transmitted via the array."

***

Tris Magic Academy.

The Communication Array's siren had been sounding for five minutes. This period was used to warm up the connection between the two magic arrays and also gave the academy time to assemble. Once the Communication Array activated, it had to ensure that all teachers and students could hear the important message from the capital.

"Everyone, listen up! A very important message is about to be announced! Remember, no matter what happens, don't panic!" The dean was already standing before the Communication Array.

Donald followed Victor's group, standing at the very front of the crowd. His plain cloth robe made him stand out. Lucia and Wesley spotted him at once and came over to greet him. Dean Devis saw Wesley approaching and nodded at him, but Wesley ignored it.

"You'd better not leave! You won't weasel your way out of the magic crystal issue. Don't think just because something big is happening, you can slip away. I've got my eye on you!" Judy glared fiercely at Donald. Lucia and Wesley both heard her and wondered what Donald had done to offend her.

Donald felt his position was too conspicuous and decided to retreat to the edge of the crowd. Just as he stepped out, someone grabbed him from behind. "Auntie, he's trying to escape!"

It was Carl's voice. He had heard Judy's words and, seeing Donald leave the crowd, seized him.

Lucia and Wesley stepped forward to separate the two struggling figures. Judy saw them from a distance and hurried over.

"What makes you say my magic crystal was stolen?" Donald was getting annoyed by this aunt and nephew pair.

"I'm saying I suspect your magic crystal was stolen. How do you prove it wasn't?" Judy sneered.

"Then I suspect you're a man and Carl is your boyfriend. Prove that to me?"

Wesley burst out laughing, and even Lucia couldn't help covering her mouth. It was the first time they'd seen Donald fight back.

Judy's face turned ashen. Her hands shot out—wood magic, Green Vine Entanglement. Before Donald could react, dense vines had tightly wrapped around him. As Judy twisted her hands, the vines grew tighter, making it hard for Donald to breathe.

"What are you doing?!" Victor finally noticed.

"Don't worry, I won't kill him. I just want to teach this lowly brat a lesson!"

Just then, the Communication Array's siren cut off abruptly, and a commanding male voice emerged from the array. Everyone stopped. The square fell into absolute silence.

"All members of Tris Magic Academy, I am Auston Fain, your king."

Heavens, it was the king's voice! No one noticed Lucia's brow furrow slightly.

"Today is the first day of the academy's term." Auston was reading from a script hastily drafted by the ceremonial officer. "I am here to commend an outstanding youth!"

Everyone doubted their ears: consuming vast amounts of magic crystals, with thirty-six court mages collaborating to activate the Communication Array—all to commend a youth?! What had he done? Saved the world?

"This young man has rendered outstanding service to the empire!" Auston had no idea what the other party had actually done, but as long as it could increase the Magic Crystal Quota, that was the greatest contribution!

"However, his current status in the academy is severely mismatched with the contributions he has made! This situation must be changed immediately!" For this last line, the ceremonial officer directly quoted Natia Vida's original words.

Status mismatch? Everyone was puzzled. A student's status didn't match his contributions—were they going to make him a teacher outright? That was too chaotic, wasn't it? Who exactly was the king talking about?

"In my capacity as the king of the empire, I order Tris Magic Academy to immediately admit Donald Wien as a student! No delays! Oh, if Donald has already enrolled, then I extend my congratulations to him!" What kind of garbage script was this? Auston shot a glare at the ceremonial officer. The ceremonial officer felt deeply wronged—the ambassador's words had been a mess to begin with, and crafting them into this form had already taken considerable mental effort.

The square fell into dead silence. This outstanding young man being praised by the king was still tightly bound by Judy's vine magic. When Judy heard the king speak Donald Wien's name, she was already frozen stiff.

The lowly commoner she had spoken of was actually the outstanding young man the king had gone to great lengths to specially commend! This young man had made extraordinary contributions to the empire. And she had just been insisting he was a liar, a thief. Worse still, she had been preparing to teach him a lesson!

Judy's whole body went rigid, her face drained of color, and she even forgot to retract her vine magic. Carl, standing beside her, had none of his usual suave demeanor left; his legs trembled uncontrollably.

"Classmate Donald, now your friend has a few words to say to you."

"Donald? Donald?" Natia Vida's voice came through the Communication Array.

"Why is there no sound? Is this Magic Array broken?" Natia Vida's question to the king was also transmitted word for word.

Dean Devis saw this scene, rushed up, and fiercely chopped down Judy's outstretched hand, then pulled Donald up from the rapidly receding vines and guided him in front of the Magic Array. This series of movements was swift and agile, completely at odds with his earlier drowsy demeanor.

"Natia Vida?"

"Donald, why did it take so long?"

"A little accident happened."

"A small gift. I hope you don't dislike it."

"I don't dislike it. It came just in time. Thank you." Donald said with a bitter smile.

"Actually, there's one more thing I need to trouble you with."

"What is it?"

"My two daughters are coming from the north. They should be arriving in Dorn City soon. I hope you can help me discipline them."

"Daughters? You want me to discipline them?"

"You'll understand when you see them. Alright, sorry for the trouble!" Natia Vida finished with a sly chuckle, the magical fluctuations gradually faded, and the transmission ended.

Everyone stood with their mouths wide open, staring at Donald in front of the Communication Array. No one could understand what was happening before their eyes.

This day was March 1st. Donald Wien officially became a student of Tesri Magic Academy.

(Two things: First, this book has entered the contract process and will be signed soon, so there's no need to worry about it being dropped due to contract issues. Second, the author has fallen ill—my tonsils are swollen like ping-pong balls. I wanted to have a little burst of updates, but keeping up without breaks is already very hard. Please forgive me! Still shamelessly asking for recommendation votes and collections!)