No one had expected Tribbie to be the one stepping out of the carriage.
Jiang Zhu blinked and turned to Ye Qiong.
"Teacher, Tribbie...?"
Everyone looked at Ye Qiong too, eager to hear the answer.
But Ye Qiong shook her head.
"No, Tribbie was there to pick someone up."
Phainon glanced at the carriage.
Sure enough,
after Tribbie climbed down, she didn't come straight over. Instead, she turned and set down a small step stool.
Wait, a stool?
What was that for?
Everyone watched, utterly confused.
The next moment, the curtain lifted again, and another figure stepped out of the carriage.
It was a young girl.
She wore splendid blue-and-black robes and a delicate crown atop her head.
A tuft of deep-blue flame flickered above the crown.
The moment she saw the little stool, the girl frowned slightly, seemingly displeased.
The next second, she ignored it and leaped straight down.
Tribbie froze at the sight, then quietly put the stool away.
She felt a little awkward. It seemed this lady didn't like being fussed over.
After landing gracefully, the girl raised a hand to smooth her hem, then lifted her chin.
Only then did everyone get a clear look at her face.
Though the girl's features were somewhat small and delicate, she carried an air of authority far beyond her years.
Her eyes were blue.
They calmly surveyed the people before her, sharp and keen.
One glance was enough for everyone to feel the sheer force of her presence.
Many there, Wang Sheng among them, were swept up in her imposing aura. They lowered their heads instinctively, not daring to breathe.
The girl walked toward the academy gates, one step at a time.
Tribbie followed behind her, keeping half a step back.
As Ye Qiong saw her approach, she hurried forward, placing her right hand against her chest and bowing slightly.
"Your Highness Caesar, welcome to our academy."
The people of Amphoreus Academy followed Ye Qiong's example and performed a noble's salute.
Caesar stopped, her gaze settling on Ye Qiong as she looked her up and down.
Then she spoke, unhurriedly.
"Art thou the headmaster of this Amphoreus Academy?"
Ye Qiong straightened, her voice composed.
"I am."
Caesar nodded and got straight to the point.
"I shall study here for a time. I hope thou wilt not disappoint me."
Ye Qiong stepped aside and gestured toward the gates.
"Welcome, Your Highness. Please, come in."
Caesar didn't bother with pleasantries. She simply strode inside.
Ye Qiong walked beside her, showing her the way. Tribbie followed close behind, with Phainon and the others trailing seven or eight paces back.
Along the way, Wang Sheng leaned toward Phainon and muttered under his breath.
"That presence... My legs are about to give out."
Phainon only smiled faintly and said nothing, keeping his eyes fixed on the small figure ahead.
Suddenly, that familiar feeling rose in his heart once more.
It was the same with the headmaster, and the same with Teacher Tribbie. Now this person was the same, too.
What could be the reason?
Phainon had no idea, so he put the thought aside.
Still, judging by Caesar's bearing, she seemed to have come to inspect her territory.
Ye Qiong led Caesar to the plaza.
At the center of the plaza, before the stage, stood a luxurious chair at the very front.
Compared to the others, it was clearly in a class of its own.
Ye Qiong gestured to it.
"Your Highness, please take a seat."
Caesar nodded calmly, walked to the chair, and sat down with effortless grace.
Ye Qiong took the seat to her left.
Tribbie led the others to their seats.
Once everyone was settled, Ye Qiong snapped her fingers.
The curtain on the small stage in the plaza slowly drew back, revealing the orchestra.
The musicians began to play.
A light, elegant melody filled the plaza, bringing with it the joyous air of a palace banquet.
Caesar's expression didn't change.
But her fingers tapped lightly against the armrest in time with the music.
When the piece ended, Ye Qiong turned toward her.
"Your Highness, what did you think?"
Caesar didn't look at her. She merely replied in a cool voice.
"Acceptable."
Ye Qiong smiled faintly and continued.
"Since Your Highness will be studying at our academy, allow me to give you a brief introduction to the school."
"The academy currently has six students..."
Ye Qiong introduced Phainon and the others to Caesar one by one.
As she listened, Caesar's gaze merely swept over them, calm and indifferent.
After introducing Phainon and the others, Ye Qiong turned to Tribbie and continued.
"As for teaching, Teacher Tribios is entirely in charge. Her strength is at the ninety-ninth level, so Your Highness can rest assured."
At that, Phainon, Wang Sheng, and the others froze. They all turned to look at Tribbie.
Ninety-ninth level?!
Tribbie met their gazes with a slight smile but offered no explanation.
Caesar, however, didn't seem particularly surprised.
She merely glanced sideways at Tribbie, then nodded slightly.
"Ninety-ninth level... She is qualified to teach me."
Ye Qiong smiled and nodded.
"I'm glad Your Highness is satisfied."
Caesar fell silent for a moment, seemingly reviewing what Ye Qiong had told her.
Then she rose to her feet.
"I have a general understanding of the academy. Take me to see my quarters."
"Of course. Please follow me, Your Highness."
With that, Ye Qiong led Caesar toward the residential area.
Tribbie didn't go with them. She remained where she was, watching the two of them leave.
Once they were out of sight, Wang Sheng and the others could finally hold back no longer.
Wang Sheng was the first to leap to his feet, his voice urgent.
"Teacher Tribbie! You-you-you're at the ninety-ninth level?!"
"Yeah, Teacher! Why have you never told us before?"
"Teacher Tribbie, who are you, really?"
Everyone fired questions at her, one after another.
Tribbie raised a hand to quiet them, then answered with a smile.
"We'll talk about that another time. But what about the princess who was just here? Don't you want to know more about her?"
Wang Sheng immediately pressed her.
"Then who is she, exactly? A princess of the Balak Kingdom?"
Tribbie nodded.
"Her real name is Cerydra. Caesar is a title she gave herself. She's not only a princess, but also the sole heir to the Balak Kingdom."
The sole heir?
Everyone was stunned. Didn't that make her the future monarch?
Although the Balak Kingdom was currently a vassal state of the Heaven Dou Empire, the status of a future monarch was still no small matter.
"Why would a princess of the Balak Kingdom come to an academy that's only just been founded?" Phainon asked.
Tribbie glanced at him.
"You might have to ask the headmaster that. But there's one thing I can tell you right now."
"Her Martial Soul is the Scales of Justice, and she's a level-thirty-three auxiliary Battle Soul Master."
Everyone gasped.
"W-what level?"
Wang Sheng and the others looked at Phainon.
Thirty-three at twelve years old? She was actually a level higher than Phainon.
Seeing their reaction, Tribbie smiled, but her thoughts drifted back to the night before.
The previous night.
Ye Qiong had called her to the office.