Caesar Arrives!

None of them had expected Tribbie to step out of the carriage.

Jiang Zhu blinked and turned to Ye Qiong.

"Teacher, Tribbie?"

Everyone looked at Ye Qiong, too, hoping to hear the answer.

But Ye Qiong shook her head.

"No, Tribbie was going to meet someone."

Phainon glanced at the carriage.

Sure enough,

after Tribbie stepped down, she didn't come straight over. Instead, she turned around and set down a small step stool.

Wait, a stool?

What was that for?

The group looked on, utterly confused.

The next moment, the curtain lifted again, and another figure emerged from the carriage.

It was a young woman.

She wore a splendid outfit of blue and black, and a delicate crown rested on her head.

A tuft of deep blue flame flickered above the crown.

When the young woman stepped out and saw the little stool, she seemed displeased and frowned.

The next second, she ignored it and leaped straight down.

Tribbie froze at the sight, then silently picked the stool back up.

She felt a little awkward. This lady didn't seem to like being waited on.

The young woman landed gracefully, lifted a hand to straighten her hem, then raised her chin.

Only then did everyone get a clear look at her face.

Though her features were somewhat small, she carried an authority that didn't suit her age.

Her eyes were blue.

She calmly surveyed the crowd before her, her gaze sharp and keen.

A single glance was enough to make everyone feel the sheer force of her presence.

Many of those present, Wang Sheng among them, were swept up in that presence. They lowered their heads instinctively, not daring to breathe.

The young woman walked toward the academy gates, one step at a time.

Tribbie followed behind her, keeping half a step's distance.

When Ye Qiong saw her approach, she immediately stepped forward to greet her. She placed her right hand over her chest and bowed slightly.

"Your Highness Caesar, welcome to our academy."

Seeing this, the people of Omphalos Academy followed Ye Qiong's example and gave a noble's bow.

Caesar stopped, her gaze settling on Ye Qiong as she looked her up and down.

Then she spoke unhurriedly.

"Art thou the head of this Omphalos Academy?"

Ye Qiong straightened, her tone composed.

"I am."

Caesar nodded and spoke bluntly.

"I shall study here for a time. I hope you will 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, while Phainon and the others trailed seven or eight paces back.

On the way, Wang Sheng leaned toward Phainon and muttered under his breath,

"That presence... My legs are going weak."

Phainon merely smiled faintly and said nothing, his eyes fixed on the small figure ahead.

Suddenly, that familiar feeling rose within him again.

The headmaster had inspired it. So had Teacher Tribbie. And now this person did, too.

What could be the reason?

Phainon had no idea, so he decided not to dwell on it.

Still, from Caesar's bearing, she looked like she'd come to inspect her territory.

Ye Qiong led Caesar to the square.

Below the stage at the center of the square, the seat at the very front was a luxurious chair,

plainly a cut above the rest.

Ye Qiong gestured toward it.

"Your Highness, please take a seat."

Caesar nodded calmly, walked to the chair, and sat down with poised elegance.

Ye Qiong took the seat to her left.

Tribbie led the others to their seats.

Once everyone was seated, Ye Qiong snapped her fingers.

The curtain on the small stage slowly drew back, revealing an orchestra.

The musicians began to play.

A light, elegant melody filled the square, carrying the cheerful air of a court 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 to her.

"What do you think, Your Highness?"

Caesar didn't look at him. She replied evenly,

"It is acceptable."

Ye Qiong smiled faintly and continued,

"Since Your Highness will be studying at our academy, allow me to briefly introduce its current state."

"The academy currently has six students..."

Ye Qiong introduced Phainon and the others to Caesar one by one.

As she listened, Caesar merely swept her gaze over them.

After finishing the introductions, Ye Qiong turned to Tribbie and continued,

"As for teaching, Teacher Tribios is fully responsible. She is at level ninety-nine, so Your Highness can rest assured."

At that, Phainon, Wang Sheng, and the others behind them all froze. They turned to look at Tribbie.

Level ninety-nine?!

When Tribbie saw them staring, she only smiled faintly and offered no explanation.

Caesar, for her part, didn't seem especially surprised.

She glanced sideways at Tribbie, then gave a slight nod.

"Level ninety-nine... She is indeed qualified to teach me."

Ye Qiong smiled and nodded.

"I'm glad Your Highness approves."

Caesar fell silent for a moment, as if reviewing the information Ye Qiong had given her.

Then she rose to her feet.

"I have a general understanding of the academy. Show me my quarters."

"All right. Please follow me, Your Highness."

With that, Ye Qiong led Caesar toward the residential area of the campus.

Tribbie didn't go with them. She remained where she was, watching the two walk away.

Once they were gone, Wang Sheng and the others could no longer hold back.

Wang Sheng was the first to spring to his feet, his voice urgent.

"Teacher Tribbie! Y-you're level ninety-nine?!"

"Yeah, Teacher! Why have you never told us before?"

"Teacher Tribbie, who are you, really?"

Everyone started firing questions at her, one after another.

Tribbie raised a hand to quiet them, then answered with a smile.

"We can talk about that another time. But what about the princess who just left? Don't you want to learn 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 Keleradra. 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 its future ruler was still enormously significant.

"Why would a princess of the Balak Kingdom come to an academy as new as ours?" 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. She's a level-thirty-three auxiliary Battle Soul Master."

Everyone sucked in a sharp breath.

"W-what level?"

Wang Sheng and the others all looked at Phainon.

Level thirty-three at twelve years old? She was actually one level higher than Phainon.

Seeing their reactions, Tribbie smiled, but her thoughts drifted back to the previous night.

The night before.

Ye Qiong had called her to the office.