"Extra, extra! His Highness Rowan Seris has been formally invested as Crown Prince..."
"The Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, and Grand Guardian have been appointed..."
Yet another batch of new terms spread through the Lainer Kingdom.
Meanwhile, word quickly reached Atrelin as well.
"So the child Queen Rosa gave birth to is named Rowan Seris?"
"What does Crown Prince mean? Heir to the throne?"
"His Excellency Roland truly is a role model for us all!"
Most Atrelin People viewed the matter favorably. After all, Roland was a rising luminary of recent years, with a good reputation among both the public and the various schools.
But at that moment, another matter was unfolding in Ailameng City, home to the Elements School.
Inside a spacious hall, everyone gathered around a circular conference table bearing the elemental symbol "O."
An elderly man said, "I've just received some inside information. Roland may win the Arcane Star Award this year!"
"Uh, Roland?"
"Isn't he the young man who won the Morningstar Award before going to Lainer?"
"He's certainly made a name for himself these past few years. The Seris School is rising rapidly, too. They really can't be underestimated."
The others whispered among themselves, somewhat puzzled.
"Dean, isn't that obvious? The committee thinks highly of him."
"If that's what the committee wants, there's no need for us to oppose it."
"You, Moningia, and His Excellency Varian each have a vote. Just vote for him as a convenient favor. There was no need to summon us specifically."
"Fools!"
The old dean's expression grew stern as he snapped at them.
"Have you forgotten? His Excellency Aziz won the Arcane Star Award at thirty. He remains its youngest recipient to this day!
"I admit Roland is qualified to contend for this award, but if he actually wins it, wouldn't