Chapter 100: Dark Forces Enter The Stage

"So, this is the magic academy's student ID?"

The next day, Alice received the letter of admission and student card for the March Royal School of Magic from Catherine. Catherine had also acquired an admission pass for Luna while she was at it.

The March Royal School of Magic. Just looking at the magic academy's name would let one know that those capable of entering it were either geniuses or nobles. Thus, it wasn't strange for students to take their maids or butlers to school with them, and obtaining an admission pass for Luna wasn't a difficult task.

However, what surprised Alice was that the student ID she received was custom-made. The card was made out of light-blue crystal, and magically engraved on it were Alice's name, year of admission, photo, and the academy's name.

"Yes. Classes officially begin next Monday, which is the day after tomorrow."

Catherine was still clad in armor like yesterday. As captain of the royal guards, she would almost always wear her armor while on duty. Through this, it could be seen that Catherine treated her job very seriously.

It was fortunate that Luna had wiped out Catherine's memory. Otherwise, if the other party remembered that she had been knocked unconscious by a maid, in one hit no less, she would probably start doubting her life.

"The day after tomorrow? But I recall that my friend already started attending classes a few days ago?" Alice was a little surprised to hear Catherine's words. Although she hadn't met Zauna for some days now, they had kept in touch with each other through an online messaging application. Zauna had even sent her a message this morning that included a photo of her visiting the academy's library.

"The March Royal School of Magic opens its doors one week before the official start of classes. So, some students would start attending school one week ahead of time," Catherine explained. "There are typically two types of students attending the magic academy. The first type is students with great potential. These students would usually start attending school as soon as it opens to prepare for their upcoming classes. They are good students who are trying to change their fate through studying."

"I see. It seems Zauna is surprisingly one of those good students," Alice commented, chuckling. Now that she thought back about it, Zauna could indeed be considered a student with great potential, considering that she could already skillfully cast spells after attending only one semester of classes.

Through browsing the internet, Alice learned that magic academies in this world would typically only teach combat magic starting from high school. Meanwhile, students would learn only theories at grade school and middle school.

Zauna was currently an apprentice magician in her freshman year of high school. The fact that she managed to cast a fireball against the Boria Wolf King could already be considered an amazing feat.

"What about the other type of students?"

Although Alice had already learned why Zauna had attended school early, she still decided to ask Catherine about the second type of student.

"The other type relies on money or connections to get into the magic academy," Catherine said, seeing no need to hide this information from Alice considering Alice's identity as the Hero. "These students are typically children from noble households here to receive academic qualifications and inherit their family businesses after they graduate. The academic qualification is solely there to prevent people from questioning their capabilities."

Indeed, compared to an uneducated heir, it was much better to have an heir with a shiny education. At the very least, that would reduce the criticism others would have, even if everyone was fully aware that the heir's certificates were bought using money.

"Since education is nothing but a means of saving face for them, these students would usually only return to school at the appointed time. Of course, we can't rule out the noble children who really intend to improve their knowledge of magic. It's just that such cases are an extreme minority," Catherine continued. "Most noble children don't have any thoughts of furthering their studies in magic, only wishing to inherit their family businesses… However, as they have been nurtured as successors by their respective families, while they might not be capable in the field of magic, they are still quite capable in the field of business."

"Alright, I think I get the general gist of it," Alice said after listening to Catherine's explanation. She more or less understood the circumstances surrounding the March Royal School of Magic's students now. "Looking at it this way, I'm looking very much like those noble children since classes are starting the day after tomorrow."

"Your position is different, so you naturally cannot be grouped with them, Lord Hero," Catherine said. As the Gryffin King's direct subordinate, she naturally knew many things that others did not. For example, she knew that Alice wasn't attending the March Royal School of Magic to learn basic magic. Instead, Alice's goal was the taboos recorded in the magic academy's library.

"Oh, before I forget, I have taken the liberty of coming up with a fake identity for you since you cannot afford to let your identity as the Hero get leaked before you reach maturity," Catherine said, suddenly changing the topic. "I have also informed the academy's dean and teachers about this fake identity of yours while I was handling your enrollment procedures."

"Fake identity?" Alice was stunned. "What identity?"

"King Hatter's illegitimate daughter," Catherine stated without batting an eye. "I believe you wouldn't wish to meet with inconveniences and annoyances during your time in the academy. Since you also wish to hide your identity as the Hero, this was the only identity I could think of that could afford you with the greatest authority."

"...In other words, in the eyes of others, I am the head honcho of the academy's noble children?" Alice's mouth twitched when she heard Catherine's words. She never thought that she would suddenly become the leader of the academy's dark and evil forces all of a sudden. "Does Chris know about this?"

"You cannot be considered a noble. Your current identity is that of royalty, or more specifically, the princess," Catherine said without a shred of hesitation. "Also, His Majesty isn't aware of this matter as of yet. However, I will inform him of it later. His Majesty's order was for me to do my best to ensure that Lord Hero's stay in the magic academy remains free of unnecessary interruptions, so I believe he will understand."

Alice fell silent when she heard Catherine's words. She also couldn't help but wonder what kind of reaction Chris would make when he found out about this matter. He most likely did not expect that his one command to Catherine would result in him acquiring an illegitimate daughter.

Heavens forbid, Chris had remained single well into his forties for the sake of the country. Now, though, Alice's identity as his illegitimate daughter would thoroughly ruin his innocent image. Yet, Chris couldn't even get angry at Catherine for this matter because Catherine had perfectly executed his command. In a sense, it was his fault for not specifying his orders.

The position of king really demands high resilience.