Chapter 242: Instructor Janice
For the first time, Leonard felt his life was hanging by a thread.
How did she even know about his ventilation escape?
Could there be a mole in the Crimson Guard?
That couldn't be the case.
He knew someone else within was working for another, but that was because the so-called mastermind was someone protecting him as well.
Then what about Eleanor?
What sort of relationship does she have with the Crimson Guard?
While Leonard was left with more question marks than usual, elsewhere, at the Aldros Imperial Academy, Mirelle was being greeted by a woman clad in professional instructor attire.
"It's our academy's honor to have a veteran sixth circle mage like you as our guest instructor."
"You're too polite, Instructor Janice." Mirelle smiled and greeted in return.
Janice was a fourth circle mage responsible for theoretical knowledge. Her role was to guide students in understanding certain spells from other perspectives and let them try to improve or modify them.
Shortly after the formal greetings, Janice began to introduce her to the facility.
"Last time, you were busy and left in a rush. Our academy has made quite the modification to accommodate you since then." She pointed at a few buildings and explained their uses.
Mirelle nodded her head in approval. Now, there was a new building that allowed all types of students to live in the academy who came from afar.
"Can I check on this semester's application?" Mirelle asked. She wanted to see if the admission truly included students who weren't simply rich or from nobility.
Janice understood what she wanted.
"Of course, the admission list is in the instructor's lounge." She smiled and handed her a magic token. "This magic token will be your proof of identity. The instructor's lounge is secured and requires the magic token to access."
'Hmm, what a powerful token.' It took her less than a second to realize the magic token's power.
After accepting the token, Mirelle was brought to the instructor's lounge.
"Here's the admission list for this upcoming semester." Janice handed her a stack of papers.
Each of the papers was a profile for the student who would attend the academy.
While Mirelle browsed through them, Janice suddenly recalled something.
"Ah, right… I forgot to mention this. The Crown Prince has set up a foundation that helps support financially troubled students." She clasped her hands and informed Mirelle.
"The Crown Prince did what?" Startled and alarmed, Mirelle paused for a moment.
"A charity foundation. Thanks to this fund, we managed to increase the student count for those who couldn't afford the tuition to join."
"When was this?"
Janice pondered for a moment and replied. "A few weeks ago."
Mirelle nodded. 'Seems like he really wasn't lying.'
Despite knowing about this matter, it was only by personally seeing this that she officially confirmed the doubt in her heart. As for these newly admitted students, she could easily investigate their background.
Moreover, she doubted the academy would falsify these students' records.
It wasn't worth the trouble and risk.
"Hmm, why is there another file?" Mirelle raised an eyebrow when she spotted another file from afar that was emitting a powerful aura. Such an effect was usually present when the file was enclosed with multiple magic formations.
"Oh, that file." Janice turned to the file and smiled bitterly. "It's a last-minute file transfer of a royalty from your home continent, Instructor Mirelle."
Upon hearing it was from her home continent and was a royalty, the name Eleanor quickly surfaced in her mind.
"Are you talking about Princess Eleanor?" Mirelle inquired.
"That's right."
"Wait a second, isn't the admission for first year students? Princess Eleanor had long surpassed the age for first year students."
For first year students, the minimum age for admission was 15, with 16 being the limit. The second year students would be around 16-18, third year would be 18-20, fourth year would be 20-22, and fifth year would be 21-23.
And given that Eleanor was aged 22. In theory, she should have been at least a fourth or fifth year student, and not a first year student.
Jancie's expression turned complicated. She didn't want to clarify much, but Mirelle's expression made it obvious that she wanted to know. Not to mention, she was going to be the guest instructor for first year students.
In other words, she would learn the reason sooner or later.
'Forget it, best not to offend Mirelle for this matter.' Janice weighed the pros and cons before deciding to explain the situation.
"Because of the new policy changes, the academy requires much cooperation and funding from other continents. Princess Eleanor personally donated quite a vast wealth, with this being the condition."
Instantly, Mirelle's eyes narrowed slightly.
This was definitely not a coincidence!
'She's after the Crown Prince.'
Who didn't know about the news that Leonrad would soon attend the academy as a first year student?
"Has this information been spread yet?" She stared at Janice and asked coolly.
"Not yet…" Janice smiled bitterly. "Our academy has just received this condition notice early this morning."
They had been played dearly by the famed strategist as well.
The donation money was deposited long ago, and the amount was not something they could cough up at the moment. Therefore, they had no choice but to accept this condition.
After all, it wasn't something outrageous either. Moreover, having someone like Eleanor in their academy would only boost their prestige and popularity.
Mirelle was also positive that the academy had willingly sold out the Crown Prince for their benefit.
The rumors revolving around the Crown Prince were still negative or neutral in the capital.
Nobody would think the Crown Prince status could last long.
'Whatever, with this new policy change. Even if you're the princess, I won't let you succeed in harming the Crown Prince.' Mirelle was determined to support Leonard.
Although there were so many negative rumors around him, only she knew very well how burdened and depressed he was on the inside.
If anything, he could be called a tragic figure trapped in a brutal world.