Chapter 38

What should one do when meeting someone of high rank?
Bow one’s head.
Lower one’s posture.
Be careful with one’s words and actions.
It was an instinct born from learning.
The Academy students, and even the professors, were careful with their words and actions around Lia de Evgenia.

By rule, outside positions did not apply within the Academy.
Only students and professors.
The Academy’s rule was that hierarchy was determined by strict meritocracy.

Everyone knew that rule.
But influence from outside the Academy had quietly persisted.
Nobles with nobles. Commoners with commoners.
Moving around in groups was one example.
And above all of them reigned Lia de Evgenia.

The emperor’s daughter.
That...