Waving the academyemblazoned flag, as Leon led the way, countless children followed him, their faces full of excitement.

Among them, teachers and guide puppets sluggishly trailed behind.

“Certainly seems like the imperial knights are inside the puppet costumes.”

“Oh, is that so? With people like that here, why Leon too? Ah, he’s the principal’s son, is that why?”

“I guess so. Well, anyway it’s great. Doesn’t the world feel brighter around Leon? Haha.”

“Of course, it does. If I were only a little younger… Haha! Emily, you made a stylish entrance today!”

The chattering teachers spoke loudly enough for Emily, who was leading in a large hat, to hear.

“……Yeah.”

However, Emily, the teacher of the Sparrow class, glanced at Leon as if she had committed a sin.

‘Ugh, why did he show up again? Clearly, he came because of Lucia’s daughter. From the entrance ceremony to the children’s outing. Isn’t this obsession?’

The fact that he liked Lucia was known to any passionate young person.

It was said that wherever he who did not easily show his emotions was, Lucia would surely be there.

So, complaints about his appearance were inevitable.

‘Damn, I should have said I was sick and not come. Getting lured into the imperial palace…!’

She could have taken a break, but she didn’t want to miss this opportunity, her house being in ruin despite being a countess.

With a sullen face, she pushed her hat down even more.

Thus, the chick group arrived at the first gate.

Tour guide Leon stopped and pointed at the magnificent gate.

“This gate is painted in gold, representing the first wall. Now, a question: Does anyone know how the capital enclosed by this wall is structured?”

At his question, a child who looked to be a graduating student raised his hand.

“Me! I’ve heard that the capital is built on the foundation of a castle city enclosed by walls!”

Compared to the clueless lowerclass students, the graduating class responded well.

“That’s right. Excellent. The capital is surrounded by three sturdy walls and also has many reserve forces, making it a very, very secure and strong city. Now, what’s inside the first wall?”

This time Charles raised his hand.

“The imperial palace!”

“Yes, Your Highness. Very astute. When we go through this gate, you will pass a building with an eagle emblem. That’s where the knights perform administrative duties.”

Just then, an eagle puppet pointed at itself and flapped its wings.

Seeing that, the children almost teared up again, so Leon had to shoot light to chastise the mischievous imperial knights.

As the reassured children wandered by, someone from the window of the building housing the knight’s office waved.

Waving his hand excessively like solicitation was the administrative knight, Marien.

“Cesar!! Here! Mom! Here!”

Hearing his name called, Cesar was startled by the surrounding gazes and bowed his head.

But he embarrassingly raised his hand a little and lowered it when the continuous calling didn’t stop, making the other administrative knights burst into laughter.

Cesar, whose ears turned red at that laughter.

“Is that Cesar’s mother? Nia, which one among them is your mother?”

Seeing Cesar, Charles thought Nia’s mother was also an administrative knight.

However, Nia didn’t look good.

She had already searched among those many faces but did not see her mother.

As she hesitated to answer, Leon spoke up.

“Now, we are headed to the knights’ training grounds. They’ve prepared a performance in welcome, so everyone, please follow.”

“Yes!”

The training grounds of the knights!

At his words, hope flickered once again in Nia’s eyes.

Soon, as Leon who became the leader of the guides gestured, the distributed puppet masks began to lead the children according to their grades.
Leon naturally led the firstgrade students belonging to Sparrow Squad, and the first place they arrived was the knights’ exclusive training ground for the enemy.

Their considerable numbers gave them an advantage in disciplined military drills.

In the Emperor’s knights’ training ground, they displayed unique spear techniques with a golden spear passed down only within the Imperial Guard.

And in the White Mages’ training ground, even on a clear day, various vivid light magic was visible.

Thanks to the Emperor’s strict orders, perhaps, each knight order performed shows so intense that they left a lasting impression on the children.

Especially the firstgrade students who last saw the mage show were a cauldron of excitement.

Their faces flushed and eyes wide open, they imitated the bursting sound of light and shared their exuberant feelings.

This included even the princess in Sparrow Squad.

“Ah, quite impressive. I didn’t know such a place existed in the palace.”

Even Princess Charl, for whom this place was home, was amazed, so the children heading to the next training ground became even more excited.

“Palace is great! So exciting! Only left is where Aunt Gilly and Mom Nia are! Wonder what they prepared!”