A middle-aged man with short black hair and a dignified expression approached, accompanied by two Master-level guards and a small Knight Order openly escorting him.

"Uncle Nathaniel, why are even you here?" Caelum asked.

The man standing before him was the Head of State for the region and one of the most influential figures in the county.

"Brat, your lack of interest in state affairs is not a good attitude," Nathaniel said as he ruffled Caelum’s hair.

"Today is the day when all the selected students from our state gather here in the City of Annum before departing for the Imperial Zenith School."

Caelum looked at him slyly.

"So you’re here to remind common people who sponsored them and secure your future voters? Ouch!"

"Ahem! Watch what you say. We are in public," Nathaniel said, giving him a light knock on the head.

"Let’s go, and I didn’t expect Sir Ben to accompany you here," Nathaniel added.

He raised his right hand and performed a gesture where his palm touched the front right side of his face, covering one eye.

This was the Imperial Salute, a gesture of recognition and respect.

"Old Ben, are you secretly a big shot?" Caelum asked suspiciously.

"Forget it. I’m just an old man," Old Ben replied, casually returning Nathaniel’s gesture.

Although the Zenith Empire followed a noble system, its structure of governance was vastly different from traditional feudal territories.

"Come along. The others have already arrived," Nathaniel said.

They walked toward a separate section of the Vortex Point, which had been specially prepared for today’s departure.

Various students from different places in State Five, governed by Nathaniel, had gathered here along with their families and officials.

Caelum also noticed hundreds of children around his age, standing neatly in lines. Older students wearing the prestigious Imperial Zenith School uniforms were organizing them.

"Go stand over there in line," Old Ben said as he moved toward the guardian section, while Nathaniel climbed onto the small stage that had been prepared.

Naturally, the children’s gazes drifted toward Caelum.

He appeared slightly older and taller than most of them, and whispers quickly spread through the crowd.

"Is he really the Count’s child? I heard their hair colors don’t match."

"Maybe he dyed his hair or is using an artifact to disguise himself."

"Shut up! Lord Caelum is naturally charming!"

"That’s right! Look at those ocean-like eyes. I want to be friends with him!"

"Dream on, I topped my school. Only someone like me is worthy of being his friend!"

Caelum listened to the endless chatter as he stood quietly in line, waiting for the Head of State to begin his speech.

Meanwhile, several senior students were also observing him carefully.

They had all heard the rumors about the five-year-old Expert, who had now grown older.

’What exactly does the Count feed this kid?’ they collectively wondered.

"H-hello there! I’m Paul... Sir Caelum, can we be friends?"

A meek, nerdy-looking boy standing behind him suddenly spoke.

Caelum turned around and stared at him for a moment.

’Am I fated to be friends with a Paul... even in this life?’ he thought, remembering a Paul from his previous life who had pretended to be poor while secretly being extremely rich.

"Well, Paul, just call me Caelum," he said casually.

"But what are those glasses you’re wearing?"

"Haha, these?" Paul said proudly as he adjusted them.

A small flash of light passed across the lenses, turning them into a foggy one-sided mirror.

"What? Is that for real?" Caelum muttered.

"This is my greatest invention so far as it helps me deal with social anxiety," Paul said proudly.

Just then, someone clapped loudly.

Everyone’s attention shifted toward the stage.

Even Caelum straightened up as all the children turned to look at the figure standing there.

"Everyone, I am Lumi, a teacher at the Imperial Zenith School. Today you will begin your journey..."

Lumi, a young teacher with light brown hair, addressed the students clearly.

She reminded them of the code of conduct they would need to follow once they arrived at the academy, explaining the various rules, expectations, and the roles their assigned senior students would play in guiding them.

She also explained the do’s and don’ts of life at the school.

When she reminded the younger children that they would be staying away from home for several years, a few of them almost burst into tears, forcing her to pause and calm them down.

"...And finally, the Head of State will offer you a few words of encouragement before we depart for the school," she concluded.

The crowd applauded politely as she stepped aside and nodded toward Nathaniel.

Nathaniel walked onto the stage.

"All the students present here, I would like to congratulate you once again for being accepted into the Imperial Zenith Academy." he began.

What followed was a speech that lasted nearly ten minutes.

Although it was short by political standards, Nathaniel delivered it masterfully.

His voice carried confidence and authority, and the children listened to him with surprising seriousness.

After all, he was very good at securing his future voters.

"...Now then," he finished, raising his voice slightly, "make your families and friends proud! Make State Five proud! For you are the future of the Empire!"

"WOAHHHH!"

Cheers erupted among the children as excitement spread through the crowd.

Caelum gave Nathaniel a mean look.

The Head of State had successfully rallied all the children.

Soon after, the students began boarding the Vortex Tubes.

These were large cylindrical structures capable of transporting one hundred people at a time.

Outside, families began shouting encouragements and waving enthusiastically.

"Make our family proud!"

"Go! You are our future, Zack!"

"My little girl! May Sol’s blessing be with you!"

"Go, little brother!"

Parents, siblings, and relatives waved as the children took their seats inside the tubes.

Within each tube, one senior student was assigned to guide the ninety-nine new students who had just boarded.

And now, they were ready to depart for the Imperial Zenith School.

And not just from State Five.

Students from every state across the Empire were making the same journey.