The appearance of the divine Phoenix was enough to cause the crowd to turn silent.

At the start, it was the marvel of colours that made all who saw it enchanted.

But they quickly snapped out of it and recognised that this is the legendary Sovereign of Birds, the Zhu Que. Its elegant long plumes and the three symbolic long crown feathers that demanded veneration left them with no doubts.

The first to react is of course Lalhal. The moment Jim summoned it, he already regretted trying to expel the five out of his class.

As a genius Beast Tamer, he had assumed the role of instructor at a young age. Right after he graduated from Saint Cadets Academy, he took two years as a teaching assistant, and then when he was 18, he became the youngest professor.

Compared with the other instructors, he had experienced far less and is obviously more temperamental.

He silently berated himself for his quick temper, then went forward to Jim in complete silence, shamelessly studying the magnificent Zhu Que.

“A variant of an Avian of The Most High. But what does this mean?”

Variants are thought to be evolved forms of a species. They are one-of-its-kind beings that are more powerful than their brethren and often born with unique abilities.

However, the stronger one’s species is, the rarer it is for a variant to be born.

Among each genus, the species that stands at the peak were given the title as The Most High, and the Zhu Que holds that title among birds.

The phoenixes are unquestionably the strongest fliers, and Zhu Que, the Vermillion Bird, is the most powerful race amongst Phoenix-kind, with only one other that is on par: the Black Phoenixes.

However, because they outnumber the latter, their authority remains unchallenged to this day, ruling the heavens with a tightly bonded community.

For a race born as the strongest, a variant appearing was thought to be impossible. There wasn't any precedence, yet, here, Jim held the one in his hand.

Unlike the other Zhu Ques that are vermillion, red, and gold in colour, this one is purely white, with wing feathers made of crystals, and down feathers that are radiating with a gentle glow. The light split apart into the full spectrum of a rainbow when it touched the wing feathers, mesmerising onlookers into utter silence with its beauty.

Lalhal snapped himself out of it. He knew at once, what urgently needed to be done.

“I shall submit a petition to the Emperor at once. This creature has to be protected as our national treasure!”

He wanted to stuff his words back into his mouth now. Expel the five boys? What a joke, even if it is only to make Jim keep the Zhu Que in his class, he would gladly make the five his teaching assistants.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t any good ways to take back his own words. Lalhal blushed furiously out of shame and frustration while wrecking his brains to undo what he did.

“My big mouth! Am I really going to lose the chance to study this Phoenix Lord? Anyway, why is it here in the mortal realm? And, how the heck did this boy become its Contract Master? AHHH! I have so many questions!”

While he had delved into a winded spiral of internal monologue, Relestia cut through the crowd of people before putting her puffed cheeks right in front of the instructor. With a face, full of seriousness, she told him, “Don’t expel my friends! And, it should be my turn now, right?”

With a guts pose, the princess summoned a great beast.

The class blinked a few times at the Contract Beast that appeared by her side from thin air. Most of them were unresponsive for a while until they recognised that it was a Steel-Mane Nemean Lion.

A wave of surprise swept through the class, and students and staff alike quickly respectfully took a knee.

“Your subject greets your royal highness, Princess Relestia!” They said in unison.

“Rise,” replied Relestia stiffly. Her poise erect, as she held her head high but not lofty. Though she is merely ten, she already eludes the full majesty belonging to a member of royalty.

Her people slowly stood up one after another, and they stayed in silent attention to the princess.

They did not know of her status before, but her Contract Beast is proof enough. The Nemean Lion is both the beast on the Vestimore family’s emblem and a symbol of their empire.

It is a magnificent beast that none except the royal family are allowed to tame. Anyone who defies this will be executed, and their family’s wealth repossessed by the crown; although, the chances of it happening is nearly zero because of how difficult it is to get one’s hand on a Nemean.

Kairos and his friends were rather surprised by this turn of events. Though they guessed she must be a noble of high station, none expected her to be the princess herself.

They had made fast friends with the cheerful girl and even treated her as one of their own. However, when her identity is revealed, Alan, Jim, Edward, and Tommy, couldn’t help but feel a strain appearing in their relationship.

The difference in their stations is far too wide. And, despite their barony, the boys still viewed themselves as commoners.

Understandably, not many people could remain nonchalant towards a princess being in their midst. Jones and Kairos, however, would. The two were similar that they never really cared much for status and such. An oddity, but unsurprising, considering how the two had always behaved.

The latter, especially, had once shouted at an immortal. A being that Kings and Queens would bow down at.

Fortunately, any awkwardness in them, disappeared when the princess spoke. Relestia smiled sweetly, a visual attack that caught the class unwary.

Then she curtsied to her classmates, and beseeched them, “I’m sorry for surprising everyone, but please help my friends in keeping the things that happened today a secret?”

Her words and the sincerity in her voice left no questions on how much she cherished being around the five. She had unconsciously paused on the word ‘friends’ as if it was a delightful confectionery that she couldn’t bear to eat.

And, that simple expression on her face attracted a whirlwind of adoration from the class. Her charm was irresistible, transcending both age and gender of the recipients, causing the people to salute enthusiastically, “As you command, my Princess!”

Then, out of nowhere, people dressed in black started appearing. They immediately surrounded everyone in the place, including even the academy’s staff members, and ensuring that none could leave.

A few among them acted at once, approaching some students and even two of the staff members with haste. Their targets panicked, but an intricately-made seal stone they pulled out restricted any movements with a soft whirring noise.

There was an uncomfortable silence afterwards. These people are obviously the princess’ guards, although when they first appeared, the Snowdrifts had mistaken them to be the Phantoms from the Silent Lambs Empire because of how similar they were dressed.

Every member immediately unsealed their Soul Perception for detection, but they quickly found that there were minor differences and relaxed. While the Phantoms gave off the scent of death and blood, these ones here only smell of expensive perfume and tea parties.

Their group gave each other embarrassed smiles. They had almost gone into full-combat mode despite being in the safety of their empire.

The boys don't discuss it anymore, but many of them still dream of the time when they were on the run in the Silent Lambs empire.

The princess' guards carefully searched the bodies of those they bound and removed trendy-looking devices from their apparel. It wasn’t difficult to recognise the objects as communication wards. A frequently used trinket among nobles.

By now it is apparent that some of them had attempted to send out messages after seeing the princess. No doubt, out of a sense of novelty for the most of them, but the princess’ guards had to make sure there were no malicious intents.

Only after ensuring the wards had been disabled, they released the people.

“We are The Shadows,” one of the ones in black introduced himself and said, “By our Crown Princess’ decree, the existence of the Zhu Que must be sworn to secrecy. Everyone, prepare your Jade Slip. Those that do not have any come forth and take one.”

No one dared to complain about the method and did as they were told. The Shadows are Saint Empire’s equivalent to the Phantoms, except they use their stealth solely for the protection of the royal family instead of assassinations. Each of them is a powerful warrior in his or her own rights and commands respect among the practitioners of Gaia.

When everyone had a Jade Slip in hand, the Shadows instructed them on the words needed to bind them to absolute secrecy on the Crown Princess presence in Saint Cadets Academy, as well as the existence of Jim’s Contract Beast.

They were careful to make the binding words as specific as possible. Otherwise, any mistake would trigger the Soul Slips and cause unnecessary curiosity.

When Soul Slips detect a breach, it will stop the one who was bound, making them appear strange during a conversation or the middle of an action. And since this is a frequently used method to hold secrets, people will easily deduce the reason behind sudden halts.

Fortunately, the Shadows were veterans in this field, and set proper binds in place. Once the slips were activated, they took it away and like their namesake, they melted away into the darkness like they never existed.

The class looked towards Relestia, who in turn gave Lalhal a nod. “I apologise for the interruption. Please continue the class.”

The instructor appeared unfazed by everything that happened. As a true genius in the art of taming, he had met even Emperor Galahad himself. He did not feel too emotional at meeting the princess. Instead, there was a tinge of unhappiness that he was asked to swallow his words.

It rubbed him the wrong way, though at the same time there was a sense of relief that she had given him a way out.

Lalhal declared with a loud and authoritative voice, “The five of you can be excused from being expelled this time, but there must be some form of punishment for failing to acquire a Contract Beast.

Because of Kairos alone, I will start the next class immediately, and all of you need to stay until morning.”

It was a petty shot to create general displeasure towards the boy. Since the princess had spoken for his group, this would be the best way to get back at her. And, more importantly, it will provide him with the chance to observe the mythical creature up close.

He might have plenty chances in the future, but truthfully, he was too eager to wait a moment longer.

Lalhal instructed the staffs to set the place up, while he begrudgingly gave the class an hour of his time to teach them how to combat with their new partners. But it was more for Jim’s than any other reason at this point, and in order to gather the most information, he prepared three forms of combat they could engage.

The first would be between Contract Beasts. Each summons will fight all others in a battle royal, while the tamer gives instructions from the side.

The exercise will test their soul link and strategy. But more importantly, with many enemies, the Zhu Que should shine.

The second is where the summoner and their Contract Beast fight against others side by side, similarly in a battle-royal format. This ought to teach that boy, Alan, how terrible his choice was in picking a partner that could not help him in battle.

The third and final kind of combat is a little more complicated, requiring the master to fuse together with their beast. He had high hopes in gaining some valuable data from this one.

What the instructor planned promised bruises. For some, more than others.

Alan who is holding his tiny turtle, stood by the side, with clear dismay on his face, “We are so screwed, aren't we?”

The little beast decided to show its dissentment by nipping at his finger.

An injury, already.