A flash of light filled the air.
For a brief moment, everything felt weightless.
Then—
The blinding glow slowly faded.
The convoy of carriages reappeared atop another teleportation platform.
Unlike the quiet hill behind Kizen, this teleportation device was located on a wide stone plaza surrounded by tall white walls and elegant towers.
The crest of the Dresden Kingdom was carved into the marble pillars standing around the platform.
Several armored guards stood at attention nearby, their spears planted firmly on the ground as the teleportation light dimmed.
The lead carriage door opened.
Knox stepped out first.
The morning air here felt noticeably different from Kizen's island breeze.
Before him stretched a wide avenue paved with polished stone, leading directly toward a magnificent palace in the distance.
The Dresden Royal Palace.
The palace towers rose proudly above the city of Langerstine, their silver-white walls reflecting the morning sunlight. Elegant spires pierced the sky, and rows of banners bearing the royal crest fluttered gently in the wind.
Knox let out a quiet whistle. "Well… that's quite a view."
Jane stepped down from the carriage behind him.
"Don't look too impressed," she said calmly. "You're representing Kizen."
Knox shrugged lightly. "I can still appreciate good architecture, can't I?"
Nearby, the other carriages stopped as the assistant professors stepped down one by one.
At the same time, several officials dressed in formal attire began approaching from the palace gate. Leading them was a middle-aged man wearing a dark ceremonial coat adorned with golden embroidery.
He stopped a few steps away and bowed respectfully. "Welcome to the Dresden Royal Palace."
His voice carried the refined tone of someone used to addressing nobles.
"Professor Jane of Kizen, I presume."
Jane gave a small nod. "That's correct."
The man then turned his attention to Knox.
"And you must be…"
His gaze lingered for a moment. "…Knox Aznable."
Knox gave a relaxed smile. "That would be me."
The official inclined his head politely.
"On behalf of the Dresden royal court, allow me to welcome you."
"The royal family has been informed of your arrival."
He gestured toward the palace. "If you would follow me, preparations for your stay have already been arranged."
Knox glanced up at the towering palace once more.
Then he smiled faintly. "Well then."
"Looks like the real fun is about to begin."
Jane gave him a brief sideways glance. "…Please behave yourself."
Knox raised both hands innocently. "Of course."
Then he added quietly, "I'll try."
Jane sighed.
The group was led through a series of vast marble corridors inside the Dresden Royal Palace. Tall windows allowed the afternoon sunlight to spill across the polished floors, while elegant chandeliers hung overhead like frozen constellations.
Servants and palace attendants moved quietly along the sides of the hallways, bowing politely as the Kizen delegation passed.
Knox, who had been casually looking around earlier, gradually grew quieter as they approached the deeper sections of the palace.
They had already arrived before the massive golden doors of the banquet hall.
Two palace attendants stood guard there in immaculate ceremonial uniforms. Seeing the delegation from Kizen approach, one of them stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"May I confirm your identities?"
Jane answered calmly.
"Jane Olivia. Vice President of Kizen."
The attendant nodded, then turned toward Knox.
"And you?"
"Knox Aznable. Student of Kizen."
The attendant bowed again before stepping through the doors.
Moments later, his voice rang clearly throughout the hall.
"Announcing the arrival of distinguished guests from Kizen!"
The conversations inside gradually died down.
Then the announcement continued.
"Vice President of Kizen, Second-in-Command of the Academy…"
"Professor Jane Olivia."
The doors opened.
Jane stepped forward first, her black Kizen uniform standing out sharply among the luxurious dresses and formal attire of the nobles gathered inside.
The golden chains resting on her shoulder glimmered faintly under the chandelier lights, giving her the presence of a high-ranking officer rather than a mere academic.
Quiet murmurs spread through the hall.
Then the attendant's voice echoed once more.
"And accompanying her…"
A brief pause followed.
"The White Devil."
"The Genius Author."
"Special Entry Number One of Kizen, Batch 329…"
"Knox Aznable."
For a brief moment, the hall fell completely silent.
Then Knox stepped through the doorway.
Almost immediately, a soft stir spread across the banquet hall.
Not hostility.
But recognition.
Curious whispers began to ripple among the nobles and guests.
"That's him!"
"So that's Knox Aznable…"
"To think I can see him this close…"
"I heard he's the youngest genius author in years."
"Do you think he'll perform music tonight?"
"I must get his signature if I have the chance!"
"Ah, I heard his live performances are incredible…"
The atmosphere shifted subtly.
Rather than suspicion or tension, what filled the hall was a mixture of curiosity, admiration, and excitement.
Some nobles leaned slightly forward in their seats, studying him with interest. A few young ladies whispered eagerly among themselves. Even several scholars and merchants present seemed visibly intrigued.
Of course, not everyone reacted so openly.
There were still those who watched quietly from afar, their expressions unreadable.
But even they refrained from speaking ill of him.
After all—
The boy who had just entered the hall was not merely a student.
He was Knox Aznable.
Meanwhile, Knox walked forward calmly. Compared to his usual playful demeanor, he now carried himself with composed elegance.
His white hair shimmered faintly beneath the chandelier lights as he came to a stop behind Jane.
His gaze swept across the hall briefly before settling toward the royal seats. There sat the King and Queen of the Dresden Kingdom.
The Queen observed him silently.
Beside her, Princess Molly leaned forward slightly in her seat, her bright blue eyes filled with curiosity.
So that's Knox Aznable…
She had heard the name many times before.
But seeing him in person was different.
Meanwhile, Knox stood calmly behind Jane.
For a brief moment, his eyes met the Queen's. Then he offered a polite smile.
Knox stood quietly a step behind Jane, maintaining the same calm and composed posture.
Yet behind that noble-like expression, his thoughts moved much more freely.
So that's the Queen of Dresden…
His gaze rested briefly on the woman seated on the royal throne.
Even without using my Newtype sense, I can already see a trace of hostility in her eyes.
The Queen's face remained perfectly dignified, her expression controlled in front of the assembled nobles. But subtle things were difficult to hide from someone like Knox.
A slight narrowing of the eyes.
The faint stiffness in her posture when the name Kizen was announced.
Well… considering she's part of the anti-Kizen faction…
Knox's lips almost curved upward.
And if the original story is anything to go by… she even tried to obstruct Simon by using her own trash of a son.
His gaze drifted briefly across the royal seats.
Andre was nowhere in sight. Hmm. Not here today?
Knox shrugged inwardly. Doesn't matter.
Then he glanced again toward the Queen.
I wouldn't be surprised if she tries to make trouble for me later.
A faint amusement flickered through his thoughts.
Hehe…
But outwardly, Knox remained perfectly composed.
From the perspective of the nobles watching, the young prodigy of Kizen stood calmly beside Vice President Jane, his demeanor refined and respectful—almost indistinguishable from that of a well-trained noble.
Only Jane, standing beside him, noticed the almost invisible hint of amusement at the corner of his lips.
She sighed internally. This kid…
Meanwhile, on the royal seats, Princess Molly's reaction was completely different.
The moment Knox entered the hall, her eyes widened.
Then—
They sparkled.
Almost literally.
Her posture straightened slightly as she leaned forward in her seat, excitement clearly visible on her face.
Kyah…!
That's Knox Aznable in the flesh!
Her hands tightened slightly on the armrest as she stared at him with bright, eager eyes.
He's even more handsome in person!
Her gaze scanned him quickly.
Compared to the last time I saw him during his music performance…
He looks more mature now… but still youthful at the same time!
Her eyes sparkled even more.
Youthful and mature mixed together…
But he's still so handsome!
Molly quickly tried to compose herself, clearing her throat softly and straightening her posture again to maintain a proper princess-like appearance.
But the excitement in her eyes was impossible to hide.