The reason every student of the Royal Academy remained constantly vigilant, pushing themselves through every lecture, every examination, and every dangerous trial was something that had already been made perfectly clear from the moment they enrolled.

It wasn’t simply about graduating.

Nor was it only about becoming stronger.

The greatest goal awaiting every young Alchemist at the end of their academy life was something far more valuable.

A Title.

To be more precise...

An Alchemist Title.

Within the Kingdom of Britannia, an Alchemist’s Title represented far more than honor.

It determines one’s future.

It decided where one would serve, the authority one possessed, the wealth one could accumulate, and even the noble status one could obtain after graduation.

For many students...

Their entire academy life revolved around earning one of these prestigious titles.

The first among them is...

The State Alchemist.

This is the first official title awarded to graduates of the Royal Academy.

Only the best one hundred and fifty students from each graduating class are eligible to receive it.

Once appointed...

A State Alchemist officially becomes part of Britannia’s defensive force.

Rather than serving a noble household or a military commander, they answer directly to the governing authority of the kingdom—the Royal Family themselves.

Because of that...

State Alchemists are sometimes referred to by another name.

The Dogs of the Royal Family.

The title sounded insulting to outsiders.

Yet within Britannia...

Very few people dared to use it disrespectfully, because The State Alchemists possess considerable authority.

Their lives are stable and their income is generous.

However...

That stability came with a price.

Every newly appointed State Alchemist is to be assigned to one of the Seven Dukedoms spread throughout Britannia.

Where they served is never their decision.

Whether the city they received is prosperous and peaceful...

Or located near dangerous frontiers plagued by criminals and monsters...

The higher officials rarely concerned themselves with such matters.

Orders are simply given.

And those orders are expected to be obeyed.

Fortunately...

State Alchemists weren’t expected to perform every task personally, since each city possesses its own Local Guard force.

Those guards act as their subordinates, carrying out routine missions and maintaining public order while the State Alchemist supervises operations from above.

This arrangement allowed many State Alchemists to build connections with both noble and non-noble families within their assigned territories.

Through those relationships...

Many quietly accumulated considerable wealth and influence over the years.

Although this title isn’t the dream of most academy students...

The rewards attached to it remain attractive enough that competition for it is still fierce.

The next title is...

The Court Alchemist.

Unlike the State Alchemist, only the top one hundred graduating students can receive this title.

Court Alchemists served beneath the legal authority of Britannia.

Their responsibilities centered around the kingdom’s judicial system rather than military affairs.

Many eventually became ministers’ officials.

Others serve as judges within the kingdom’s courts.

Like State Alchemists...

Court Alchemists are also assigned to a specific location after graduation.

Once stationed...

They generally remain there for the rest of their careers unless promoted to a higher Court Alchemist rank.

However...

The greatest advantage of becoming a Court Alchemist isn’t merely their profession.

It is their status.

Every Court Alchemist automatically received noble standing equivalent to that of a Baron.

That single promotion completely changed a person’s future.

With noble status came opportunities unavailable to ordinary citizens.

They could establish their own businesses.

Purchase property with greater freedom.

Build family wealth without depending entirely upon the kingdom’s salary.

For many graduates...

That alone made the title worth pursuing.

The next title is...

The Imperial Alchemist.

This prestigious position is reserved exclusively for the top forty graduates of the Royal Academy.

Unlike the previous titles...

Imperial Alchemists aren’t confined to one profession.

Instead...

They are appointed to some of the kingdom’s most important institutions.

Some oversaw Royal Family research facilities.

Others entered military development.

Many specialized in craftsmanship, engineering, and technological innovation.

Their expertise is used wherever Britannia considers it most valuable.

Although every Imperial Alchemist received an official place of duty...

Their freedom is considerably greater than that of State or Court Alchemists.

As long as their responsibilities had been fulfilled...

They were free to travel throughout the kingdom whenever necessary.

Imperial Alchemists also possess their own internal ranking system.

The higher one’s achievements...

The greater one’s authority became.

One notable example is...

Astraea Ashenlocke.

She serves as an Imperial Alchemist responsible for commanding one of Britannia’s naval fleets.

In terms of noble standing...

Imperial Alchemists hold ranks ranging from High-Ember Noble to Viscount.

However...

That title didn’t automatically replace the noble rank inherited from one’s family.

Instead...

It only took effect if the Alchemist voluntarily chose to revoke their original family status.

By abandoning their inherited house...

They could establish an entirely new noble family using the rank they have earned through their own accomplishments.

For ambitious Alchemists...

That possibility carried tremendous significance.

The next title is...

The War or Count Alchemist.

The title itself already revealed its purpose.

These Alchemists exist for only one thing...

War.

Only the top fifteen graduating students of the Royal Academy are eligible to receive this distinction.

Every War Alchemist is expected to possess exceptional combat ability.

Unlike Imperial Alchemists, whose strengths could lie in research or craftsmanship...

War Alchemists are warriors first.

Masters of battlefield tactics.

Commanders capable of leading soldiers into conflict.

Each War Alchemist possesses authority similar to an Imperial Alchemist.

However...

They also received permission to establish and command their own combat squads, functioning almost like private military forces operating under Britannia’s authority.

Of course...

Not every War Alchemist focused solely on direct combat.

Some specialized in military craftsmanship.

These individuals supervises the production of heavy artillery, defensive fortifications, and strategic weapons used to protect the kingdom’s borders.

Rather than remaining in one location...

War Alchemists traveled constantly.

Whenever war erupted...

They stood at the very front of Britannia’s campaigns.

Even during times of peace...

Many led dangerous expeditions beyond the kingdom’s borders, exploring unknown territories and confronting threats before they reached Britannia itself.

Every War Alchemist receives the noble rank of Count.

That is precisely why the title was also known as the Count Alchemist.

In addition...

They gained an important privilege.

The Right Percentage.

This grants them ownership over a small portion of Britannia’s mineral resources.

These resources could be used to support both their Alchemy Path and any businesses they wished to establish.

Initially...

The percentage begins at only 0.5%.

However...

As a War Alchemist accumulates achievements throughout their career...

That percentage gradually increases.

Given enough accomplishments...

And it can eventually rival the mineral rights possessed by ancient Count households that had ruled their territories for centuries.

The final title is...

The Royal Alchemist.

Like the War Alchemist...

Only students who rank among the top fifteen graduates can be selected.

However...

The responsibilities of a Royal Alchemist are entirely different.

Where War Alchemists spent much of their lives beyond the kingdom’s borders...

Royal Alchemists rarely left the Royal Palace itself.

They served directly within the palace.

Almost every important duty, apart from servants and palace guards, could eventually fall under the authority of a Royal Alchemist.

Every newly appointed Royal Alchemist begins their career as an Apprentice Royal Alchemist.

Serving beneath an experienced senior Royal Alchemist, learning the responsibilities of palace service before receiving greater authority.

Above all else...

Royal Alchemists formed the kingdom’s greatest defensive force.

They are regarded as the Alchemists with the highest potential and among the strongest individuals produced by the Royal Academy.

Within Britannia...

Only eight Royal Alchemist Departments exist.

With every newly selected Royal Alchemist being assigned to one of those departments.

The head of each department possesses the noble rank of Count.

Above even them stands the Senior Royal Alchemist who served as the King’s closest personal guardian.

That individual alone possesses the noble rank of Duke.

Like the War Alchemist...

Royal Alchemists also receives the privilege of Right Percentage, beginning from the same initial allocation and increasing according to their achievements throughout their service.

One final point remains.

A graduate of the Royal Academy isn’t limited to receiving only one of these prestigious titles.

An exceptional graduate could earn both the title of War Alchemist and Royal Alchemist simultaneously.

The greatest example of such an achievement was...

Andraver.

He rose to become the highest-ranking Royal Alchemist in Britannia’s history.

Even after his disappearance...

Several Royal Apprentice Alchemists who had once served directly under him still remained within the Royal Palace.

With all of this common knowledge...

It became easy to understand why every young Alchemist entering the Royal Academy treated their studies with such seriousness.

Every examination.

Every practical lesson.

Every trial.

Every ranking.

None of them existed without purpose.

Because at the end of those difficult years...

Only those who proved themselves worthy would obtain the titles capable of changing their entire lives forever.

***

The noisy atmosphere inside the classroom continued even after Professor Kent’s departure.

Some students were still complaining about the five-thousand-word assignment.

Others had already formed small groups, discussing the lecture while comparing the notes they had taken.

Several students left the classroom altogether, hoping to buy something from the nearby shops before the next lesson began.

The ten-minute break was just enough to let everyone relax before another professor arrived.

Near the middle of the classroom...

Nate, who was sitting beside Ezra, rested his chin on the backs of his interlocked hands as he looked around at everyone with an unusually serious expression.

"We Ashenlocke should think about creating a study group."

His voice was calm, but his tone carried genuine conviction.

"It’ll make preparing for tests and examinations much easier."

The suggestion immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Ezra remained seated quietly.

His eyes, however, were still resting on Veda.

More specifically...

On the notebook lying open in front of him.

Professor Kent had only left a few minutes ago, yet Veda’s notes looked noticeably emptier than everyone else’s.

It wasn’t difficult to guess what had happened.

Veda had spent more time listening than writing.

Or perhaps...

More time daydreaming than doing either.

Nickolas spoke, while still lying across the joint long table with one cheek resting against folded arms, he let out a tired sigh.

"That’s going to be a little difficult."

His voice sounded lazy.

"We’ll all be joining different factions soon."

The brief excitement around Nate’s idea immediately cooled.

"Ah... Factions."

Veda leaned farther back in his chair until only the rear legs supported his weight.

He also folded both hands behind his head.

"Then why don’t we all join the same faction?"

Nate made a suggestion.

"I’m sure every Duke Household has already established a faction for the benefit of their own family."

He said calmly.

Veda slowly shook his head.

"Ehn... You really think it’ll be that simple?"

His chair rocked gently before settling back onto all four legs.

"I did some research before we came here."

He scratched his cheek thoughtfully.

"A lot of academy factions are actually made up of students from different noble families. And... Not every faction fits what I’m looking for."

He let out a small sigh.

"So, choosing one isn’t as straightforward as it sounds."

Nate quietly considered those words.

"I understand what you mean."

A slight frown appeared on his face.

His eyes unconsciously drifted toward the higher rows of the classroom.

There...

Prince Tristin and the boys surrounding him were talking among themselves.

The expression on Nate’s face didn’t escape Ezra’s notice.

"You had an encounter with them?"

Ezra asked calmly.

Nate turned his head.

Before he could answer...

Henry spoke first.

"Nah."

He rested both arms over the backrest of his chair while lazily looking toward Tristin’s group.

"It’s just that Basil Evermont went looking for trouble."

Henry clicked his tongue softly.

"He used Nate to insult Priscilla while trying to force her into dancing with him near the end of the Second Core."

His explanation immediately drew surprised looks.

Veda straightened slightly in his seat.

"Wait... You’re saying another incident happened after Ezra’s?"

His eyes widened.

He genuinely hadn’t heard about that.

Nate simply waved one hand dismissively.

"It’s nothing worth worrying about."

His tone remained calm.

"You know Priscilla can take care of herself."

As he spoke...

His eyes naturally drifted toward the other side row of the classroom.

Priscilla was sitting together with her usual group of girls.

Laughter occasionally escaped their corner as they chatted about something amusing.

More girls than usual had gathered around her desk today.

Some were discussing yesterday’s Welcome Party.

Others seemed more interested in the assignment Professor Kent had left behind.

Priscilla herself wore her usual confident smile.

There wasn’t the slightest trace that yesterday’s incident had affected her mood.

Veda quietly followed Nate’s line of sight.

Then...

A slow smile appeared on his face.

"Hehe...You’ve started caring about her... haven’t you?"

His teasing voice immediately reached everyone’s ears.

Nate slowly turned his head.

His eyes met Veda’s.

The look he gave him was perfectly flat.

"No."

His answer came without hesitation.

"We’re just friends."

He spoke firmly.

"And she’s helped me more than once."

His expression became slightly more serious.

"During the Trial of Steel...I had a difficult time adapting. And she was the one who helped me understand what I was supposed to do."

He paused briefly as old memories surfaced in his mind.

"She even used her own Cognis... to help me sense mine before the Awakening Ceremony."

His voice naturally softened.

For a brief moment...

The usual seriousness on his face became something closer to quiet gratitude.

Nate lowered his eyes slightly.

"I respect her."

That was all he said.

No embarrassment.

No attempt to hide his appreciation.

Only simple honesty.

Veda looked at him for a few seconds.

Then slowly nodded.

"I see..."

His face clearly belonged to someone who didn’t believe Nate’s explanation even a little.

The corner of his mouth twitched upward.

It was obvious he had already reached his own conclusion.

Henry chuckled.

Deciding not to let Nate remain the center of attention any longer, he immediately shifted his gaze elsewhere.

"Speaking of Nate and Priscilla..."

He suddenly pointed toward Nickolas.

A playful smile spread across his face.

"I saw you yesterday."

Nickolas blinked.

"Me?"

Henry nodded enthusiastically.

"Who was that girl?"

He grinned.

"She was pretty."

The others immediately became interested.

Several pairs of eyes turned toward Nickolas.

Nickolas awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well... She was my dance partner."

He admitted honestly.

"We’re still talking though."

He moved both hands back and forth while trying to explain himself.

"But... I honestly don’t know what I’m supposed to do."

He looked genuinely troubled.

"Should I start thinking about dating... or should we just stay friends?"

His question sounded completely sincere.

The others couldn’t help smiling.

For boys their age...

The topic wasn’t exactly unfamiliar.

Only one person remained completely unaffected.

Ezra quietly watched the conversation unfold before him.

As the discussion moved from study groups...

To academy factions...

Then to girls...

And finally, to dating.

Yet none of it stirred even the slightest reaction in him.

He simply listened with the same calm, unreadable expression.

It was almost as if the conversation belonged to an entirely different world.

His thoughts remained occupied by Professor Kent’s lecture.

Essence.

Renite Ore.

Alchemy.

Those subjects interested him far more than romance ever could.

Before long...

The ten-minute break came to an end.

Students who had gone outside gradually returned to the classroom in small groups.

Conversations slowly died down as everyone returned to their assigned seats.

Books were placed on the joint long table once again.

The relaxed atmosphere from the break quietly disappeared.

Another lesson was about to begin.