Chapter 17: The Small Meeting in the Palace

That night, under the tranquil moonlight, Bingzhi stood far away on the rooftop of a building outside the academy, gazing at the large blue crystal tower that stood tall between heaven and earth in the center of the academy. Tomorrow was the day the results would be announced, and there should be a chance to enter the tower again within the academy.

Not far to the north of Kulanting was the palace of the Moon Magic Empire. The meeting hall in the palace was still brightly lit. In the splendid side hall, King Otiliet XVII, the 61st king of the Moon Magic Empire, was sitting with several important ministers at a long table, still discussing something. Among them were Duke Christian Chavaro of the Christian family and Dean Edith Kilham of Kulanting Academy.

Chavaro handed the organized documents to the guard, who then passed them to the king: "Your Majesty, this is the intelligence gathered by the spies I sent to various countries these days. The theft at the Great Blue Crystal Tower is not an isolated incident. Similar thefts have occurred in important departments and the residences of nobles in other countries. The stolen items are all priceless treasures or extremely valuable information, including even the military deployment map of the Mobartolo Kingdom. The data I have collected are the most significant theft cases that have occurred in various countries in recent years, totaling 104 cases."

"104 cases?" King XVII pondered for a moment. "Have you found out who did it?"

Chavaro replied, "42 cases have been resolved, all carried out by spies from enemy countries and some famous thieves. A few cases involved internal theft within families."

King XVII nodded and said, "That means the theft at Kulanting could also be one of these situations."

Dean Kilham immediately said, "Internal theft is unlikely. I saw clearly that the person I fought was a child, and there were no other accomplices inside or outside the tower. It should be a lone thief."

The captain of the royal guard suddenly said, "Could it be the work of the Swift Thieves?"

At this, several people's faces changed.

The Swift Thieves were a theft group that emerged four years ago, especially active in the past two years. Their members were very mysterious and stole anything. Two years ago, they went on a rampage in several countries on the western continent, causing chaos, even kidnapping a princess from one country, which was truly shocking. It was said that the group had few members, but each was very skilled, usually preferring to act alone, with a maximum of three people. Many famous thieves in the world wanted to join this group but did not know how to do so.

A minister expressed concern, "If it's the Swift Thieves, it will be troublesome. Although they have failed before, no member has ever been caught."

The captain of the royal guard said, "You are overthinking it. I mentioned the Swift Thieves just as a possibility. Although they have stolen from the palaces and mansions of several countries, those were all small countries. Any country with some strength would not let them succeed, and their failures have also been in such cases. If they dare to steal from the palace of the Moon Magic Empire, I will ensure they do not return."

Chavaro also agreed, "Captain Kasha is right. How could a great empire fear a small theft group? This could also be the work of an enemy country. For now, these are just speculations. The investigation is better suited to the royal guard and the palace guard. However, without any leads or suspects, it might be difficult to solve."

Kasha nodded, "We still don't know what the thief was after. Without knowing the purpose, we can't make further speculations. However, we do have some clues. He is a child... Dean Edith, with the recent admissions, if the thief really wanted to get into the Blue Crystal Tower, might he pretend to be a candidate and enter the academy?"

"I have the same concern," Kilham said.

King XVII, who had been sitting calmly at the head of the table, said, "Alright, this matter is neither big nor small. Kasha, I will entrust this to you, with Duke Christian in full charge. Dean, let's talk about the candidates for this year's admission. Didn't you say you had something important to report?"

Kilham picked up two paper bags beside him, "Your Majesty, please look at these two test papers."

A royal guard took them and handed them to the king.

Chavaro asked, "What's wrong with the test papers?"

Kilham said, "The questions on these papers are also related to the duke. The academy is struggling with how to grade these papers."

"Related to me?" Chavaro immediately realized, "Is my grandson Bimoye's paper among them?"

Kilham explained the situation of the two papers to the king and the ministers, "Since the founding of Kulanting, we have never encountered such a situation. If we give full marks, 1200 points, I think it should be reported to the king for your decision."

King XVII laughed, "This is a good thing. Kulanting has never seen such excellent scores before. Although this is not a graduation exam, it is still a genius. Chavaro, you have a fine grandson."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Others also congratulated him, but their eyes showed envy or jealousy.

Chavaro thanked them one by one.

King XVII looked at the names on the two paper bags, "Someone can be compared to the first genius of the capital. Who is this Sylas Bingzhi?"

"I don't know," Kilham said. "I checked his application form, but it contained absurd information, with no details about his background."

A minister asked, "Why did Kulanting Academy so easily allow someone of unknown identity to take the exam?"

Kilham's face darkened, "Are you accusing me of something?"

"Now, the thief might have entered the school as a candidate, and your academy's supervision is so lax, it is a sign of poor management and dereliction of duty!" This minister was Schvager Mordacivise, who had a grudge against Kilham for losing the position at Kulanting Academy to him.

Kilham knew he was deliberately causing trouble, so he did not mince words, "I manage the academy, not your intelligence department. Kulanting has always welcomed students from all countries, which has helped to cultivate many excellent talents for various countries. Even students from remote and unknown places, as long as they have the ability to pass the exam, Kulanting will teach them! This has always been the policy of the kings. This Bingzhi is just a child, a child with ideals and a desire to learn. Should we investigate his identity like a spy?"

Mordacivise did not back down, "But we can't just let someone of unknown identity into the academy. What if he has ulterior motives? What if he is from Saint Bicaya!"

"Wouldn't that be better? Even if he is from Saint Bicaya, by cultivating him, we would gain a better image for our empire! And if Saint Bicaya wants to target the academy, shouldn't that be the responsibility of your intelligence department?" Kilham flicked his white beard and glared at him.

Mordacivise was taken aback and could not respond.

"Alright, alright, my dear ministers, don't argue. This is just a child. Could our great empire be troubled by a child?" King XVII calmed them down.

Mordacivise still felt不服气 (unconvinced) and said, "I still think Kulanting Academy acted rashly. At least the teacher who approved this candidate's admission should be held accountable."

Another minister tried to mediate, "Oh, Minister Schvager, this is a small matter. Why make it bigger?"

Kilham knew he was not really concerned about the student but was just trying to cause trouble. He suddenly smiled, "Alright, then go ahead and investigate. I won't stop you."

Mordacivise was surprised by his easy agreement and asked, "What do you mean?"

Kilham said, "Let me make it clear. The teacher did ask about the student's identity, but Bingzhi said he was an orphan and did not know his parents."

"That's no reason to let him take the exam. Any lie should be investigated. Such a teacher lacks vigilance."

"Then go ahead and investigate," Kilham said calmly, "Dustina Sufina."

"Of course, I will..." Mordacivise was stunned and could not finish his sentence.

Everyone around them laughed, even King XVII. Kasha laughed loudly, "Ha ha ha, it turns out to be Minister Schvager's niece. Dean, that was a clever move."

Mordacivise was so angry he could not speak.

Chavaro said, "Alright, you always argue every time you meet. If you keep this up, the king will really be angry. Schvager, it's just a small meeting with the king. Let's leave it at a joke. If it were in the council hall, it would be a different matter."

King XVII watched their bickering from the side. These people were not only his ministers but also his comrades from his days as a prince. He could watch their antics because he knew that despite their apparent conflicts, they were all capable and loyal ministers in the true royal council.