Chapter 44: Rivermoon Royal Academy

As they approached the academy, Liam noticed several students walking in the same direction. Most wore the Rivermoon Royal Academy uniform, and a few couldn’t help glancing at him as they passed.

Miriel noticed his curious expression.

"Before we enter, I need to register you properly," she explained.

Liam looked at her and pointed toward the scarf tied around his arm.

"Didn’t you already mark me as your contracted monster?"

"I did, but that mark is only enough to let you accompany me around the city. The academy has its own rules." She gestured toward the large building ahead. "Since you’ll be staying with me, I also need to register you as my familiar here."

"Isn’t the scarf enough?"

Miriel shook her head.

"The scarf is just an identification mark. It tells people that you’re a contracted monster and that you’re allowed to accompany your owner. It doesn’t count as official registration with the academy."

Liam sighed.

"More paperwork?"

"It’s not that complicated. The staff only need to record your name, species, classification, and a few other details."

Liam didn’t particularly mind. He had already agreed to stay with Miriel, so completing a simple registration wasn’t a problem.

"All right. Let’s get it over with."

Miriel smiled and led him toward the main entrance.

The Rivermoon Royal Academy was surrounded by a tall stone wall. Several guards stood near its enormous gates, checking the identification cards of students and visitors. Beyond the entrance, Liam could see spacious pathways, neatly maintained gardens, and several large buildings.

Students were constantly entering and leaving the academy. Some walked in groups while chatting, while others carried books or training equipment.

Miriel approached a staff member standing near the gate. He appeared to be responsible for checking student identification and handling registrations.

"Excuse me. I’d like to register my contracted monster."

The staff member looked down at Liam before glancing at the scarf around his arm.

"Is this the one?"

"Yes. His name is Liam."

The man took out a small registration device and pointed it toward Liam. A faint light swept over his body, and several lines of information appeared on its surface.

"Lesser Evil Eye?" The staff member raised his eyebrows. "That’s quite rare."

Miriel nodded.

"I was fortunate enough to find him."

"Indeed. Lesser Evil Eyes are rarely seen, and their unique eye abilities make them highly sought after. Even among magical beasts, they’re considered valuable companions."

Liam remained quiet as the man examined the information.

’At least the classification is correct.’

The staff member continued checking the registration details. After a moment, he looked up again.

"What is his eye ability?"

Miriel turned toward Liam. She had never asked him about the details of his racial abilities before.

Liam answered casually.

"Cursed Ray."

The staff member paused.

His expression changed slightly as he looked at Liam again.

"Wait... Did he just speak?"

Miriel nodded. "Yes. He can talk."

The man stared at Liam for another moment before looking back at the registration device.

"An intelligent Lesser Evil Eye that can communicate through speech... Is he an Alpha?"

Miriel blinked.

"An Alpha?"

The staff member nodded as he continued entering the information.

"Among magical beasts, Alpha-class individuals are born with considerably higher intelligence and potential than ordinary members of their species. They’re generally stronger, learn faster, and possess greater growth potential. In some cases, an Alpha can even surpass the limits normally associated with its species."

Miriel looked down at Liam with renewed interest.

"So he’s an Alpha Lesser Evil Eye?"

Liam gave a small nod.

"That’s what he said."

The staff member finished the registration and handed Miriel a small identification card.

"Everything is complete. Keep this card with you whenever you bring him into the academy. If he ever needs to move around the academy without you, he should carry it himself."

Miriel accepted the card.

"Thank you."

The staff member returned to his duties, leaving the two of them to continue inside.

Miriel looked at Liam.

"An Alpha Lesser Evil Eye... You’re even rarer than I thought. I really was lucky to find you."

Liam glanced at her.

’I’m beginning to think this Alpha label is going to cause me more trouble than it’s worth.’

He had only wanted to accompany Miriel around the city. He hadn’t expected a simple registration to attract so much attention.

Still, there wasn’t much he could do about it.

Miriel put the identification card away and continued walking.

"Come on. I’ll show you around the academy."

Liam followed her through the gates, the scarf still tied around his arm.

’Well, at least I’m officially registered now.’

The moment they entered the academy grounds, Liam noticed how large the place was.

A wide stone pathway stretched ahead, surrounded by green lawns and carefully arranged flower beds. Several fountains decorated the gardens, while tall trees provided shade along the paths.

Beyond the gardens stood a number of large buildings.

Some had the appearance of ordinary academic halls, while others were clearly designed for practical training. Liam could even see several enormous training grounds surrounded by protective barriers in the distance.

"How many buildings does this academy have?" he asked.

Miriel looked around before answering.

"Quite a lot. The main academic building is over there. That’s where most of our theoretical classes take place. The buildings on the other side are used for practical lessons, magic training, and combat practice."

She pointed toward a large structure with several floors.

"That’s the main training hall. Students who specialize in close combat usually spend a lot of time there."

Liam looked toward the training grounds.

There were several students practicing their abilities. Some were swinging swords, while others were controlling magical energy or practicing spells under the supervision of instructors.

A few training areas even had special barriers surrounding them.

"Looks like they have quite a few facilities."

"They do. The academy has everything students need to improve their abilities. There are training grounds, libraries, laboratories, and even special areas where students can practice against magical beasts."

Liam nodded.

’Not bad. This place is much more developed than I expected.’

As they continued walking, Miriel pointed toward another building.

"That is the student administration building. If you need to submit any documents or make changes to your registration, that’s where you go."

Liam glanced at it.

"Hopefully, I won’t need to visit it again anytime soon."

Miriel chuckled.

"Hopefully."

They passed a group of students who were leaving one of the training grounds. A few of them glanced at Liam, and one student even slowed down to get a better look.

"Is that a Lesser Evil Eye?"

"Why is it walking around with a student?"

"Maybe it’s her familiar."

Their voices weren’t particularly loud, but Liam could hear them clearly.

He ignored their comments and continued following Miriel.

’So much for avoiding attention.’

Miriel also heard them, but she didn’t seem bothered.

"People don’t see Lesser Evil Eyes very often. You’ll probably attract some attention for a while."

"That’s reassuring."

She smiled at his response.

"Don’t worry. Once they get used to seeing you around, they’ll stop paying so much attention."

Liam wasn’t entirely convinced, but he decided not to argue.

After walking for a few more minutes, they arrived at a quieter section of the academy. Several residential buildings stood in this area, each surrounded by small gardens and pathways.

Miriel pointed toward one of them.

"This is the residential area. Students who live inside the academy are assigned rooms here."

"Your room is also here." He said remembering this place.

"Yes. I have my own room in one of the student residences."

Liam looked at the building.

"And where am I supposed to stay?"

Miriel turned toward him.

"Since you’re registered as my familiar, you’ll be allowed to stay with me. There are some restrictions, but it shouldn’t be a problem."

Liam nodded.

That was convenient. He didn’t particularly want to be assigned to some separate building where he would have to deal with unfamiliar people.

Miriel continued toward the entrance.

"Come on. I’ll take you to my room. After that, you can rest while I take care of a few things."

Liam followed her inside.

The building’s interior was clean and spacious. A staircase stood near the entrance, while several doors lined the corridors. There were also a few students walking around, carrying books and chatting with one another.

Miriel led him up the stairs and stopped in front of a door on the second floor.

She took out a small identification card and placed it against the magical lock.

A soft sound rang out, and the door opened.

"We are Back."

Liam stepped inside after her.

The room wasn’t particularly large, but it was neatly arranged. There was a bed near the window, a desk with several books, a wardrobe, and a small seating area. A few decorative items had been placed on the shelves, giving the room a comfortable atmosphere.

Liam looked around.

"Previously I didn’t looked at it but its quite good."

Miriel nodded.

"Yes. It’s not very big, but it’s enough for me."

Liam walked toward the window and looked outside. From there, he could see part of the academy’s garden and a section of the training grounds.

’The view isn’t bad either.’

Miriel placed her belongings on the desk before turning toward him.

"You can rest wherever you like. I’ll get you something to eat later."

Liam looked at her.

"Don’t worry about it. I can manage."

"I know, but you’re my familiar now. Taking care of you is my responsibility."

Liam gave her a strange look.

’That sounds a little too much like being someone’s pet.’

He decided not to say it aloud.

Instead, he jumped onto the nearby sofa and settled down comfortably.

Miriel smiled at him.

"Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back in a little while."

With that, she began arranging her things.

Liam leaned back against the sofa and looked around the room once more.

He had finally entered the Rivermoon Royal Academy, one of the most important institutions in the kingdom.