CICN Chapter 1

 

‘I’m bored.’

 

Clois thought to himself as he watched the ministers blabber in front of him.

After going through numerous wars and finally becoming the emperor by slaying his own brother seven years ago, he felt no excitement for anything anymore.

He didn’t want to become emperor. He only fought to protect the people he loved.

 

‘But…….’

 

A heavy weariness weighed down on him. Though he gained the emperor’s position by cutting down many, he didn’t find it meaningful.

 

‘For something as insignificant as this.’

 

His beloved wife and his newborn daughter, whom he hadn’t even seen, were murdered.

Clois’s gaze lingered on the crest on the back of his hand.

The crest, only appearing on the palms of direct royal lineage, was now something only he possessed in the world.

If his daughter were alive, she would have had it too…

Overwhelmed by fatigue again, he closed his eyes. The chancellor beside him looked at him with concern.

For the past seven years, Clois had ruled the empire as a great conqueror who would go down in history.

But lately, he hasn’t been able to hide his weariness.

After a long civil war, the empire was finally stable, but now it was on him to endure even more as the emperor…

Meanwhile, the voices of the ministers in the conference room grew louder.

 

“Do you mean to say that this child lacks what it takes to get into the Gifted Academy?”

“Can’t you see it? Her grades aren’t good enough.”

“Yes. Additionally, her age is a concern! At 17, she’s already too old for the program!”

“Still, this family has contributed greatly during the war…!”

 

The chancellor inwardly cursed at the audacity of shouting in front of the emperor.

 

‘Well, everyone must be desperate,’ the chancellor thought as he looked at the documents on the table.

 

[Gifted Academy Enrollment Application]

 

All of the documents that piled up on the table were applications for enrollment in the Imperial Gifted Academy.

The Gifted Academy was a special institution within the palace that gathered children between the ages of 7 and 15 with exceptional talents.

Seven years ago, when the war broke out, the academy had to close its doors.

But this year, after finally announcing the empire’s complete stability, they began recruiting new students.

In fact, the empire had been stable for a few years already. Still, there was a reason why the Gifted Academy hadn’t opened.

 

‘Because of Princess Yvien.’

 

The emperor’s daughter left the world shortly after birth, leaving only her name behind.

Clois longed deeply for the daughter he hadn’t even seen.

Whenever he saw a child in the palace, he would stare blankly for a long time.

Seeing that, some harbored futile dreams.

The emperor, deeply in love with his deceased wife, vowed never to take another empress.

Therefore, the position of heir was vacant.

So, the position of the next emperor would be filled by one noble child with imperial blood among those selected from the Gifted Academy. 

There was historical precedence where the emperor, who had no children of his own, chose one of the children from the Gifted Academy as his successor.

 

‘If my child receives the emperor’s attention…’

 

If they can take the place of the dead emperor’s daughter, they’ll have no problem getting a high position.

By tracing back the family lineage and proving the continuation of royal blood, it might even be possible to become the successor.

With these thoughts in mind, all those who harbored such ambitions tried to enroll their children in the Imperial Gifted Academy.

Perhaps sensing this, Clois kept delaying the academy’s opening.

It wasn’t until this year that he finally allowed it to reopen.

People finally thought the emperor’s heart had softened, so they applied to enroll their children, or children from their factions, in the academy.

Now, a pile of those applications stood before him.

 

‘They’re all mistaken,’ the chancellor shook his head.

 

The shadows of his wife and daughter still lingered by his side.

Clois would have no affection to spare for any other child.

Just then, one of the ministers clicked his tongue and crumpled the papers to the floor.

Clois stared at the fallen paper for a while before raising his hand.

 

“Chancellor.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Could you please pick up the document that fell on the floor?”

“Yes?”

 

The unexpected request made the chancellor look at Clois with surprise.

But quickly, he rose from his seat and retrieved the document as requested.

Clois took the crumpled document and smoothed it out neatly.

The chancellor, bewildered, watched Clois closely as he examined the document.

 

“Why was this enrollment application discarded?”

“Well, it’s because the applicant seemed greatly lacking in qualifications…”

 

As the chancellor explained, Clois inspected the document.

His expression grew cold as he read through the enrollment application.

 

“I don’t see any glaring shortcomings, do you?”

“But isn’t this child from an orphanage? How could they possibly enroll in the Imperial Gifted Academy, which will determine His Majesty’s adopted child?”

“Adopted? Who said I would adopt anyone in the Gifted Academy?”

 

At the sound of Clois’s hardened voice, silence instantly descended on the room.

The ministers, who had just moments ago been voicing their support for their chosen children, now fell silent and exchanged wary glances.

 

“The Imperial Gifted Academy is a place where anyone with talent, regardless of background, can enter. Yet, are you arbitrarily creating regulations to disqualify deserving candidates?”

“…….”

 

No one dared speak in front of Clois’s stern reprimand.

Clois cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the documents.

Among the luxurious papers piled on the table, there was an admissions application written on the back of a paper that had been used once before.

Even from a glance, it was evident that it was submitted by a child in very dire circumstances.

As the minister had stated, the child on the document was listed as being from an orphanage on the outskirts of the empire.

Clois recalled where that was—a small coastal city at the eastern edge of the empire.

It had been fortunate during the Succession War seven years ago, spared from significant damage due to its remote location.

 

“They passed the graduation exam from Elam City’s advanced school this year.”

 

Advanced schools cater to students aged 15 to 18.

Nevertheless, even if it’s an advanced school, passing their exams was quite an achievement, considering the number of students who typically attended.

That alone qualified the child on the document for entry into the Gifted Academy.

 

“But, but that alone isn’t enough…”

 

The minister, who had crumpled the document, spoke up with sweat beading on their forehead.

This time, the Gifted Academy is open to children from prestigious families, as well as commoners.

There was a high probability that one of the children would become an adopted son or daughter, and even if they didn’t, there was a chance they could leave an impression on the emperor.

Not only that, but in the future, the children of the Gifted Academy would hold crucial positions in the empire.

In essence, this year’s Gifted Academy was akin to a miniature social hierarchy.

The total capacity for this year was only 500, although before the war, they used to admit up to 2,000 students. But since this was the first year of reopening, they reduced the number.

As a result, the competition was fiercer than ever.

 

‘To think that a child from an orphanage would be vying for a spot when even one seat is precious. Unbelievable.’

 

Such a child could simply graduate from an advanced school, handle the paperwork of the nobility, and live comfortably. 

So, they arrogantly threw away the enrollment application, thinking the emperor would never see it.

While the minister’s face darkened, Clois continued reading the document.

It didn’t just mention graduating from an advanced school; it also noted achieving perfect scores in all subjects on the exam.

Then Clois’s gaze stopped at one point.

 

[Hobby, Special Skills: Cleaning]

“…….”

 

Clois recalled the hobbies and special skills listed on other enrollment applications he had briefly glanced at.

They were mostly arts or unusual hobbies associated with the aristocracy or affluent families.

They mentioned a variety of arts, obscure musical instruments, and even ancient languages on the verge of extinction.

Everyone was trying to portray themselves as suitable candidates for the Gifted Academy… but cleaning?

A wry smile crept into his face.

Clois set down the document he was holding and issued a command.

 

“I approve of this child’s enrollment.”