<strong>Chapter 431: It’s a Small Price to Pay</strong>


    The same silent pride she had clung to like armor now felt like it was being chipped away.


    She looked at Arthur, silently pleading for him to say something, anything. But his expression didn’t change. No flicker of defense. No anger. No warning res shot at the whispering students.


    He simply said, “Quiet down,” when the murmuring finally disrupted his focus.


    The ss instantly shut their mouths. A wave of silence swept over them like a sudden storm. Of course, how could they forget? They were gossiping about his sister, right in front of him.


    Ava’s lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. Finally, she thought. He said something. To her, that was his way of standing up for her. And that was enough, for now.


    Chin high, she walked back to her seat with her henchwomen trailing behind her, her steps steady, her pride barely stitched back together.


    The ss continued. Arthur resumed his teaching, instructing the rest of the students with calm precision, his sharp eyes catching every mistake, his voice never rising.


    He moved with quiet authority, offering individual corrections as he moved down the list. Despite his cold demeanor, there was no doubt he wasmitted to helping each of them improve.


    When the final pair stepped off the line and thest arrow thudded into the target board, Arthur let out a silent sigh of relief.


    Finally.


    His back was straight, his expression unreadable, but inside, he was reminding himself why he was here. Why he, the Crown Prince of Riverum, was teaching a freshman martial ss at all.


    The person I’m looking for… ording to our intelligence, they’ll most likely appear in this academy.


    Her parents were both graduates of this academy. Arthur remembered overhearing his own parents once saying, “They always dreamed of their child studying here too.”


    That meant if she was still alive, and if things had gone the way they were supposed to… then by now, she would already be in this school.


    He had calcted her age. She would be within the academy system, most likely.


    And because her parents had been close to the school elders, and her grandparents were once among the ruling council, she wouldn’t even need to go through the usual formalities.


    All she would have to do was state who she was, and once her identity was verified, the school would wee her with open arms.


    But the problem was… he had found out toote.


    From his memories, that girl was a genius. Not just smart, extraordinary. Far beyond her peers. And if she was anything like the child she used to be, then she could be anywhere now: Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… even a graduate.


    She could’ve alreadye and gone.


    That uncertainty gnawed at him. So he made a bold move.


    Arthur had immediately mentioned his intention to lecture at the academy. And of course, they couldn’t wait to have him.


    For Arthur, this was the best way to keep watch, quietly, from the inside. If she was still here, he would find her.


    No matter what.


    Initially, the academy had wanted to assign Arthur to the senior levels, Years 3 through 6. After all, his reputation and skill warranted that kind of cement. But he had firmly declined.


    He chose Year One instead.


    To others, it might have seemed like a waste of his talents. But for Arthur, the reason was simple, Year One students stayed within the academy.


    Seniors were constantly moving, taking field assignments, industry training, and even cross country postings. If he epted that role, he would be flying in and out every other week.


    But that wouldn’t help him find her.


    If she was in this school, he needed to be present. To watch. To observe. And Year One gave him that opportunity.


    And so here he was, the Crown Prince, the cold genius who rarely let anyone get closer than five feet to him, now standing in front of a ss of energetic, noisy teenagers… teaching.


    Arthur sighed inwardly for what felt like the hundredth time.


    It was far from ideal. But he shook it off.


    It’s a small price to pay.


    If it took more than this to find her, he would do it without question. So whyin when it was just… lecturing?


    Besides, something about this new environment was beginning to stir something in him.


    He didn’t know what it was yet.


    But he would soon.


    Arthur turned back to his students, pushing aside the whirlwind of thoughts that had briefly clouded his mind.


    “Now that everyone understands this technique,” he said, voice steady and cool once again, “we’ll move on to live practice. One by one, you’ll take your positions. Pick up your bows and arrows, face a target, and try to hit the center.”


    His gaze swept across the ss, sharp and unreadable.


    As he stepped back, the students sprang into motion with quiet excitement.


    This was Omniora Academy, the most prestigious school on the continent. It wasn’t called the best for nothing.


    Every department was built for excellence, and martial skill training was no exception. No matter howrge the ss, every single student had their own station, fully equipped and meticulously arranged for personal practice.


    It was one of the things that made the academy elite.


    They each took their stance, bows drawn, eyes narrowing in focus, and fired.


    The air was filled with the soft twang of bowstrings and the thunk thunk of arrows piercing wood.


    Arthur’s expression didn’t change, but inwardly, he wasn’t surprised. No one missed entirely.


    Even the weaker students managed tond their arrows within the target circle. They weren’t perfect, but it showed they had discipline and control.


    And most importantly, it showed he was a good teacher. What a surprise.


    Then there were the fast learners, Nnenna, Ava, Jana, and a few others. They adjusted quickly, recalibrated their stance and timing… and began to hit the center.


    Thunk.


    Dead center.