Aleydis's heart was hammering in her ears and she prayed that it didn't show on her face. She needed to appear calm and composed, like a good candidate for a student of this academy, not like an unruly child who could not control their emotions.

The gentleman who was guiding them offered kindly, "It's all right to be nervous. I was sick with nerves when I first came here." He gave a quiet chuckle. "I was just about your age, as a matter of fact. I was terrified that they would send me home, refuse to take me as a student. That would've been a death warrant for me, since my brother very much did not want any competition as heir."

She couldn't help but frown at his story. "How terrible, you must've been so scared." He seemed to be waiting for something else, so she confessed shyly, "My family would welcome me home warmly but the idea of not fulfilling my dream of helping my brother is scary."

She studied his expression, trying to work out what he was feeling. "I can't believe that your brother would've hurt you just for being in his family. I want my brother to succeed more than anything in the world and he promised to always protect me. I hope you found a new family here, a better family."

A mixture of emotions passed over his face so quickly that she couldn't fully decipher them, although she thought that she saw relief, sadness, and joy. His expression smoothing out, he shrugged, "It was a long time ago and I don't think being the sole heir ever brought him much happiness. But you're right, I did find a new family here, one that accepts me for who I am. It sounds like your family already does that, but maybe you can make some new friends and family here as well."

Their conversation had carried them the entire length of the hall and she startled slightly when she realized that the imposing pair were only a few feet away, watching them with stony, impassive faces. She wondered briefly if she had made a mistake by speaking with the guide before dismissing it. After all, he was the one who initiated the conversation and while it might've been another test of some sort, she didn't think so. After all, what use could it be to see if a child was nervous or not, most students unless they were terribly arrogant were probably nervous about attending an academy like this.

She resisted the urge to chew her lip as she tried to figure out if she was supposed to greet them or wait until they spoke first. After all, speaking order was usually determined by rank but according to everything she'd heard and learned, everyone inside these walls were equal. However, while she was physically within the walls, she hadn't technically been admitted yet.

She suddenly froze as something occurred to her. What did it mean by 'all are equal within the walls'?

It made sense that even if there weren't official ranks according to the hierarchy of other countries, there would still be a chain of command. After all, the headmaster was undoubtedly higher than the teachers and staff and the teachers had to be higher than the students, if only to maintain order. As a potential student, she would clearly be the lowest of the low and wouldn't dare speak to them until they spoke to her.

However, if the academy only meant within the walls of the building, that would mean that anything would be fair game within the grounds of the academy. Since there hadn't been any incidents for decades now, this clearly couldn't be the case. It would make more sense if they meant with the walls surrounding the entire academy, since they'd had to pass through the security and gate to even enter the grounds.

In which case, outside of classes or formal events, it meant that everyone was equal and since this didn't meet any of those criteria, it meant that either party was free to start the conversation without offense. With one last glance at the silent adults to see if she had misjudged the situation, she noticed a twinkle in the eyes of the gentleman who had guided them as he watched her, clearly waiting to see how she would respond to the situation.

Immediately adjusting her plan, she placed her right hand over her heart and used her left to neatly corral her skirts as she dipped into a brief curtsy. "Sir. Madam Housekeeper." Finally, she turned to their guide and curtsied again, taking great care to make sure that it was the exact same as the first one. "Headmaster. Aleydis of Colbini greets you this day."

He gave her a weighing look. "You seem to be certain that I am the headmaster and not the gentleman standing there."

A whisper of doubt filled her and she glanced at the dark-haired man standing there passively before shaking her head. "I am certain of it. He is most likely the Captain of the knights here and Head of Security, but I do not believe him to be the headmaster, Sir."

The headmaster grinned brightly at her, "Well spotted. Can I ask what gave it away?"

Nearly wobbling from relief, she took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts. It had been a desperate gamble on her part but she'd seen enough clues that it had been a reasonable assumption. She was just so relieved that she hadn't made a massive mistake.

He said kindly, "Take a minute, we have plenty of time."

She shook her head. "I'm fine, thank you for your consideration. To be honest, I didn't put it together until just this moment. You see, something that everyone told me repeatedly when my family inquired about the academy is that 'All are equal within its walls."

He nodded, "That is the goal of Constellations Academy."

"I'm sure that's confusing for many people, after all, etiquette is drilled into most well-to-do children from the moment they can walk. Rank dictates everything, from who can speak first to seating arrangements to who is in charge during times of crisis. So you must want to see who will be able to discard that thinking and respond to a new situation. Or at least be willing to learn from mistakes. I believe, if I had greeted the Captain as the headmaster, I would've been asked a question as to ascertain how dare I speak to him first since I was just a potential student."

There was an approving murmur from the other adults but she ignored it, unwilling to lose her focus.

"Then I realized that it wouldn't make any sense if the academy only meant within the academy buildings, because then there would've been incidents on the grounds by people exploiting the loophole. Which means that it must apply within the entire academy, including its extensive grounds. This means that I've been tested since I first arrived. I believe that the first test would be to see if I showed care and compassion for my people. I could've ignored them entirely, ordered them to wait in the courtyard despite the pouring rain, or I could've simply assumed that you would take care of it, since most people who greet visitors are the butlers or majordomos of an estate."

He nodded approvingly. "I hate people who treat those underneath them as if they're luggage or invisible. It reeks of entitlement and twisted thinking."

Her tension eased a little bit at his approval but she needed to finish this to see if she had guessed right or not. "I missed the fact that you did not introduce yourself and I was incredibly rude in not introducing myself. Again, I made the assumption that you would know who I was but any number of potential students could've been slated for arrival today."

She frowned before shaking it away. There would be time later to dwell on her mistakes and how she could've done better. Right now, she needed to focus on the current situation. "There was also one more test before the headmaster one."

His eyes lit up again as he studied her. "Oh, and what do you think that was?"

She gestured at the fireplaces burning brightly. "The fires are both there to warm the hall and to see if a student will put their comfort above duty and what is right. It is only right that I come and greet those in charge first before warming myself, unless I was soaked and in danger of falling ill if I did not get warmed up. Those easily lured by comfort or distracted by bright, fleeting moments will rarely diligently attend their studies."

He brought his hands together in a pleased clap, the sound echoing loudly in the large hall. "Oh, very well done. You are indeed a very bright child. I can see why you were so highly recommended."

Knowing that she had to be completely honest, she admitted quietly, "I was tempted by the fireplaces."

The headmaster leaned forward, murmuring conspiratorially, "Truthfully, I was too. It's miserable outside today and those fireplaces look delightful to spend an afternoon beside lost in a good book."

He turned and looked at the others, giving them a slight nod before turning his attention back to her. "Now come, let's get you formally admitted to the academy and all set up properly. I do believe that you will fit in very nicely around here."