After a few weeks, the announcement finally came, and it spread through the academy faster than gossip after a bad sparring match. The tradition everyone had gotten used to was being changed.

It wasn't like before, where the main condition was graduating in the Gold Class. Back then, that alone decided almost everything. Now, the new requirements were far more attainable, not exactly easy, but definitely something people could realistically work toward. Because of that shift, a lot more cadets this year managed to meet the standards. It showed in the numbers, and honestly, it made the whole place feel a little more alive.

For once, it didn't feel like only a select few had a shot.

Of course, even with the qualifications, it was still their choice whether they wanted to become magic knights. No one was forcing them into it. Still, judging from how things looked, most of them didn't hesitate.

"With graduation getting closer, it looks like 213 cadets have decided to graduate and become magic knights. That's about twice the number compared to last year," Myrcella said, her eyes scanning over the papers laid out in front of her.

She spoke calmly, but there was a hint of satisfaction in her voice. The stack of documents in her hands represented more than just numbers. It was progress, plain and simple.

Out of 219 students, 213 had chosen that path. That alone said a lot. Even more surprising, a few of those names came from the bronze class, which made things a bit more interesting.

Although, calling it the bronze class wasn't accurate anymore.

Starting today, it would officially be referred to as Class 4-C. The name didn't exactly scream prestige like Gold Class or Silver Class, but at least it didn't carry that same heavy, almost insulting tone. The old naming system had its issues. People treated the Bronze Class like it was a joke, or worse, like it was where failures ended up. It wasn't always said outright, but it showed in the way people talked, the way they looked at others, the way they dismissed them without even trying.

So the academy decided to fix that.

Now it was simple. Class, followed by the year, then a letter. Cleaner, less judgment baked into the name. It didn't magically erase prejudice, but it was a start. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

I was currently in Class 3-C, and next academic year, I'd be moving up to Class 4-C. Saying it out loud felt a bit strange, like the label had changed overnight and everyone just had to roll with it.

"It's a huge increase compared to last year," Lilia said, stepping in as she looked over the same set of papers. "We only had around 90 magic knight graduates back then. This year, we're looking at 213. Just like you said, Princess, this system works much better than letting the old one decide who gets to become a magic knight."

There was a noticeable spark in her tone. Even though she held an administrative role now, she was still the commander at heart. More magic knights meant more strength under her leadership, and she wasn't even trying to hide how pleased she was about that.

"Fufufu, I'm glad you feel the same way," Myrcella replied, a soft smile forming on her lips. "And if things continue like this… next year, we'll probably see even more. There are already quite a number of cadets who have reached the required standards. At this pace, increasing our number of knights should help push Milham into becoming a much more secure country."

She placed the papers down neatly on the table, like she had already accepted this outcome as something set in motion.

"Of course, that's not the only thing I've been thinking about," Myrcella continued, lightly tapping a finger against the stack. "It would honestly feel terrible if someone wanted to become a magic knight but couldn't make it in previous years, only for the system to suddenly change now. So I'm planning to reach out to past graduates as well. Even those who finished ten or twenty years ago, as long as they're still interested. It would be a waste to ignore their potential, wouldn't it?"

Lilia blinked, clearly caught off guard by that.

"Are you serious, Princess? Do you even realize how many people have graduated over the past… twenty years?" she asked, her voice carrying a mix of disbelief and concern.

It wasn't a small number. If the academy produced around 300 graduates each year, then over two decades, that added up to roughly 6,000 people. That wasn't just a handful. That was an entire force waiting to be tapped into.

Especially when you considered that the current number of magic knights barely reached 500, maybe even less.

"And besides," Lilia continued, crossing her arms slightly, "those who graduated twenty years ago might not even be suited for it anymore. People's abilities decline as they get older, right? That's why we focus on fresh graduates. They're the ones with the most potential."

"Well, Lilia," Myrcella said, her tone calm but firm, "don't you think you're underestimating older individuals a bit too much? They would still be in their forties. That's not exactly old. In fact, people in that age range often perform at their peak. There's a reason they're called veterans."

That response landed cleanly.

Lilia's mouth opened slightly, then closed again. She didn't have an immediate counter, and for once, she just stayed quiet. It wasn't that she fully agreed, but arguing against that point wasn't as simple as she expected.

"With conflict looming on the horizon, and with clear signs that the Empire may attempt to invade us, we cannot afford to be unprepared," Myrcella continued, her expression turning more serious.

The atmosphere in the room shifted with her words. The earlier excitement settled into something heavier.

"If we are going to stand against a force of that scale, then we need to match it. A large military presence cannot be answered with a small one."

Her gaze lowered slightly toward the papers again, but it felt like she was looking far beyond them.

"And if that means gathering strength from every possible source, then that is exactly what we will do."