The structure of Morningstar Academy was actually designed around a single point. With the Morningstar Tower as its center, four main avenues stretched straight out in four directions, dividing the entire academy into north, south, east, and west wings. The North Wing was the residential area, where Sparkfire Hall and Silverwing Hall were located. The South Wing was known as the “Knowledge Corridor,” serving as the core teaching area for cultural courses. The Grand Hall was also located there, which was where the upcoming freshman welcoming ceremony was to be held.
By the time Erich and the others arrived at the Grand Hall, quite a few people were already seated inside. The freshmen were all dressed in deep blue school uniforms, wearing academy badges on their chests. The interior of the hall was tiered, capable of holding over a thousand people, with the portraits of past headmasters hanging on the walls, their frames gilded with gold.
Erich's group found a spot toward the back and sat down. The moment they settled in, the gazes of those around them converged on them like flies drawn to a scent.
“It's those four again.”
“Who's that girl next to them?”
“Probably some poor soul who helped Erich carry his luggage.”
Nobody was talking about Irene. In their eyes, this harmless-looking boy sitting next to Erich was probably just some unlucky fellow who had been dragged along to make up the numbers.
Exactly nine o'clock.
On the high platform at the front of the hall, a lady slowly stepped up to the podium.
She wore a deep purple robe, her hair was silver-gray, and her face bore the composure and sharpness polished by time. The originally noisy Grand Hall fell silent the moment she stood still.
“Welcome to Morningstar.”
Though she wasn't particularly imposing, her voice was powerful.
“I am Eleanor Villard, the current Headmistress of Morningstar Academy.”
The Headmistress did not waste time on pleasantries and went straight into introducing the academy's history and mission.
“Some of you were born carrying the bloodline and glory of your ancestors. Do not disgrace it.”
“Others have crossed this threshold through your own hard work. Do not waste it.”
As Erich listened, he began to feel drowsy. He had heard this kind of speech all too often during the opening ceremonies of his past life. Changing worlds didn't make much of a difference; it was nothing more than telling the nobles not to be arrogant, the commoners not to feel inferior, and everyone to work together to create a bright future.
The Headmistress's address lasted for about twenty minutes, and then it was the Deputy Headmaster, Mikhail von Rosen's turn to take the stage.
Mikhail was a middle-aged man with thinning hair. He spoke about the basic framework of the six-year academic system: the first three years would focus on general education, while the latter three years would be divided into specializations based on talent and suitability.
“Failing any compulsory course will affect your annual evaluation. Those who fail for two consecutive years will be advised to withdraw from the academy.”
Irene was secretly taking lots of notes, while Balin, Yser, and Erich had completely entered power-saving mode. Surprisingly, it was Ragg who was actually listening intently.
This beastkin was truly strange.
After the Deputy Headmaster, the student council president took the stage. The young man who walked up wore a sharp uniform, with a silver circular badge pinned to his chest.
“I am Oliver Raven,” he said. “This year's student council president, as well as the president of the Silver Circle Society. It is an honor to meet all the new students at this opening ceremony.”
His speech was proper, maintaining a comfortable balance between the nobles and commoners, masterfully walking the line.
Finally, it was time for the main event.
The freshman representative, Leonora Viridian, took the stage.
Leonora wore a neat school uniform skirt, her golden hair gleaming under the lights.
“I am Leonora Viridian. It is my honor to speak here as the freshman representative. May we all find our own paths in this academy.”
It was a brief speech. Interspersed with a few clichéd remarks about the “desire to learn” and “living up to expectations,” there was absolutely nothing wrong with the speech as a whole. Yet, as she stood there, she looked like a meticulously arranged porcelain doll—beautiful and delicate, but lacking in vitality.
As her speech concluded, applause rang out once more.
Irene leaned over and whispered something.
Erich tilted his head. “What did you say?”
“Don't you think she seems a bit lifeless?” Irene repeated.
Erich watched Leonora as she turned and left the stage. Her back looked small and thin, appearing utterly solitary.
Memories of those few days in the Abyss suddenly rushed back.
Her stumbling through the mine tunnels while clutching his hem, her face covered in dirt, her crying in front of the teleportation array, and then there was Isa...
Isa's body was still in his dormitory, wrapped in odor-blocking material and stuffed into a mini-fridge filled with ice.
Stirred by the memories, Erich averted his eyes from the stage.
“She's a princess. You don't need to worry about her,” he said.
Irene pouted. “You really don't know how to carry a conversation. You'll never get a girlfriend like that.”
The ceremony officially ended after a few more segments. The freshmen began to stand up and stream toward the various exits. Erich stood up, and through the surging crowd of heads, he spotted Leonora.
The little princess was surrounded by several teachers, engaged in conversation. Then, as if sensing something, her gaze pierced through the crowd and locked with Erich's.
At that moment, her expression remained cold, as if she were looking at a complete stranger.
Then, she averted her eyes.
Erich shook his head, turned around, and followed Irene out of the hall.
Rate on N.U.
