Chapter 39: THE FESTIVAL BEGINS (Part 1)

The long-awaited day had finally arrived. The Phoenix Academy Sports Festival officially began. The entire school was filled with a festive atmosphere—small flags fluttered along the corridors, colorful banners were hung in every corner of the field, and the spectator stands started filling up with parents and guardians arriving with burning enthusiasm. The sounds of cheers and shouts of support started to be heard from various directions, creating an atmosphere full of energy and excitement.

The main field of Phoenix Academy had been transformed into a magnificent competition arena. The vast grassy field was now filled with various competition areas—the running track on the left side with clear start and finish lines, the basketball court in the middle with freshly painted hoops, the volleyball court on the right side with neatly installed nets, the archery area at the back with targets arranged neatly, and a special room for chess inside the building. A wooden stage was set up in the middle of the field for the opening ceremony and winner announcements, decorated with flowers and banners reading "Phoenix Academy Sports Festival." Around the field, there were food and drink stalls provided by the committee, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, after helping Leina carry equipment to the field, Kai hurried toward the teachers’ room to make sure all preparations were complete. On the way, he crossed paths with Reina, who was walking toward the field with firm steps. Her clothes were neat—a white shirt and long black skirt, with a small microphone clipped to her collar.

"Kai," Reina greeted briefly, "is everything ready?"

"Yes," Kai answered. "I just finished helping carry the equipment. How about the opening speech?"

Reina nodded, her face not showing excessive emotion. "I’ve prepared it. I just need to say a few words before the event starts. You can sit in the teachers’ section."

"Alright, Reina."

They parted ways in front of the field. Reina walked toward the stage, while Kai looked for a seat in the teachers’ section.

On stage, Reina stood tall in front of the microphone. The atmosphere started to calm down as the parents and students realized the opening was about to begin. Reina looked at the crowd in front of her with a calm yet authoritative gaze.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and all respected students of Phoenix Academy," Reina said, her voice clear through the speakers. "Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for. The Phoenix Academy Sports Festival is an annual event that not only tests your physical abilities, but also teamwork, never-give-up spirit, and mutual respect."

She paused for a moment, her eyes sweeping across the crowd. "This year, I see extraordinary spirit from all classes. I see you training diligently, preparing seriously, and I am very proud of all your efforts."

"But remember," Reina continued, her voice slightly softer, "this festival is not just about who wins and who loses. It’s about how you enjoy every moment, how you support each other, and how you learn from every experience. Winning or losing isn’t everything. What matters most is your fighting spirit."

Reina took a breath, then smiled slightly—a smile rarely seen on her firm face. "With this, I declare the Phoenix Academy Sports Festival officially open. May all participants give their best, and may the spirit of sportsmanship always be with us all. Good luck!"

Cheers from students and parents filled the field. Applause thundered, and the atmosphere became even more festive. The festival had officially begun.

On the other side of the field, an announcer in a neat uniform with a microphone in hand started stepping to the center. His loud, enthusiastic voice immediately captured everyone’s attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The Phoenix Academy Sports Festival has begun! Now, we will witness the parade of participants from all classes joining this festival!"

One by one, the classes started entering the field in neat rows. Each class wore different uniforms—reflecting their respective characters and spirits.

"First, from Class 1-1! They’re wearing bright red uniforms, symbolizing burning fighting spirit!" the announcer exclaimed enthusiastically. The students of Class 1-1 walked with confident steps, their red uniforms looking bright under the morning sunlight. Some of them waved toward the parents’ section, which started cheering.

"Next, Class 1-2 with elegant navy blue uniforms! They walk with full confidence!" Class 1-2 wore dark blue uniforms with white accents on the collar and sleeves. They walked neatly, carrying small waving flags.

"Class 1-3! Emerald green uniforms, as fresh as ever-burning youthful spirit!" Class 1-3 walked in dark green uniforms, some of them smiling toward the parents’ section that started cheering.

One by one, the classes entered the field. Class 2-1 with striking golden yellow uniforms, Class 2-2 with elegant purple uniforms, and Class 2-3 with bright orange uniforms full of spirit. Class 3-1 with shining silver uniforms, Class 3-2 with sturdy gray uniforms, and Class 3-3 with clean white uniforms that looked neat and firm.

The announcer continued introducing each class with enthusiasm. "Class 2-1, their golden yellow uniforms truly shine! Symbolizing unyielding victory spirit!" "Class 2-2, elegant purple uniforms! They carry an aura of elegance in every step!" "Class 2-3, spirited orange uniforms! Full of unquenchable energy!" "Class 3-1, shining silver uniforms! Like heroes ready to fight!" "Class 3-2, sturdy gray uniforms! Looking strong and tough!" "Class 3-3, clean white uniforms! They come with meaningful simplicity!"

And finally, it was the last turn.

"And now, the one we’ve all been waiting for! Class IX-9!" the announcer exclaimed with an increasingly enthusiastic tone.

From the end of the field, the Class IX-9 formation started marching in. They walked last, with Ella at the very front as the leader. Their steps were neat and structured—every team member walked with upright posture, eyes straight ahead, not a single one deviating from the formation. Their movements were practiced, like troops that had trained for years.

Their uniforms weren’t flashy—simple navy blue with a phoenix embroidery on the chest—but under the morning sunlight, the embroidery seemed to shine, as if glowing on each of their chests. The silhouette of the phoenix with burning wings looked alive, as if about to fly away from the fabric.

The announcer, who had been loud and enthusiastic the whole time, suddenly paused for a moment. His eyes were fixed on Class IX-9’s uniforms as they entered the field. There was a brief silence, then his voice returned—this time with a different tone, a tone full of admiration.

"Class IX-9! They come with simple navy blue uniforms... But look at the embroidery on their chests! The phoenix glowing under the sunlight! Truly an extraordinary sight... They’re not flashy, but they have a presence that’s hard to ignore! Amazing!"

Students from other classes started turning their heads, and even some parents in the stands started whispering. Class IX-9’s uniforms, which they had never noticed before, were now the center of attention. There was something different about that class today—something they couldn’t explain.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the formation, Mira, who was walking enthusiastically, whispered to the side. "Mira heard! The announcer said our uniforms are amazing!"

"Focus, Mira," Rin said from behind in a soft voice. "We need to stay neat until the ceremony is over."

In the crowd, Diana Noa sat in the spectator stands, her eyes not blinking. She watched Iris walking with confident steps in that formation, and for the first time in a long while, her heart felt full of hope. Iris, her daughter, was now standing with her head held high, not looking down like before.

After all the participants gathered in the middle of the field forming neat rows, Reina stood back on stage. The leaders from each class were asked to step forward. One by one, they stepped out of their formations—the leaders from Class 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, and finally, Ella Virel from Class IX-9.

They stood in a row in front of Reina, facing the spectator stands and all the participants. The morning sunlight shone on their faces, and there were different expressions on each face—some tense, some confident, some full of spirit, and some like Ella, calm and steady.

Reina nodded to them, then started speaking in a clear and authoritative voice.

"Respected participants," Reina said, "now is the time for the athletes’ oath. Follow my words and recite them together."

Reina took a breath, then started reciting the prepared oath words. Her voice was clear across the silent field.

"We, the participants of the Phoenix Academy Sports Festival..."

The class leaders repeated those words together.

"...promise to follow all competitions with high sportsmanship."

"We will respect the decisions of referees and judges, and uphold the values of honesty and fairness."

"We will compete seriously, but still maintain friendship and mutual respect among participants."

"And we will accept victory with humility, and defeat with an open heart."

"We promise to uphold the good name of our school and families, and make this festival a platform to show our best abilities."

Reina paused for a moment, then recited the final sentence with a deeper voice.

"May the spirit of sports always be with us all, and may this festival become an unforgettable memory."

The class leaders repeated that final sentence together, then bowed their heads briefly as a sign of respect. Silence for a few seconds, then Reina nodded.

"Return to your formations."

The class leaders turned and walked back to their respective places. Ella walked calmly, her back as straight as when she stepped forward.

Reina looked at the crowd in front of her, then said the final words everyone had been waiting for.

"The Phoenix Academy Sports Festival competitions officially begin. Good luck!"

Cheers filled the field, and the atmosphere immediately turned into a roar of enthusiasm. The students started hurrying to their respective competition areas, the parents started taking their seats in the stands, and the announcer started preparing his commentary for the first match.