Chapter 303: Second Year Entrance Ceremony [2]

Chapter 302

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Episode 81 – Second Year Entrance Ceremony [2]

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Five days later.

There was only one day left before the Opening Ceremony for the First-Year cadets began.

Meanwhile, today, January 5th of the year 780, marked the beginning of the Opening Ceremony for the Second-Year cadets.

The Opening Ceremony for the Third-Year cadets had been held the day before, so this time, only the Second-Year cadets were present.

And, of course, the First- and Second-Year professors were present as well.

Although the Opening Ceremony for the Second-Year cadets was being held today, classes would officially begin on January 8th, three days from now.

The cadets had gathered inside an auditorium, whose tiered seats formed an arc around a podium at the front, fully visible to everyone present.

The air was filled with all kinds of emotions, from excitement and anticipation to many others.

And, well, why wouldn’t it be?

A year ago, these same cadets had been standing in the Main Building Plaza, watching the children of the Five Duke Houses enter through the Academy’s main gate.

They had also gone through various examinations to officially enter the Holy Academy.

And after passing those trials, they had begun their first day of classes, filled with excitement and anticipation.

However, time had passed.

Now, those same cadets were Second-Years.

After completing their Second Year, they would have only their Third Year left before finally graduating from the Holy Academy.

Tap—! Tap—! Tap—!

The sound of footsteps echoed against the wooden floor, reverberating throughout the auditorium.

The cadets turned their heads and looked toward a professor who was slowly walking toward the center of the podium.

When the professor reached the center, the lights focused on him.

Finally, he spoke.

“It has been a year since all of you first entered this place and experienced life at an Academy.”

“It has been a year since all of you, who were barely Two- or Three-Star Awakened, entered the classrooms.”

“Now, at this very moment, there isn’t a single cadet who remains at Three Stars. Every one of you has reached Four Stars, a level of power unheard of for most.”

“We are proud to say that you are the first generation to reach Four Stars at the very beginning of your Second Year at this great Academy.”

Hearing those words, broad, unmistakable smiles began to spread across the cadets’ faces.

And why wouldn’t they?

They knew as well that they were the first generation of cadets to enter this Academy and reach Four Stars upon beginning their Second Year.

Not a single person present was still a Three-Star Awakened.

Being a Three-Star at this point would be almost like a stain on the Golden Generation.

“On the other hand, all the cadets ranked from first to tenth have reached Five Stars and are not far from Six Stars.”

“This is something completely unprecedented for our Academy. This is the first time the top ten have reached Five Stars before beginning their Second Year and are now only a few steps away from Six Stars.”

The cadets turned their gazes toward the top ten ranks.

Every one of them was widely known. They were so famous that it would be ridiculous not to know anything about them.

Unless you lived under a rock or at the top of a mountain.

Everyone present knew just how monstrous the cadets occupying the top ten ranks were.

“However, one of the top ten has already taken another step forward and reached Six Stars.”

“Congratulations to the Rank 1 cadet, Lumina Moonlight, for reaching Six Stars before her Second Year.”

Clap—! Clap—! Clap—! Clap—!

A round of applause echoed throughout the auditorium.

Every cadet applauded. Some cheered, while others, like true fans, screamed at the top of their lungs.

In any case, Lumina simply ignored everyone present, maintaining a completely indifferent expression.

Seeing that Lumina had no intention of saying anything, the professor continued speaking.

“Now, although we unfortunately lost the Academic Exchange and none of our cadets became the Golden Star…”

“Even so, congratulations to the Rank 2 cadet, Clana Ordeal, for her efforts in the Academic Exchange final.”

Clap—! Clap—! Clap—! Clap—!

The cadets applauded once again.

Although they hadn’t won the Academic Exchange, it didn’t really matter all that much.

Everyone knew that if Lumina had participated, they would have won the Academic Exchange.

So why would they feel disappointed when, in reality, they had the ability to win with ease?

Besides, their Princess had given it her all and put on an incredible show until the very end.

She had fought with everything she had without even considering giving up, even when her opponent was stronger than her.

That was why the cadets applauded with pride, happy to have someone like Clana representing them.

Meanwhile, Clana stood up and immediately walked to the center of the podium, leaving the professor a few steps behind.

“Although I lost to Princess Very’Daal Elarion Valheim, I hope that our Holy Academy will win the next Academic Exchange.”

“I hope the next generation can accomplish what I couldn’t and raise our Academy above Elvenheims Academy.”

Clap—! Clap—! Clap—! Clap—!

Without saying too much or giving an unnecessary speech, Clana simply said what needed to be said before stepping down from the podium.

The cadets applauded once again.

Then, the professor returned to the front of the podium and continued speaking.

“Without further ado, the Holy Academy welcomes you to your Second Year.”

The cadets cheered as radiant smiles spread across their faces.

Like a crowd of fans watching their celebrity walk in front of them, they shouted just as loudly.

The professor waited a few seconds before raising his hand.

The cadets quickly fell silent as they looked at the professor.

“Very well. Now, Director Bernice will say a few words and make an announcement as well.”

With those words, the professor’s figure disappeared, and a second later, a woman appeared on the podium.

The cadets silently looked at Director Bernice, their admiration turning into respect for someone who had reached such an immense level of power.

Director Bernice gave a faint smile and, as she looked over the cadets, spoke:

“Starting in your Second Year, your classes will become more difficult, and you’ll be able to accept missions that First-Year cadets don’t have access to.”

“Of course, if you’re part of a Club where you take on missions, then congratulations on the experience you gained over the past year.”

“But putting that aside, congratulations to everyone present for advancing to your Second Year.”

“Many of you probably barely made it through, only managing to scrape together the ten thousand points required. So I hope you give it your all, become stronger, and make this Academy proud.”

Hearing those words, the cadets began to applaud.

However, this time, no one shouted or made nearly as much noise as before.

They simply applauded, letting the sound of their clapping echo throughout the auditorium.

Director Bernice smiled faintly before continuing:

“Just like when you entered your First Year, both Second- and Third-Year students will have to undergo various tests.”

“But don’t worry. Failing a test doesn’t mean you’ll be expelled or anything like that. However, if you fail, you’ll lose all the points you accumulated to advance to your Second Year.”

The next second, the expressions of many cadets, especially the weaker ones, paled.

After all, the Holy Academy wasn’t a place just anyone could enter.

Yes, the entrance exams might not have been that big of a deal.

Yes, the classes throughout the First Year couldn’t compare to those of the Second and Third Years.

First Year was like the prologue of a book, where only some context was introduced before the real story began.

And most of the cadets had long since forgotten this fact.

“Well, that’s all I had to say. Now, I have an announcement that is personally important to me. I hope that, after hearing what I’m about to say, you’ll seriously consider your actions going forward.”

Bernice’s expression became completely serious as she spoke those words.

The cadets swallowed nervously, their tension rising slightly as they watched Director Bernice.

“You may come in.”

“……!”

The cadets turned their gazes toward the place Bernice was pointing at with one hand.

Then, the sound of two individuals approaching the podium could be heard.

And the moment they saw someone none of them could forget, the entire auditorium fell completely silent.

The cadets’ expressions immediately changed, though each reacted differently.

The two people who walked up to the podium and stood beside Director Bernice were none other than Adel and Veronica.

The cadets looked at the duo, but their gazes focused especially on Adel.

None of them could forget the former Rank 1, who had exterminated an entire Order of Inquisitors whose members possessed a minimum power level of Five Stars, along with their leader, an Eight-Star Awakened.

Remembering Director Bernice’s words, the cadets—especially those who had never sympathized with Adel because of his Dark Attribute or his status as a commoner—tensed up.

Within seconds, the entire auditorium fell completely silent.