Ivan did not know how things became this way. For most of his life he had always just expected for him to pray to a deity that could be accessed to anyone--whether he would do it at the school of his dreams or through learning the prayer himself.
That was what he had always assumed.
But...
"The Endless Astral Overseer."
Even just speaking its name made his skin crawl. It gave him an anxious feeling that he could not fully comprehend. But it also gave him a sense of "warmth" that he could also not fully understand.
Walking along the stone pavement on the way to the ceremony, he looked at his hand.
Are their deaths on my hands? He could vaguely remember the infinite darkness and infinite stars that crossed his perception. And he could also vaguely remember the figures of the two men dismantle itself from the injection of that foreign mana.
Their deaths a result of my pleas. Even if it's indirect, I share some... responsibility? Ivan sighed as he entered the ceremony hall. He hadn't the time to ponder on their deaths all too much, nor was there a resounding horror or guilt for doing such a thing.
He knew...
Death is inevitable.
It was a consistent thing for mages and warriors alike.
He knew it all very well. The amount of blood that can clad the hands of a mage without them even lifting a single finger. A spell that can decimate armies of men, but can be rivaled by the equal output of another power.
Before, during the days he bathed in his mediocre talent in magic, Ivan had full intention of compensating with his lack of talent in actual magic with his incredible mind that allowed him to excel in engineering.
However, now as he looks at his hand--he feels it.
An talent that was overflowing, steadily rising from the depths of his soul. It was an existence that he could fully explore just yet, as even trying to imagine the depths of it made everything nauseating.
Seat 26. His rightful spot. Of course, he had achieved this not through the practical portion of the exam but rather his exceeding results in the written exam.
1st place.
But due to his middle-of-the-pack results in the practical portion, Rank 26 was the highest he could possibly achieve.
Those people... His eyes wandered upfront.
It was then did Ivan see the 10 students who sat across the stage. They sat neatly and respectfully, and they did not utter a single word to each other. But, even as they bathed in their silence, they still shined with radiance.
Such a sight was enviable to Ivan.
His index finger curled up and covered his top lip, an inquisitive and determined look spreading across his face.
If this God is anything as excellent as I think it is... would Rank 1 be possible? He thought to himself, his heart bursting with eagerness.
Fwoom!
A flash of light descended from above.
~~~
Grace could not forget about to this part in the novel since the author had described this moment as a moment to describe the depths of a person's strength.
The flash of light had descended down in an instant.
Light Magic.
An imitation, of course.
And the bright light silenced all talking students, their eyes captivated by the bizarre event that was occurring right in front of them. The air flushed away as a figure stepped from the shining rays of imitation.
An elderly man with wearing a long white robe and long gray hair that fluttered behind him elegantly. Alongside this, his face had a gray beard that complemented his looks.
The air that had been flushed away by his sudden appearance had been reeled back in and turned into a dominating presence.
Aventus Dawn of the noble family, Dawn.
This man... is a Special Grade 7. People who reach the status of Special Grade could not be taken lightly due to their strength being able to topple the world upside down if they so wish for it to happen.
His gaze - an iris of black - swept through the abundance of individuals and smiled softly.
"I am Aventus Dawn. And welcome, students," Aventus said. "To the beginning of your future."
Grace felt his heart speed up. This was truly the beginning of the story. And the academy was merely the beginning of his journey. Even though they were there for three years--the events that took place after the academy was often referred to as "the real story."
Everything from here to the end of the academy days are merely a prelude to the madness that would ensue. There were miniature events that took place during the course of the years, with a main event usually occurring at the end of each year.
It was neatly structured until the author ventured deeper into the world.
Things merely "happened" as they would in the real world.
"I understand that the process of becoming a student at this academy was an arduous journey for you all. And you should take pride in that. However, complacency is the enemy of all. Allowing yourself to be deluded that the minimum is excellence--destroy that mentality. Seek further than just being a student at this prestigious academy. Seek to be better!" He saw the hardened look on the students.
On their faces was the inscribed fear, anxiety, doubt, confidence, arrogance, and all the abundant of emotion that swept through their minds and hearts.
For a moment, he wondered what the look on the faces of the 10 best students of the freshman year class were.
Did they share the same look on their faces?
The uncertainty of the future?
The fear that they may fail along the way?
"Trial and error," Aventus grinned. "That is what youth is all about." Looking behind him to his right, he gestured towards a person situated at the furthest to his right.
"Now, allow us to grant the student who Ranks number 1 out of all the current freshmen students." The person in question stood from their seat.
Grace's gaze trailed towards them.
And that is... A tiny smirk appeared on his face.
A girl who stood tall and proud, her black orbs shoving an even gaze towards everyone and everything. Her long black hair trailed behind her as each step increased her presence.
She was beautiful.
Incredibly so.
"Please welcome: Alice White."
The youngest of the White Family, another Great Family of the Ergo Continent.
"WOOOOOOOO!"
The crowd yelled and clapped their hands together, applauding the dazzling girl that was inching closer and closer to the microphone.
Standing in front of the whole group of students, she began to speak.
"First and foremost: it is an honor for me to be able to hold Rank 1. It is something that I have no intention of taking lightly as it is a prestigious title to hold." Blinking, she looked from one end of the crowd to the other.
"However, I also understand that the rankings can change via combat or recognized improvement that overtakes another. And that the spot of Rank 1 is incredibly lucrative for many individuals."
She cracked a tiny, reserved smirk.
"And if you want to take my title as Rank 1--come and take it!"
The crowd widened their eyes, mutters erupting from all corners of the ceremony hall.
"It does not matter who dares to challenge me. Any and all is welcomed."
Grace's eye glimmered with excitement, her words making his skin crawl with electricity.
His smirk remained.
She pointed her finger towards the crowd.
"I fear none of you."