The vast Assembly Hall was an imposing sight, its high, vaulted ceilings and grand arches dwarfing the hundreds of students seated within. The air, thick with nervous anticipation, buzzed with the low murmur of conversations. The room was divided by class: the Class A students sat at the very front in polished wooden benches, their pristine uniforms catching the light. Behind them, the Class B students sat in a section of slightly less refined seating, their conversations a mix of speculation and bravado. The Class C and Class D students occupied the rear of the hall, their whispers tinged with a palpable sense of unease.
As the final student settled into their seat, a tall, imposing Proctor with a severe expression stepped forward. "Silence," he commanded, his voice echoing through the hall and instantly silencing the crowd. He scanned the faces of the students, his gaze cold and unyielding. "I am Valerius, head of the Proctor Council. Before we proceed, a word of introduction."
