"Ah… ah, erm greetings to all new students who are present here today."
The voice that echoed through the grand hall carried both authority and nerves. Standing at the podium was a tall girl with fiery red hair tied neatly behind her, her expression composed despite the weight of the crowd's attention.
"On behalf of Walton Academy, I, Monica Rosewood, give my greetings to you all."
Murmurs rippled through the audience. The name alone carried weight.
Rosewood? Of course… End thought, eyes narrowing slightly. Only a high noble would be given the honor of addressing everyone.
Monica's voice grew steadier as she continued. "I am Monica Rosewood, of [R] School, and I serve as the Student Council President."
A polite round of applause followed, though not everyone clapped with sincerity.
"Especially this year," she went on, "I am pleased to welcome students from Ellie Academy and Lion Academy, who have been chosen to continue their studies here at Walton."
The moment she mentioned the allied academies, the crowd's energy spiked.
"Ellie Academy? Isn't that where the Ice Oracle studied?" someone whispered.
"And Lion Academy… the one that raised the Strength Oracle!" another answered.
Monica raised a hand, silencing the hall. "These academies were founded to carry on the legacy of the Oracles who once protected and still protect our continent. Each Oracle leaves behind a path, and it is our duty to walk it."
Her voice gained power as she recited their names:
"The Ice Oracle of Ellie, who wields magic colder than the void.
The Sword Oracle of Walton, master of wind and blade.
The Strength Oracle of Lion, a force unmatched in physical might."
The hall seemed to tremble as the words hung in the air.
"For now," Monica declared, "we must forget our social status and live as equals. From this day forward, we are all Walton students. Nationality, bloodline, and wealth none of it matters here."
A boy in the crowd leaned toward his friend, smirking. "That's funny. She became Student Council President because of her noble family, not her 'hard work.'"
His friend chuckled. "True, but still, equality sounds nice. Better than bowing to nobles every second."
End sat with his arms crossed, his expression flat. Equality? In a school crawling with nobles? She might as well promise that pigs will fly.
As if to confirm his thoughts, another boy swaggered over to the whispering pair. "I totally agree with you," he said loudly, his grin sharp. "But let's be honest does anyone here really believe the rules will change? Nobles are nobles. Commoners are commoners."
The trio laughed quietly to themselves.
On the stage, a girl stepped forward and handed Monica a stack of notes. Gasps followed her movement.
"Who's that?" the first boy muttered.
"You don't know? I heard she came from the Black Lands," the second whispered back. "And… rumors say she's connected to the Sword Oracle."
The first boy's eyes gleamed. "Really? She's beautiful. What's her name?"
"Lilian," the third answered with a smirk. "And if we get close to her, maybe we can curry some favor."
"Don't be stupid," the second hissed. "You think you're the only one planning that?"
The boys laughed again, though envy sharpened their voices.
End ignored them and quickly found a seat near the back on the commoner's side. The nobles sat proudly in their own clusters, robes lined with fine embroidery.
Better stay where I belong, End thought.
Monica's speech ended, and the next representatives were called to the podium.
"From Ellie Academy, please welcome your representatives."
Two students stepped forwardba tall girl with an easy smile, and a graceful girl with silver hair tied into a braid.
"Greetings to all the students of Walton and Lion," the girl said warmly. "We are the representatives of Ellie. My name is Sigurd Rin, and this is Riane."
Riane gave a soft bow.
"We come from different places, but I hope we can spend these years in unity. Let's work hard together!" Rin's bright grin earned cheers from the crowd.
"Kyaaa! So cute!" girls and boys bfrom Ellie screamed.
Their cheers filled the hall, and End winced at the noise.
At that moment, a voice cut through the chaos.
"Hello! I'm Ray. I'm new here, so could you please show me the way around?"
A golden-haired boy with an overly friendly smile had intruded on the trio of gossiping boys.
"Ha! Go away. Stop bothering us," one snapped, pushing past him.
The others followed, snickering.
Ray frowned but quickly spotted someone else...End.
"Hey! Excuse me!" He jogged over. "Could you help me find the registration room?"
End glanced at him once, uninterested. "Just head down the hallway. You'll see it."
"Ah, thanks! But… why are you sitting here all alone?" Ray asked. "It's the first day of school. Shouldn't you be with friends?"
"…Huh?" End's expression darkened.
"Oh… are you an outcast?" Ray said bluntly, tilting his head.
End's patience frayed. This guy…
Before he could answer, the announcer's voice rang out. "Next, from Lion Academy, our representative please welcome Mia."
Ray's eyes lit up. "Oh! There she is."
End blinked. "…You know her?" The words slipped out before he realized.
Ray puffed up like a detective delivering a revelation. "Her name is Mia. She's the one chosen as the next Strength Oracle."
On stage, a girl with tightly bound hair approached the podium. She was the successor if the strength Oracle but her build was that of a child,as she faced the enormous crowd, her face went pale. Her lips trembled.
"I… I am Randy Mia," she forced out, voice cracking under the pressure.
The crowd roared, overwhelming her. She froze, unable to continue.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"I heard she was suddenly chosen by the last Strength Oracle."
"She doesn't even come from the three main kingdoms, does she?"
"Can someone like her really handle that power?"
Ray leaned closer to End. "It'll take time before she can use her abilities properly. But still… imagine what I could do if I got close to her."
End stiffened. …This guy.
Ray kept rambling, but End's mind had already drifted. His blood thrummed faintly in his veins, as if mocking him.
So this is how it begins, he thought, standing abruptly.
Ray blinked. "Eh? Where are you going?"
End didn't answer. He just walked away, the crowd's cheers echoing behind him.
The ceremony continued without him, but for End… the day was already too long.