"To all the students within the academy, I can't express how imnsely proud I am to see all of you here today. Although today marks the end of a year for your ti here, please-"
The principal's voice echoed through the gymnasium, his words full of pride and encouragent, but I wasn't exactly paying attention.
It was early morning, the academy grounds blanketed in a fresh layer of snow, signaling that the sester was truly coming to a close.
I let the principal's speech drift past my ears, my thoughts wandering as I glanced at the students around .
So were visibly emotional, wiping away tears as if this was one of their final mont of their lives here.
A soft sigh escaped .
'They're being way too dramatic...'
The school year had just ended.
It wasn't even graduation yet....
The chances of graduation are slim to begin with.
Since the vacation ceremonies were held separately for each year, there weren't any seniors present—it was just the first-year students gathered in the vast gymnasium.
The sheer number of people packed into one space still managed to surprise , despite knowing how large the academy was.
Students from all departnts, specializations, and unique disciplines stood together, a sea of faces all dressed in the academy's winter uniform.
It felt like we were part of a massive battalion, trained and prid for so great, magical endeavor. In a way, that wasn't too far off.
The ceremony wasn't all that different from the one held at the end of the sester break or even the grand opening, with all the students gathered and listening to the principal's speech. But this ti, sothing caught my attention-sothing I hadn't fully noticed before. 'Elves, dwarves, beastn...'
I had completely forgotten that other races were also studying at the academy.
It's easy to lose sight of that fact when you're mainly surrounded by humans in combat-based and specialized courses.
The departnts I was a part of hardly ever had students from other races, so their presence wasn't always obvious.
Sure, I'd seen a few beastn and even an elf or two in passing, particularly in the magic departnt classrooms, but they were mostly seniors.
It wasn't that their absence in other courses was due to any kind of discrimination-far from
it.
The reality was that these races had natural talents that made them gravitate toward specific areas of study.
Elves, for instance, were naturally gifted with nature magic, their connection to the elents nearly unmatched.
Dwarves excelled in craftsmanship, their hands capable of creating intricate magical tools and weapons with ease.
Beastn, on the other hand, possessed raw, unfiltered strength, capable of feats of brute force that put many humans to sha.
Because of these natural advantages, unique classes were designed specifically for them, courses that catered to their racial strengths and honed their abilities even further.
It was why I rarely saw them in the general combat courses-they had their own specialized training, sothing more tailored to their innate gifts.
As I glanced around the gymnasium, my eyes settled on one of the few elves in the crowd.
Just by looking at him, I could sense the imnse amount of mana swirling around him, even though he wasn't doing anything.
It was effortless, natural.
The way he carried himself made it clear that if he ever decided to challenge soone like Clara, she'd have a real fight on her hands.
'And to to think that there ever beloved princess would soon join us next sester....'
The main reason I rarely saw them around was probably because they didn't care much for human customs.
Things like ranks, prestige, honor, and glory likely held a very different aning for them. What humans prized in terms of status and achievent didn't seem to resonate with them at all.
It's probably why they always turned down invitations to the grand festival, even though it's one of the academy's most celebrated events.
They simply couldn't be bothered.
Even the battle-loving beastn had little interest in public duels and competitions that existed solely to climb the academy ranks.
For them, fighting wasn't so spectacle to boost one's status-it was sacred.
They only fought to prove themselves in fair combat, and usually, it was only ever to soone they deeply respected or loved.
The idea of fighting for an audience or so kind of trivial recognition went against their core beliefs.
They viewed combat as sothing far more personal and aningful.
As my gaze shifted to the podium, I couldn't help but notice the top students from each departnt, lined up to receive recognition for their achievents.
Seo stood out, of course, representing the Knight departnt.
Snow, with her ever diligent status as the new student council president as well her 1st rank in the magic departnt was as popular as ever as well.
Next to them was another representative from the unique classes—a cute-looking female dwarf whose presence surprised a little.
Dwarves were rare around here, and seeing one rise to the top was a reminder of just how diverse and skilled the academy's student body really was.
They all wore similar-looking shawls, adorned with brooches that glowed with rainbow-like
colors.
The shimring colors signified sothing important: their ti at the academy had blossod.
They'd reached a milestone no we all reached it, and when we returned, we would no longer
be first years.
Once the principal finally wrapped up her speech, she imdiately called upon Snow, the student council president, to give one last address.
The mont Snow rose from her seat, applause erupted from the crowd.
People were captivated, and so were smitten by her beauty all over again.
If Snow weren't a princess, and if this hadn't been a formal event, I'm pretty sure so of these guys would be shouting "I love you, Snow!" or "Please marry !" like die-hard fans. The murmurs of admiration and praise for her beauty filled the air, almost drowning out the sound of the clapping.
As she made her way to the podium, her eyes briefly t mine, and for just a mont, she averted her gaze, the faintest blush coloring her cheeks.
Yet, despite that small, vulnerable mont, she maintained her confident, poised deanor.
Her poker face was flawless as she addressed the entire assembly with the sa grace and assurance she always exuded.
Ever since that day, my relationship with Snow had grown more complicated—and yet, strangely, more simple at the sa ti.
There was an unspoken understanding between us now.
Although it could've spiraled into sothing ssier, I was relieved that Snow herself
suggested we take things slowly and avoid making our relationship public just yet.
It was a level of restraint I hadn't expected, but I appreciated it nonetheless.
It saved us both from unnecessary drama-for now.
Still, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt. Although I had no deep feelings for Liyana, being
engaged to her while secretly growing closer to Snow felt like a betrayal.
It was as though I was cheating on Liyana, especially since our engagent was still very
much in effect.
Snow, on the other hand, seed to think everything would work out just fine.
After all, polygamy was legal within the empire, and she seed to assu that Liyana would
be open to the idea.
But knowing Liyana, things wouldn't go as smoothly as Snow imagined.
The mont Liyana finds out about our relationship, all hell would break loose.
.....
Once all the grand speeches were finally over, the closing of the vacation ceremony concluded,
and students scattered in all directions.
So were already carrying their suitcases, eager to leave the academy imdiately.
The atmosphere was a mix of excitent and relief, with many already planning their trips
ho or to other destinations.
Although the academy would remain fully open during the vacation period, allowing students
to stay and train if they wished, I couldn't afford to linger.
There were too many responsibilities waiting for back ho.
Still, part of envied those who could stay behind to hone their skills without the weight of external obligations.
Lucas, much like Janica, would probably stay at the academy this ti.
If events followed the original scenario of the ga, he was poised to clear around seven A-
rank dungeons with Janica during this period.
Doing so would further boost his already impressive specs, pushing him even closer to his
overpowered potential.
And if he did decide to go ho, he'd have to face his first S-class dungeon on the way, accompanied by a traveling group of rcenaries.
Both options would only serve to strengthen him, whether through combat experience or
sheer luck.
Honestly, part of wanted to join in on the action, especially considering the valuable opportunities Lucas would have.
The hotspots of monsters breaking loose in the dungeons he would face were pri training grounds, and any of those dungeons could hold valuable rewards.
That being said, it wasn't like I couldn't train back ho either.
With the Duke's permission, I could request access to a few dungeons under his jurisdiction, dungeons that could offer their own challenges and rewards.
And if I needed more personalized guidance, I could always ask for training from one of the
Duke's elite instructors.
Or even the duke himself, the resources available to at ho were just as valuable-maybe
even more.
[Status Info:]
[Riley Hell]
[Race: Human]
[Level: 87]
[Strength: B [0/80]] [Agility: C [0/60]]
[Endurance: C [0/60]]
[Luck: o] [????]] [Power: C [0/60]] [Available Status Points: 9]
'I must increase my status before the the next sester cos....'
"Riley."
Seo's voice called out to from a distance, and before I could even fully register it, she was already right beside .
With a single step, she had closed the gap between us, her speed no longer sothing that
surprised .
By now, I had grown used to her swift movents; watching her blitz forward like that was just part of who she was.
"Let's go now... you wanted to train before going ho right?"
"Are you done with your interview?"
I asked, glancing toward the principal's office where the other top students were still
gathered.
She nodded in response, but sothing in her expression made raise an eyebrow.
In the academy, it was mandatory for the top students to return at the end of the year and provide feedback on their experiences-sort of like a personal debriefing.
Yet, looking behind , I could see the other top students were still in the middle of their
interviews, speaking with the principal herself.
It was rare for her to handle these interviews directly, so it struck as odd that Seo had
finished so quickly.
"We should hurry up before they notice,"
So, she really did escape.
Chuckling to myself, I followed along as she led the way out of the gymnasium.
We walked side by side through the academy grounds, and I couldn't help but take in the
sights one last ti.
The snow still blanketed the walkways and courtyards, giving everything a calm, serene atmosphere. Despite the cold, the familiar warmth of the academy remained—its towering spires, its expansive training fields, the faint sound of students' chatter in the distance.
For a brief mont, I allowed myself to reflect on the past year.
All the trials, the lessons, the monts of tension and joy.
It was strange to think that my first year at the academy had already co to an end.
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