The opening ceremony for the freshn in the Royal Academy happened in the early morning.
Each class from S-Class to D-class ford a line and stood in front of a stage where Principal Aldren stood.
Behind the Principal were the instructors, among them two stood out the most.
One had silver hair, ruby eyes, and a calm expression that made him look strangely out of place beside the older instructors. He was far too young to be standing with them, yet no one could deny that he belonged there.
The other had ssy dark hair and looked as if he would rather be anywhere else. Even from a distance, his expression made it clear that he found the whole ceremony troubleso.
These two were very famous in Norvaegard, and all who lived here could recognize them even if they were eting for the first ti.
"That’s Sir Lucen Thornehart, right?" The people of the knight departnt started murmuring.
"That’s the Ever-Victorious."
"... Is he going to be an instructor?"
Many students looked excited, and a few were nervous. So of the young ladies present looked lovestruck.
The freshn were in awe. This was the living legend of their generation. The one who gained his fa from being called talentless, and then suddenly killing a young fire dragon.
From then on, he just kept on going, creating new things, defeating powerful beings, which earned him the moniker Ever-Victorious, one who has not known defeat.
He was soone who, despite many claiming he had no talent with the sword, was far above most, and that wasn’t even his main weapon. His main weapons were things he created, the so-called guns.
Lucen had a unique magic that many knew was to create those guns, but not only could he create them using his unique magic, but he also created them through craftsmanship.
Beside Lucen was another famous individual who was also considered part of the younger generation, but barely, since he was nearing thirty.
Unlike Lucen, who was known by almost everyone in Norvaegard, Robert Duskwell was more famous among mages and scholars.
"The mad alchemist of the Yellow Tower..."
"I heard he was not soone who liked to teach."
"Is he going to be teaching Alchemy?"
"That shouldn’t be it, seeing as Lady Ruth is still there. "
"Then what could be teaching here?"
On the mage departnt side, they could not help but question why soone like Robert was here.
Everyone knew the mad alchemist was soone who preferred creating and learning more than teaching.
Because of that, the mage students beca even more curious. Principal Aldren then did a dry cough, making everyone quiet down.
"Welco to the Royal Academy." Principal Aldren’s voice was enhanced with his aura, making it echo throughout the area.
"Each one of you has passed the entrance examination and earned the right to stand here. So of you were born into noble houses. So of you were born as commoners. So of you carry nas that have existed for generations, while others carry nas that few people in this courtyard have ever heard."
Principal Aldren’s gaze swept across the freshn. "But inside this academy, birth alone will not decide your worth. You must show it with your skills. Those who show their worth here can move up to beco sothing better."
Hearing those words made the commoners present excited. This was the reason they tried their best to study in the Royal Academy so that they could change their fates.
"This academy does not care if you are the child of a duke, the child of a knight, the child of a rchant, or the child of a farr. If you are weak, you will be treated as weak. If you are careless, you will be punished for your carelessness. If you beco arrogant, there will always be soone here capable of reminding you of your place."
A few students unconsciously straightened their backs. The Royal Academy was famous for many things, but being gentle was not one of them. There had been many cases in which students died before ever graduating.
Principal Aldren did not soften his words.
"So of you may think that entering this academy ans your future has already been secured. That is wrong. You need to do your best, or you might end up dead sowhere."
This was not a place where students were protected from hardship. It was a place where hardship was used as a tool.
"Here, your instructors will not chase after you and beg you to improve," Principal Aldren continued. "If you wish to waste your ti, then waste it. If you wish to grow stronger, then prove it through action. The academy will provide the path, but each of you must walk it yourselves."
His gaze then moved toward the students of S-Class.
"Those placed in S-Class should not think that their position is permanent. You are going to receive the best treatnt because you have shown the best potential, but potential is not achievent. If you beco complacent, soone below you will take your place."
Several students from A-Class and B-Class raised their heads slightly. Principal Aldren noticed, but his expression did not change.
"Likewise, those in the lower classes should not think that your position is fixed. The academy asures growth. If you prove yourselves, you may rise. If you give up, then you will remain where you are, or you will be dismissed. Better to fail here and survive than remain weak and die outside these walls."
Principal Aldren might have sounded harsh to a few students’ ears, but this was the truth of the matter.
The Royal Academy was not a nursery. It was a place ant to raise those who would one day stand on battlefields, govern territories, protect cities, lead soldiers, research magic, and face monsters.
A gentle academy would only produce weak students. And weak students, no matter how noble their birth was, would only die faster in the world outside.
Principal Aldren let the silence remain for a few seconds before continuing.
"Once again, all you’d better rember this well. The Royal Academy does not promise success. It only gives you the opportunity to reach for it. Whether you grasp it or let it slip from your hands will depend on each of you."
His gaze then moved across the rows of students once more.
"Now then, before we proceed with the rest of the ceremony, we will announce the class representatives."
The students imdiately beca more attentive.
Each class had a representative. Their duty was not simply to stand at the front and speak during events.
A class representative served as the link between the students and instructors. They were expected to organize their class, report issues, and lead during group training exercises. They were considered to be the best in the group.
Of course, there were exceptions. When a mber of the royal family entered the Royal Academy, the position of class representative was given to them automatically, no matter which class they belonged to.
It was not simply because they were royalty. It was a custom that had existed for generations.
A prince or princess who entered the Royal Academy did not co only as a student. They also carried the dignity of the royal family and the burden of representing the crown among their peers.
If they failed, then their failure would be seen by everyone. If they succeeded, then their success would inspire others. That was why the position was both an honor and a chain.
Principal Aldren’s gaze moved toward S-Class. "For S-Class, the representative will be Third Prince Elion Viron Vaelgard."
Alexander and the others in the S-class who were in the line finally noticed that there was another person at the back of the line.
He had short purplish blond hair, and he stood in a rather dignified manner, wearing the Royal Academy school uniform with the emblem of the S-class.
Lucen, who saw the person walking towards the stage, was quite surprised. The Third Prince, in his mory of the ga, was a self-centered person who feared the strong and bullied the weak, especially those with no noble titles.
He also looked like a typical third-rate villain. Yet the person walking now was very, very different. He now truly looked like a prince from a fairy tale. Elion stepped onto the stage and turned toward the students.
"I am Elion Viron Vaelgard, Third Prince of Norvaegard. By custom, I have been given the position of representative of S-Class. However, I do not intend to treat this position as sothing granted only by birth."
His voice was not loud, but it carried enough for everyone to hear.
"If I am unworthy, then I expect my classmates to tell . If I fall behind, then I will train harder. If soone proves better suited than I, then I will learn from them. I ca to this academy not to be treated as a prince, but to beco soone worthy of standing beside the warriors of Norvaegard. Let us all work hard to achieve our goals."
There was a mont of silence before Alexander started clapping, then Mina, then finally everyone started clapping for the Prince.
Elion bowed his head and left the stage. Aldren made so final remarks. Just as the ceremony was about to end, one student stepped out from the A-Class line.
He was from the knight departnt, and the look on his face was closer to arrogance than confidence. There was not even the slightest hesitation to be found in his eyes as he spoke.
"Instructor Lucen Thornehart," he said, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "I, Roderick Greyre, use my right as a student to challenge you to a duel."
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