Applause rang through the hall, and the opening ceremony ca to an end.
As noon approached, the students, guided by the instructors, headed to the nearby restaurant where the academy had prepared a banquet for the freshn.
Upon entering the spacious dining hall, Sylutia realized it was no smaller than the ceremony hall. Two long banquet tables had been set up; each side could seat twenty people, so together they could accommodate eighty students.
"Hedra." The girl heard soone call her na.
A professor in a black long robe approached. She had dark red, almost black wavy hair, and her eyes held a mix of interest and curiosity toward the girl.
"Sit at the foremost center seat of this table," she indicated the sowhat special seat.
"?" Sylutia walked over slowly, feeling a bit flattered by the attention.
"Yes." The professor nodded.
Each of the two long tables had a specially reserved spot at the head. Sylutia had assud those seats were for professors or teachers, but that turned out not to be the case.
When she reached her seat, she noticed a black-haired freshman sitting at the other table's head nearby. He looked about nineteen, handso and upright, with a dragon-lily badge sewn on his sleeve cuff.
"That student is Spencer Pander, from the prestigious Pander family of the Fonlun District. Their family crest is the 'dragon-lily'," the professor beside Sylutia explained.
"You two will be the dual chiefs for this class. From now on, many activities will be arranged and overseen by the two of you. You will cooperate and compete, until your studies finish five years from now."
"Alright, please take your seats."
Sylutia sat down at the table. The professor at her side clapped once, and two wide, shield-shaped banners descended from the air. One bore the pale blue dragon-lily against a frosty white background; the other displayed a black rose set on a sunset-red field.
These two large banners were hung behind Sylutia and, a short distance away, behind Spencer Pander.
"Dining begins now. Please choose any seat freely. From this point onward you will be divided into two big teams for scoring and activities. Choose your preferred chief — these two are the best students of this cohort and will be your leaders."
"Of course, if you believe you are better suited for that position, you can challenge for it after one year."
Each table had forty seats. Besides the two chiefs, there were seventy-four other students present. That ant one side could have up to forty mbers while the other would have at least thirty-four, keeping the gap from growing too wide.
Without hesitation, the five other students from Asra District took seats at Sylutia's table. On the other side, many students chose Spencer's table.
Because of his noble background, Spencer had already been well known while studying in Ximilye District, and most students from that district selected him without hesitation.
By the ti the freshn from Gemor District made up their minds, Spencer's table was nearly full, so they had no choice but to sit at Sylutia's table.
Once both sides were seated, servers began placing exquisite dishes along the tables. When the lids were lifted, tempting aromas spread through the air.
These dishes were rare delicacies of Third Tier quality. They were not only delicious but also provided substantial benefits to the students.
"Stewed rabbit with Tia Wolf blood" — bright red wolf blood carrying the Scorching Sun aura stewed with tender white rabbit at. The blood's essence, skillfully integrated by the chefs, had its frenzied elent filtered out, making it absorbable and mild.
"Wind-sawdust bread" — birch sawdust infused with the Vaulted Sky aura mixed into flour, baked into loaves. The sawdust burned slightly during baking, the rising air making the bread fluffy and trapping tiny Vaulted Sky-attributed bubbles inside.
"Firefly honey wine" — brewed from firefly eggs and premium honey, bearing the Insect Moth aspect. The amber liquid glows faintly like fireflies at night and is quite beautiful.
"Purple Condense Nut Pudding" — made with powdered purple condense herb and agar, cool and refreshing, carrying the Verdant Nectar aura.
If the ingredients had been consud raw with their various aspects entangled, it likely would have caused serious problems. Fortunately, the chefs’ role was to transform such difficult-to-digest materials into safe, edible dishes.
Ordinary cooks remove toxins to make food edible, while transcendent profession chefs harmonize the aspect energies within so they can be absorbed and gentled.
Tasting these rare treats, the students ate attentively — conversation dwindled, since not every student ca from a wealthy family and could easily enjoy such food.
Sylutia watched a server bring her a small bowl of stewed rabbit with Tia Wolf blood. She sipped a little of the wolf blood with a spoon. There was no gamy odor; instead, a faint osmanthus fragrance lingered. She bit into the tender rabbit at and savored it slowly.
Impressive. She wondered how the chef managed it, thinking perhaps she should learn so culinary skills herself one day.
While she ate, the server sliced pieces of wind-sawdust bread and placed them on her plate, pairing them with a little purple condense nut pudding on a saucer for a better taste combination.
The nutrients from the wolf blood and rabbit entered her body; a gentle warmth spread, making her blood flow feel quicker and freer. If she had cardiovascular issues, this al would likely help resolve them, strengthening heart vitality and vessel resilience.
The Wind-sawdust bread's aura seeped into her lungs, making each breath feel fresher. In such a state, she could probably unleash faster speed in battle and think more sharply.
The purple condense nut pudding was milder, nurturing subtle parts of the body and bolstering overall constitution.
An hour later, the students finished their al and there was little left on the tables. Many only then began chatting and getting to know their classmates.
"Our chief — I've never t her before. You're from Asra District, right? Can you tell us about yourself?"
"Well, it's like this..." A student from Asra District began recounting Sylutia's renowned deeds, not holding back: the brutal thods used against beastn, conquering the cohort's talented challengers without defeat, ruling Asra District's underground world, purging opposing forces, and driving headn like the Spider Woman out of the area.
"So she really is that terrifying and powerful. I get it." Suddenly the students at the table held higher expectations for the seemingly delicate girl.
Such a person might be dangerous on the opposing side, but having her as an ally could be beneficial. Most of these students respected strength — victory mattered more than kindness.
After lunch, the professor led the students to the academy's combat training ground.
"We have plenty of ti today, and the academy supports holding a freshn tournant to help you determine your standing among peers so you can improve."
Hearing this, Sylutia glanced at the professor opposite her, thinking about the purpose of the event.
It was probably ant to let unfamiliar students quickly learn about one another and to avoid misunderstandings caused by misjudging soone's strength.
"The first five rounds will be determined by drawing lots. Each of you will fight five tis, and the academy will award different rewards based on your number of victories."
"Those with more than four wins will advance to the next stage for elimination fights, until the final champion is decided."
"The second stage gives rewards to the top eight. I hope you'll participate and persist." After saying this, the professor waved and an automatic draw machine rose from below the stage; many small marked balls rolled within.
"Now line up in four rows according to the numbers under your feet." She announced again.
Everyone quickly took their places. The machine started; linkages spun and drove the balls to roll.
One by one the balls were released, and she began calling the numbers while an assistant recorded them.
"Number 12, Hedra, versus number 58, Moria."
Sylutia heard her na called. She also noticed Spencer Pander nearby had been assigned a number.
"Number 3, Spencer Pander, versus number 31, Vynico."
The matches would be divided into four sections and run simultaneously; each bout lasted about two to four minutes, rarely stretching past five.
Sylutia and the other students sat in the spectator stands. Many of her table mbers clustered around her; across from them, Spencer had his own supporters. Occasionally Sylutia overheard them ntion her na.
Because the large group on the opposing side had no Asra District students, their conversation was mostly speculation.
"Where did this Hedra co from? I've never heard of her. Is she so noble's descendant for the school to treat her so seriously?" they wondered.
"Maybe she's a prodigy?" guessed one student.
"Blah. Which of us here isn't a prodigy? I was always top five in Ximilye, I'm used to dealing with geniuses."
"Even if so people's talent is extrely high, they're still only Second Tier apprentices. What deep discoveries or insights could they have at this stage? Their combat strength at best equals a Third Tier mage. Can she leap two tiers to defeat opponents?" another student shook his head.
"Let's wait and see. If she can't live up to being chief, people will challenge her as early as this year, not next."
Soon the earlier matches ended and it was Spencer's turn. His opponent, Vynico from Gemor District, happened to be in Sylutia's group as well.
Students from Gemor typically had so chanical inclinations, and Vynico was no exception. He produced a small golden fla and stepped onto the stage.
"Begin!"
When the instructor announced the start, Vynico aid the fla at Spencer. Maze-like runic patterns shimred across the fire, then a projectile shot out like a brilliant red line toward his opponent.
Spencer remained composed. He raised his hand and phantom-like walls and gates materialized at his side, easily blocking the projectile.
[Spell: Rodri's Gate]
One of the seven royal gates forged by the Swan King, also called the King's Gate, representing regal authority.
Watching the solid illusory gates and walls appear on stage, many students were astonished. The spell's strength exceeded the Second Tier standard; even a Third Tier official mage would barely reach this level.
Behind the sturdy imaginary gates and walls, Vynico tried various attacks, but none worked. Ultimately he had to concede. Spencer magnanimously dispelled his spell and offered Vynico a few polite complints.
After a round of applause, Spencer stepped down and other students took the stage.
A few minutes later, Sylutia heard her own na.
She rose from the stands and, with many eyes on her, walked to the arena and saw her opponent.
Number 58, Moria, from Fubna District, who had previously studied in Ximilye. He specialized in high-speed swordsmanship and was one of the rare close-combat mages.
The youth looked a little over eighteen, with flamboyant short golden hair. He carried his sword sheath calmly as he entered and pressed his right hand to the hilt, watching Sylutia seriously.
"Hello, Chief." He greeted politely.
"eting you and having you brandish a blade at once is not my intention of being rude. But since this is a match, please show a level of skill that convinces ." He was courteous, with a hint of old-fashioned noble bearing.
"I understand your expectations." Sylutia nodded slightly and planted her feet.
After a three-second pause, with Sylutia still motionless, Moria began his assault. White light flared in his pupils and gusts of air swirled around him.
[School of Royal Authority — Swan Step]
Moria's sprint accelerated; he moved in an arc within the arena to make himself hard to lock onto while closing distance. The poml he held exuded a faint chill.
A Castle-aspect mage was rare; Sylutia found it novel. As Moria neared her, a huge hand suddenly materialized and, carrying great strength, swatted at him.
Faced with this unexpected hand, pale light flashed in Moria's eyes. His sword was instantaneously drawn; a silver-cold cleft appeared across the hand, slicing it apart.
[School of Royal Authority — Silver-Edged Blade]
After breaking through the massive hand, Moria resud his advance, but this ti he found several white flying birds circling at Sylutia's side.
Those birds suddenly shot forward. Moria adjusted his steps and slashed repeatedly, quickly cutting through the flying birds, carefully avoiding the silk lines trailing behind them ant for strangling.
Impressive. Sylutia thought—few peers in Asra District could match that reaction speed.
Then she moved her hand again. Six silver throwing-swords shot out rapidly from behind her toward Moria.
During this exchange, though Moria managed to deflect and break so of the incoming blades, he could not sever or smash all of them. After several strikes, he slipped up and two flying swords pierced his legs, rendering him unable to continue fighting.
"Hedra wins."
Cheers erupted. The students present now had a first impression of Sylutia's strength.
"So that's her style. Seems like a brutal fighter, just a brawler good at combat. Picking soone like her as chief — maybe the professors want to temper a bit," Spencer said across the way, shaking his head slightly.
User Comments
0 comments from readers