The Opening Ceremony

[[RYAN DAINSLEIF'S POV]]

"Students are requested to be seated for the opening ceremony!"

A voice resonated all over the cathedral-like auditorium where my beast companion Ku and I were seated.

The auditorium was filled with first-year students from various backgrounds and races. Being one of the tallest students, I found myself positioned at the front corner, intended for latecomers due to the time it took to verify our IDs. This gave me ample opportunity to observe the entire auditorium and all the students within the academy.

As we waited, the lights were switched off, and focus lights illuminated the main stage. The Central Academy's Director, my adoptive mother, Amelia Aurae, walked to the center of the stage with a commanding presence.

Dressed in a beautiful white robe, she appeared serene and polished, projecting the image of a respectable and powerful individual. Despite her gray hair, giving her the appearance of a woman around my father's age, her walk and talk exuded the refinement of a high-class noblewoman.

"Isn't that Mrs. Amelia, one of the Whites?"

"Man, she is pretty, even for an older woman!"

"Whites" was the common term people in Aderon used to refer to White-staged mages. As I willed mana into my eyes to sense the Director's mana flow,

"Ouch." My mana flow stopped as her gaze turned towards me, blocking my attempt to analyze her power. Crap, did she just spot me from the main stage? I'm pretty sure she recognized me with that smile of hers.

"Papa! That lady is strong!" Ku said to me as soon as he felt my mana flow getting blocked. By the feeling he gets, he is as pumped up as I am.

"Yeah, little guy. I know. We should train to become even stronger than that!" I replied, clenching my fists with exhilarating enthusiasm.

"I will train harder and help Papa!" Ku sounded just as fired up as me. Let's go, Ku. Let's both become powerful entities in this world. This academy will be our first step in achieving that.

"----I warmly welcome everyone here, Aderon's future leaders, academics, and powerhouses, to this humble academy. My name is Amelia Aurae. Please address me as Madam Director from here on. Regaining the lost magics and learning to integrate it with modern-day chanting, every one of you has the possibility of bringing forth the new evolution ----" Alice was saying.

"---When we stand together united, exchange and build upon our current chanting methods, we can regain our once lost magic system and bring about a new evolution of ---" Suddenly, as the Director was giving her speech,

"Man, this school is big!" the guy next to me spoke out with his face drenched in sweat. I noticed him earlier when I was taking this seat, but he sure is sweating a lot.

I won't blame him, though. The spot we were in was not as air-conditioned as the other seats. But this much sweat is overkill for anyone. I myself am using wind mana to keep me and Ku quite comfortable without sweat or tiredness. I could've used the ice element for a gentle chill too, but I sealed off my other elements aside from wind and fire with the bracelet Uncle George gave me.

"Huh?" I turned towards him as I suddenly thought he was saying that to me, "Haha, it is quite big." I replied with a chuckle.

"Right?" He smiled as he turned towards me and continued, "Where are my manners? Hello there, my name is Gray Whitlock. Freshman. It's nice to meet you!" He introduced himself, waving his hands and smiling towards Ku, who was nested on my head quite comfortably.

Does he not realize everyone here is a freshman?

"My name is Ryan Dainsleif. It's nice to meet you, Gray. I'm a first-year here too!" I introduced myself back, accepting his handshake.

"Your magical beast partner seems nice. What's its name?" he asked.

"His name is Ku!" I said as Ku gently raised his head and returned to his usual 'cheering-Papa-on position,' like he always had.

"Oh! that's a nice name. Hey there, Ku!" He said as suddenly, a half-black half-white mouse-like magical beast popped out from Gray's breast pocket.

"Hey now Ludo. Seems like you are awake!" He said to his mouse, "Say hi to our new friends Ryan and Ku, Ludo!" he said as he smiled towards me. The mouse stared at Ku and lowered its head, as if it were greeting a higher authority.

Ku is able to command magical beasts, and in my second stage of Ku's integration that allows me to use transformation, did allow me to command and intimidate other magical beasts with major dominance. But why is that? And with my current power, I can only use transformation for about half an hour or so. Ku is just a fox-type magical beast, right?

"Hey Ku! Did that mouse just bow towards you?" I asked Ku while I smiled and patted the mouse.

"Who knows. He looks delicious, don't you think, papa?" Ku asked me as soon as he heard my question.

"Okay now. Let's not eat other's partners. Haha!" I replied to him.

After that, Gray and I got to know each other as the Director's speech continued.

"---Like every year, the Central Academy will be participating in the Aderon Continental Mage Competition. The top five students will be selected to represent each academy from all over the continent. And for our Academy, I wish everyone to try your best in the selection!---"

"---That is all. Gentlemen and Ladies, may your path of magic be straight and true!"

I thought the Director finally wrapped it up, and all the students, including me, started clapping and cheering. However,

"Finally. May I present the Freshman Representative of this year, we welcome, Mr. Ryan Dainsleif, to come to the stage and present his speech!"

"You've gotta be kidding me!"