Chapter 16:Welcoming Ceremony
"Hmmmmm..."
A loud sound echoed and a man with a long grey beard cascading downwards appeared on the stage out of thin air.
He strode ahead and took the mic while scanning the students lined up before him in the vast field.
Everyone held their breath wondering what the man was going to say.
The man looked at his watch and then shrugged his arms.
"Anyone who will come after 8:30 AM has to circle the stadium 10 times carrying weight bracelets."
"It does not matter if you are a noble or a commoner."
A hush silence prevailed and many looked at him weirdly wondering who the hell began the Welcoming Ceremony like this.
Sadly, the example stood right before them.
"Hello to you all and Nice to meet you all."
"I am Josh Stenson, the Vice Principal of Horizon. And yeah, if you want to ask me the whereabouts of the principal then I apologize in advance."
"I don't know whether that old man is dead or alive. So if you ever think about complaining to him about me then sorry for shattering your dreams."
"No, let's be serious for a moment."Josh wiped his smile and looked around coldly.
"Future aspirants, you are the hope of society and soon you will become the backbone of humanity. We have been shrouded with a thin veil of peace that could be broken any moment now"
"Remember one thing, while you are enjoying your days here people are dying on the borders without anyone to remember and care about them, and the same fate might befall you shortly as most of you will be posted in the borders."
"If you don't want to die worthlessly then start working hard. You can't betray fate and escape its chains, however, at the very least you can die proudly in grandiose."
Josh stopped and stared at the students who sucked cold air while sweating profusely.
The air became heavy and the atmosphere was a bit tense.
Many teachers facepalmed and sighed.
Of all the things one could say, The Vice Principal would spit some serious facts at the Welcoming Ceremony instead of giving a motivational speech.
'This much dose is enough for now.'
Josh shook his head and spoke with a smile"The Academy will try its level best to help you but before that, you need to step up and catch the helping hand extended to you."
"I hope you enjoy your days here."Josh gave a grin, sending a chill down everyone's spine.
"Goodbye and have a nice day."
With this, Josh disappeared as quickly as lightning under everyone's bewildered gaze leaving them wondering where was the grand welcome they were told about.
...…....
Inside the Vice-Principal Office in Horizon.
"The opening ceremony went without any trouble. Now make sure to tighten the security, these young brats would surely make trouble here."The authoritative voice of the old man rang.
"Yes Vice-Principal," Herman replied with the utmost respect.
A bunch of documents was piled up in the room consisting of profiles of the new batch of 1st-year students.
The thing he hated the most was going through this many documents. Even in this era of technology, certain things need to be handled manually.
The documents contain the stats of the students measured today and were compared with the capabilities they showcased during the entrance.
"The academy would be full of commotion soon," Josh spoke with a sigh.
"It is inevitable. Many walk with their egos right over their head so there are bound to be clashes."Herman added.
"However, soon they will know that inside here only talent matters," Josh said with a smile.
You can spend your time leisurely during 1st and 2nd years.
However, from the 3rd you will be put in your place and during the fourth year when you will enlist in the army, it would be good if you are not dead.
"Seeing these younglings filled with dreams is quite enjoyable."Herman chuckled and pondered for a moment, he spoke" By the way, I don't know if it's only me but the talents gathered this year are beyond our expectations."
"The number of Gold and Platinum bloodlines is way above previous years."
Josh raised his brows and looked at Herman with a solemn expression which made Herman think that he might have committed a mistake.
Josh who entered spiritual mode all of sudden started to speak mysteriously.
"Herman, do you think the world has consciousness?"
'What is this old man saying?'
'Did he become senile due to old age?'
Herman shook his head and said, "I don't think so."
Josh leaned on his seat and looked at the ceiling.
"The world works on the principle of equilibrium."
"It's the nature of the world to strive for balance."
"There cannot be two kings on the same mountain. Similarly, too many talented individuals cannot coexist and would go over each other's throats for resources."
"On top of that, you can sense that the mana around us has become denser than it was a decade ago which made me wonder if the world is preparing for something."
"Something, which might endanger the order."
"Haa..."Josh gasped and spoke.
''I wish that old geezer might be here.''
"I wish I could talk with the world and share its burden alas…"
Herman's lips twitched on hearing Josh out of topic blabbers all of a sudden.
'It seems that too much workload has affected him.'
"Why are you giving me that weird gaze?"Josh asked.
"Sir Josh, I understood what you wanted to convey."
"Hmm!" Josh nodded and stroked his beard
''Good child.''
"I will prepare everything quickly."
"Ehhh!Prepare."
"Huh!"
"What do you mean?"
"Sir, you don't have to be embarrassed"
"I understand. You need a holiday."
"You are too tired to think carefully. I will finish the work so that you can take a day off."
"Wait! I didn't mean that."
"I didn't..."
"It's okay, I understand. Old people need rest."Herman bowed gracefully and left quickly while praising himself for his thoughtfulness, leaving Josh with a bewildered look.
Herman, who was about to finish things, opened the door and found a man with a pale expression.
"Sir Herman, something serious has happened."
Herman wiped off the sweats and muttered inwardly,' Old man, it seems I have to break my promise.'
...
Hushhhh!
With a deep breath, the black-haired boy woke up and stretched himself.
He rubbed his eyes for a moment and muttered in a sleepy state.
"What a nice sleep?"
"Sleep..?"
"Ahhh!"
His body jolted with a shriek and he suddenly sprang up from the bed and looked around.
It was a white ceiling.
Not only the ceiling, everything around him was white.
"Where am I?"
"Academy...Entrance ceremony."
Lucas spoke in a robotic tone.
His blood pressure rose sharply and his breathing became ragged.
Cough...Cough...
"You are in the infirmary."
"Infirmary.."Lucas mumbled and raised
his right hand to find it completely healed.
He glanced around and saw a Priest.
"Did you heal me?"
"Yes, your condition was quite bad."
"I wonder what to do with these bastards. kheum...I mean brutes who don't know how to handle students."
Swallowing his saliva, Lucas asked in a trembling tone.
"How long have I been unconscious?"
"Did I miss the first day of the academy?"Lucas asked with a devasted expression.