The Welcoming Ceremony

"Wake up, Wilson," Maria said in front of my face.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw Maria in her academy uniform, "Today is the day, right?" I said.

She sat next to my bed while sipping a cup of tea from a white cup. She put the tea on the table near my bed.

"Yup, today is the day. We will be waiting downstairs. Dress up quick!!" She said.

"Yes, ma'am," I said as I jumped from the bed.

I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower with my [Aqua] spell. I wore the uniform as quickly as I could and headed downstairs, where my fireteam was waiting. I carried our bag and greeted them as I passed them who were eating their breakfast.

They've started to eat their breakfast, which was a chicken pot pie and pancakes. I think the pot pie is made from the leftover of the rotisserie chicken from last night.

"Where are you going to put our stuff?" Garth asked.

"In the trunk, obviously," I said as I left the inn with 4 bags on my back.

"Ok, I see," Garth said as he put the pancakes into his mouth.

I opened the trunk then put our bag inside it. After I put it into the trunk, I head back to the inn.

I pulled a chair in front of them, then asked the receptionist to come by raising my hand.

"The same as them with a cup of coffee, please," I said to the receptionist.

"Ok," she said and left us.

"How is the schedule for today?" I asked Maria.

"The pamphlets said that we will have an opening ceremony first then followed by a series of tests," She said.

"How many tests?" I asked.

"Four tests actually, the first one is the knowledge test," Maria said.

"All of you will pass, I can guarantee it," I said confidently.

"Yup, your knowledge is way ahead of this world education," Cecile said.

"The second is the Swordsmanship test," Maria said.

"It is our fortè right, Garth?" I poked his back.

"Right, we will beat the crap out of them," Garth said proudly.

"The third test is the magic test," Maria said.

"We are the best in this category," Maria said while holding Cecile's shoulder.

"There is no doubt in that for sure," I said.

"We really don't make magic to be our primary weapon," Garth said.

"The last one is students duel," Maria said.

"How are the rules?" Cecile asked.

"Here are the rules. You can read it by yourself," Maria said as she puts a piece of pamphlets on the table.

Rules:

-Students may bring their own weapons and armor.

-Renting a mercenary is prohibited

-A military-grade spell is prohibited

"Wow, what a simple rules," Garth said.

"I am a bit scared because of the first rules," Maria said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Some nobility could buy themselves a full set of Mythril armor," She said.

"Don't worry, I've already known the strength of Mythril," I said.

"How much?" She asked.

"About 1/2 the density of pure tungsten, but without the brittleness of it," I said.

"Well, that's is going to be problematic, you know," Cecile said.

"Compared to the Carbyne Alloy that our juggernaut suit use, Mythril is just a funny way to offend us. Their sword wouldn't make a scratch on our armor," I said to them.

"Yeah, but we won't use it in this situation," Maria said.

"Yes, I know," I said, and my breakfast arrived.

I ate my breakfast while the others finish the payment to the receptionist.

After I finished eating, I walked to the car. I found out they had turned on the car engine with Garth driving in the front seat.

I entered the car and occupied the front seat.

"Wilson, where is the slave collar?" Maria asked.

"It is in the back of the car, why do you ask?" I asked back with a questioning tone.

"Really? That is the first thing you ask?" Garth said angrily.

"I will bring it," I said to her.

I left the car then bring the slave collar from the back of the vehicle. I entered the car and brought three collars.

"Here you go," I said as I handed them 3 collars.

"Should we wear it?" Cecile asked with a scared tone.

"I don't know. How about your opinion?" Garth asked.

"I don't know, What should we do young miss?" I asked.

"I think you should wear it," She said.

"Fine by me," I said as I put the collar on my neck.

"Sigh, Fine," Garth said, and he put his collar on his neck.

"If that is your order master," Cecile said as she put the collar on her neck.

"Now we must do the [Slave Binding Ritual]," Maria said.

I brought a knife, then prick a little wound on my hand and the others.

"[Slave Binding Ritual]," Maria said as we drip our blood into her hand.

"Now what?" Garth asked.

"The collar negates any side effect from the ritual. All we have to do is to obey her order," I said.

"Bring back old memories," Cecile said.

"After all both, of you were a slave 8 years ago," I said.

"We are born as slaves, so it's not going to be a big problem," Garth said.

He reversed the car then drove to the academy. Just as I expected, the road was full of noble carriage.

"How the hell does a traffic jam happen?" Garth complained.

"At least we have an air conditioner on this thing," Cecile said.

"She is right, you know?" Maria said.

"Haha," I laughed at them.

After about 2 hours of traffic jam, we finally arrived at the academy gates. The guards were more strict than last night.

"Do you have the invitation?" He asked to me.

"Yes, Here you go," I gave him the letter.

"Who is on the back?" He asked.

"The daughter of the duke of grassland," I said.

"I see," He said, and he opened the gate.

We parked the car near the other carriage. We left the car then headed to the Aula. The principal was giving a speech there. Maria was given the chair at the front row while we were given the seat on the back row.

The boys in this school wear straight, cotton trousers that reach down to just above their shoes, all of which are colored Black. They're paired with long, broadly white socks and a simple black leather belt.

The girls wear Short or long skirts, colored black. They're paired with over the calf socks and shoes colored in black, respectively.

Like the boys, the girls wear long-sleeved white shirts, which are usually gently tucked into their skirts and are covered with a slim jacket. They, too, wear a tie that hangs smoothly in the middle of their often half buttoned up jackets and is broadly checkered in the same colors.

All jackets are decorated with the school logo and, while not mandatory, many students bring their weapons on their hip and accessories as well, some do it simply to avoid being confused for somebody else.

The servants were wearing a slave collar on their neck.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Brofnoea this morning. I wish to congratulate each of you, first on having secured your university place and second, for having the good sense to choose to study in the Brofnora, Academy Of Magic," The principal said proudly.

"Look, They are clapping their hand," Garth said while clapping his hand.

"Yeah," I replied.

After the principal step down from the podium, a figure that we know stepped on the podium; It was Anton.

"Thank you for the welcoming speech. Next one we have a speech from Maria Juliana Alexson. One of the freshmen. Please give your applause," He stepped down from the podium after giving his speech.

After the speech

We were walking near the broken statue. We were enjoying our break time before the test.

"Well, that was boring as hell," Garth said.

"I strongly agree," Cecile said.

"I don't have any choice, I even got surprised, I think it was Anton's decision," Maria said.

"We will deal with Anton later. Let's deal with the test first," Garth said.

"I agree," I said.

Thus we entered the classroom.