The Grand Assembly!

The various professors had all left the staff room and headed towards the University's Grand Auditorium, a building that was a masterpiece in both architecture and magic.

The exterior was made of shimmering white stone, with veins of azure mana-infused crystal running along its surface, pulsing gently like the heartbeat of the University itself.

As Ayame and Lyria approached, Ayame's keen eyes caught sight of the faint glow of a Spatial Formation etched into the grand archway. These formations made the interior exponentially larger than what the exterior suggested.

As the professors stepped through the entrance, they were greeted with the sight of rows upon rows of elegant, mana-lit seats filled with tens of thousands of students.

Every race imaginable was represented, from the Elves and Dwarves, to Atlanteans, Vampires, Humans, Centaurs, and even the occasional Werewolf trying to suppress their twitching ears or tails under their uniforms.

Above them, the domed ceiling glittered with an illusory starfield, a projection that mimicked the constellations of the Spirit Realm. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as students whispered amongst themselves, their voices blending into an indistinct hum.

At the far end of the hall, a massive mana-crystal stage glowed softly. Its surface shimmered with runic patterns, each one reinforcing the protective wards that ensured even the most catastrophic magical mishap would remain contained.

Lyria nudged Ayame with an elbow as her gaze lingered on the students below, spotting some of her personal students, "Even after all these years, this place still gives me chills," she said softly, her aquamarine eyes wide with awe.

Ayame nodded, clutching her lecture notes tighter, "It's… monumental. Every year feels like the first."

The murmuring in the hall gradually subsided as a powerful presence washed over the crowd, a presence that felt ancient, wise, and impossibly serene. This presence only meant one thing:

The Principal had arrived.

From a pillar of shimmering light at the center of the stage, Celeste materialized. The Elder Spirit stood tall, her ethereal figure exuding a presence that commanded absolute respect.

Her hair, long and cascading like a waterfall of silver light, seemed to shimmer with the soft glow of moonlight. Her skin was pale, almost translucent, and her eyes were orbs of starlight, endless and ancient.

She was clothed in flowing robes woven from threads of Aetherial Silk, a fabric said to be spun from the light of fallen stars. Intricate patterns of constellations danced across her sleeves and hem as if alive, and her every movement left faint trails of shimmering stardust.

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A hush fell over the auditorium. Every student, every professor, every single soul held their breath in her presence.

"Welcome, students, faculty, and honored guests," Celeste began, her voice ringing out clear and melodious, carrying easily across the colossal hall despite her soft tone, "Another year dawns upon Redux City Premier University, and with it comes new opportunities, challenges, and the endless pursuit of knowledge."

Her words resonated deeply, like an ancient song carried on the wind. She spoke of the University's legacy, of the importance of unity amidst diversity, and the boundless potential that lay within each student present.

It was a standard speech for a Principal, and after a while, Celeste's gaze finally softened as she spoke, her lips curling into a faint, enigmatic smile, "And now, it is my pleasure to introduce our newest faculty member. A scholar of extraordinary caliber, whose contributions to magical academia have shaped many of the theories we teach today."

A faint murmur rippled through the crowd as Celeste raised one graceful hand and gestured towards the grand side doors of the stage, where everyone's gazes immediately turned to.

"Please welcome Professor Arthur Nightshade Andrius."

The double doors opened with a deep, resonant thrum, and Arthur stepped through them confidently. A collective gasp swept through the auditorium as they spotted him.

Arthur was… imposing, with his 6'10 size. His rainbow-colored hair, subtly shifting between hues, framed his face elegantly. His eyes, sharp and calculating, glowed faintly with an inner light, a sign of immense mana control.

He wore a luxurious suit, tailored perfectly to his tall, broad frame. The fabric was a deep black with silver runic embroidery along the seams, glowing faintly with restrained power.

The students whispered excitedly, their voices overlapping in an uncontainable tide of awe.

"Is that really him?"

"Arthur Andrius? THE mysterious Andrius?Omg there's no way it's really him."

"He's… He looks so young!"

Ayame froze. Her pink eyes locked onto Arthur as he walked towards Celeste, her mind racing.

Arthur… here? As a professor?

It wasn't just his presence that shook her, it was the way he carried himself. The stoicism, the composure, the… weight of his aura. And yet, beneath it all, she could still see the Arthur she had spoken with just days ago.

Arthur stopped beside Celeste and gave her a respectful bow before facing the students and faculty.

"Thank you, Principal Celeste," Arthur began, his deep voice carrying effortlessly across the hall as he spoke in a warm tone, "It's an honor to stand here before you all."

His gaze swept across the audience, sharp yet kind, "I am Arthur Nightshade Andrius, and I will be teaching Magic Theory and its Subsections. Over the years, I'm sure most of you have heard of me more by my pen name, Andrius, and read the various research papers I have written across the years. I have devoted my life to unraveling the mysteries of mana and the fabric of magic itself. Together, I hope we will explore not just the how, but the why behind every spell, every rune, and every enchantment."

The murmuring grew louder and louder as excitement built in the auditorium with every passing second.

Celeste's voice broke through once more, "I'm sure all of you here have read one or two of Arthur's research papers, although his pen name has been Andrius for privacy all this time. Professor Andrius has published dozens of renowned research papers in the Magic Imaginarium. His work has paved the way for countless advancements in modern magical understanding."

The weight of those words sank in, and even the professors in attendance straightened up, regarding Arthur with newfound respect. The Magic Imaginarium wasn't just some random publication, it was THE publication, the most well respected publication in the world.

Getting on there once was seen as a career defining achievement, and Arthur had accomplished that over a dozen times under the pen name 'Andrius'. 

Arthur gave a final bow, "I look forward to this semester with all of you."

As the applause erupted, Ayame clutched her notes tighter, her mind spinning with questions and emotions she couldn't quite name.

Lyria, standing beside her, whistled excitedly as she stared at Arthur, "OMGGG. Aya, can you believe it? THE ANDRIUS. I never thought we'd ever know what he looks like. Omg he looks so young and handsome, do you think he'll read over my thesis? How old do you think he really is? Omg I can't believe I'm a co-worker with the legendary Andrius, my entire thesis is based on his foundation of elemental magic and its principles paper."

Listening to her friend rambling about Arthur, Ayame just exhaled softly, her pink eyes never leaving Arthur as he descended from the stage and took a seat among the faculty, turning to the others and flashing a smile, their eyes locking for a moment.

'Interesting was an understatement.' Ayame thought.