Chapter Nine: The Opening Ceremony

Chapter Nine: The Opening Ceremony

“Hoo~” Shuster sat up in bed, feeling the crackling thunder elements swirling around him. Raising his right wrist, he gazed at the ping-pong ball-sized lightning-shaped magic array inscribed on his pale skin, faint waves emanating from it. So, this is what it feels like to possess power?

“All right! Here’s the Thunder Magic Tome and my cultivation notes. For the basics, you’ll have to attend the other classes yourself—I have work to do. If you don’t understand something, ask me, or if I’m not around, head to the library. And one more thing: don’t disrupt the class during lessons.” Jasonky rubbed his wrist, handing Shuster two books.

“Oh, thank you, Professor Jasonky.” Shuster dressed, stood up, and bowed respectfully.

“By the way, Shuster, why do you always go out in women’s clothes? Isn’t this outfit nice enough?” Jasonky eyed him with a peculiar look.

“Uh~ That’s my battle attire, conjured and reinforced by my own magic. What I’m wearing now is just a disguise.” Shuster scratched his head sheepishly.

“Magic… materialization?” Jasonky stared at Shuster as if discovering a new continent.

“Um, like this.” With a flash of white light, Shuster appeared before Jasonky clad in his battle gear.

“Huh~ Who would’ve thought this leather armor alone could rival mid-tier sixth-grade magical equipment? Kid, I wonder if—” Jasonky’s eyes burned with fanaticism, but Shuster interrupted him.

“Professor Jasonky, I can teach you how to materialize magic, but please don’t spread it further. This technique isn’t suited for public knowledge.” Shuster’s expression turned solemn.

“Oh, no problem. Even if you didn’t say so, I’d know better than to share it,” Jasonky replied, equally serious.

“All right, that’s settled. I’m going to get ready—it's almost time for the opening ceremony. I won’t keep you any longer, Professor.” Shuster left the office.

Leisurely, Shuster strolled to the central plaza, which was about the size of two football fields. Gazing at the sea of students in identical uniforms, he began searching for Katherine and the others. Of course, Shuster himself wouldn’t be caught in uniform—the academy regulations allowed any student who had reached the sixth rank to wear their everyday clothes.

“Shuster! Over here!” The familiar call rang out from afar. It was Emiru, the elven archer, whose eyesight was three times sharper than a human’s.

“Why aren’t you all going inside? Can you even see anything from out here?” Shuster asked in confusion.

“We were looking for you. You disappeared first thing in the morning and were gone an hour,” Katherine grumbled.

“Sorry, I went to consult Professor Jasonky just now.” Shuster scratched his head apologetically.

“Never mind, let’s go in.” The group headed inside.

“Wow, that’s Shuster—so beautiful!”
“Mm-hmm, truly the goddess of my heart. What a shame, though.”
“What do you mean, a shame?”
“It’s like a rose with thorns!”
“I’ll clobber you—like you’d ever have a chance! She can neutralize minor forbidden spells; why would she look at you, you troll?”

Escorted by a tide of greedy, respectful, and jealous gazes—especially from the girls—Shuster and his companions made their way almost unhindered. Who would dare get in the way, seeing the arcs of electricity crackling around Shuster? They reached the front of the plaza.

“My, there are quite a few experts here.” Shuster glanced around. “Most are fifth-rank, and there are even a few sixth-rank ones. This academy really is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!”

“In your eyes, little brother, they’re all just stepping stones.” Katherine shot him a look.

“Heh, that’s not necessarily true. Who are those at the peak of sixth rank?” Shuster gestured toward several individuals watching him.

“Those are the leaders of the academy’s four factions: Silva, Captain of the Martial Arts Club; Balalaika, Head of the Magic Department; Gawky, Commander of the Black Knights; and Nina, President of the Student Council—all at the peak of sixth rank,” Katherine introduced them one by one.

“Shuster, you’d better watch out for Gawky and Nina. One’s a lover of men, the other of women. Heh, good luck!” Somia grinned mischievously.

Only then did Shuster realize the feverish intensity in Nina’s gaze directed toward him.

“Ugh, what a hassle,” Shuster muttered helplessly.

He sat in silence for about ten minutes. Soon, under the direction of students with a large “Martial” character embroidered on their left sleeves, the crowd gradually quieted down.

“All right, new students! Welcome to White Emperor Academy. I am the headmaster here. My name is Selas the Frozen. Let’s have some fun together!” A dainty girl, barely over a meter tall, floated onto the high stage, her voice amplified by magic. Yes, floated—such was the prerogative of an eighth-tier master on this continent.

“That… that’s the headmaster?” Shuster’s mouth twitched in disbelief.

The other new students wore similar expressions of shock.

“Boo hoo~ Don’t you all like Selas?” The little girl’s eyes welled with tears, her voice plaintive and pitiful.

“Wow, what an adorable child! I want to pinch her cheeks!” a girl exclaimed.

“Yeah, she’d make the perfect cuddle pillow,” echoed another.

“Ugh, I thought I liked mature women, but even I’m moved by her. Woe is me…” a boy lamented.

…

“Mm, seems Selas is quite popular after all. Then, everyone, let’s have a great time!” The loli headmaster kept her cute expression intact.

“Headmaster, please stop toying with the new students,” a black-clad, dignified woman stepped forward, grabbing the little headmaster and addressing her sternly.

“Geez, you’re no fun, Elphe. Don’t be so serious or you’ll get wrinkles,” Selas pouted, dropping her cutesy act.

“Headmaster, the opening ceremony is in progress. Please maintain your dignity,” Elphe replied, her expression as severe as ever.

“Boring. All right, everyone. The new semester has begun. This year, White Emperor Academy will compete against the other three academies, making this term a special one. The academy’s power structure will be reshuffled at the end of this contest. For this semester, the academy is implementing a points system—you may challenge anyone, even teachers, using any means short of killing your opponent. Victory earns you points based on your opponent’s strength. Academy points can be exchanged at the Supervision Department for magic cores, weapons, items—anything the academy possesses. If you have the points, it’s yours. Tempted? Then fight! But if anyone cheats, hmph!” Selas unleashed her aura as she spoke.

After the speech, even the upperclassmen frowned. Anyone who made it into White Emperor wasn’t a fool—this was a double-edged sword. For the strong, it meant everything; for the weak, it was a nightmare.

“All right, Elphe, I’ve followed the script for the opening ceremony. Satisfied?” Selas grumbled.

“Yes, Headmaster. As headmaster, you must display authority,” Elphe replied, face still stern.

“Boring woman. I’m leaving,” Selas pouted and walked off.

Thus, in what could hardly be called a welcoming ceremony—more like a public threat—everyone quietly finished their meal together, each lost in thought. As for Shuster, he remained as calm as ever. With his strength here, as Jasonky had said, he was unrivaled below the mid-seventh rank. Whether he participated or not made no difference to him. As for the prospect of defeat, it had never crossed Shuster’s mind.

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P.S.: Academy life is rather dull, and mastering the Thunder element is a breeze. I plan to have the protagonist advance quickly and head to the next world soon. I won’t spoil what’s next—unless today’s recommendations exceed twenty! Hehe!