"The Imperial Rune Arts Academy of Runalond, a beacon of Rune Arts mastery and a cornerstone of the kingdom's prosperity, exists to transform potential into realised, unparalleled achievements…"
At the academy's welcoming assembly for new students, Henry Nox was entrusted with the "heavy responsibility" of delivering an inspirational speech. However, his indifferent tone and the pervasive atmosphere of boredom revealed that neither he nor the students before him cared much for this mechanical event. The only factor influencing their participation was the ancestral tradition handed down since the academy's foundation.
Like all the other students, Nathan didn't care enough to listen carefully. Though the principal's words traversed smoothly through his ears without ever reaching his brain, he looked up at Henry Nox with anticipation and respect.
Of course, the other representative students all acknowledged him to some extent. Sitting at the frontmost table, positioned horizontally before Henry and the weird clock-like machine behind him, Nathan felt a comfortable sense of attention, similar to when he gave speeches to the hordes of audiences back in Lostburg. But since this table was much more decorated and they had far more space compared to the ordinary students behind them, there was a peculiar feeling along with confidence.
Daniel, Joseph, and Jay all stared at Nathan rather than the principal himself. Even though they were sitting directly next to each other, all of them had personalized, ridiculous guesses about who Nathan truly was without sharing their ideas with one another.
"...And thus, we conclude today's ceremony. The destiny of this world is now placed in your youthful hands. Alongside our esteemed community of representative students this year, I believe our legacy will be recorded in the academy's, and even the kingdom's history books, for all future generations to pursue and regard."
Principal Nox's voice suddenly became stronger and more confident. Out of the formulated speech, before his only truthful comment, Henry didn't even bother to put in the effort to make a scene.
Beside Nathan, David Edmonds grabbed a delicate box out of nowhere, and a weird but delicious-looking kebab-like food appeared in his hand.
Nathan looked at him in astonishment and resignation. Who would prepare food to eat at an opening ceremony? But he couldn't help but criticize the minimum amount of effort put into this assembly—he had expected far more from the most prestigious academy in Runalond.
David noticed the peculiar look on Nathan's face and handed him a piece of his kebab. "You want some too?" he said innocently with a friendly smile. After the previous occurrence, only he didn't seem to be affected by the mystery of Nathan's identity.
Nathan could barely control his facial expressions. To be honest, it was quite impressive for him to show genuine surprise directly on his face. However, after some examination, he snatched the food and put it into his mouth.
It was the best thing he had ever tasted.
"It's not often for someone like you to be able to taste street food, right?" David's smile widened as he saw Nathan's expression when he greedily swallowed the food. "Being an aristocrat isn't always as great an experience as other people anticipate."
Nathan looked at him, completely disapproving of his statement. However, he still smiled in agreement and placed his hand on David's back, though David was too broad for him to do so with ease.
"Can I have some more?" Nathan asked, his gaze steady and hopeful.
The two boys chatted casually for a few minutes. Even though David Edmonds was even duller than Nathan had previously predicted, he somehow found a strange liking to this naïve and thoughtless boy.
On the far end of the table, Leo Blanc looked at Nathan and David with shadowy lines all over his face. The Edmonds family was one of the Blanc Clan's most loyal supporters, but now, the foolish heir of the Edmonds family was acting all friendly and joyful towards someone clearly belonging to the Rune Arts Federation.
Other people around them also looked at them in disbelief, tightening their eyebrows. Knowing David's character, they were even more surprised by Nathan's response. Was it perhaps that Nathan was equally foolish? They couldn't tell.
"Hm! Hm!"
An elderly voice cleared her throat on the podium. Though soft and weary, it sent uncomfortable chills down everyone's spines. Before they realized it, the hall had become completely silent.
"Greetings, everyone," the elderly woman said, acknowledging the stillness with a nod. Despite her pale hair and weathered skin, anyone could see for certain that she had once been an elegant beauty.
"I am Clara Marshall," she announced. "I head the extended education department of the academy. Not many of you will encounter me frequently, except perhaps the very top tier of students. However, let me make one thing clear: I do not care who you are, be you a representative or an ordinary student. What matters to me is your achievement in Rune Art mastery. Today, I have been invited to host the Elemental-Trait Awakening Ceremony simply because, well, because I was apprently the only one idle enough to take on such a task."
Upon hearing her name, several students flinched in horror and anxiety. Clara Marshall, usually recognized as "The Nightmare of the Modern Education System" by her previous disciples, was a horror story spread across towns and cities. Depicted as a demonic figure who tortured students and gave them mountains of assignments, if there was one reason for someone to reject an invitation to the Imperial Academy, it was the small but grim possibility of ending up in her class.
Nathan had never heard this story before, of course. He tapped Jennifer Lumendra, who was also sitting next to him, on the shoulder.
"What's the big deal?" he asked, embarrassingly loud.
Jennifer shot him another stare of warning but didn't dare to do anything to him. Considering his mysterious connection with V, even someone like her had to endure all his actions, whether she liked it or not.
Seeing no response, Nathan softened and leaned back against his chair. "You don't know? Okay then."
Everyone could hear him, but that was something Nathan intended anyway.
Clara Marshall didn't even turn to look at him. Instead, she continued by turning around and pointing toward the clock-like structure behind her. Her movement was powerful and steady despite her age.
"This is the… I forgot the name. It doesn't matter." She shook her head after a moment of thought.
"The Elemental Synchronization Device of Trait Evaluation," Samuel Helix reminded her, covering half of his face. He blamed himself greatly for putting Clara in this position.
Clara Marshall ignored him. "It's simple. You put your hand on this spherical device at the bottom, and your elemental trait will be extracted to form a specific route across the main instrument and reach the spherical device at the top. By looking at the colors, you will know your elemental trait."
Too many things had surprised Nathan today. Somehow, everyone around him—students and academy staff alike—were all unique and contrasting figures compared to the characters of his imagination. Though he preferred it this way, diversity and surprise were everything that made life worth living.