After a long silence, Flanders finally spoke. He cleared his throat and spoke slowly with his hands behind his back.
"I didn't call you here today to lecture you."
"I have something very important to announce."
All the students below instantly listened with even more respect.
"This library has been established for more than a hundred years."
"You have wasted too much time and energy here."
"Time is short, and beauty is fleeting. In the blink of an eye, so much time has passed."
"You can't stay here any longer."
"I hereby announce."
"The Ross Library will be closed today."
"I've decided to dismiss many students."
As soon as these words were spoken, the surroundings fell silent. All the students were puzzled by this, and all of them revealed astonished expressions.
Ross Library… is closing?
Did the principal just say that he wanted to dismiss the students?
All the students' minds were in a state of suspended animation. For a moment, their minds were blank. They stood there blankly, at a loss.
It was all too sudden. Who would have thought? The teacher had summoned them to announce the closing of the library.
They liked the Ross Library not only because they could cultivate faster here, but also because it was simple and peaceful. There was no scheming and infighting here. It was completely different from the chaotic world outside. Everyone could get along peacefully like a big family.
No matter which student it was, they were pure and kind-hearted. Under the guidance of the principal, they were harmonious and calm. They did not care about their reputation, nor did they yearn for the love and respect of others.
Every student walked step by step from the weak side. They had many beautiful memories in this magic academy. When they did not see the principal, they would never slack off.
And now, this big family was going to break up?
Of course they could not bear to leave.
"Principal? Principal Flanders? Are you really… not joking with us?" After a long period of silence and depression, Angel spoke.
Flanders nodded slightly and turned away, ignoring them.
"I'm not leaving, I don't want to leave teacher!" The girl suddenly grabbed Flanders' sleeve.
"Angel, don't be ridiculous."
Although Flanders was reprimanding her, he was not harsh at all.
"This is something I've decided after careful consideration. Aren't you going to listen to me?"
Angel remained silent and pursed her lips tightly. In a few seconds, tears started to flow down her face uncontrollably.
Angel wasn't the only one. Sounds of sobbing could be heard from below the stage.
The boys tried to cover up their embarrassment, but the girls' reaction was more intense. Their eyes were red.
"In this world, there won't be a banquet that doesn't end. It's enough for you to accompany the academy and accompany me for so many days." Flanders said, "Don't be sad. I'll always be here. I can come back and visit in the future."
Then, he patted Angel's head and said, "When you grow up, you have to go out and explore. How can you be a crybaby?"
"You've been like this in the past, crying at the drop of a hat. You have to change that you know."
Then, he looked at the pitiful child of the warlock race on the left. He had picked him up from the forest. At that time, he was covered in dirt. Among all the students, other than little Angel, he was the only one who was naughty and cute. From time to time, he would slip out of the academy to buy delicious food to show his filial piety.
There was also the little girl standing beside him. Like little Angel, she was an elf. At the beginning, she was especially weak. She could not even maintain her human nature for long. Now, she was growing more and more beautiful.
There were also the little Gods who cooked very well, and the silly Esper race who were always bullied outside.
Thinking about it carefully, there were actually so many students that he could remember. He remembered so many stories.
At the thought of this, Flanders felt a little sad and couldn't help but choke up.
"Alright, everyone, stop crying. I've already said what I wanted to say. I'll head back first. In the next few days, all of you should leave as soon as possible."
"…"
Flanders had already turned around when he heard the kid and others say, "Principal… we're not leaving."
Then, it caused a commotion.
All the students were looking with fiery anticipation, hoping that their principal would take back his words.
But he wasn't fooling around.
"I wish everyone a bright future and smooth-sailing life."
"The world outside is right in front of us. Why be indecisive? You should pursue a new life."
"I'll always be your principal."
At this point, the students who were full of respect for Flanders couldn't say anything else. They could only listen and leave.
"Principal Flanders…" Angel called when he was about to turn around again.
He thought that the little girl was still unwilling to leave. He had already thought of his excuse, but she unexpectedly said, "Can you hug me before you leave?"
Flanders looked around and saw that the students below the stage were all looking forward to it. He nodded helplessly.
Seeing that the principal had agreed, the sad atmosphere was finally eased. The sobbing of the elven girl became softer.
Flanders was full of patience with the children who came forward to hug and say goodbye. He hugged them one by one, feeling very warm inside.
After an unknown period of time, the four hundred students' hug ceremony finally ended. He was not tired, but his mood was very complicated.
After bidding farewell, the students had no reason to stay any longer and left one by one.
When Flanders was the only one left in the magic college, he heaved a long sigh of relief. With a wave of his arm, all the buildings in the city disappeared, and the magic college went into hiding.
"I'm finally alone."