The opening ceremony on Atlas Academy's huge plaza...well may be a ground. It was the first year where clusters of students from all kinds and races met.
Being one of the tallest students there, I was positioned at the back as me and Eve was late for the ceremony. This gave him ample opportunity to observe the whole plaza, as well as all of the students within the academy.
Even though I was pretty excited first, I'm now pretty surprised on seeing my elder sister being the Academy's director. Guess what she meant by seeing me and Eve soon wasn't just talk after all.
However, it is nice to see my sister to stand high on the pedestal and give of a speech like a leader. I'm proud of ya Alice!
Hmm, she had dressed in a beautiful white robe, appearing much more serene and polished, giving her the image of a respectable individual. Although with her grey hair, she looks like a old woman even though she is just in her mid twenties.
"----I warmly welcome everyone here, Aderon's future leaders, academics, and powerhouses, to this humble academy. My name is Alice Asher. Please address me as Director Asher and do not be hesitant to say hello when you see me walking around campus. Regaining the lost magics and learning to integrate it with modern day chanting, Everyone of you has the possibility of bringing forth the new evolution ---- " Alice was saying.
I think I already heard that speech somewhere.
"---When we stand together united and exchange and build upon our current chanting methods, we can regain our once lost magic system and bring about a new evolution of ---" Suddenly as Alice was giving her speech,
"Ethan aren't you surprised?" Evana asked as I was watching my sister on stage.
"Yeah!! pretty much true, but this is Alice after all. I can't expect anything she does that is not surprising!" I replied.
"Hehe! You siblings have good relationships huh?"
"Doesn't everyone though? Haha!" I replied to her, but her expression become somewhat sad. Seems like she had some rough times with hers or something like that I guess.
I just didn't say anything and started to see the ceremony.
"This year, Atlas Academy will be participating in the Aderon Contential Mage Competition held in the Aderon Arena. Five Mages will be selected from evolutions and the leader of the group can name our team for the competition!"
Oh yeah, I heard it from my mom that Uncle Arthur announced it.
"----That is all. Gentlemen and Ladies, may your path of magic be straight and true!"
Finally Director Alice wrapped it up in words like some protector of freedom and justice.
Suddenly,
"Finally! the Freshman Representative of this year, we welcome, Mr. Ethan Asher!" Alice called me.
The hell with that Sis! Why does she choose me? I didn't even...oh wait. I should have guessed from that from the start when she asked again and again about my mana rank.
Hearing that, "Ethan!! Come on, let's go! Alice is calling for you!" Eve practically dragged me from that place as Jin barely held my body for his grip of not falling down.
"Eve--" I couldn't try to say anything because I was literally being pulled down by Evana, and when she came to a halt, it was in the first row, at the left side.
Guess I have no choice.
"Good Luck Eth! Go out there and shake the students with your speech!"
"I guess.....Sigh!"
As Jin jumped to Eve, I climbed up to the Stage with a big sigh and a confident gaze. Well, I had a plan to give my sister a piece of my mind after wards.
Alice signed with her eyes that I'm sure she is making me stand out much.
As I approached the platform, Alice announced "Let us now move on to the speech of the Freshman Representative. Mr. Ethan Asher!"
Obviously, I was nervous about the speech, but with my understanding of this world and magic as a fundamental, I should be able to give one. Besides, I've delivered speeches before, when I disguised as an politician in a previous life, so this should be easy.....I suppose.
Jin was smiling with Evana, even if he didn't show it on the outside, and he was quietly enjoying the spectacle.
As I was walking on the stage,
"He is Cute!"
"Wow! Is he really a guy?
"I wonder if he has any girlfriend!"
"Hot guy alert!"
"Is he related to the Director or something?"
"No way!"
some words was hearable and somethings wasn't.
Well the majority of the females from all three races who were applauding for me, as well as the boys, cheered involuntarily, as I could hear several of them with pissed-off looks.
"Hey! I'm going to challenge him and bring him to his knees!" and some very cool-pissed lines from a lot of people.
Well, I knew this was going to happen if I was the top student in the academy. So, yes! I'm not opposed to accepting their challenges to defeat me. A sparring fight would also be a fantastic way for me to hone my combat skills.
Walking up to the sound mana amplified magic crystal that was fixed in the podium, with a quick 'Erhm' I started my speech.
"Let me introduce myself, I am the Freshman Representative, Ethan Asher. Today, on this good day, I am truly glad to be watched over and to be welcomed by my Sister who is now the Director of this academy, the honorable teachers and fellow students, and to be able to enroll in this renowned Atlas Academy."
Whispers began to follow the mob once more. The audience was filled with various conversations about me, but for the girls, it was all about how much of a handsome young man I was, and for the males, it was a mix of admiration and envy.
Not to mention, I could practically hear Jin crying for help as Evana was crushing him with her embrace hearing the crowd.
I sighed as I smiled at the audience and waited for the commotions to stop.
Getting bored, I startled the crowd with a quiet "Erhm" from the mana mic in front of me.
Alice quietly vanished as the throng began to calm down sufficiently for me to resume speaking.
"I've learned a variety of things from my dad since I was a toddler. Regrettably, because I had grown up in the household alone, I had no knowledge of the outside world. On that occasion, one of my Uncles, advised that I attend the Atlas Academy and learn about the outside world!"
I skipped the Adventuring part too. and said a pack of lies along with it.
"When I came to Atlas City, my surroundings altered radically. I was even able to make some new friends. There will almost certainly be additional encounters during my time at the Academy. I can't help but be excited about it. What about studying? I'm sure some of you would like to ask me that, but it's my relationships with others that are significant and vital to me. That's why I think I'll probably be told to study later on. Of course, I have no plans to disregard my academics. I would like to be able to build a relationship with people I meet to the point where we can work hard together. No matter the race...we are all living beings and we are now Atlas Academy's students. So! I hope it will be a great honor and privilege for me to be able to make friends with everyone here."
"That's why everyone, please do not leave me out just because I am ignorant about the world, okay? If you do that, I might end up crying."
The entire audience burst out laughing at those words. That's my flow of speech for you.
"Please keep an eye on us, instructors and teachers, and be tough with us when necessary. Current students a.k.a my seniors, even though we might be cheeky students or juniors, I ask you kindly, please don't bully us. Since we, as freshmen, will work hard in order to mature and spread our wings. So for the upcoming years, please give us your guidance and support. Freshman Representative, Ethan Asher."
"Thank you! Thank you very much!" And then, I lowered my head and bowed.
A large wave of applause erupted unexpectedly. Thank god, the burden on my shoulders has finally been lifted.
"Phew!" What can I say, this was an on-the-spot speech. I couldn't help but to sigh in relief.