This is boring.
The person at the podium is the Vice Headmaster of the academy. His voice is very soothing, but that's all. Everything he's saying now was already said during the tour by that annoying professor.
He explained the whole Ranking system in just slightly more detail than that professor, but hasn't gotten to any part that wasn't already revealed. As frustrating as he was, that professor was very informative.
Alex is incredibly engrossed, as even in this darkness I can see his mouth agape. The person on my right seems to be as disinterested as I am. I can make out that it's a girl, but it's too dark to see any more. I still can't figure out why she sat with us.
The Vice Headmaster continues speaking, and I turn my attention back to him with his next words.
"I'm sure many of you are curious about the Practical Combat Ranking." His voice flows through the entire venue.
"The Ranking will be decided by a tournament held next Tuesday, so a week from tomorrow. I hope everyone is prepared."
What do you mean 'I hope everyone is prepared', you're giving us a week. If I hadn't been training already, I'd be panicking right now. I can't imagine how everyone else feels, especially if they're aiming for the top spot.
At the mention of a tournament, the hall bursts into whispers. Was it not obvious that's what they would do? I can't think of any other ways they would hold the Rankings, but maybe I'm just too narrow-minded.
"The tournament will be held at the start of every semester, so you will maintain your rank all the way until the next tournament, but you will need to defend it when the time comes. The other Rankings will be determined by various competitions and tests that will be held around the same time as the tournament, but those will start next semester."
That all makes sense, but I've been wondering for a while now. What's the incentive for climbing ranks?
"Along with the Rankings isolated into your years, there will be a school-wide Ranking based on points. Upperclassmen will be familiar with the points system, but I will explain for the first years."
His gaze pans across the whole room, and when it crosses our section I feel like he's standing right in front of me. That's certainly an imposing presence, despite his gentle demeanor.
"Points act as a way of tracking and rewarding your achievements here at the Academy, and a currency for every facility and shop on campus. Of course, it would be bad if students couldn't get all the necessities just because they didn't have enough points, so every student will automatically be given a weekly deposit that is enough to get by."
I think I can see where this is going.
"However if you would like more points than are allotted to you, you will have to perform accordingly. Originally that entailed getting better grades and accruing merits inside the academy, however with the introduction of Rankings, a higher Rank will automatically earn you more points."
There's the incentive to climb. I imagine the things you can get with points are good enough to warrant this kind of treatment.
"There are other ways to earn points, but those will be revealed to you as the year progresses. Now, on the topic of Rank rewards."
I guess there's even more incentive.
"The first place of every Ranking in every grade will be entitled to Ranker Rooms in the Dorms. That means that up to 28 of you will be able to live in these incredibly high quality dorm rooms. This is effective immediately, and when you check in to your dorms this afternoon the current top ranks will be given their respective rooms."
He emphasizes the words 'incredibly high quality'. I wonder if these will have any of the advanced training machines I saw in the training center.
I have a feeling that flaws in this system will come to light later into the year, but I don't necessarily have complaints. I'm also interested in the words 'up to'. I assume that means that if people occupy multiple top ranks or if a Ranking doesn't exist yet, there will be less people in Ranker Rooms.
"Those are the only bonuses for climbing the Ranks, however I believe you all will be more than satisfied with them."
And the end of that sentence ended my interest in the orientation. The rest of his speech felt like filler, as if he was waiting for something to happen, or someone to appear.
Eventually he lets out a sigh, and solemnly concludes the orientation.
"Thank you everyone for attending, I will now release you to spend a little time in your new classes."
He steps away from the podium, and quickly exits the stage. A very anticlimactic ending. As he walks, the lights slowly brighten and students begin to exit.
"I wonder what he was waiting for." Alex abruptly says.
It would seem he noticed as well. Before I can say anything, a cool voice flows from my other side.
"I believe he was anticipating the Headmistress' entrance."
Hearing these words or more likely that voice, Alex freezes and his eyes go wide. I turn to my right, and have a very similar reaction.
Sitting inches away from me, with her eyes still glued to the stage, is Marcella De Varas, Princess of Athelaya.