(Dazai Crowley's POV)
Cerulean Academy, Present Day
Entrance ceremonies are undoubtedly the worst and it's mostly because of the fact that their long and way too formal. But when it comes to a new year and a new student body, I suppose it's a necessary tradition to keep alive.
Today, this ceremony took place inside the school gymnasium.
After we were seated, I did notice a couple of students nearby struggling to stay focused.
Some were drowsy, others hungry, and perhaps the rest most likely in need of the bathroom.
Thankfully, I was unbothered by none of these problems. However, it was quite boring.
—Hmm, maybe I should take a nap then.
Yeah, that should be fine.
I closed my eyes and lightly drifted off to sleep.
A few minutes passed.
"...And, now. A word from our Principal."
Hmm?
I woke back up.
It seems a couple of bigs shots from the school faculty staff had now taken the stage.
The one who first took to the podium was a tall man of muscular build. After throwing a few glances to the students below, he smiled a little.
Adjusting the microphone to his height, he spoke:
"It appears as though that everyone has gathered. Good, good. Yes, at long last, this glorious day has finally come. Whether you're new or returning, allow me to extend all of you students a warm welcome to my Cerulean Academy."
"Though I'm sure most of you know me by now, allow me to introduce myself."
"I am the school headmaster, Principal Garcello."
From there, he began his speech.
But to be honest with you...
...I didn't really listen much to what he had to say.
I mean, can you really blame me?
His grandiose speech really was a dime a dozen amongst other things I've already heard.
So I decided to go back to sleep and wait.
But then, he said something, quite...—unexpected.
"Now, before I pass the microphone off, I would like to make one thing clear, so as to avoid any… future misunderstandings."
After saying that, Principal Garcello fell silent, as if to consider his next set of words.
"—Cerulean Academy is not your average school."
Hmm?
All of a sudden, I could feel various emotions rise into the air. It's as though the entire atmosphere had changed in response to those words.
"From this point forward, I highly suggest that all of you abandon your previous interpretations of what a "school" is, or even should be. Because, depending on how the situation unfolds, —this place may become either your heaven or hell."
Heaven or hell.
Those two words roused my interest.
Suddenly, a giant blue screen flashed behind him.
"Now, if you can, please turn your attention towards the screen above. This diagram will help you get a little more accustomed to our rules."
With that said, all eyes were now on the screen.
"Cerulean Academy is divided into four classes. Class A, Class B, Class C, and finally, Class D. As students, you will be sent to one of these four classes based on your performance."
"Of course, as a school, we actively try to encourage competition on various levels as well. As such, you'll be expected to participate in special exams and even battles against other classes."
"Once this ceremony has concluded, you will head to the side of the auditorium to receive other important items in addition to the information regarding your class."
As he said that, he pointed towards his left.
There, I noticed a long line of cubicles standing side by side with what seemed to be a couple of faculty staff rushing to finish up the last of their preparations.
I guess we're supposed to go there after this.
"On top of all of that, you will also receive your very own Black Cards. Now as for what the Black Cards are for, however, that will be explained by your appointed homeroom teacher later."
"With that said, I wish you all good health and good luck in your future endeavors. Now, a word from our teachers. Mr. Naoto, if you'll please."
Finishing up with his opening statement, Mr. Garcello gestured over to another man standing nearby before stepping down from the podium.
There, the two exchanged the spotlight.
All eyes was now on him.
However—
Slam!
Without so much as giving us students a glance, he smashed his palms onto the table.
Although the table wasn't damaged, the cackling sound of the slap echoed loudly throughout the gymnasium, catching all of our attention.
Even the students who dared sleep during this time were roused from their slumber without remorse.
"Power."
The man uttered only one word, and yet even then I could tell there was great strength in his voice. One of which I've never heard of before.
"—That voice…"
"Something wrong?"
"H—huh? Oh, it's nothing. It's just that man reminds me of somebody I used to know."
"I see."
Turning my attention away from the uneasy looking Yamato, I returned back to the man.
"What is power?"
Suddenly, his tone changed.
"Power is the strength that drives mankind. It comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Physical aptitude. Education. Politics. Leadership. Influence. All of these are but one example of such power."
"Without power, man is weak. Weakness is a sin. I do not tolerate weakness. That is why, whether you are a student, a teacher, or even the principal himself, I will show you no mercy. If you wish to survive, show me your power. That is all."
Cutting his speech short, the man stepped off the podium without saying another word. Leaving behind a rather baffling silence in his wake.
Even from here, I could tell that Mr. Garcello was a little startled by his announcement. Rightfully so. After all, in front of the entire school, Mr. Naoto just declared that he would hunt down anybody who would dare show any weakness.
Even the Principal was included as a potential target.
Of course, if he could strike fear into the man who ranks above him, I could only imagine the sheer terror the students must be feeling.
Or perhaps it wasn't just terror that I am sensing?
I could be wrong but there seemed to be others who were tempted, even excited by the very idea of such a challenge.
Regardless though, there was no denying the fact that the atmosphere has now drastically changed.
Mr. Naoto.
Clearly there was something terrifying about him. It wasn't just his voice. The way he stood and the look in his eye when he addressed us.
There was no doubt about it.
That man was looking down on us.
However, there was more to it than just that.
—It felt as though he was expecting something out of us.
Expecting to see who would come out and reveal their true colors and strength, or those who would rather cower and hide instead. If anyone here chose the latter of course, then they would be rooted out and thoroughly crushed.
Looking at it from that perspective, I suppose I can see why people would either be afraid or excited by that prospect.
In fact, I too am curious of the type of "power" he holds.
However, let it be known that I have absolutely no interest of fighting Mr. Naoto. Well, not unless the situation actually deemed it necessary, of course.
—Until then, there is only one person I'm after.
"Power, huh…"
Suddenly though, in the row in front of me, I noticed a girl my age talking a little to herself.
I'm not sure how I heard her voice in particular amongst the crowd, but it seems Mr. Naoto's words had weighed heavily on her conscience.
"That's right. Without power, nothing will change…"
Those words of hers just now reminded me of an old ambition I used to have before I arrived here.
Hmm, no, calling it an "ambition" would be wrong. It was more like a "necessary tool" that I needed in order to fulfill my true dream.
Having power is vital. Without power, bringing about change is impossible. So as long as this remains true, there will forever be a clear distinction between the strong and the weak.
Its as simple as that.
"Hey, Dazai, look!"
Alice called out to me.
"Yeah, I see."
The next person to take the stage was next.
The legendary hero, Sir Troy.
....Well, though I say a hero, he's actually retired.
After readjusting the microphone to his level, he shot a glance back at Mr. Naoto before speaking:
"You know, before I came up here, I had a nice and pretty speech all laid out for you guys. But after seeing what Mr. Naoto said, I believe it's best that I go off script for a second." he stated.
"Personally, I do not agree with the mentality that "power is everything". In fact, I find such thinking to be absolutely flawed in more ways than one."
Judging from the flow of this conversation, this was a clear attack on Mr. Naoto's philosophy.
"A long time ago, there was a man who said power itself is neither good nor evil. It's what people do with power that matters. I agree."
"However, power itself can also corrupt. Too much of it all at once can lead a person astray from their original path."
Huh, I wonder who said that.
"You see, there's much more to life than just being strong. It's also about personal achievements and fulfilling certain pleasures."
"Helping you succeed in those endeavors is, in the truest essence possible, what I believe highschool is all about. That is most certainly no different here in Cerulean Academy."
Suddenly, he raised his hands out in front of him.
"Worry not of overpowering the person next to you. Worry not of becoming the best of the best. Right now, you are simply children. You are still young. However, this moment will not last forever. Youth is temporary. Once it is gone, it will never return. You must cherish it, and live life to the fullest."
"Forget being strong. Forget being weak. Just live life the way the way you fucking please."
A sudden outburst of applause.
Perhaps being rallied and even inspired by the passion in his every word, nearly every student stood up and clapped to their heart's content.
Even the teachers, save for Mr. Naoto himself, clapped along.
Of course, at the same time, Principal Garcello threw him a rather stern look. Perhaps it's because of the unnecessary use of cursing.
Regardless, he later dropped the glare soon after, so there should be no trouble after this.
Amidst the cheers, I noticed that, although he wasn't clapping, Roy seemed to be smiling a little.
To live the way one pleases. I suppose Troy's opinion resonated with him as well.
In contrast though, there seemed to be a few who didn't take all too kindly to those words of his. They were most likely the ones who came here in pursuit of pure competition, or the ones who were forced to live a certain type of way.
As for Troy, after embracing the applause with a humble attitude, he stepped off the podium and returned to his original spot. Though I did notice him sneak a few more peeks at Mr. Naoto, as if trying to further prove his point. However, such glances simply went unanswered. Regardless, I could tell that today would spark the start of some interesting teacher versus teacher rivalry.
But I suppose that's none of my business for now.