Ayleen Mayfield's — one of the renowned professors that would handle the first year A-1 to A-3 classes — voice resounded in everyone's ears, causing them to somewhat fell into a little reverie.
"Today, we genuinely welcome the new first-year students of our academy!
"We hope for everyone to achieve the career they have set their eyes on.
"Whether you are a Fighter-type or Support-type player, it doesn't matter.
"In our academy, you will learn everything you need before becoming a full-pledge player..."
Ayleen Mayfield continue to speak without stuttering or using filters as though she'd done this many times already.
...
"I request all of you to check the First-Year Handbook you have received at the entrance of the auditorium before entering..."
Russell listened to Ayleen Mayfield as he flipped the front to the third page of the First-Year Handbook that was handed to him, and the other 479 students including his younger sister, by some security guards whose strength was no joke.
"As first-year students, we would like to emphasize the very important rules that all of you need to diligently abide by.
"But, before I proceed, I want to remind everyone that you have taken a step out of your comfort zone, and a step forward toward the career you are pursuing."
The students, even Russell, were affected by Ayleen's voice in some ways. They felt like their emotions seemed to move as though they were silently following an order from a queen.
While Ayleen continued speaking, Russell read some of the important rules written exclusively for first-year students.
...
1. Unauthorized use of any kind of Skills in public.
2. Unauthorized use of Mana in public (Mana Control and Mana Sense).
3. Do NOT bring out a "Personal Weapon" in public without authorization from any Obelisk Personnel.
4. Do NOT cheat in any kind of exam (Written and Practical).
5. ...
6. ...
...
'Personal Weapon, huh.'
Personal Weapons were equipment that didn't come from any weapon facilities or storage from the Obelisk Academy.
He was reminded of the Sword and Scythe of '???' that he acquired from the Ancient Treasure Chest from Chaos.
Every student knew the great cost or punishment if any of the above-mentioned rules were disobeyed. Although the severity of punishment depends on the degree of the committed sin, it would still affect the player's future career.
Expulsion from the Obelisk Academy would render a player the right to take the Player License Exam (PLE).
Apart from that, even some of the Guilds below the TOP 10 would certainly refrain from recruiting a rule-breaker Obelisk student.
"That would be all for the important reminders.
"Now... we will introduce to everyone the personally handpicked by the Vice-Chancellor, Sir Dexter Rainfall; the students among the first years who will become a part of the Student Council."
Ayleen Mayfield enthusiastically said, causing murmurs of wonder about the identity of the students that would be the representatives of the first year in the Student Council.
"The Vice-Chancellor himself!? No way!"
"I'm freaking jealous man! But, we know it's hard to be on their level."
"Yeah, it's probably them right?"
"Whoo... I'm excited! I only saw them sometimes on T.V., you know?"
Numerous reactions from numerous students near Russell's seat could be seen.
Some of the students couldn't help gasping.
Some had either a look of jealousy or admiration in their eyes.
Though some had solemn expressions, but with a mix of anticipation just like how Russell was feeling at this moment.
'...It will be the first time I'll see them.'
Although they were famous, they barely ever appeared on the internet and television for security purposes, considering their identities. Also, with Russell's past in this world, internet access was impossible. That's how poor they were previously until an opportunity came by, giving his parents a very stable income with a good work environment.
...
After excusing herself, Ayleen left the stage, went backstage, and then, just as she left, some students that were not first years appeared; one of them replace Ayleen as this student went to the podium.
Russell could tell that these students were either in their second or third year because of the "Student Uniform" where the year level could be distinguished.
For the boys, the Obelisk Academy's Student Uniform consisted of a 5-button red-maroon polo, which almost dyed the entirety of the uniform, navy blue pants, black or white socks, and formal black shoes.
For the girls, the Obelisk Academy's Student Uniform consisted of a 5-button red-maroon blouse that was tucked into the below-the-knee black skirt.
The above-mentioned formal Student Uniforms were applied to first to third-year students, but what sets them apart was the difference in a very simple design.
On the top left of the red-maroon polo or blouse, there's an 'O' depicting a rayless Sun that's intricately sewn on them. Then, from the bottom of an 'O' symbol, there's an Obelisk piercing it.
This Obelisk was the indicator of someone's year level because the number of the Obelisk increased as the year level of the student increased.
What the Obelisk Logo means was very simple: the 'O' depicts an illusory dome that seemed to limit humanity from thriving, then the Obelisk piercing it from the bottom indicated the effort of humanity to break their limit and grow stronger than ever.
...
After some time, Russell checked with his profound vision the number of Obelisks pierced on the rayless Sun on the top left of the uniform of the student that replaced Ayleen on the podium.
"Good morning everyone!
"I am Victoria, the Secretary of the Student Council.
"Today, I will introduce to everyone the personally handpicked first-year students by Vice-Chancellor Sir Dexter Rainfall."
Russell's deep blue eyes seemed to pop out as he scratched them a few times after hearing the introduction of the second-year woman in front.
She has shoulder-length, blonde hair, deep blue eyes, a fine body, and was at least 170 cm in height.
She's of Russian lineage if Russell compared it to the Old World's ethnicity.
'...I guess the reality of my unpublished novel is too much.'
He was in awe at her physical appearance and bearing. Then, after some time, he recalled the details about the Russian-looking woman in his unpublished novel.
Victoria Angelica Rasputin, was the woman who would be granted the Unique Skill: Certain Peek (SSS+) after succeeding in forming a contract and becoming a champion of the Constellation [One Who Peeks on Clock Movement] just "before" her second year ends.
"Rasputin" in Russian means "Crossroads"; which Russell used, intending to make a correlation between Victoria and her future Constellation.
"Everyone, let us welcome all of them!"
Victoria, with a soothing voice, spoke as some students came out from backstage, which broke Russell's thoughts.
Most of the students, including Russell, had shocked expressions on their faces, together with the swirling myriad of emotions.
Although not everyone saw them personally, they already appeared on the Obelisk Website just like how his younger sister, Freya, did; so it's only ordinary for everyone to know them.
Apart from that, during the written and evaluation exams, some of the students already saw them personally.
There were only expressions of admiration, shock, reverence, and confusion, but some boys felt like had their switch turned on as a feeling of infatuation had risen within them.
The expression of reverence wasn't directed to the students who just appeared on stage, but rather, their appearance had reminded almost everyone of the good deeds of their parents; while the expression of confusion was directed at the person they didn't recognize by name, but his looks were enough for some girls to look at him with shyness.
After all of them lined up, Victoria started to introduce the new representatives of the Student Council.
From Victoria's left, Russell, who was sitting from almost the back of the seats, scrutinized them with his profound vision through the Enhanced Eye of Night (EX).
...
– Samantha Hall
– Elizabeth von Etherion
– Anya Amasawa
– Rumia Flora
– Leon von Obreyon
– Han Jiho
...
They were the new representatives of the Student Council from the A-1 of first-year. Apart from one of them, they were the famous daughters or sons of the TOP 5 Guilds.
These renowned people bowed to the crowd of students as their respective names were each called by Victoria.
"Hey, man, who's the last one?"
"Huh? Who are you talking about?"
"Tsk, you ain't listening, man. That Han something..."
"Oh! him! I remembered he placed 5th on the rankings."
" What?! He surpassed Leon?"
"I'm not sure how, but based on what I've heard, the rankings of students are not only based on the results of the entrance exam."
Russell heard the chattering of two people in front of him.
Han Jiho — the Main Character of the story he had written in his previous life. He came out of nowhere, then placed 5th in the student rankings due to exam results and some unspoken criteria.
But, this time, although he was in 5th place in the A-1 class, he was probably the 2nd strongest first-year student when it came to "Combat Ability", a rank below Samantha Hall.
'If he's not too ignorant about society, he'd probably know some theories and might get a higher rank placing compared to what his rank is right now.
'Well, can't blame him, though. With Untouched or Unknown Elements, we're probably in the same boat at this point.'
Russell poignantly thought as he recalled some background about Han Jiho.
Han Jiho got admitted to the Obelisk Academy due to his talent, and through the personal recommendation of the Chancellor of the Obelisk Academy, which was almost at the pinnacle of "Player Status" with his "SSS" rank; the Chancellor was one of the s
Strongest Players in the human domain.
...
Due to the reactions that seemed out of control, Victoria raised her right hand, prompting the crowd to stop for a moment.
Leon — who was standing beside Han Jiho from the left, and Rumia Flora from the right — had a hardened expression, but somehow forced himself to wear a normal or casual gesture.
People who didn't know him enough would certainly think that he was a magnanimous, and humble person.
'But he won't escape my eyes even without using the Eye of Night to peek into his hidden nature.'
Russell thought as he scrutinized their physical features.
'I feel like I betrayed myself by respectively giving them Charm stat that ranges from 17–19.'
Humanity and some other beings only had a maximum of 20 Charm stat, and could only be bypassed if the player has been contracted with a Constellation that specialized in utilizing Charm.
After some time, he recalled some of the basic details he knew about them while Victoria was speaking about something in the front.
...
— Samantha Hall
The 16-year-old daughter of the Guild Master of the Rank 1 Guild: Star Stream.
She has almond brown eyes that depicted a scorching desert under her gold-rimmed eyeglasses, mid-back length, auburn hair which she usually did in a ponytail, and a very fine body. Her height was about 167 cm.
Her personality was of confusing because she was mostly quiet, but when she started talking, it almost felt like the listener would want her to stop.
— Elizabeth von Etherion
The 16-year-old daughter of the Guild Master of the Rank 2 Guild: Ethereal Guild. Her mother's a queen of the country, "Etheria", which could be located on the Northernmost Orion.
She has almond light-green eyes as though they depicted the serenity of nature itself, waist-length, blonde hair which she mostly straightened, and a very fine body. Her height was about 168 cm.
She has a good personality but was mostly cheeky, and she's the bestfriend of Rumia Flora.
— Anya Amasawa
The daughter of the Guild Master of the Rank 3 Guild: Olympus. Her father was "secretly" the second richest player in the Orion Continent.
She has monolid ruby eyes which depicted underlying bloodlust, mid-length red hair that she occasionally styled between the bun, ponytail, and twin-tail hairstyle, and a fine, fitted body. Her height was about 166 cm.
Her personality was that of a very quiet person. Although she's approachable, even with her facial features, everyone barely approached her. And the funny thing about it was that she didn't know why she was being avoided aside from her status in the "Player Industry" thanks to her father.
— Rumia Flora
The daughter of the Guild Master of the Rank 4 Guild: Chaos Hunter Guild. She's the princess of the country, Nereia.
She has monolid sapphire eyes like the depiction of the cloudless sky, mid-length blonde hair that's mostly in pig-tail, but sometimes ponytail, and a fine body. Her height was about 165 cm.
Her personality was amiable, approachable, as well as talkative even with the common people. It's that her status as a princess seemed to put the ordinary people away from her, which was the same with Elizabeth's case, her best, and childhood friend.
— Leon von Obreyon
The son of the Guild Master of the Rank 5 Guild: Phantasmal Guild.
He has deep blue eyes that exuded deep emotions, short blonde hair, and a very fitted body. His height was about 173 cm.
His personality was that of an envious man, but, he was rather rational. Although he's open to accepting defeat, he tends to be obsessed with overcoming that obstacle.
— Han Jiho
The main character of the unpublished novel, [The Forgotten Swordsman of Ruined Star].
He has slightly deep black eyes, befitting his ignorance in society, black short hair, and a fitted body. His height was about 170 cm.
His personality was that of very adaptive when he's thrown into unknown situations; he's also calm and collected, but easily annoyed by super clingy women.
...
"Let us welcome the Student Council President."
Victoria said before she left the podium, and then a man walked in, replacing her. Russell's thoughts broke as he frowned at the sight of the man.
[The Night of Primordial Chaos, says that the man stinks.]