In the all-marble large stadium; bleachers are laid out in tiered rows, surrounding the flat arena in an oval shape structure. Today is the second day of the one week welcoming festival for all freshmen students of the Mystic Academy.
All students, mostly the upperclassmen, are gathered, standing and sitting on the stadium seats. At the same time, standing on the spacious arena are greenhorn students who joined the mini competitions, they all surrounded the small wooden podium in the middle.
The freshmen students are all organizedly lined up in categories based on the competitions they participated in. One of these students are Kendra, Faye, and Emilia; these three joined as a team in the cooking competition.
On the other hand, Cliopatra, who stands in the solo sword and magic competitions, clicked her tongue dissatisfied. Seeing Emilia and Faye together again, Cliopatra felt jealous and envious in her heart.
If only Cliopatra knew that Faye joined the cooking competition, then she would also gladly register yesterday on that cooking competition as well, even if cooking for Cliopatra is a job that only servants should do. Sadly, Cliopatra didn't know, so she could only lament that Emilia and Faye are together again.
Cliopatra doesn't even understand why Faye is always choosing Emilia. In terms of social background and abilities, Cliopatra is undoubtedly the best in terms of these categories, and yet, Faye seem to be immune of Cliopatra's handsomeness.
Having said that, this is also exactly what makes it more challenging and interesting for Cliopatra to win Faye then own the undifferentiated omega. Unfortunately, Faye seems to ignore Cliopatra whenever Emilia is there around her, and this made Cliopatra grit her teeth, glaring at Emilia menacingly.
[This lowly student dares steal my woman right in front of me. Just wait…see what's coming for those who steal my woman.] Cliopatra thought as she narrowed her eyes, thinking of unsightly things to make Emilia learn her lesson.
Meanwhile, in the middle of the small wooden podium, stands a tall macho woman in white robes, holding a cone shaped horn in her hand.
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, this is Professor Matilda Degen of the Physical Education Department, and for today until the end of the week of this event, I am your master of ceremonies for the One Week Welcoming Competition!" Matilda Degen announced, getting the attention of everyone.
The upperclassmen students on the audience seat started clapping their hands, applauding the greenhorn students who joined the mini competitions.
Matilda Degen grinned, hearing the loud cheers from the crowd of students on the stands. "Now, everyone settle down, and let me explain the rules, the mechanics, and the prizes for each mini competitions to these greenhorns," Matilda Degen said, looking at the upperclassmen on the audience seat.
The students on the bleachers obediently sat on their seats, waiting for Matilda Degen to continue.
"Alright, before I continue, I need to inform all greenhorn students, especially for all those greenhorn students who got the approval from their professors," Matilda Degen said with a smile, staring at the greenhorn students lined up around her.
Some greenhorn students glanced at each other, while others remained calm and indifferent.
Seeing those students who remained calm, Matilda Degen smiled to herself as she opened her mouth, and said, "students who got the approval from their professors can use that approval to forfeit a battle against someone or a team in the competitions here in Mystic Academy without losing any points in the competitions. Of course, you also have the choice not to use it for now, and just save it for the major competition."
Most greenhorn students gasp in shock, hearing what Matilda Degen said.
"Oh, and by the way, the favour you gain from your professors are also a different matter. You can exchange these favours into merit points or into approval, however, in order to change favours into approval, then you'll need five favours," Matilda Degen explained.
Now, except for Kendra, every greenhorn student is in shock including Faye, Emilia, and Cliopatra.
Matilda Degen grinned widely as she continued, "and that's all I have to say about Approval and Favours from professors in this academy. Now, let's go to the main topic, about the prize you'll get for the mini competitions…"
"The prize for the mini competitions are merit points, high-grade scrolls of your choosing, and favours from your professors," Matilda Degen said.
The greenhorn students murmured to each other. "What's a merit point?"
Matilda Degen heard this, and she smiled. "Ahem, let me explain, merit points are points you earned from competitions, exams, and many other things in the academy. And it's something that is used like money in this academy," Matilda Degen explained.
"Money? Did she just say money?" The oblivious greenhorn students asked each other, bewildered.
Matilda Degen laughed, then she narrowed her eyes on every oblivious greenhorn student. "If you're wondering why, well, that's because the academy will only support student's well-being if they are undifferentiated students, so once the few of you differentiate, you'll have to provide everything for yourself with the merit point system," Matilda Degen explained calmly.
Again, except for Kendra, every greenhorn student is shocked by the news. They all thought that the academy would provide everything to them, because they thought they were chosen.
Hearing this news made each greenhorn student wary of each other. Except for Kendra's team. Faye and Emilia were only shocked for a few seconds, and soon, they regained their calmness.
Matilda Degen laughed again, and the upperclassmen students on the stands laughed as well. The upperclassmen have been in the greenhorns' shoes before, and they know exactly what these students feel right now.
Hearing these laughter around them, most greenhorns students felt awful and humiliated. Especially nobles like Cliopatra. They can't stand being embarrassed or ashamed.
"Ahem, now for the rules," Matilda Degen said as she cleared her throat, getting the attention of everyone.
"Before I dived to the rules of the mini competition. Let me remind everyone again about the Academy's rules, and that is…first, you are not allowed to kill anyone in the borders and vicinity of the academy. Second, discriminations against any kingdom, race, religion, social status, or political affiliations are not allowed. Last but not the least, social status or real-money are not allowed to be used in the academy."
Matilda Degen narrowed her eyes menacingly on every student. "These are golden rules in the academy, and anyone who breaks these principles will be expelled immediately. Do take note that these basic rules are not only applicable during competitions," Matilda Degen explained with a solemn face.
Some greenhorn students swallowed nervously. Others look excited hearing the rules because the rules have loopholes.
Matilda Degen smiled seeing the obedient faces on the many greenhorn students. "Anyway, for the mini competition; the rules are much simpler, but still, anyone who breaks these rules will be immediately disqualified from participating…"
Other greenhorn students frowned.
Matilda Degen doesn't care about this as she smiled at them and continued, "and the number one rule is, you must respect your opponent no matter what beef you have with this person, respond yes ma'am if you understand," Matilda Degen said, pointing the cone-shaped horn directed to the greenhorn students.
"Yes ma'am," the greenhorns all replied, disjointed in a clumsy way.
This made the upperclassmen students laugh.
"Awwe, they're so adorable and naive, hahahaha~"
"I agree, hahahaha~"
The greenhorns who heard these comments crumpled their faces, feeling ridiculed and mocked.
Matilda Degen still had a smile as she continued, "Next, don't argue with the judge lest you want to be disqualified, does everyone understand?"
"Yes ma'am!" Yelled the greenhorn students, a little better, but still a little disunited.
"Good," Matilda Degen praised, grinning. "Third, anyone with health concerns during before and after the competition will be automatically banned from participating, so pay attention to your well-being. Last but not the least, follow the etiquette rules and have some class when you lose. Once you lose the game, just accept it and leave, does anyone have questions?"
"Yes ma'am!" The greenhorns all replied, united.
However, the greenhorn students soon widened their eyes as they realized they had answered without thinking.
Matilda Degen grinned at the greenhorn students. "Good, what's the question that everyone has?"
The greenhorn students glanced at each other, waiting for who would come up with the answer.
"No questions?" Matilda Degen asked again.
"Yes ma'am," the greenhorn students replied, disunited. Visible embarrassment was seen on their faces.
"Tsk, tsk, it's because all of you are not listening, you just waited for me to end my speech, then you instantly answered. Next time, pay attention and listen, does everyone understand?" Matilda Degen scolded, shaking her head.
"Yes ma'am!" The greenhorn students replied at the same time in a united front. Their faces are all filled with shame.
The upperclassmen students laughed even more loudly. "Don't worry, we also fell for that one too!"
Some greenhorn students gritted their teeth hearing this comment.
Except for Kendra, everyone is feeling humiliated that they responded instantly. Now most greenhorn students are regretting that they let these upperclassmen students play their minds.
Kendra smiled at this as she shakes her head. She fell for this kind of farce too in her original timeline. Everything is repeating the same way except for her and Nasrin.
Still, Kendra remains smiling amiable and polite on the surface, however, the small dark circles underneath Kendra's eyes beg to differ.
After looking at the burning candle all-day yesterday, Kendra barely slept last night, waking up from nightmares for every hour of the night.
Of course, Faye notices it, so the brunette haired girl told Kendra to go to the infirmary. However, if Kendra does this, their team will be disqualified from the competition.
Kendra can't do that.
Kendra may not care about the prizes in this academy, but Faye and Emilia will both benefit greatly if they win the team cooking competition. This is why Kendra is trying her best to overcome her fear of fire yesterday.
Yet, what Kendra did yesterday, only left more damage to her mind, and today, Kendra feels even more anxious.
If only Kendra wasn't absentminded yesterday, then all of this wouldn't happen. This is her fault. She brought this to herself.
Kendra pursed her lips, scolding herself in the head.
The prize for the team cooking competition is something that would help Faye and Emilia in the major competition next year. Kendra is confident that she could win easily in the major competition, but she isn't sure about Faye and Emilia.
Kendra knows that these two are already strong, but in this academy where everyone is continuously growing stronger; Kendra can't guarantee what might happen.
Whatever the case, Kendra can't let Faye or Emilia fail because of her. Not to mention that Faye and Emilia also need to grow even more stronger to remain in the academy.
Which is why Kendra can't suddenly give up from the competition, because these two will also lose their chance to grow stronger.
Even if Kendra knows that there will be more mini competitions to come before the major competition, it will still delay both of Emilia and Faye's growth, and before they know it, their other peers have already surpassed them.
Kendra narrowed her eyes, feeling even more determined to overcome her fear for fire. Because no matter what, Kendra needs to win the team cooking competition with Faye and Emilia.
Even if Kendra needs to vomit blood, Kendra will overcome her fear in this competition.
[For the sake of my friends.] Kendra thought to herself as her heart rate calmed down.