As Ember stepped up to the podium, her cold demeanor seemed to intensify, and the room fell silent.
She stared out at the audience with a blank expression before beginning to read from the script.
"Good afternoon, fellow students and faculty of Octagram Academy. My name is Ember Crimson, and I am honored to be standing before you today as the top-ranked student in the entrance exam."
Her voice was monotone and devoid of emotion, but there was something about the way she spoke that commanded attention. I was drawn in, curious to see where this speech would go.
"As I stand here before you, I am acutely aware of the responsibilities and expectations that come with being the top student. It is not a position that I take lightly, and I am committed to upholding the standards of excellence that this academy represents."
I could see that Ember's hands were shaking slightly as she spoke, but she didn't falter or pause. She continued to read from the script in her measured, unemotional voice.
"I may not be the most outgoing or charismatic student, but I believe that my abilities and dedication speak for themselves. My goal is not to impress you with words or showmanship, but to let my actions and achievements speak for themselves."
There was a brief pause, and Ember's eyes flickered up from the script to meet the audience's gaze.
It was only for a moment, but I could see a flicker of emotion in her eyes cold eyes–a hint of something that she was trying to suppress.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to study at Octagram Academy, and I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve greatness in our chosen fields. Thank you."
As Ember stepped away from the podium, the room erupted in applause. Even though her speech had been delivered in her usual unemotional style, there was something about it that had resonated with the audience.
I was still staring at the stage with a thoughtful expression. Watching Ember closely as she stepped away from the podium and talked to Lawrence, I wondered what they were discussing.
But, the more pressing matter for me was not their discussion, but Ember herself.
She was not in the novel, I'd never written anything about her, and she was not supposed the rank 1 on the entrance exam. And I also realized that even if I was writing about her, it was just that she was supposed to be dead or not existed throughout the story.
Assuming by her appearance and her name, she was related to the War Goddess, Nuria Crimson, the headmaster of this very academy.
If I remembered correctly, I'd stated in the novel that Nuria's only bloodline, her daughter was already dead in the story. Also, I was sure that Nuria's daughter was not a youth the same age as the protagonist and the other main characters.
So, this Ember Crimson was…
'I don't know… But, for a person her caliber, there may be a lot of news about her online, right?'
The welcoming ceremony continued but only God know what it was about as I didn't pay attention anymore. The next second I knew was that Lawrence finally ended the speeches and such, then announced that we were inquired to go to gather at the arena building.
It was finally here, the best part of the Octagram Academy Welcoming Ceremony.
Neophyte Nexus.
Neophyte Nexus was a 1v1 battle event between the new students and their upperclassmen, the second-year students.
Each student was called upon randomly to challenge a senior to fight. If the new student emerged victorious, they were rewarded with advantageous merit points to start their first day in the academy. But if they were to lose, it was the senior that would reap the reward.
The event was a highly anticipated tradition that served as a rite of passage for new students and a test of skill and determination for second-year students.
In today's match, Lux and the other two main characters would make their appearance, Leonardo Miguel and Seo Yeong-Ha. Those two were like a sidekick of combat of the protagonist, ones that excelled in fighting.
Arriving at the Horse realm, stood at the center of the octagonal area and was pitched by four training buildings where the entrance exam had been held was the great arena.
As I approached it, I couldn't help but feel awe-inspired by its grandeur. The exterior was made of gleaming white marble, with towering pillars lining the entrance. The futuristic touches were evident in the intricate metalwork that adorned the top of the pillars, forming beautiful patterns that seemed to glow in the sunlight.
Entering the building, my eyes widened in wonder.
The inside of the arena was even more impressive than the outside. The seating area was massive, with rows upon rows of cushioned seats stretching high up into the air. The seats were arranged on a steep incline, giving every spectator a clear view of the arena floor.
Once arrived in the seating area, I noticed that the other side of the seating area across from me was already filled with people, each wearing a black and blue uniform.
'They must be the second-year…'
That was obvious by looking at their uniform and the goal of this event.
From this side seating area itself, many people were already taken a sit on the comfortable chairs and cushions. I myself sat on the back row, the highest row judging by this arena seating area design.
Usually, it would be hard to watch from this distance, but I was proud to say that my eyes were better than most. So the distance was not a problem for me.
Moreover, with the closed rooftop that blocked out the sun's rays. In its place, was a massive display screen hanging above right at the center. It was the kind of setup you'd see in an esports arena, allowing spectators to watch the action unfold from multiple angles.
'Not that it's going to be used for this event, though. It's usually for bigger and public events like festivals and the academy's annual evaluation exhibition.'
Looking down at the arena, the floor was circular in shape, with a large open space in the center. The ground was made of polished black stone, which seemed to shimmer in the light.
The center of the arena was where the action happened. The platform was raised a meter high, and the platform's floor was made of polished white concrete.
It was reinforced with a wizard's magic and other materials coming from the dungeon so it could withstand the battle of the students, especially ones who had explosive-style combat.
"Hello, students!" A voice rang out from the speakers placed on the corner, it was small but with amplifying sound magic, and the voice could be heard by everyone in the arena.
After that voice, the screen hanging at the center was turned on and it showed a figure with fiery red hair just like Ember.
Nuria Crimson. The hero of the first generation who fights alongside Garuda, she was titled War Goddess because of her epic victory on one against many in the first catastrophe. The second strongest hero after Garuda, but that wasn't the case for this generation.
Her face looked very similar to Ember, the only difference was that Nuria seemingly looked more 'alive' than Ember.
As for reminder, don't get fooled by her rather young appearance. She was actually an old woman, almost sixty years old by now. But well, ages weren't a significant matter for Enhanced as they could live for almost two hundred years.
"I'm sure you all already know about me. But, let me introduce myself," she paused to clear her throat. "My name is Nuria Crimson. One of the Octagram heroes, as you all already know…"
She continued to talk about the academy, its history, and the reason why the Octagram heroes decided to build an academy, all in a casual and friendly tone without minding her status as headmaster as well as the War Goddess.
That was the kind of person Nuria Crimson was, talking formally would just leave a bad taste in her mouth.
Eventually, the speech ended rather shorter than the one that Lawrence had in the auditorium.
"First of all. For new students, you can check your student ID on your smartwatch that had been distributed. I hope you all wear it today…"
I looked at my wrist, a Nova Watch was hugging my wrist tightly there. It was a good thing I didn't forget this.
To be frank, how could someone forget about a free Nova Watch?
Checking my Nova Watch as per her instruction, a screen appeared.
===
Student ID: 30-0911-03
Name: Zio Varrez
Class: Lupus / First year
Role: Striker
Rank: 911 / 2000
==
As soon as I looked at my student ID, I felt like my heartbeat was stopped for a second. The reason for that was because of the class where I was placed.
'The Lupus class…'
The Lupus class. It wasn't anything bad or what, it was just that it wasn't the class where Lux and the others were assigned to. Draco and Tigris were the classes that the other main characters were assigned to.
Lux was in the Draco class, and Leonardo was in the Tigris class. It was only those two classes that I'd developed and know about.
The Lupus class though, I had no clue about this class…
'Ah. Damn! How am I supposed to prevent the future if the main cause of the story is separated from me?'
I clenched my fist until it turned white, but then I realized that the situation wasn't that bad.
'Wait. It'd be better like this. If I was to be in the same class as him and the others, I'm afraid that my presence there would ruin the progression of Lux's relationship with the other main characters except for Leonardo who was in a different class…'
Yeah. I could still do things even if we were separated. And I didn't need to be afraid of bumping into the main characters and ruining the story.
The event that happened in the class was lesser and smaller than the other, so if I was to ignore it. The flow would go according to the story.
It would lessen my burden. With that, I could focus on the bigger event that played a crucial part in the future. For example, the event of choosing the club…
"Huu… Well. It's not like I can request a transfer class… "
I would have to rethink my strategy. The plan I had meticulously crafted for a month had been rendered useless by the harsh reality of the situation.
Waking me up from my contemplation was a gasp and whisper from students around me.
"If you're dissatisfied with your placement ranking, then you better work hard and improve yourself. The ranking is updated every 3 or 4 months, precisely after the midterm and final exams per semester."
Hearing that, the students who were previously gloomy and dejected were now brightened up.
"Next, we're moving on to the main event, a tradition, the Octagram academy's rite of passage, Neophyte Nexus!"