With the final party members exiting the Trial Dungeon with the assistance of the instructors and Headmaster Kim, the assembly began.
The dozen groups of students stood in equal lines as Director Kim commenced with his speech congratulating the students on their achievements over the last year.
Shin turned his head, scanning the students, when he noticed John sneering at him as his team was the first to exit.
The headmaster called out each time one by one in ascending order from the slowest to the fastest. When Shin's party wasn't called first, the entire crowd broke out in a silent uproar.
As each name was called, John started to sweat. He glanced over at Shin, who simply smirked at him. When only three teams remained, the young man began to shake.
"The final two teams, come forward!" Director Kim shouted as Shin and John's teams exited the formation and stood before the headmaster.
"Before we announce the winners, each of the instructors and I congratulate you again. Both teams set records for the school on their clearing speed.
Everyone present has excelled at upholding the prestige of the United Federation Grand Academy. It has been our pleasure to guide you on the beginning steps of your journey.
Now, in first place, with a clearance speed of three minutes and twelve seconds: Lauren, Lucy, Amy, Sienna, and Shin!"
John threw his arms in the air, a massive grin on his face as he was temporarily stunned at the headmaster's announcement.
The rest of the class applauded as Lauren and Amy exclaimed gleefully and hugged each other, jumping giddily.
Sienna turned to thank Shin, but his fierce gaze startled her, and she immediately turned around, cautiously looking to where he faced, and stared curiously at John.
Director Kim continued his speech, but Shin brushed them aside as his mind raced and he contemplated his subsequent actions.
A few moments later, the instructors and the headmaster's applause snapped Shin out of his mind as his face softened.
The graduating class was guided through Academia City toward the castle as the NPCs and other students lined the streets and applauded the students.
Inside the castle, they were led to the top, exiting out to the clear skies and fresh air on the rooftop with a massive portal frame in the center.
"This portal will be opening shortly." Director Kim said, stopping a few meters away from the metallic frame and turning to face the students.
"The portal will transport you to Abelorra, the Beginner City, on the main server. The Graduation Tournament will begin there shortly. We strongly recommend that you remain logged in as you do not wish to miss it."
With his speech over, the portal sprung to life as a bright purple spiral appeared within the metallic frame, and the group passed through it.
Abelorra was the largest village in Themiscrya and resembled an expansive and beautiful city more than a small country village.
Thousands of players and NPCs stood outside the large building containing the teleportation array. Most players were talent scouts for their respective guilds, searching for recruits.
The eyes of the massive statue in the center of the building lit up as her arms opened and a portal materialized before her.
With a resounding hum, the instructors exited, followed closely by the graduating students. They led the students out of the building to deafening applause.
Shin followed behind Lucy and Sierra, placing him fifth in the parade after the instructors. Despite the fact of his overwhelming contribution, he didn't want to be first.
Suddenly, a chime rang inside his ears as a private message window request appeared in his vision. He accepted it, reading the message from Lucy.
"We need to meet, soon."
Shin agreed and replied before closing the window, "Meet in the hypogeum during the last challenge."
Massive fireworks exploded overhead, drawing exclamations from the crowd. The students walked with bright smiles and hope filling their eyes.
They made their way through the crowded cobblestone streets toward a large building on the city's outskirts.
As the congregation of graduates approached the massive Colosseum, their eyes revealed their shock at the domineering size.
Two gallant soldiers stood on guard outside a set of large double doors, grabbing the handles and opening them as the parade made their way into the building.
The students walked through the darkness, their eyes unable to adjust in time before they exited another set of doors out to the tourney grounds in the Colosseum.
A deafening roar echoed across the village; even the neighboring town could hear the uproar. The stadium could house over a million spectators, and the stands were overflowing.
The graduates were lined up beside one another with the other school's graduates. The instructors stood before their students with the headmasters assembled in the arena.
"Good morning~!" A deep voice boomed throughout the colosseum, drawing the graduates to look around for the source.
Suddenly, a small baby wearing only a diaper with a pacifier in its mouth appeared, resting casually on a small golden cloud.
"Never fear, for Babyface is here!" The baby yelled, his deep voice betraying his appearance as he jumped up, standing in the cloud and leaning over, "And I will be the announcer for the seventh annual Graduation Tournament!"
Another ear-shattering roar exploded from the stands. Many spectators began chanting their Alma maters as the overlapping voices fought for supremacy.
Shin's eyes carefully scanned through the stands, observing the spectators until his eyes landed on an unsuspecting elderly gentleman who tipped their hat at him as their eyes met.
In the next moment, the elderly man stood up and slowly exited the stands, disappearing into the pathways inside the stadium.
"At last!" Babyface exclaimed, jumping on his cloud as he gripped the cloud and hung off the edge, throwing his hand into the air as the final school entered.
Shin rolled his eyes at the obnoxious entertainer, ignoring his explanation of the three phases of the ceremony.
The young man took a deep breath, steadying his racing heart and calming himself as he maintained his cold exterior and faced forward, the announcer's voice bringing him back.
"Now, let's begin with the first challenge!!"