Alicia's good intentions to initiate a conversation yielded nothing. Instead, it made the atmosphere very awkward. Sitting after starting a conversation and being met with silence made Alicia feel a bit embarrassed. She then looked around to divert her attention from her embarrassment.
Five minutes filled with silence made Alicia annoyed, so she started the conversation again.
"Hey, why are you both suddenly silent like statues?"
"Correction, it's not me who's the statue, but Ben. I've been waving my hand in front of his face, but he hasn't reacted at all," Ryan replied, equally puzzled by the situation. Then Ryan started a conversation to break the ice.
"Why hasn't the event started yet? Many people have already arrived."
"Because there are still some students who haven't come yet; they told us to wait until all the students are present in this room. Maybe some are late, that's why it's taking so long," Alicia thought after seeing the empty seats around.
"%*^@$&!"
Ben's unclear sound startled Ryan and Alicia, who glanced toward Ben between them.
"What's wrong, Ben?" Ryan asked, surprised and puzzled by Ben's behavior. Then Ben turned to Alicia, bowed his head, and said, "It's an honor to meet you, Alicia von Talvi!"
"Looks like you have a fan too, huh?" teased Ryan, observing Ben's attitude towards Alicia.
"No need to be formal; we're both new students at Etherea!" Alicia refused Ben's formal attitude towards her.
"But our ranks are different; I got information that you're one of the top 10 this year. I got nervous and acted formal," Ben explained awkwardly about his behavior towards Alicia.
"If you're talking about the top 10, besides me sitting next to you, you're also one of them!" Alicia said, pointing towards Ryan. Ryan was surprised to see Alicia pointing at him, then turned his face to the side as if he didn't know anything.
"Ehh... Ryan, you didn't say anything to me!"
"You didn't ask!" Ryan defended himself.
Unbeknownst to them, because the three of them had been talking for quite a while, all the seats in the auditorium were now fully occupied, and the event was about to begin. Then, a man around 48 years old walked from the back door of the auditorium to the front of the stage. He wore a dark blue suit, broad-shouldered, upright posture, a face with a 'short boxed' beard style, and combed-back hair. He also had a serious expression supported by sharp eyes and a way of walking that made some students nervous with each step.
After reaching the stage, the man then said, "Congratulations on being selected to join Etherea! I have high hopes for all of you." The man said, looking in various directions towards all the students in the auditorium. Then he continued his words.
"I seem to have forgotten to introduce myself; my name is Alex de Welton, commonly known as Duke Welton, but I think you'll be more familiar with calling me the head of the academy. Alright, my introduction seems enough. Let's start the event! For the top 10, please come forward!" said the head of the academy, accompanied by applause and cheers from the students.
Ryan and Alicia, along with 8 others, then stepped forward. The head of the academy then said, "These are the top 10 prospects of this year's batch, the 124th batch. They underwent the ranking adjustment test one day before today's ceremony, and you will see the results of their test here! You can see it on the screen behind me. And for the top 10, when your name is called, please come up to the stage!" The students then looked at the screen in front of the stage attentively. The order of the top 10 is as follows:
1. Ryan Arden
2. Alicia von Talvi
3. Matthew von Hendrix
4. Lena van Cornell
5. Arthur Morrison
6. Gray de Harrison
7. Magnus van Gilmour
8. Pierre Burton
9. Sebastian Ulrich
10. Tiana Gallagher
Ryan didn't expect to be the first one called. But he remained calm and proudly stepped onto the stage. After all the top 10 were on stage, the head of the academy continued.
"Alright, as the first event is over, let's move on to the second event!" The head of the academy then raised one hand and snapped his fingers. Suddenly, all the students in the auditorium seats disappeared.
Ryan, surprised, then asked the head of the academy, "Excuse me, head of the academy, I'm Ryan, ranked first, and I want to ask. Where did all the students who disappeared go? Are we going to take the test again?" The head of the academy, hearing this, chuckled and answered Ryan's question. The other top 10 who heard Ryan's question were also curious and listened carefully to the head of the academy's explanation.
"Wouldn't it be unfair if only you guys took the test? So starting this year, all students except the top 10 will also take the same test as you guys. You can sit here and wait for the other students to finish, or you can watch them on the front screen! The test is conducted simultaneously on an open field next to the Eins building.
A young man with messy red hair covering his forehead and sharp, red-colored eyes also asked the head of the academy, "I'm Matthew, ranked third, and I want to ask. So, that's why this year's ceremony is busier than last year's?"
"That's correct, Matthew. While the others are still taking the test, does anyone else have any questions?"
Then a girl with long black hair and blue eyes asked the head of the academy after looking at the auditorium seats from a distance, "I'm Tiana, ranked tenth, and I want to ask. How does the head of the academy move 790 students with just a snap of his fingers?" The head of the academy, surprised to hear that, then answered with a smile on his face.
"The technology used is adapted from Intervallum. We placed the technology under the auditorium seat stands. With one command, this technology will teleport the person sitting to a predetermined coordinate. We named this technology Thorax."
25 minutes after the Q&A session ended, the students who were teleported then returned to their seats. They returned carrying an identification badge containing numbers from 11-800. Although they had taken the test, they still couldn't process what had just happened because it was too sudden. Some students protested, but some remained silent, waiting for the head of the academy's explanation.
Seeing many confused students, the head of the academy then explained as he did to the top 10 earlier. The students who heard the head of the academy's explanation then fell silent for a moment, but one student raised his hand."I'm Henry Owen, and I want to ask the head of the academy. Does the test we took affect the initial rankings like the top 10?" The head of the academy, hearing this, briefly explained.
"Of course. Students ranked 11—400 are in the upper ranks, and students ranked 401—800 are in the lower ranks. You can improve your rank in ranking duels that will be held at the end of each semester. Oh yes, one more thing, you can only receive
money from your parents or relatives at the beginning of this semester. For the future, the money you have will come from the missions you undertake during the mission assessment period."
"Now that today's opening ceremony activities are over, you can go to the dormitory building to rest. If you don't know where, ask the staff around. Lessons will start tomorrow; I wish you all the best."
* * *
The first-year dormitory, similar to the first-year building named Eins, also bears the same name. The Eins dormitory is divided into two buildings. The first building is for male students, and the second building is for female students. Meanwhile, the Eins Building is in the middle, acting as a separator between the two buildings to prevent unwanted incidents between male and female students.
I then walked towards the dormitory building as directed by one of the staff. Upon arriving at the dorm lobby, I then asked the staff at the reception desk. The staff asked for my name and my signature, after which I signed, and the staff then went away briefly and returned with a suitcase. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be my suitcase, and I accepted it happily, thanking the staff. The staff then gave me the room key.
Then I walked up the stairs to the room I was heading to. According to the information on the keychain I received, my room is on the third floor, number 2. As I was about to open my room door, I noticed someone with red hair and eyes standing next to me. If I remember correctly, he is ranked third, Matthew von Hendrix.
Seeing me looking at him, he also looked at me. Then he spoke somewhat roughly to me."You... how did you manage to get the first rank?"
"I don't know either! If you want to protest the result, please protest to the head of the academy!"
"No, not like that, I mean how was your test? Who did you compete against? Like that. I didn't mean to be rude to you!"
'Although his tone is harsh, he turns out to be polite too. At least I'll answer his question correctly.'"My sparring partner during the ranking adjustment test was the second rank, Alicia. And the result of our match was a draw, so I don't know how I became the first rank!"
"So that's how it is. Oh yes, I haven't properly introduced myself. Although you already know, I'll introduce myself properly. My name is Matthew von Hendrix. Second son of the Hendrix family; you can call me Matt. Nice to meet you and please help me in the future."
"Well, I thought you were an arrogant person who wouldn't accept the predetermined results by the staff. Turns out you're friendly too, huh? Nice to meet you, my name is Ryan Arden," I teased because of his contrasting demeanor and appearance.
"Hahaha... I've heard that a lot, many people misunderstand my nature because of my slightly intimidating appearance." After a long pause, Matt continued the conversation.
"Oh, Ryan, aren't you hungry? How about going to the cafeteria with me?"
"Oh, that sounds like a good idea!"