Lyle felt as though he had lived through a century.
Only to see the gentleman Mister return to his side as he had longed for.
And as he had hoped, the gentleman Mister broke the silence that surrounded Lyle.
The gentleman Mister's face turned towards the direction of Eliane, giving the Iron Maiden a slight nod, as if the bulky figure didn't surprise him much.
"Thanks to this young lady, finding the Plague Doctor was not an easy task, I didn't interrupt your harmonious conversation, did I?"
"The gentleman Mister has finished his greetings?"
"For the most part, and not everyone came to the welcoming party, so my workload wasn't that big."
"Let's talk later, Plague Doctor, the principal has arrived."
A loud noise emanated from the main hall's door, like the buzzing sound of an old city gate under too much pressure, accompanied by the sounds of gears turning and chains moving in the darkness.
Lyle knew that there wasn't any such noise when he passed through the main door a few minutes earlier.
Consistent with a scene from a classic movie, following such a grand entrance, one would expect a figure of great significance to emerge from behind the door.
The first thing to appear from behind the door was a cane, the top of which was shaped like a bent spoon and had a beautifully patterned wood grain with a wax-polished glossy finish, quite eye-catching.
A large, pointed hat followed, with its huge brim drooping under gravity, resembling a giant mushroom.
The head wearing it seemed rather small, beneath which was a long, dark gray robe, and a long beard that hung like tree roots in front of the robe.
"Gentleman Mister, if I'm not mistaken, that beard looks rather like tree roots."
The gentleman Mister glanced at Lyle, "That is one of the principal's peculiar hobbies, it's good enough to know in your heart."
An individual dressed like an old wizard, fond of poor fake beards, and one who enjoyed making a grand entrance, the principal Mister.
Lyle didn't dare underestimate him; the principal was nearly two meters tall, and from the broad-shouldered silhouette visible under his thin gray robe, it was apparent that he had no lack of strength.
However, it remained uncertain whether he was a close combat mage like Gandalf or a disguised boxer like Gul'dan.
The principal stepped onto the stone steps and tapped the ground with his long cane, and upon noticing that all eyes were on him, he contentedly stroked his fake beard.
In Lyle's view, the principal, unaware of his own strength, squeezed the fragile tree beard too hard, snapping off half of it; the sound of the brittle tree roots hitting the floor was unmistakably audible in the silent hall.
The indifferent gazes of the audience made the awkward atmosphere even more awkward.
But the principal seemed oblivious.
"Gentlemen and ladies of Andrey, I am delighted that we welcome our fifth cohort of newcomers. May they find their obsessions and persist in existence."
"Firstly, I have some sad news. Our neighboring Gailbo Academy was entirely burnt down by the church. It was said that among their latest newcomers, some were affiliated with the church, and the Gailbo's lax nature didn't help them disguise their identities. They investigated thoroughly, sweeping entire areas. Those residing nearby can go search for their ashes, which make for excellent spell-casting materials."
"My main point is, the disguises we maintain in Andrey are indeed necessary, and all newcomers should be cautious of their actions and choose their friends wisely."
"A poor old fellow I know has his head still hanging in Lundela's church as a warning to others."
"Secondly, we have more unfortunate news. We've gained a bunch of sisters. The Holy Light Forces of Cinderella have recently persecuted a group of women there. I've received a plea for help from the Witches, and some homeless former Witches' Association members will join us, hence we will have a new society, the Witches' Association. Unfortunately, it is a group with intense gender discrimination, so gentlemen interested in witchcraft should be prepared that they might be transformed into women."
"My main point is, this is why my arrival to this welcoming party was delayed by thirty-eight minutes and twenty-seven seconds. Those unrepentant women screamed like Sirens in my office for more than half an hour, seeking societal privileges. However, for harmony and equality in Andrey, I had to refuse them."
.....
"The principal's focus is very peculiar."
"He is a punctual gentleman, unlike most of us who lack a sense of time, perhaps that's one of the reasons for his irritation."
"I see."
"How nice."
"What is?"
"I too wish to have some cheerful ladies babble near my ear like songbirds."
"The principal described it as the wailing of Sirens..."
"Isn't that even better?"
"......"
.....
"Third, and yet another piece of unfortunate news. With the addition of the new Witches' Association, the total number of societies in Andrey has reached two thousand eight hundred. As a result, Andrey Castle can no longer provide suitable activity spaces for new societies. New society declarations are hereby canceled unless you can bring a new castle deed or a victory notice from a society opposition battle to the Executive Committee."
"My main point is, after this speech, the society recruitment activities will follow. New members of Andrey, please trust that whatever you encounter next, you are absolutely safe. Andrey's creed is about inclusivity and acceptance. As you leave through that great door, do not look upon your experiences with worldly prejudice."
"Believe that what you gain here offers a myriad of possibilities toward the truth, there is no absolute right, nor absolute wrong. No matter how great the pressure you face, believe in yourself, for the truth is not in the mouths of others but in your own hands..."
The script might have been full of passion, but the principal's oratory skills were lacking, as he read in a monotonous voice, punctuating awkwardly as if trying to cast a Magic Burst Technique with the skills of a Warrior Profession.
Lyle looked at the people in front of him; they were also one of the reasons for the failure of his speech.
Few were listening to the words of the dean.
"Have you decided on which club you want to join?"
"No, but perhaps I'll join the Magic Research Society. Before coming to the academy, I was working on a large-yield Arcane Bomb."
"Did you manage to make it?"
"I'm here in Andrey, what do you think?"
"...Peaceful, sir."
...
"I want to join the music society. I believe I have talent, and I will become Andrey's new music sensation, just like Alianna."
Listening to the lady's grating voice, Lyle thought her throat must have swallowed a large chunk of broken glass; every syllable was a drill boring holes in his eardrums.
...
"What do you think of me joining the Witches' Association?"
"Not so good, you're a man, and your voice is too thick."
"Actually, I've made some progress in Soulology. I can modify a small part of my soul to make myself believe I'm a woman."
"Oh, that's really interesting, but you should know that Soulology is a discipline both rigorous and indulgent. What I mean to say is, what if you can't change back?"
"Then I'll just be a woman. I've already thought of my female name. How do you like Daisy?"
"Cool, Daisy will be my first girlfriend."
.....
Lyle felt his way of thinking was too rigid, which must have been why he heard some unbearable words. It was definitely because his own realm wasn't high enough, just like the dean said, one shouldn't view people with worldly bias.
"Gentleman sir, who are those two people?"
"Mr. Anka and Mr. Daly."
Lyle added those two to his blacklist.
The dean's speech finally ended.
Watching him touch what little was left of his beard, he seemed quite satisfied.
"All right, newcomers, there will be a society recruitment meeting in the large conference room on the third floor. If you haven't found a target yet, you can go and take a look. Those without a clue can wander freely."
"What I want to emphasize is, please believe that Andrey is definitely safe."
The main hall's doors opened wide, and people started to move forward slowly.
Lyle also planned to take a look.
The gentleman patted Lyle on the shoulder.
"Has Mr. Plague Doctor decided on a society?"
"No, I'm planning to go up to the third floor and take a look."
"In that case, Plague Doctor, please wait here a moment."
"What's the matter, Gentleman?"
"Wait, you won't be disappointed," said the gentleman, looking towards the door.
Lyle noticed that some of the old-timers at the academy were not heading toward the door either—they all stayed in place as if something was about to happen there.
The newcomers' black tide moved slowly forward, and as they had just stepped out of the door, a burst of light descended from above.
Light bats? No, it was much brighter than light bats.
"Embrace the Holy Light!!!" A soaring male voice.
"Investigate the evil!!" The falling Holy Light brightened even more.
Like a golden meteor smashing into the crowd, the newcomers fell to the ground under the glow of the Holy Light, like wheat being harvested.
"Raymond!!!!!!!!!!"
Behind was the dean's roar, his beard shattering on the floor as he transformed into a bolt of lightning and rushed out of the main hall.
Explosions could be heard outside.
The gentleman turned his head, "Although I slightly interfered, Plague Doctor, welcome to Andrey."