Once seated, I notice that this place arouses my curiosity. Everything seems very... luxurious? There are things I have never seen before. From the entrance and all its facade to the interior, everything looks ostentatious and shiny.
It was also true what my sister said: there are people of different races. I only knew Humans and Demons, but there seem to be people with all kinds of appearances. I guess I'll have to get used to this and not be so easily surprised. Although the seats are divided by class in this order: D, E, F, with class F being the farthest to this left side of the auditorium, I don't see anyone who isn't human. But if we look to the right, the seats are divided into: A, B, C, with group A being the furthest to the front of the auditorium. In all those classes there are many students of different races; I guess most of them are stronger than us.
I lean back a bit in my chair to be more comfortable and look up at the ceiling of the auditorium, which is shaped like a dome. The weird thing is the drawings on it. When I look closely, I see a series of images of people fighting dragons, and, to one side, a drawing of a woman holding a spear, fighting with a.... person? That person has wings and is spitting.... fire? What kind of person would that be. It looks like all the painting on the ceiling is meant to tell a story, but I don't care.
— I hope this starts now," I whisper.
Just as I finish saying that, all the lights in the auditorium go out, and only the lights that illuminate a raised stage above the seats come on, which makes sense, since all the students will be able to see without any problem.
A man between 45 and 50 years old, with some beard on his chin and long black braided hair, dressed in a white robe with bright yellow details, appears from the side of the stage.
At the same time, I notice the presence of a girl approaching me. When she is in front of me, she asks me:
— Is this place taken? -pointing with her hand to the empty seat next to me.
I look at her and think, Can't you see this area is almost empty? Why would you sit here?
— It's taken, I'm s...
— Thank you.
Before I can finish speaking, she thanks me and sits down elegantly, crossing her legs. I guess she only asked out of formality, she didn't really care what I said.
I discreetly watch her. Although it's very dark and I can't see her well, I notice that she's wearing the same uniform as Haruki. Is she from his class? In that case, what is she doing sitting here?
She notices that I'm watching her and, without taking her eyes off the stage, she says to me:
— Seraphine.
— Oh, is that my name?
— That's my name. Now pay attention," he says with a steady, serious look at the stage.
At that moment, a memory comes to my mind. We were 8 years old, and my sister was teaching me how I should introduce myself, saying something like, "You should always introduce yourself cordially to people, little brother:
— You should always introduce yourself cordially to people, little brother. In this world, connections are the most important thing. Try not to offend anyone and speak to them with respect.
After remembering that, I turn to her and, with a more serious countenance, I say:
— Nice to meet you - bowing my head a little - My name is Hikaru.
— Nice to meet you, Hikaru," she replies, turning her gaze towards me.
After telling me that, she turns in the direction of the stage. Seeing that, I do the same.
At that moment, the man in the robe begins to speak.
— I welcome you, students of this academy, to the entrance ceremony.
The echo of his voice reverberates throughout the auditorium and you can clearly hear what he is saying. Will this be the use of "magic"?
— Today we mark the beginning of your paths. Before you are the gates that lead to an amazing world. This academy has a legacy written in the blood of those warriors who forged their swords with the fire of the dragons they slayed. Many of you know the stories: stories of heroes who slayed those creatures that soar the skies and walk the earth, stories of how they defended territories so that those who inhabited those lands could see a tomorrow. But what you have not been told is that here, in this compound, you cadets will be molded, trained, study and learn all that is necessary to defeat a dragon. Perhaps a few will forge a name for themselves to start their own legacy.
— True power does not come from the beasts they will tame. The power you need is the power of will: the will to keep going, no matter what adversity you face, no matter how bleak the outlook may seem. Some of you will not make it to the end. This path is not for the weak. You will face your fears, fall to your weaknesses and succumb to the darkness. But if you persevere, if you allow the fire of your will to burn in your hearts, you will leave here not as mere warriors, but as guardians and true Arcanists!
— Remember, you are not here by chance. Each of you has been blessed and has managed to awaken and manifest the powers of a dragon.
— So, cadets, are you ready to embark on this journey, are you ready to be forged by the fire of Ares? Only time will tell. May the flame of Ares protect and illuminate you on your journey. Welcome to the cadet academy, Tracia!
With that said, the large auditorium doors open, and a gust of wind enters. Then, the lights come on, illuminating the entire auditorium. Everyone stands up, including Seraphine. Not knowing why, I confusedly stand up as well.
— Kalzar! -they all shout in unison.
I have no idea what that means, so I keep quiet. After they said it and without me noticing, Seraphine walks over to where class A is. I couldn't get a good look at her face because it was dark, but she didn't look any different from me, that is, a human. Now, looking at her back, I notice that she has her hair down, very dark black, totally straight and so long that it reaches her waist.
I guess I shouldn't care where she goes. Now that it's all over, I walk quietly to the door. As I walk, I notice that the entire A class is still standing in the same place, and next to them is the man who gave the speech. I guess he's telling them something special.
— I'll have to wait for my sister near the door, "I whisper to myself.