After the entrance ceremony was over, we were all guided to our respective classes. The sound of dozens of shoes echoing down the long corridor.
"This is it, Class 1-A," said an officer as he opened the large double doors. Inside, the room was spacious yet warm. Tables and chairs are lined up in neat rows, with a large blackboard in front. Sunlight streamed in through a large window on the left side, reflecting a golden glow on the shiny wooden floor.
However, there was someone already standing at the front of the classroom. That person was a woman. She looked at us, and told us all to come in.
I stepped in slowly, following the other students who had entered first. Everyone took the places that had been prepared, but no one had sat down yet. We all looked at each other awkwardly, trying to glance and size each other up.
When we were all in and it was quiet. The woman began to speak.
"Welcome everyone to Class 1-A," her calm, clear voice instantly brought silence to the room.
"My name is Sakura Shiraishi, and I am your homeroom teacher. Here I will be your guide, trainer, and, also your protector during these tough years at the academy."
She stepped closer, her hands resting on the front desk.
"You have all made it through the rigorous selection process to be here. But make no mistake, this is just the beginning of your journey. Starting today, you will be tested. Not just your strength, but also your heart, courage, ability to work together, and other things. You are here to become a Knight, and that is not an easy task."
Although the teacher said it with a smiling face, her tone really implied that we should remember her.
A woman with a sturdy posture but a relaxed demeanor. Her long black hair flowed down to her waist with pink eyes. She wore a long white shirt with a business card with the academy's crest on her left breast. And a black skirt below her knees. Her relaxed little smile made all the students relax.
'Just as the deity said, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-A will be a former S-ranked Knight. A woman who used to be active as an S-ranked knight. It makes sense to appoint a high-ranked knight as the homeroom teacher of Class 1-A considering that within this class are the people who performed the best in the entrance examination. Not to mention there are children from famous families here.'
"Alright, before we start anything today. Let's all do introductions," she continued.
"You'll be spending a lot of time together, so get to know your classmates. Let's start with..."
She glanced at the list in her hand, but immediately her gaze fell on the student in front of her.
"You."
She pointed to a student in the front row. The boy stood nervously, his hair was bright blonde and his eyes seemed to be constantly moving.
"I'm... I'm Ren Kondo from K...kyoto. I...have a dream to become a .... knight in order to protect those closest to me."
After his stammered introduction. Ren sat down quickly, his face flushed, to a few chuckles.
Teacher Shirashi just smiled a little.
"Take it easy. It's just an introduction."
One by one, the other students introduced themselves. Among those students was Luna, the girl who was my opponent earlier in the practical exam. And now it was the introduction of the daughter of the best Knight family in Japan
"Hello, I'm Akane Katsuragi. My family has been heroes for four generations, and I will make sure that tradition continues. I will show people that I can become a great Knight from studying at this academy."
His tone of voice and expression were firm, full of pride, but also carried pressure for those who heard him.
Introductions continued, among the students there were those who came from families with hereditary healing abilities. And some unique students.
Next up was Takeru Shinoda. Dai stood up and took a breath.
"Introducing my name is Takeru Shinoda. I came to this academy not just to become strong, but to ensure that that strength is used properly. I'm here to be someone who can protect those who don't have the strength to protect themselves. I don't care how difficult the path is, I will not back down."
Hearing his words, several people smiled and clapped their hands.
"Heh! What a flashy introduction. Suitable for a typical Shounen protagonist. I should introduce myself well too."
When it was my turn, all eyes were on me, just as they were on the students who were about to introduce themselves. I stood up slowly, feeling my heart beating fast.
"My name is Kaito Harukaze," I said calmly.
"Maybe from hearing my surname, someone knows me. But that's not important here. I came to this academy not because I want to be in the spotlight, but because I want to be someone who can be relied upon."
Pausing for a moment.
"I know our journey in this academy won't be easy, but I hope we can all learn and grow together. If anyone needs help, I will do my best to help. Let's become knights who are not only strong, but also bring hope to people."
Some of the students who heard and looked at me smiled, some nodded kindly. I accidentally looked at Luna and she nodded her head and smiled. I turned my head and my gaze met with Takeru. He nodded smiling brightly and gave me a thumbs up. And also teacher Shiraishi looked at me with her friendly smile.
I breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down.
'Fortunately, I have made preparations for this with some advice from the gods.'
After all the students introduced themselves, Shiraishi swept her gaze across the room.
She walked slowly among the students, the sound of her steps barely audible.
"Hearing your words during the introductions, I realize you came to this academy with your own dreams and goals. But this journey is a long one, and along the way, there will be times when you begin to ask questions. Can I really be a hero?"
She looked at them one by one, her eyes full of tenderness, but also holding firmness.
"When that time comes, remember. You are not alone. No Knight can stand alone. Even the strongest ones need someone to remind them why they started this journey. So, don't be afraid to fall later. Falling is not failure, giving up is what makes one stop being a Knight."
Master Shiraishi smiled faintly. "Welcome once again to Seiko Gakuen. May you be prepared for what lies ahead."
And just like that, the first day at Seiko Gakuen came to an end.