Chapter 15
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Episode 5 - Specialties [1]
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"They're here."
"Ha, ha, they're soaked."
"Ha, ha, ha! Look! I've never seen a kid this small here before."
The senior students mocked them.
Several first-year students who respected themselves shuddered in embarrassment, but the first-years kept their composure.
Ardiene led them to the center and gave instructions to the students.
"Group by Empires. Captains, step forward as representatives."
The students carefully lined up in five rows.
Naturally, the row of students from Radren was noticeably sparse.
From the podium, the professors observed while murmuring.
"What happened? There are far more students from the other empires than I thought there would be."
A professor, asking in an almost accusatory tone, addressed Alex.
But Alex remained stoic.
Meanwhile, Lucius looked around and then recognized a voice...
"Hello, Lucius."
Charlotte, his entrance exam partner, greeted him with a smile as she walked toward him.
Lucius returned the smile, enjoying Charlotte's friendly presence.
"Join the line, quickly."
"Of course!"
Charlotte, standing next to Lucius, said cheerfully.
"I was so amazed watching you fight, you know? I even enrolled in a knight studies class! I'm thinking of specializing in it."
Lucius looked slightly puzzled.
"But don't you aspire to be a combat-type mage?"
"Yes!"
Lucius paused and then suggested,
"Then shouldn't you focus more on magic?"
"Why? I'm good at magic. Do you think I still need more training?"
Lucius was about to say something while looking at Charlotte, slightly embarrassed.
"We will now begin the entrance ceremony. First, a few words from the director."
Charlotte fell silent as the professor on the podium spoke.
Beside him, an elderly man stepped onto the podium.
The newest students tensed.
There wasn't a single person there who didn't know the identity of this old man.
Director Raze Kelian.
One of humanity's greatest heroes.
Level 7, Hero Rank.
"You've come a long way, newcomers."
Raze's words reached all the students as they straightened up.
"I'm not going to preach, but I will share a bit of inspiration."
Boom!
Raze struck the podium with his fist, igniting a fire in the hearts of the first-year students.
"Believe in yourselves to become heroes! Push beyond your limits! Those who don't..."
The first-year students held their breath, captivated by his presence.
"... will have no place in the Sanctuary of Heroes."
And Raze finished.
There was a moment of silence after his words.
But then...
"....."
Cheers erupted.
His brief speech moved them more than any long lecture.
Looking back, Raze made a peace sign at the professors.
Some scratched their heads at the sight.
"Uh-hello, Director!"
"It would have been great if you had kept it solemn."
"The more I teach, the more my expectations for incoming classes get shattered."
The professors, reluctantly, understood.
Raze, the legendary hero, was actually just a fragile old man.
The professor on stage sighed in agreement.
"Next, the first-year student representative will speak."
All eyes were fixed on the first-year representative.
The best among the first-years who would represent them.
A standout hero candidate among hundreds.
And yet...
... The captains at the front of their respective lines tensed.
With everyone's full attention, the host professor broke the silence.
"Let's welcome this year's first-year representative to the podium: Lucius Behringer."
"....."
The students looked at each other.
"Lucius Behringer?"
"Lucius who?"
"Isn't he one of the captains?"
The first-year students were confused.
Even the six captains seemed perplexed.
The professors, equally unaware, shared their confusion.
The professor acting as the announcer intervened.
"Lucius Behringer, please come up to the podium."
Lucius proceeded and stood up.
On his way, he met the astonished gaze of Charlotte and the others.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alexis, sitting in another row, unable to keep his jaw from dropping.
For an ordinary student one who wasn't a captain to be chosen as the first-year representative was unusual.
The upperclassmen, also surprised, looked at Lucius.
All eyes were on him.
Then he calmly thought,
'I'm the first-year student representative?'
Lucius was also somewhat confused by this unexpected situation.
Despite his good performance in the entrance exam, he had expected Ashly or Franz to rank higher than him.
They had been the most active during the exam, sharing first place in a tie.
Lucius finally reached the podium and saw Alex, the supervisor of the entrance exam.
"Don't tell me that guy has something to do with this."
Lucius stepped forward and surveyed the crowd.
"Esteemed professors and students, thank you for welcoming us, the first-year class. The first-year students of the Sanctuary of Heroes feel honored to..."
Lucius delivered the speech fluently, his face stoic.
Although internally, a mix of emotions stirred within him.
Among the crowd, questions and curiosity swirled about his surprising selection over the captains.
Among some, there was envy.
"Once again, thank you all. Lucius, first-year student representative."
Applause erupted.
"Good job, Lucius. How about writing me a few words?"
The professor smiled.
Allowing first-year representatives to give an improvised speech was a tradition.
An opportunity to inspire and challenge others.
'Is this a challenge for those who competed for this position?'
Lucius thought, smiling outwardly.
Being the best attracted many competitors.
Which, for him, was somewhat annoying because he had plans for this place.
Looking toward the first-year students, he said,
"I am Lucius Behringer, your first-year representative."
"....."
The host professor's disappointment was evident at Lucius's polite greeting, and he thought to himself,
"The new representative is a quiet person. Well, not bad for an outstanding student."
Speaking recklessly was not an easy choice here.
It was difficult to stand out during the first impression they had of each student.
"It looks like this will be a normal ceremony this year."
But...
What the professors assumed to be a quiet and ordinary student...
They were wrong.
"If you have a problem with me being the representative, then take it from me if you can."
The professor's eyes widened.
The first-year students gasped.
Lucius smirked once and stepped down.
He had understood and followed the school's expectations to the letter.
"That's really something special!"
The host professor fumed in silence.
Some of the upperclassmen laughed.
"This ceremony is a bit different."
"A bold new kid."
"Arrogant and overconfident bastard."
All eyes were on Lucius.
However, Lucius stepped down from the podium, ignoring the subtle threatening looks from the students and the piercing gazes of the professors.
As he returned to his seat, Lucius noticed Ashly's gaze.
Ashly, staring at Lucius, snorted with her chin held high.
Beside her, Franz smiled at Lucius.
"Lucius is the first-year representative?"
He and Charlotte whispered excitedly as he returned.
"What a shame it wasn't your brother."
Lucius said, tilting his head slightly.
"I agree, it's a pity. But after seeing you fight, I understand."
Charlotte nodded with her arms crossed.
"I never mentioned it, but my brother probably recognizes you too."
Somewhat surprised, Lucius looked at Charlotte.
"That's unexpected."
Lucius looked at Franz, who was in front.
After a while, the ceremony ended.
***
Afterward, the first-year students were guided to their dormitories.
The campus had separate dormitories for men and women.
Large mansion-like buildings stood side by side next to a central garden.
A dormitory administrator addressed us.
"One room per person."
The manager let out a brief sigh.
"Entering the dormitory of the opposite sex without reason is not allowed."
His tone turned stern.
"Please respect these rules, even if you're interested in the opposite sex."
"Of course."
The students around me seemed disappointed.
The manager smiled bitterly.
Despite this warning, he knew some would break the rules out of rebellion.
"Now, find your luggage, unpack, and meet back here in an hour."
The first-year students chatted, found their suitcases, and checked into their rooms.
"Hey, Lucius, we're neighbors, ha ha ha!"
"Yeah, yeah, we'll be neighborly friends, ha ha ha!"
I chuckled at Alexis's excitement.
"I'm surprised you have a reputation."
Alexis still seemed slightly surprised.
"I am too, I didn't expect it."
It wasn't a joke I was completely out of the loop.
"You must have passed the exam."
Alexis said as he waved his hand.
"I guess the examiner must have liked what they saw."
I was entering my room when I overheard murmurs nearby.
"Is he the first-year representative?"
"Why him and not the captains? Does he have connections?"
"Can you become a representative just by having a fancy background?"
....
After changing clothes, I started unpacking, only to be gathered again this time to receive an exhausting schedule.
First, the class assignments.
The Sanctuary of Heroes mainly offered classes tailored to each specialty, but there were also general education classes.
In these classes, I would study alongside my peers.
For first-year students, there were ten sections of this class, numbered from 1st to 10th.
Charlotte, Alexis, and I were assigned to the fifth class.
After receiving this assignment, we were taken to one of the many facilities within the Sanctuary of Heroes.
The Sanctuary site was enormous, being one of the only four Sanctuaries of Heroes in the world.
Touring the important facilities took half a day.
Upon returning to the dorms after the excursion, we were greeted by the dormitory inspector.
"Nice to meet you. I am Alexander, the first-year dormitory inspector. Thank you for your hard work and attention today. Starting tomorrow, you will attend a week-long exploratory class."
During this period, students could choose any subject they wanted.
Even if you arrived with the goal of becoming a knight, this was an opportunity to take magic classes or courses in summoning and spirituality.
It was a chance to discover hidden talents.
"Classes start tomorrow, so get some rest tonight."
With Professor Alexander's farewell, the students headed to their dormitories.
"What a busy day!"
Looking at Alexis, he was stretching.
I guess he's pretty tired I feel the same way.
"I'm excited for tomorrow! Anyway, good night, Lucius!"
"Good night."
After that farewell, we both entered our respective rooms.
And I fell asleep immediately.