“Child, do you have something to say about this?” The Principal’s sharp gaze fell on Aether as everyone looked back at him.
Other servants who were near Aether immediately stepped away, sensing trouble.
“N-Nothing, Madam,” Aether stammered, his face turning awkward as he inwardly cursed, ‘What the fuck is wrong with me!!’
The Principal’s frown deepened, her eyes briefly glancing at his pocket where Snowflake, the tiny snake creature, was hiding. Snowflake trembled when it felt two gazes staring at her.
“Thud”
Just as tension built in the room, the door swung open with a loud thud. Four people hurriedly walked in, their expressions a mix of relief and anxiety, before quickly settling into the first row without uttering a word.
The Principal, her attention now on the latecomers, nodded in acknowledgement, “It’s good that you finally came. Now, we shall begin our ceremony.”
‘Sigh,’ Aether breathed in relief, thinking the Principal had forgotten about his momentary lapse… unaware that she glanced a few times at Aether before she settled into her chair, her attention shifting to the Middle-aged man who began to address the gathering.
After a long welcome speech about the students’ past efforts and the challenges awaiting them in the future (which almost put most of the students to sleep), the middle-aged man finally turned his attention to the chosen ones.
“I know you’ve all heard about them before, but as a formality, allow me to introduce them to everyone,” he announced.
‘Clap, Clap’
The audience responded with polite applause as the chosen ones gracefully rose from their seats and made their way to the stage.
The middle-aged man began the introductions, and the rest of the students watched with eager expressions:
“First, we have Kaelen Darkfang and Aria Zephyr from the Aerionis Zephyra Empire.”
Kaelen, a man in his twenties with ebony hair and yellow-slitted eyes, bore wolf ears and tails. His tall and muscular frame, coupled with his confident demeanour, spoke of a seasoned warrior.
Aria, a woman in her thirties with silky white hair and piercing blue eyes, exuded a Queen aura despite her Warrior-like expression. Her long ears indicated her Elvish heritage, adding an air of grace to her powerful presence.
Those two were the latecomers.
“Kai Frostblade and Aqualina Naiadia from the Aquaris Naiadae Empire,” he continued.
Kai, a bluish-black-haired boy in his teenage years, had an air of mystery around him. His sharp, icy-blue eyes hinted at depths of determination and mystery about his unknown future.
Aqualina, with her silky purple hair cascading down her shoulders, had a serene yet determined look in her purple eyes. Her elegance and confidence were evident in every step she took.
“Leon Dargonheart and Raven Noir from the Pyra Fulgur Empire,” the Middle-aged man proceeded.
Leon, with his striking blue hair and keen, observant eyes, carried himself with a sense of curiosity and intelligence. His youthful energy was tempered by a maturity beyond his years.
Raven, the dark red-haired woman in her twenties, commanded attention with her intense gaze behind her sunglasses and formidable silent presence. Her confident stance spoke of someone who had faced challenges and emerged stronger.
“Finnian Sunfire and Helena Sunfire from the Elysiumis Aurora Empire,” he announced next.
Finnian, with his dark brown hair and piercing golden eyes, had an aura of determination and loyalty. His calm demeanour hid a fiery passion within, ready to blaze when needed.
Helena, with her radiant golden hair and matching eyes, emanated warmth and kindness. Her gentle smile belied the strength and resilience that lay beneath her exterior.
“Jack Sparrow and Nyx Shadowfall from the Umbrionis Void Empire,” the Middle-aged man concluded.
Jack, the black-haired teenage boy with intense black eyes, had an air of mystery and unpredictability around him. His sharp features and confident posture hinted at a cunning intellect and resourcefulness.
Nyx, the black-haired woman with hints of purple and mixed purple-blue eyes, exuded an enigmatic charm. Her poised demeanour and piercing gaze hinted at depths of knowledge and power waiting to be unravelled.
The remaining latecomers.
“Jack Sparrow…” Aether frowned deeply as he scrutinized the black-haired boy, Jack Sparrow, who stood among the Arcane Kings and Queens.
The ceremony continued with enthusiastic cheers and admiration from the audience. The Arcane Kings and Queens, representing power and beauty, received a storm of compliments and affectionate shouts from the attendees.
‘Clap, Clap’
‘Wsshhh!’
“Mr. Leon!! I love you!!”
“Mr. Kai!! You look very handsome!!”
“Mr. Kaelen… You look majestic!”
“Mr. Jack, I love you too!!”
“Mr. Finnian, Your gaze is burning me!!”
The ladies in the audience couldn’t contain their admiration, showering the Arcane Kings with praises and adoration, each compliment painting a picture of charm and allure.
Not wanting to leave out the Queens…. gentlemen in the crowd who cheered for the Arcane Queens,
“Ms. Aqualina, You are so beautiful, I like you!!”
“Queen Aria Zephyr… Our Elven Queen Long live!!”
“Ms. Raven, we cannot see your beautiful eyes behind the glasses!!!”
“OMG! Saintess Helena is really far more beautiful than what I had imagined!!”
“Ms. Nyx, you are…..”
However, the last compliment got stifled as the speaker faltered under Nyx’s intense gaze, revealing a hint of fear amidst the admiration.
Aether couldn’t help but feel…. Worried. Yeah, He was worried about girls. Observing the line of Arcane Queens, he couldn’t help but think, ‘What a pain in the ass.’
And Log being silence made him even more worried…. If not for these Arcane Queens, who would be his target? His gaze shifted to two individuals he had narrowly escaped before.
_____________________
[Author’s Note: I am truly sorry guys but I somehow got repeated 100 words. I know it’s my mistake for this to happen… Please forgive me. I tried to delete it but NovelFull wouldn’t allow 100 words…..I am sorry again!! I will make sure this will not happen again.
Again sorry for making you waste your hard-earned money.
‘Wsshhh!’
“Mr. Leon!! I love you!!”
“Mr. Kai!! You look very handsome!!”
“Mr. Kaelen… You look majestic!”
“Mr. Jack, I love you too!!”
“Mr. Finnian, Your gaze is burning me!!”
“Ms. Aqualina, You are so beautiful, I like you!!”
“Queen Aria Zephyr… Our Elven Queen Long live!!”
“Ms. Raven we cannot see your beautiful eyes behind the glasses!!!”
“OMG! Saintess Helena is really far more beautiful than what I had imagined!!”
“Ms. Nyx, you are…..”]
____________________
‘Dang it, I thought they might be in the Academy, but I never thought they would be the chosen ones,’ Aether thought, grateful that he had the foresight to conceal his face earlier.
Then suddenly, the Principal stood and proclaimed, “Now, for the top three students who scored magnificently during the Entrance Test.”
“1st Rank Holder who passed the test with flying colours…. Let’s welcome,
Thalia Crimsonclaw”
Aether observed as an onyx black-haired girl with Crimson red eyes, adorned with two black horns on her head, exuded an aura of allure and danger, signifying her dragon lineage. With a small grin on her face, she confidently walked toward the stage.
“2nd Rank Holder…. Aurelia Scarlett.”
Aether was taken aback when he heard that name. Walking towards the stage was a blonde-haired girl he recognized all too well. Even Kai himself seemed surprised that Aurelia had secured the second rank.
“Then 3rd Rank Holder….. Ashara Nightfire.”
A girl with a pale body and ash-coloured hair, accompanied by raspberry-coloured eyes and two small horns, indicative of her Succubus heritage, made her way to the stage.
“Succubus?”
“Don’t tell me she secured Third Rank?”
“Damn, look at her hot body.”
“Fuck, I hope she comes to my dream.”
“Hehe… I think she might have slept with an officer to get this place.”
Some students murmured amongst themselves, unaware that their words were heard by the Principal, who wasted no time in addressing their discrimination,
“I don’t care who you are. If you discriminate against any race in my Academy and question our selection process…. I will throw you away without a second thought,” she declared, snapping her fingers, and causing the three students to disappear from the stadium.
Students who were near them couldn’t help but sigh in relief, grateful that they had refrained from joining the chatter.
“Now, if anybody wants, you can give your speech to fire up the remaining students,” the Principal announced with a smile, her eyes scanning the 13 students standing on the stage.
Most shook their heads, except Kai, Leon, and Thalia.
After receiving permission, Kai said, “My name is Kai Frostblade, grandson of Mortimer Frostblade, who saved millions of people during his service to his Empire. Like him, I will save those in need and prove my worth through my efforts.”
Students were surprised to see Kai’s dead serious face and determined expression. The ladies couldn’t help but marvel at his speech, shouting at him with fanatical expressions, impressed by his noble aspirations.
‘Sigh, he’s already getting the women’s attention,’ Aether thought, noting the reactions of the female students around him.
Next, Leon said, “My name is Leon Dragonheart. Though my family is very influential and rules the Empire, I want to prove myself without their support. From the moment I was chosen by the Arcane, I trained myself without my family’s backing. I aim to become a sovereign through hard work and dedication, just like others who started with nothing but their two hands.”
“OHH!!!” Students opened their mouths in surprise to see a noble acting like a commoner. Others couldn’t help but awe him, recognizing the sincerity in his words and his determination to stand on his own merits.
And Last,
And finally, Thalia said, “I will become Sovereign.”
With those words, the entire stadium fell silent, the gravity of her declaration sinking in.
Aether couldn’t help but ponder the contradiction. Hadn’t Princess made it clear that only the Chosen could aspire to become a Sovereign? The declaration from Thalia about aspiring to become a Sovereign piqued Aether’s interest.