Episode 102. Entrance Ceremony (3)
“The privilege of magic is given in the blessing of mana… In the figure of the triangle, there exists a solid proportion, and a solid spirit appropriate to it is established… … .”
The entrance ceremony began with opening remarks by Principal Keegan.
As expected from a principal who dislikes complicated and bothersome things, this dog food has been reused for every entrance ceremony for over a decade without changing a single word.
While the boring words continued.
Rubin closed his eyes. Oscar next to him was really asleep, but Rubin had his eyes closed in a different sense.
In that state, the smoke spread out widely. There were quite a few people inside the hall, but everyone was quiet and in one place, so it was easy to observe.
The first thing I noticed was Rosenthaler. He was sitting haughtily, looking down at the stage.
Soon, I sensed Kuze standing behind me, and also found Celesne standing a little way away from him.
Now, Kuze was trying hard not to be seen by Celesne. Fortunately, as he had hoped, Celesne seemed not to have discovered him yet.
Just standing upright, ignoring the pouring gazes from those around him.
‘There is a huge interest in the imperial nobility.’
The emergence of the Witherspoon family, which caught the mouths and ears of the city at once, marked the beginning of politics surrounding the imperial aristocracy.
The nobles of the nearby town of Capotini.
The three magical families that had their children enrolled in Capotini.
They couldn’t help but be conscious of Celesne. It was obvious that they were calculating in their heads how to speak to her.
Still, that was a drop in the bucket compared to his interest in Chloe.
While Celestia only had to ignore the dignitaries around her, Chloe had to face the gazes of all the new students.
“… In that sense, our magic school, which supports the long history of Capotini City… … .”
Even as the large principal spoke in a booming voice about the school’s spirit and the history of the development of Samhwi magic, the students glanced at Chloe from time to time.
Professors were no different in their curiosity, and Chloe had to endure the blatant stares of some of them.
‘Hmm?’
But Chloe remained unwavering throughout the entrance ceremony. She had been enjoying the attention pouring in since she was little, so perhaps this was out of the question.
“… This congratulatory speech was sent by the Grand Master of the Ministry of Magic. I will read it in his stead, as he is unable to attend due to his schedule.”
Headmaster Keegan reading the Minister of Magic’s congratulatory address.
It was just then.
Chloe, who had never wavered even once until now, suddenly showed signs of agitation. Of course, only Rubin, who was acting darkly, felt it.
“… After the Philimond incident that shocked the wizarding community two years ago, the ‘Bleached Morning’… … .”
At this point, a slight trembling occurred. It was a very faint trembling that would not have been felt if it had not been for the darkness, but it was definitely felt.
‘Even for the bright Chloe, it wasn’t something to be taken lightly.’
For the past two years, conspiracy theories have circulated within the Empire alleging that the Witherspoon family was involved in the Bleach Morning incident.
At the time, it was a well-known fact that Chloe and Celestia had spent half a day in Philimond, and the Bleach Morning incident had occurred in the weeks following their visit, so it was only natural that the conspiracy theory gained traction.
Some say that Witherspoon’s forces were behind the rebellion of the evil spirit.
Another said that the Emperor sent Chloe Witherspoon to confirm her uncle’s sincerity before cutting off the telekinesis.
‘I don’t think it will hurt the Witherspoon family at all.’
But Chloe’s personal problems were in another realm.
Rubin thought back to the Chloe he had watched over on the Blue Cat for a few days. She was so innocent that she gave her maid a headache.
Perhaps he was shocked by the Philimond incident, since Rubin knew he had also encountered the telekinesis.
It’s shocking.
Rubin took note of that possibility again.
Since I’m going to the same school as Chloe, the more I know about her the better I’ll be able to use her.
‘Maybe I can get some help from Chloe.’
With the help of Witherspoon, the most powerful person in the empire. Just thinking about it was dizzying.
“Now, let’s call the names of the professors who will be in charge of the freshmen this year.”
Principal Keegan’s voice once again captured the minds of the attendees. Rubin opened his closed eyes, and Oscar, who had been sleeping, shook his head and opened his eyes wide.
“The class assignments for the freshmen will be made later. The four classes will be named A, B, C, and D, and the four wizards I am introducing now will serve as homeroom teachers for each class.”
Principal Keegan called the names of the homeroom teachers and had them stand on the podium, but did not introduce their biographies beyond their names.
It didn’t matter to Rubin. He had already received a rough idea of the professors at the magic school through Rosenthaler.
Rubin recalled the information he knew every time his homeroom professor came up to the podium.
“I am Professor Egel, who will be the homeroom teacher for Class A.”
The first person to be called was an old professor who was as old as Principal Keegan. The old professor, who had a dignified air, stood in the center of the stage, adjusting his glasses that were slightly lowered on the bridge of his nose.
‘Professor Egeler. Homeroom teacher of Class A in Design Magic. Long-time friend of Principal Keegan. A wizard born and raised in Capotini.’
The second person to be called was Professor Solana, the homeroom teacher of Class B. She walked out with a proud air, her shoes making a clicking sound.
‘Professor Solana. Specializes in offensive magic. Although older than Eggelor or Keegan, she has an elf ancestor among her close ancestors, so she looks like a wizard in her thirties.’
Professor Solana glanced around at the incoming students and guests with a cold smile, then bowed her head briefly. Her hair fell down, revealing her ears, which were perched higher than the others.
“Next is… Professor Benitez, who will be the homeroom teacher for Class C.”
Benitez’s appearance drew a different reaction than the previous two professors. As expected of a professor with a fairly well-known name in the wizarding community, there was lively conversation among the students and guests.
‘I guess the order of roll calls is based on years of service.’
The last wizard to be called was Professor Kaizen. Professor Kaizen, with his long gray hair tied back, walked out in a bland manner. He didn’t look very good.
‘It’s Kaizen… … .’
Kaizen, who was to be the homeroom teacher for Class D, was not included in the information that Rubin received from the imperial edict.
“And before we move on to the banquet, the last person I would like to introduce is… … .”
After finishing the order of introducing the homeroom professors, the last order that everyone had been waiting for followed.
It was at that moment that Chloe, who had exchanged glances with Principal Keegan, quietly stood up from her seat.
“This year, our school has decided to accept exchange students in order to further solidify our relationship with the Americana School of Magic. This is the first time in the long history of both schools. Now, let me introduce you to Chloe Witherspoon, a student who came to our school as a fruit of harmony in the wizarding community.”
It was the quietest moment during the entrance ceremony.
Normally, I would clap my hands first at a time like this, but the majesty of the imperial nobility made me forget even such obvious courtesy.
Chloe didn’t go up to the stage. She just turned around and looked at the attendees. She bowed once, as was proper.
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According to the authority of the Imperial Nobility, they could treat everyone except royalty poorly, but they respected the methods of the Capotini School of Magic, which did not distinguish between commoners and nobles.
And this moment.
All the magic cadets straightened their heads to get a good look at the youngest daughter of the most famous magic family on the continent.
“Luden, what are you doing? Huh?”
Oscar was trying his best to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Trying to put on the most charming smile you can and making your eyes sparkle as much as possible.
At this moment, everyone, whether it was the Ielos family, famous for being the three magical families, or the Delin family, or whether they were boys or girls, or whether they were nobles or commoners, focused on Chloe.
“Hey, Luden! What are you doing? Chloe is watching you right now!”
Only one cadet was hunched over: Rubin.
“Oh, I think there’s something on my shoes.”
Thanks to that, Chloe couldn’t spot Rubin among the many people looking at her.
* * *
“Don’t be so nervous.”
Rubin advised Oscar. He saw that Oscar was so nervous that he couldn’t be more nervous. He was standing in front of the mirror constantly checking his condition.
“Do I look nervous?”
“Yeah. Totally.”
“Last night, Master Srehim personally advised me to approach it with the technique of letting go. Naturally… naturally… .”
Both of them had already changed into ball gowns.
It was as expected. Rubin was too plain to stand out, and Oscar was too flashy to attract all the attention but not attractive.
“Oscar, I’ll go out on my own.”
“Why? Don’t you know that the chances of success are higher when you go together rather than alone?”
“I don’t think even ten people, let alone two, will be able to come.”
“What! What does that mean!”
“joke.”
If he was next to Oscar, Chloe would definitely notice him as soon as they entered the ballroom. Rubin smiled awkwardly and covered it up.
Soon, music began to resonate throughout the ballroom.
The students who were ready went out to the dance hall one by one and started to wander around, looking at each other.
The indifferent Rubin and the nervous Oscar did not leave the break room until the very end.
“Luden, my first target is Dahlia of Delinga. Do you know who she is? Over there, the blue-haired princess.”
“If it’s Dahlia of Delinga… … .”
“Yes, that’s the person everyone expected to be Eric Ielos’ dance partner. But with the appearance of Chloe Witherspoon, Eric’s attention has shifted to Chloe! So I guess I have a chance too.”
“Well, I guess I’ll have to hear what Dahlia has to say about that too.”
But Oscar was already very excited and couldn’t hear anything.
“Oscar. Instead of doing that, why don’t you try showing off your magical abilities? I think that would be more appealing.”
“Dahlia is wearing a blue dress too. It matches my hair color.”
“Your hair color is originally green.”
“Oh, right.”
Oscar was still out of his mind. He shook his head vigorously and began to use self-hypnosis.
“The art of letting go… From now on, everyone I talk to is Lulu. I am just Lulu, the Uldin Bear… Lulu, I am coming… … .”
Even Oscar went out to the center of the hall, with a stiff expression and incessant muttering.
“… … .”
Rubin took his time. First of all, he had to be careful of Chloe. Chloe sucked up all the attention, so it was most natural to run into her during class.
On the one hand, Rubin had work to do.
‘I have to meet Kuze.’
There was something Kuze had to do in place of Rubin, who was having a hard time going around because of the ball.
Rubin left the lounge, looking around. Then he looked up to the ballroom, where the guests were seated.
Kuze was nowhere to be seen.
But at that time.
‘What is he doing?’
There was someone approaching Rubin very aggressively.
