Chapter 55: School entrance ceremony

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Translator: Soafp

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Breakfast on the day of the entrance ceremony.

“Elphus, I’m looking forward to your speech today.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

The other day’s exam results—El placed first in the Knight Division.

During the entrance ceremony, representatives from the Knight, Magic, and Commerce Divisions would deliver speeches. El would represent the Knight Division.

“El, congratulations. I’m proud of you as your brother.”

“Thank you, Nii-sama.”

As Grandfather observed El and me with a curious expression…

“Aldo, I hate to say this, but coming last in the Magic Division…?”

“Grandfather, I don’t mind at all. I hope you won’t mind either.”

With my brightest smile, Grandfather let out a deep sigh and looked at me with a bitter face.

His pressure was intense, but I’m a man who doesn’t look back.

So, if El is the top in the Knight Division, I asked Marl who was the top in the Magic Division.

“Who’s representing the Magic Division?”

“It’s Olivia-sama.”

“Olivia? Did she cast magic?”

“Olivia-sama excels in both academics and martial arts. She achieved high scores in all exams.”

“Marl didn’t lose either, right?”

“If we’re talking about that, why is Aldo in the D class? Did you really not cast magic during the exam?”

“I-I… Just didn’t feel like it.”

My odd behavior made everyone suspicious… I wonder why.

“Well, shall we head to the academy soon?”

“Yes.”

“Understood.”

As we headed to the academy, we talked about our expectations, anxieties, and hopes for our upcoming school life. Soon, the academy came into view.

At the school gate, many new students like us were walking, but there were no senior students in sight.

Today was the entrance ceremony, so it started an hour later than the usual time. I guess the senior students were busy studying by now.

Passing through the gate, it was time to part ways with El, who headed towards the Knight Division, while Marl and I headed to the Magic Division.

“See you, El.”

I bid farewell to El at the school gate, then continued with Marl towards the Magic Division.

“See you, Marl.”

Once we reached the entrance of the school building, it was time to part ways with Marl. The S and D class classrooms were quite far from each other.

Walking alone towards the D class, I caught my reflection in a mirror. I looked adorable—gosh, I’m pretty!

Wearing the new uniform, I found it heartwarming.

By the way, the preparations for the uniform were handled entirely by the mansion’s maids between the day of the exam results and today.

However, I accidentally caught sight of the head maid’s notebook, which had my clothing size, favorite food, and even my preferred type of person. That sent a shiver down my spine… I don’t even know my own clothing size…

Regaining my focus… The male uniform for the Magic Division had a blue chest pocket. It seemed they used the chest pocket color to identify divisions. The Knight Division had red, and the Commerce Division had yellow.

For female uniforms, it wasn’t about pockets but ribbon colors. However, blue still indicated the Magic Division.

So, looking around curiously, I arrived at my D class.

Opening the door, I peeked into the classroom. Everyone seemed to be sitting in the same seats as during the initial orientation. When in Rome, do as the Romans do—I decided to take the same seat I had before.

“Aldo, how have you been?”

Immediately, Nero, the beastman, called out to me.

“Nero, you seem energetic. I’m doing okay.”

Despite his appearance, slightly disheveled in the uniform, he was the one who arrived earliest during the orientation, I remember.

We engaged in small talk, discussing recent happenings since the exam results and what we thought back then.

“Anna-sensei seems pretty average.”

“Yeah, she lacks distinctiveness.”

As we discussed our impressions of Anna-sensei, we sensed a presence behind us.

“You two…”

It was too late when we sensed it. We turned around to find Anna-sensei standing there and, simultaneously, we were both hit with her fist.

“This is a good opportunity. Let’s introduce ourselves after the entrance ceremony. I want you to get to know me reaaaally well.”

Her voice echoed across the classroom, and with an exasperated expression, she walked to the platform.

“Well then, everyone, it’s about time for the entrance ceremony. Please move to the schoolyard.”

Anna-sensei’s words prompted everyone to rise from their seats. Some clever ones voluntarily moved, while the clueless ones followed the crowd. Naturally, I just went along with the flow.

As we moved towards the schoolyard, I noticed there wasn’t any specific arrangement by classes. Students were standing around haphazardly. It seemed like they could stand wherever they pleased. It’s quite different from the image of entrance ceremonies in Japan.

Despite being lightly surprised by this cultural difference, I found a spot and gazed forward. A middle-aged person with white hair ascended the stage.

“I am Principal Nigel. Congratulations on entering the academy.”

Seems like he’s the principal, but as he began speaking, some students looked visibly annoyed, some even sat on the ground. I admired the principal’s mental strength to speak in such an atmosphere and joined them, taking a seat.

After what felt like 10 minutes, the principal finally finished his speech. I felt a slight relief as soon as it ended. I remember feeling similarly relieved after the principal’s speech back when I was in elementary school in Japan. I realized the weightiness of the role of a principal.

Next up seemed to be the speeches from representatives.

Slowly, El, Olivia, and an unfamiliar guy ascended the platform.

El stepped forward among the three, seemingly representing the Knight Division.

“Nice to meet you all. I am Elfus von Blue Ring.”

El’s speech included a light joke and was on par with the level that would be acceptable even in Japan. Though the content was exemplary, it was his eloquence and delivery that stood out—showcasing his usual handsome charm. El finished his speech.

As El stepped back, Olivia stepped forward to begin her speech as the representative of the Magic Division.

“Nice to meet you all. I am Olivia von Sandra, the representative of the Magic Division.”

Olivia’s speech was meticulously crafted, ensuring not to bore the audience. Compared to the principal’s speech earlier, hers was a world apart.

Coupled with her glamorous appearance and the prestige of the Sandra Count’s family name, her speech received a round of applause and cheers at the end.

Then it was the turn of the representative from the Commerce Division. However, whether it was due to nervousness or the pressure from the previous two speeches… I couldn’t bear to watch any longer.

Neither the content of the speech nor the distorted voice made any sense, and it seemed like trauma would be left in my heart at this rate. At that moment, El and Olivia stepped in to provide support.

Creating an intentionally slow and calming atmosphere, they engaged the Commerce Division representative in conversation with jokes and casual banter, as if it were a regular chat.

Originally possessing the skills to represent the division, the Commerce Division student gradually relaxed, even cracking a smile midway through, and successfully concluded the speech.

In that moment, I genuinely applauded all three on stage, and the rest of the students joined in, applauding the trio. The three gracefully acknowledged the applause before stepping down from the platform.

After the entrance ceremony, we returned to our respective classes.

“Except for the principal’s speech, this entrance ceremony gets a perfect score!”

Anna-sensei suddenly declared.

She seems to have a strong dislike for the principal… perhaps some adult politics involved there.

“Now, let’s do some introductions.”

Anna-sensei’s energy levels seemed a bit higher than usual. I wonder if something from the ceremony touched her deeply. After contemplating some rather malicious thoughts, I observed Anna-sensei.

“Let’s start with introductions in the order of seating. Tell us your name, race, reasons for entering the academy, and your future goals.”

It’s based on the seating order… it seems I’m 1st, 2nd… 6th in line.

“Let’s start with me. My name’s Anna. My reason? Because I have to work to eat, of course. As for goals… perhaps marrying into wealth! Well then, next, in order from here.”

Anna-sensei picked students in order, prompting them to introduce themselves.

First was a seemingly quiet girl. On closer inspection, she had long ears. Is she an elf?

“I am Faristea.”

Her self-introduction was brief.

Anna-sensei was interpreting something in a language I didn’t recognize with Faristea.

“To supplement, she’s an elf. Moved here due to her parents’ job. Her goal is to make many friends. It’s a lovely goal. Since she’s not yet fluent in the common human language, let’s all help her out.”

Anna-sensei interpreted for Faristea and wrapped up the remaining introductions.

“Next person.”

Everyone introduced themselves in order, and it was finally my turn.

“I’m Aldo. I’m a human. My motive is to learn various magic, especially healing magic. And my goal is the same: to learn a variety of magic.”

It was a bland, unremarkable self-introduction.

Next was Nero’s turn.

“I’m Nero. I’m a beastman. Grandpa told me to come to school. My goal is to be the best at school.”

What does Nero aim to be the best at, I wonder?

As introductions progressed, there was someone intriguing.

“I’m Lewisbell. I’m a demon. My motive is to attain freedom once I graduate from the academy. I don’t particularly have a goal.”

A demon! On closer inspection, he had tan skin and deep red hair. He resembled more of a dark elf than a demon.

This completes the set, including a dwarf I saw earlier—a chubby human.

The introductions went smoothly, concluding everyone’s turn.

“That concludes everyone’s self-introductions. Despite being in Class D, there are plenty of students here with Class S-level abilities. For instance, Faristea can’t speak the common human language, so she’s in Class D, but otherwise, everyone’s at least at an S-level equivalent. So, I hope you’ll enjoy your school life with confidence.”

Anna-sensei’s words carried genuine care for us. She seems like a great teacher.

Observing the surroundings, I thought, “Even in this Class D, it seems like I could enjoy my time here.”

“Everyone, did you know that half of the classes here are elective? Regardless of your class, you can choose what you want to study. The other half covers basics like writing, arithmetic, history, and such.”

Half of the classes are elective? I wonder what kind of magic one can choose to study. The other half would probably cover things like writing, arithmetic, history, and etiquette.

“Okay, let’s form the groups that will spend the year together. I’ve brought some lots, so let’s draw them in order.”

Anna-sensei stood in front of the platform holding a bag.

“Alright everyone, pick one paper from here. There are numbers from 1 to 9 written on them, and that’s your group number.”

We all walked up to where Anna-sensei was and drew a lot.

I saw that I had drawn number 9. I feel a bit down about it… seriously, it’s a bummer.

“Aldo, what number did you get?”

“I got 9. How about you, Nero?”

“I got 9 too.”

“We’ll be together for the year then.”

I ended up in the same group as Nero. Seems like it’ll be fun.

People around were looking around, calling out their numbers and trying to find their groupmates.

“Who’s left?”

“Just wait.”

Nero yelled loudly while looking around.

“Aldo and I got number 9! Anyone else in the same group, come over here!”

The whole class looked at Nero. It should be easy for everyone to figure out who’s in the same group now.

We waited for a while, but no one else came.

I noticed Faristea was wandering around with a piece of paper.

Seems like she couldn’t read what was written on it.

I approached Faristea and spoke to her.

“Show me the paper.”

After asking, I showed her my paper, and Faristea slowly took out hers. I saw it was also number 9.

“So it’s you. We’re in the same group. Nice to meet you.”

I aligned my paper and Faristea’s to show her they had the same number. She breathed a sigh of relief, smiled, and laughed.

I returned to Nero and gestured for Faristea to join us. We exchanged greetings as the three of us.

“Who’s the last one?”

Nero’s question made everyone look around.

There was one person who seemed disinterested in all this: Lewisbell, the demon race.

I sighed and walked over to Lewisbel.

“Could it be that you also got the number 9 paper?”

To my sudden question, Lewisbel replied with a flippant answer.

“And what if I did?”

Man, that’s intense… except for me, everyone in this group has such a strong personality! I’m sure everyone who knows El, Marle, and Ashera would think, “That’s so them!”

I sighed for the umpteenth time and called Nero and Faristea.

“I’m Aldo. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Nero. Pleasure.”

“I’m Faristea.”

“…”

Lewisbell remained indifferent.

Surprisingly, Nero wasn’t bothered by Lewisbell’s attitude.

He probably didn’t even care. That’s the right way to handle it, but I’m the only one feeling half-exasperated and half-irritated by Lewisbell’s attitude.

(I’ve always found it strange. Why is it that when you advance in school, the delinquents fight among themselves to establish a hierarchy… I think I understand that feeling now.)

Come to think of it, I’m 12 years old, about to be in the 8th grade. It wouldn’t be strange if I caught some kind of illness.

But I’m an adult. I won’t succumb to adolescent syndrome… I hope.

Honestly, it’s completely different from what I nostalgically imagined when I was a student in Japan.

But I’ve decided to approach things warmly as an adult.