14
Chapter 14
Vice-Principal Vincent had been busy since morning.
He adjusted his tie and checked the tips of his shoes. This was already the third time. He even practiced his smile in front of the mirror.
How many chances in a lifetime would he get to stand before VIPs from six different nations?
'If I make a strong impression and win the support of these nations, the position of Principal will be mine.'
That wasn't all.
He knew that building a rapport with these VIPs would lead to manifold profits through a few well-placed favors in the future.
The secretary knocked on the door.
"Vice-Principal. The VIPs are moving toward the Grand Auditorium."
"I understand. I'm coming right now!"
Vincent stepped out into the hallway with brisk strides. The sound of his shoes was upbeat.
#
The entrance to the Grand Auditorium.
Spotting the VIPs, Vincent approached them with open arms. He walked so fast that the clattering of his shoes was loud.
"Welcome! You must be exhausted from your long journey. I am Vincent, the Vice-Principal of this Academy!"
He bowed deeply, his waist bending at a right angle.
Nadia tilted her head slightly toward Lionel.
"...Doesn't his back hurt bowing like that?"
"Obviously."
Lionel replied by mouthing the words.
"He's probably just trying to suck up to get something out of them. Just ignore him."
Vincent straightened up and scanned the six guests. No one acknowledged his greeting.
Esme leaned on her staff, Garrett stood holding the luggage, and Edouard was adjusting his gloves.
Vincent's smile wavered for a brief moment before returning.
"I will show you to your seats. Please, come this way."
#
The Grand Auditorium was already packed with students.
The area was divided by class, and the assistants in charge of each class were managing the students.
The VIP seats were visible at the upper center in front of the stage. Six chairs were lined up side by side.
Vincent stood before the VIP seats and gestured with one hand.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable. The Academic Festival will begin shortly."
The VIPs moved toward their seats.
Esme naturally took the far-left seat. Isael quietly sat beside her. The remaining four hesitated for a moment over the other seats.
Lionel quickly snagged the far-right seat on the opposite end.
"I'll sit here."
"Why?"
Nadia asked.
"Because it's a good spot."
"You're just avoiding sitting next to Edouard, aren't you?"
"That's not it."
"Yes, it is."
Nadia chuckled and sat down beside him. Two seats remained: one next to Isael and one next to Nadia.
Garrett set down the luggage and sat next to Isael. Edouard checked the remaining seats and walked over to Nadia.
Nadia's back stiffened ever so slightly. The hand resting on her lap clenched.
Edouard sat down and naturally tilted his head toward Nadia.
"I'll change seats if you're uncomfortable."
His voice was soft, sounding sincerely considerate. That only made him more annoying.
"No."
Nadia answered shortly, staring straight ahead.
"It's fine."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Edouard smiled quietly and looked forward.
That word again. Glad.
Nadia pursed her lips tightly before relaxing them, then naturally shifted her body slightly toward Lionel.
Lionel had been watching the whole scene from start to finish.
'Interesting.'
Their eyes met. Without a word, Lionel turned his gaze back to the front, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Nadia spoke in a low voice.
"Why are you smiling?"
"I'm not."
"You are."
"You're imagining things. Just imagining things."
Nadia glared at Lionel for a moment before giving up and looking toward the stage.
The seating arrangement was complete.
Esme — Isael — Garrett — Edouard — Nadia — Lionel.
Vincent stepped to the front of the stage. His voice was loud enough to echo throughout the hall even without a microphone, a skill honed through decades of oratory.
"Distinguished VIPs from the six nations, and the brilliant students of our Academy!"
He spread his arms wide.
"Today is the day you showcase your hard-earned skills to the world. Each class, please demonstrate everything you have learned at the Academy. To our guests, if any student piques your interest, please identify them immediately. We will arrange a separate meeting."
Vincent's eyes lingered on Esme for a moment before turning away.
"Then, let the Academic Festival begin!"
The crowd erupted in applause. Among the VIP seats, only Nadia clapped.
The first class appeared on stage.
#
S Class was up first.
Six students stepped onto the stage. Their alignment was neat, and their posture was flawless.
Lionel gave Nadia a slight nudge with his elbow.
"That kid in the middle."
"Yes?"
"Their talent is a work of art. Even the way they stand is different."
Nadia narrowed her eyes. Though her experience as a merchant had sharpened her eye for people, Lionel was more perceptive when it came to mana.
"Does it look that way?"
"That one will probably make a name for themselves later."
Lionel spoke casually, but his eyes were serious.
The S Class demonstration began.
Flames, wind, and water intersected across the stage. The crowd cheered at the sophisticated magic.
Esme spoke.
"They've mimicked it well."
Low, calm voice. Isael looked at Esme.
"Mimicking?"
"They're just doing exactly what they've been taught since they were children. There's not a shred of creativity to be found."
Esme tapped her staff lightly on the ground.
"They should be a bit more reckless at that age. Once they graduate from the Academy, the world will be full of people who can do things like that."
Garrett agreed with her internally.
Edouard tilted his head slightly toward Esme.
"But does that level of completeness not prove the excellence of the Academy's curriculum?"
"Completeness."
Esme repeated the word softly.
"It seems the Duke has a preference for things that are complete."
Edouard maintained his smile and did not answer.
Nadia tilted her head toward Lionel.
"The Archmage just took a shot at the Duke, didn't she?"
"She did."
"As expected, the elder is the best."
Lionel chuckled softly.
#
Next, A Class took the stage.
Unlike S Class, which consisted mostly of wizards, A Class was composed of martial arts awakened.
It was uncommon for martial arts types to appear on the Academic Festival stage. The audience began to buzz.
Four martial arts students stepped forward.
The first student leaped. His body soared high, spinning three times in the air while scattering mana from his weapon. The moment he landed, a shockwave erupted, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
Gasps of admiration came from the crowd.
The second student crossed their arms, pulverizing a series of training stone tablets one after another. The sight of the tablets cracking and shattering was spectacular.
The cheers grew louder.
For the third act, the remaining two students worked together. Raising their mana, they charged simultaneously, their entire bodies glowing with emission.
The stage became blindingly bright. The audience roared with excitement.
Garrett remained silent. He hadn't spoken a word from start to finish, watching the stage with an expressionless face.
Noticing this, Nadia asked softly.
"Do you not like it?"
"......It's flashy."
Garrett answered curtly. It wasn't a compliment.
Nadia looked back at the stage. Then, she slowly began to understand.
The high leaps, the scattering stone dust, the blinding emission.
It all looked great. But—she felt that actually facing those attacks wouldn't be that difficult.
Lionel glanced at Garrett.
"Maybe the Knight Commander's standards are a bit too high? The reaction from the audience is fantastic."
"If it looks impressive to civilians, you die on the battlefield."
Garrett spoke calmly. Lionel shut his mouth.
Esme watched the stage and tapped her staff once.
"They didn't train their bodies; they just coated them in mana. Why are those calling themselves martial arts awakened acting like wizards?"
Esme added quietly.
"Whether they're wizards or martial arts types, they're all the same—just doing exactly what they were taught at the Academy."
#
B Class's demonstration began.
There were far more students on stage than in the previous class—twelve in total.
Aligned in two rows, they simultaneously drew up their mana.
Multiple flames intersected and spiraled, while water and wind filled the gaps. It looked as if they were casting a massive piece of composite magic.
The audience was silent, overwhelmed by the spectacle.
The B Class students unleashed their final technique. A magic circle converged into a single point, and a pillar of light erupted toward the ceiling.
Applause broke out. This time, a few people other than Nadia in the VIP seats joined in.
The waiting area next to the VIP seats.
Saphent stood with his arms crossed, watching the stage. A sinister smile played on his lips.
'This should be enough. If the VIPs have any eyes at all, they'll pick B Class.'
He strode confidently toward the Vice-Principal.
"What do you think, Vice-Principal? The level of my students?"
Vincent nodded with a satisfied expression.
"Truly magnificent, Teacher Saphent. The VIPs' reactions seem positive as well."
"Of course they are."
Saphent said, looking back at the stage.
"These students were trained personally by me. This level of performance is basic for them."
Saphent's voice overflowed with pride. He had no intention of hiding it.
Vincent scanned the VIP seats. The six guests sat there, each with their own expression.
"If anyone is selected, it will likely be from B Class."
"That is exactly how it will be."
Saphent replied with a voice full of conviction.
From the VIP seats, Edouard spoke quietly.
"The Academy has many talented individuals."
"In what sense?"
Isael asked.
"In every sense."
"By what criteria does the Duke judge talent?"
Edouard pretended to think for a moment.
"Family. Talent. And results."
"Couldn't anyone become talented if they just put in the effort?"
Isael said, still smiling.
"It is because we are imperfect that humans are able to grow. Would someone who is perfect from the start have any room to move forward?"
Edouard looked at Isael.
"An interesting perspective."
"God is fair, after all."
"Is that so..."
Edouard smiled and turned his head, but his eyes were not smiling.
Garrett felt the tension in the air on both sides and quietly rested his arms on his knees.
"......Sitting between these two was a mistake."
He was talking to himself, but Nadia heard him.
Nadia chuckled and looked at the stage.
The next class was stepping up onto the stage.