Awards, Warnings, and Lunch Invites
That sweet surprise holiday that had popped up out of nowhere for the Orion Academy first-years was finally over.
Back to the daily grind, but with a little event to spice things up.
Today, all the first- and second-years gathered in the grand auditorium for morning roll call.
A few high-ranking security officers were already seated, exchanging greetings with the instructors beforehand.
And with that, roll call began.
Juyeon grabbed the mic from her spot in the corner, tapping it with her finger. The cadets immediately stopped chattering and faced forward.
— Morning roll call commencing.
She went through the routine procedures one by one.
Rohan belted out the academy anthem—a song he'd never heard in his life—while everyone pledged allegiance, each thinking of their home nation and saluting.
And then, the moment everyone had been waiting for.
— Next up: the commendation ceremony. Cadet Lee Rohan, first-year, please come forward.
At Juyeon's call, Rohan shot up from his seat and headed to the front, just as he'd been prepped.
He climbed the short six steps to the wooden podium with its attached mic.
Standing there was a middle-aged security officer decked out in ornate rank insignia.
The officer held a crisp sheet of paper and read the printed text in a resonant voice.
Commendation. This cadet has rendered distinguished service by severely punishing criminals who disrupted public order, single-handedly annihilating their organization, and rescuing innocent hostages...
The Security Bureau had wrapped up their investigation.
Now, the bounty for dismantling the Hwangseomdan organization—the one he and Clara had taken down—was finally deposited.
It was a hefty sum, enough to cover a deposit on a place for Clara. But with Sion securing the mansion, they could just split it down the middle.
...For these contributions, this commendation is hereby awarded. Read in proxy by the Elisium Security Chief.
— Please give a big round of applause.
Juyeon took the mic again, and applause erupted from the cadets behind him.
"You've done splendid work. With cadets like you around, I might just retire soon myself."
The officer switched off his mic and added a personal quip with a grin.
Rohan expressed his thanks, politely accepting the commendation and tucking it under his arm.
Then came the offered thick hand.
Rohan didn't refuse the handshake.
...Check out this guy.
The calluses and aura from that hand were no joke.
He could tell without any mana flaring.
This middle-aged officer might not match Juyeon, but he was stronger than the average instructor.
— That concludes the commendation ceremony.
Recalling his training, Rohan turned, saluted, and descended the steps.
Back at his seat, he calmed Gilbert, who looked ready to let out a war cry.
Feels heavy.
Settling in, Rohan sensed the varied stares pinning him down.
Juyeon had been spot on.
The academy was full of cadets who carried their family names like badges of honor, prizing reputation above all.
That's why she'd said a public commendation like this would be great motivation.
They needed mental conditioning to curb reckless bravado born of baseless confidence.
But she was right—it'd inspire the cadets.
— ...
Juyeon set the mic aside and chatted with the approaching instructors.
After receiving some info, she brought the mic close to her lips again.
— The dean has words of wisdom. All cadets, please stand.
The cadets rose in a wave.
The academy dean emerged from behind the curtain.
An elderly man with long, snow-white beard.
His wrinkled face contrasted with a sturdy frame draped in flowing Eastern-style robes from the Samhwa Nation.
The dean took the podium, exuding a heavy presence.
Facing the fresh-faced cadets directly, the atmosphere shifted in an instant as he drew a gentle smile.
"Everyone, take your seats and relax while you listen."
— Be seated.
At Juyeon's cue, the cadets sat in unison.
"The word 'address' might conjure images of boring, pretentious old folks droning on."
Everyone listened quietly.
It wasn't a question needing a reply.
"Not wrong. From here on, I'll remind you young leaders of the future—drawing from my past experiences—about our current reality."
The point where Rohan could guess the topic.
"You're all aware of the dimensional rifts cropping up not just in Academy City, but across multiple nations lately."
The dean's smile faded as he continued.
"History's full of natural disasters. Horrific calamities humanity could scarcely speak of have always threatened us."
Rohan's eyes met Juyeon's beside the podium.
The unspeakable disasters the dean mentioned surely included the fall of the Southern Ruins.
"That's why it's time to renew our mindset. We must truly grasp the value of everyday peace."
The dean and instructors wouldn't spell out "cherish peace" directly.
They believed cadets should enjoy academy life, hone their skills, and realize it themselves.
But the rapidly changing world allowed no such luxury.
"Major revisions to the academy curriculum are coming. Dedicate yourselves to greater diligence and growth."
Then.
The dean stepped aside from the podium and bowed deeply before everyone.
His beard brushed the floor.
"And to this year's first-years: I apologize for the unfortunate incident. I'm sorry."
His voice echoed through the vast hall.
Rohan watched with mixed feelings. It was something no preparation could have stopped.
Leadership roles always left a bitter taste just watching.
"Yet the rights of our growing cadets must not be trampled by such scum. We won't shrink into passive classes. We'll bolster defenses and increase the budget."
In his past-life schools, parents and students would've rioted over that.
But in Orion Academy, it fit perfectly. No one objected; all accepted it.
Under their own goals.
In a place where most had resolved to make combat their profession.
"Handing out midterm report cards now."
Back in Class 1 after assembly.
Juyeon pulled out a stack of papers.
"Noah Frozenheart."
"Eek..."
Noah's tail stiffened as she stepped forward tensely.
Juyeon handed over the card while petting her head.
"Well done. You kept your promise."
"!"
Theory top: Ichinose Yui. Bottom: Noah Frozenheart.
Noah's average hovered in the 40s, but Juyeon praised her lavishly.
It was a huge first step—she'd solved them herself, not guessed like before.
"Rohan."
"Yes, ma'am..."
"Excellent. You're surprising even the instructors."
"Thank you!"
Rohan's average was in the 70s.
Decent, but in a study-focused academy, his rank sat just below the middle.
He'd missed some subjective questions that separated the top tier and fallen for hidden traps.
More practice might've pushed him mid-pack.
But cramming unfamiliar subjects from zero in a crash course had its limits.
Couldn't ditch physical training for pen-pushing entirely.
Strictly speaking, priorities existed.
Numbers and I just don't click.
Rohan eyed his regrettable report card.
A few subjects clearly dragged down the average.
"Final ranks include practical scores too, so don't get complacent."
Juyeon smiled faintly and placed a new stack on the desk.
"Practical top score...
All eyes locked on her lips. Who would it be? Tension hung thick.
Juyeon paused deliberately.
Then named them.
"Rohan and Ichinose Yui."
"!!!
Rohan's head turned; Ichinose looked his way too.
Their eyes met, and they both grinned, flashing thumbs-up.
"Not only did you keep placing stickers consistently, but when another cadet tried to snatch supplies, you subdued them cleanly. That tipped the scales."
Someone had witnessed his scuffle with Ok Myeongjin.
He hadn't sensed a thing—surprising.
"When called, come get your practical report. It'll list merits and deductions. Objections accepted within a week."
...
...
Before the first class started.
With his textbook out, Rohan savored his practical report, which melted away the theory regrets.
In that gap.
A furry tuft approached and poked his cheek.
Noah's tail—snow-white with bold black stripes.
"Hey! Hey!"
"What? Want me to grab the tail?"
As Rohan reached for the plump tail,
Noah hid it behind her and got to the point.
"Busy for lunch today?"
"Lunch? Nothing set in stone."
He'd vaguely planned to head to Sion's mansion and eat with the three of them.
No firm promises.
"Then eat with me and Nose. Got something to give you."
"Oh, right."
There'd been a promise like that before too.
He'd had to turn it down last time, unfortunately.
Rohan's gaze drifted naturally to Ichinose's seat.
"Eek...!"
Baby Yui, who'd been staring right at him, flinched and whipped her head away.