The Entrance Ceremony
The moment I stepped into the entrance ceremony hall, a breathtaking, overwhelming grandeur washed over me.
The massive hall was filled with antique beauty.
Magnificent chandeliers hung from the soaring ceiling, bathing the entire space in a soft, warm glow.
The walls were densely decorated with paintings and sculptures that whispered of the academy's long history and tradition, making me feel as if I were walking through a museum.
This is insane...
It felt incomparably more vivid and real than the palaces I had seen on a game screen.
The unique density of the air and the tangible texture of the materials—things that could never be replicated in VR—breathed with life.
Every step on the polished marble floor sent a crisp echo ringing through the hall.
A long red carpet stretched down the center of the hall, leading to a grand dais at the far end.
Behind the dais stood a row of massive banners, each delicately embroidered with the crest of its respective department.
Blue represented the Swordsmanship Department, red represented the Magic Department, and silver represented the Weapon Crafting Department.
In the seats lining the left and right sides, professors and students from each department were taking their places.
The students wore robes and hats in their department's signature colors, and the curious glints in their eyes beneath their brims only added to the ceremony's buzzing excitement.
Let's see. My seat is supposed to be at the very front.
Enclosed with my acceptance letter was a map of the academy's interior and a seating chart for the entrance ceremony.
I pulled out the seating chart again to check my designated spot.
Ah, over there.
Still, it was a relief.
To be honest, I had been feeling anxious until the acceptance list was announced.
In the first exam, I had managed to find a legendary material I was already familiar with and successfully crafted the ultimate weapon.
But the problem was the second exam.
I had consumed so much mana processing the legendary materials in the first exam that I didn't have enough left to properly use in the second.
I think I only swung it five or six times...
Even then, I had only used the bare minimum mana required to lift the weapon. No matter how much I had focused the weapon's design on pure destructive power, I couldn't be sure of my final acceptance.
I slowly made my way toward the front row of the Weapon Crafting Department, where students clad in silver robes were gathering.
"Hi! I'm Chloe Rubens."
Just as I was about to sit down in the front row, a bright, cheerful voice startled me. I turned around.
A girl with a beaming smile was holding her hand out to me.
"Sitting in that seat means you're the top student, right? What's your name?"
"Huh? Wait, what did you just..."
Seeing my puzzled expression, she giggled as if realizing my confusion and explained.
"You didn't know? The seats for the entrance ceremony are traditionally assigned by rank. You can tell just by looking at me sitting right behind you—I'm the runner-up."
For a moment, I stood there dazed, as if I'd been hit over the head. I had no idea the top student sat at the very front.
I had assumed the seats were assigned randomly, but looking back, it made perfect sense.
Now that I didn't have the game's status window, it was unclear whether I still possessed my old stats.
But if my current skills were anywhere near my past level, there probably wasn't a single person who could match me in weapon crafting.
"So, are you going to tell me your name?"
Chloe asked, staring intently at me.
"Ah, sorry. Hi, Chloe. I'm Edward Granger."
I shook her hand and took a closer look at her.
She had short brown hair that shimmered in the sunlight and green eyes sparkling with curiosity.
The gaze behind her round glasses gave off a clever yet cute impression.
Though she was small in stature, her neat academy uniform gave her a somewhat diligent and earnest air.
Suddenly, the name Rubens clicked in my mind.
"Wait, Rubens... as in the famous noble family?"
They were a prestigious noble family that had run the Empire's arsenal for generations.
"That's right! Our family has supplied weapons to the imperial family for generations. My dream is to become the greatest weapon crafter in the Empire one day!"
The moment weapons were mentioned, Chloe's green eyes blazed with passion.
A fierce determination echoed in her voice as she declared her ambition.
After exchanging a few words about the entrance exam, the bells rang out, signaling that it was time for the ceremony to begin.
A staff member standing beside the dais brought a device that looked like a voice amplifier to their lips.
"Testing, one, two. Hello, everyone. Please stand. The Chancellor and the Deans of each department will be entering shortly."
Not long after, the grand doors of the ceremony hall slowly swung open, and several figures began to walk in with dignified strides.
At the sight of them, my spine straightened instinctively from the tension.
Looking around, everyone else was reacting the exact same way.
It was because every single person entering radiated a profound aura that could only be felt from those who had reached the pinnacle of their craft through decades of experience.
They ascended the dais and took their seats in the arranged chairs one by one.
A powerful presence, intense as the sun, flooded the hall.
A murmur of mixed tension and excitement rippled through the freshmen.
"We will now begin the entrance ceremony with an address from the Chancellor."
Among the faculty seated on the stage, a female professor with purple hair stood up.
She had a small frame and wore round glasses.
Judging purely by appearances, she looked like the youngest person on the dais.
She's the Chancellor...?
But as the head of the Empire's finest educational institution, she had to be a powerhouse transcending ordinary mortals. She likely possessed some special ability related to anti-aging.
As she raised both hands, a silence so absolute fell over the hall that not even the sound of breathing could be heard.
"Freshmen, I offer you my warmest welcome to the Lucentia Imperial Academy. I am Emilia Lauren, the Chancellor of the Academy."
A voice far more enchanting than expected echoed across the space.
"Here at this academy, you will grow into the finest knights, mages, and blacksmiths. I look forward to seeing you carry on our academy's brilliant traditions through your hard work and passion."
Once the Chancellor's opening remarks concluded, the introduction of the Deans of each department followed.
"First, let me introduce the Dean of the Magic Department, Professor Nicole Renworth."
Professor Nicole stood up gracefully and bowed to the students.
"Professor Renworth is one of the greatest living mages, excelling in both theory and practical application. She will be leading the Magic Department going forward."
Bathed in the sunlight, Professor Nicole's blonde hair shone brilliantly. Her blue eyes held a deep affection for her future students.
"Next is the Dean of the Swordsmanship Department, Professor Raymond Dietrich."
The heavily built Professor Dietrich rose from his seat.
The armor he wore gleamed with a subtle luster.
"Professor Dietrich is the Empire's premier swordsman and a legendary figure within the knight orders. He is dedicated to nurturing the next generation with his vast knowledge and insight."
The sword at his waist had weathered many battles, yet it still radiated a sharp, lethal aura.
As the introduction finished, the students erupted into enthusiastic applause.
"Whoa... Professor Dietrich and Professor Renworth... They're both living legends."
"Seriously. I can't believe we're going to be taught directly by people like them."
Excitement and passion for the days ahead sparkled in the students' eyes.
"Next..."
While the Chancellor continued introducing the professors, Luna, whom I had met on the day of the exam, suddenly crossed my mind.
Did she manage to pass too?
Driven by curiosity, I scanned the seats where the Swordsmanship Department freshmen were sitting, but the crowd blocked my view.
I turned my attention back to the Chancellor's voice.
"Now, we will introduce the freshman representatives of each department. The freshman representatives are the students who achieved the highest scores in the entrance exams, seated at the very front of their respective departments."
The staff member's explanation made my mind go blank for a second.
Wait, what? The freshman representative is the top student of each department?!
I slowly looked down to check my seat.
Engraved on a gleaming silver nameplate in sharp, precise lettering were the words: Weapon Crafting Department Freshman Representative.
Oh, boy. I was the representative...
I was utterly bewildered, having considered myself just an ordinary freshman until a moment ago.
Chloe patted my shoulder lightly with a bright smile.
"Congratulations! You're the face of our department now."
I nodded and thanked her. Thanks to her, the awkwardness of the situation felt a little lighter.
"Would the freshman representatives please step up to the dais."
At the staff member's call, I slowly rose from my seat.
My back prickled as the gazes of all the surrounding students locked onto me.
"The students taking the stage now have entered with the highest marks in their respective departments. Each freshman representative will receive various benefits, including dormitory priority and scholarships."
Standing on the dais and looking out at the grand sight, I saw countless freshmen in colorful uniforms focusing their attention on us.
The view was somewhat overwhelming.
Oh, there she is.
I spotted Luna at the very edge of the Swordsmanship Department students, who were dressed in blue uniforms.
A strange sense of relief washed over me knowing she had passed and was standing here.
To be honest, I had felt uneasy because I had broken her sword right before the exam.
Though, of course, it wasn't really my fault.
"In particular, something truly astonishing occurred during this entrance exam. We have recorded the highest score in the history of the second exam. A round of applause, please."
The crowd of freshmen waiting below looked up with curious eyes.
Anticipation was clearly visible in their gazes.
Not just the overall top student, but an all-time record.
Everyone seemed to be wondering which department the record-breaker belonged to.
The highest score... I only managed to put a crack in that sphere. What kind of monster did that?
Driven by curiosity, I looked around.
Was it someone from the Swordsmanship Department? Or the Magic Department?
"The overall top freshman of this class is Edward Charles Granger of the Weapon Crafting Department!"
Wait, what?
Why... is it me?