Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Transfer Ceremony (3)
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The sudden declaration sent ripples of shock through the crowd.
"It's over?"
"For real?"
"Nah, it's gotta be a joke."
"Dropping someone just for falling once...?"
"That's ridiculous."
But as the student council president stepped down from the platform without hesitation after those brief words, unease began to spread among the stunned onlookers.
"Hey, you think it's legit?"
"No way, even if it is..."
"But the instructors aren't saying anything..."
It was then, as anxiety rippled through the masses,
"What? Eliminated?"
"No way, right?"
"I can't believe it!"
The eliminated students, who had regained their senses after receiving treatment from the instructors, reacted with bewilderment to the abrupt news.
From their perspective, they'd blacked out from an unexpected attack and suddenly been disqualified.
For those who had prepared meticulously for admission, it was naturally an absurd outcome.
"This is unfair!"
"How can you attack out of nowhere like that!"
"At least give us time to prepare!"
Slowly.
But surely, the voices of discontent grew.
The education director, who had been silently watching from below, raised the microphone.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Would you say that even in the middle of battle? "......"
She delivered the words in a firm tone, then continued while eyeing the now-silent eliminated students.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 This is Academy City. The cradle of heroes whose goal is to slaughter the demon race. Moreover, you all aspire to the most crucial combat department among the city's many academies. You'll face the demon race more than anyone and slay more than anyone. You must be ready for demon ambushes at any time, anywhere. "H-ha, but even so, a test this sudden..."
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Don't mistake demons for ordinary monsters. They think and strategize just like us. They cunningly blend into human crowds to sow chaos. Demons never declare war before attacking. Would you tell a demon ambushing you to hold on a moment? "......"
As her words continued, the complaining voices grew quieter.
They knew it too.
If this had been real combat, they would have died long ago.
Everyone present instinctively felt that only those who withstood that aura had a real chance of surviving actual battle.
But some couldn't accept it logically, even if their heads understood.
"Don't screw with me! I went into debt for this admission! You think I'm dropping out here?!"
"Yeah! Even if it's for demon readiness, this isn't real combat! If it's a test, announce it properly!"
"You think we'll buy your forced excuses?!"
Even after the director finished, a few kept venting discontent, trying to rally the crowd.
How long did those voices last?
Just as the general mood was turning sour,
The director, who had been watching them silently, spoke with a sneer.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Some folks with questionable intellect don't seem convinced. Your opinions don't matter much. Academy City doesn't accept subpar students to begin with. Anyway, with that said, kindly see yourselves out. The instigators grimaced unpleasantly at the biting words.
"How dare she run her mouth..."
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Yes, yes. If you're salty, pass the test. "Kuh!"
"Some lowly student council peon...!"
It was at that moment.
A shout from somewhere made not only the education director holding the mic, but the nearby aspirants and even the instigators widen their eyes in surprise.
"You bitch! You think you'll get away with this?!"
Did he not sense the frozen atmosphere?
The man who yelled from within the crowd looked bewildered at the laughter that followed.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Ahaha! Lowly! Calling me lowly! "What an idiot."
At the same time, Camilla, standing beside Noah, muttered curtly.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Sigh... You're Chaplin Earl's second son, right? From the Vihate Kingdom. The man raising his voice flinched at her words.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 The Chaplin Earl's house has a renowned lineage of producing exceptional spear wielders. But it seems this generation drew the short straw. "What do you...!"
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 No skill, so you tear others down. No potential for growth either. And you don't even know who you're insulting... You're a zero-point human. Consider it an honor.
Humans I've rated zero can be counted on one hand.
The man, who had been listening quietly, erupted in rage at her following words.
"How dare you insult the House of Chaplin Earl!"
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 How pitiful... Even your head is pure. I'm not insulting House Chaplin—I'm insulting you, their second son. "Y-...!"
At those words, the surrounding instructors approached the fuming man.
The instructors swiftly subdued the raging man.
"Let go! Do you know who I am?!"
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Who knows? Commoner on a family register soon? "......Huh?"
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Amusing. For some Chaplin nobody to mock Academy City's student council. "......"
Finally realizing something was wrong, the second son hesitated and stopped his outburst. The director, pondering briefly, continued.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Well, explaining who we are might not be a bad idea. Passers would learn eventually anyway. Wait, you really don't know? Everyone else seems to. Noah tilted his head at her words, but everyone around nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Um, Camilla? Is the student council that big a deal?"
"...You seriously don't know?"
Camilla, who had been nodding along with the crowd, widened her eyes in shock at Noah's question.
To think there was another pure-minded soul besides that idiot!
"Thank goodness you passed, Noah."
"...Camilla?"
"No, ignorance isn't a sin, Noah. You're fine."
Something about that gaze felt rude...
Noah puffed his cheeks naturally, prompting Camilla to chuckle before carefully explaining.
"You know Academy City holds immense authority across the continent?"
"Yeah, it's the most famous educational institution on the continent."
"Right. The entire Medius Neutral Nation was founded solely for it. Every country watches it closely—even superpowers like the Imperial Empire cater to it."
"...That much?"
"That much. Plus, as the frontline for heroes fighting demons, most heroes are trained here, boosting its position further. Even a coalition of nations would hesitate to touch it now."
Because too many would swarm like bees if provoked. And other countries wouldn't sit idly by either.
Camilla glanced pityingly at the second son getting verbally thrashed ahead, then continued.
"Among that, the student council holds a position equal to national officials. Defying a 'director'-level figure in such a prestigious place? That's like insulting a foreign minister."
"Uh... so in short?"
"He's screwed."
Quite the ominous statement.
"Ah, it's over."
As Noah looked where Camilla indicated, burly instructors were hoisting the man by his arms.
"Wh-what? Stop! I'm not someone who fails in a place like this! And you student council punks dare—!"
"Guy's lost it."
"Isn't that a diplomatic incident?"
"They hold real power. Like she said, he might really end up struck from the registry..."
With a final strangled cry, the second son vanished, leaving utter silence in the arena.
Having noticed the director's foul mood, people averted their eyes whenever her gaze swept over them.
After scanning the crowd and finding no one meeting her eyes, she raised the mic again.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 With no further objections, I'll assume we're good. Please don't question our president's decision. Her icy tone lingered as she stepped down, adding,
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Passed candidates from the admission rite, gather to one side. The field buzzed into action at her command.
Groups formed under instructor guidance, tears flowed toward the exits from the eliminated, and late protesters were dragged out by instructors.
After the chaos, only the true preliminary students who passed remained.
"Still a lot left."
"We started with tens of thousands. Even after one cull, at least ten thousand, right?"
"Eek..."
Noah paled at Camilla's casual remark.
Then the surrounding gates opened, and crowds filled the field's perimeter.
"Who are they...?"
"Scouts."
Their cold, appraising gazes sent chills down spines as they scanned everyone head to toe.
As countless eyes swept over him, Noah flinched slightly. Camilla explained gently.
"Looks like reps from the academies inside the city."
"Academies?"
I thought instructors first appeared at admission ceremonies?
Puzzled, Noah glanced at Camilla, who smiled faintly and elaborated.
"I get what you're thinking, but you'll see them at admission too. Since this is transfers, they're scouting for students to poach for their academies."
Admission ceremonies are per academy, so they scout transfers for talent.
"Most scrubs are weeded out now. They see potential here. Leave a good impression, and even if you fail transfer or admission, another academy might scout you. So we all try to shine."
"...I see."
Noah had never heard such details, nodding curiously.
Camilla, too, clenched and unclenched her fists tensely, aware of the eyes.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 We'll now begin the transfer ceremony. Please move to the line matching your combat specialty. "Warriors using Aura, this way!"
"Mages using Mana, over here!"
"Scouts excelling in stealth and infiltration, to this side!"
"Those skilled in healing and buffs, join our buffer line!"
"Shamans with barriers and summons, this way!"
"Spirit users or other special talents, special class over here!"
The field erupted like a marketplace.
Meanwhile, Noah frowned thoughtfully at the instructors' calls and asked Camilla,
"Camilla, what if you have talent in more than two?"
"Pick the one you're strongest in. It's just gauging tendencies, no big worry."
"Got it."
"I'm heading to special class. Where you going, Noah?"
Noah's expression soured slightly at her question.
Not because of too many options.
Because he lacked a standout one.
'I use both Aura and Mana, and I have divine power too. But none are "this is it!" level yet...'
His talents spanned broadly but lacked a clear edge, trapping him in paradox amid choices.
'Versatile application means no overwhelming specialty. Tricky...'
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT 📢 Transfer starts soon. Those undecided on combat type, hurry. "Gasp!"
Camilla had already headed to special class.
Delay more, and he might be disqualified.
'Ugh... What to do? Warrior test? Mage? Or buffer...'
No conclusion emerged despite agonizing. As Noah grimaced,
A deep voice rumbled in his ear.
"Hm, I think warrior class suits you."
"Warrior? Yeah, Dad taught me, so warrior... class...?"
Noah trailed off.
No—his words halted involuntarily.
"Ah. Ahaha..."
Turning instinctively to the unfamiliar voice, there he was.
The student council president, who had been quietly observing beside her, lightly waved as Noah's gaze met his.
"Nice to meet you."
"......!"
Recognizing him, Noah recoiled with tremendous force.
His calm heart pounded wildly once more.