Entrance Ceremony (2): Professor vs. Guest Showdown
The final event of the entrance ceremony was a duel between a professor and a guest. Just as the name implied, a professor and an invited dignitary would step into the central arena and clash.
The opponent changed every year, but the basic setup pitted different professions against each other. If the professor was a knight, the guest would be a mage, and so on. Since his father was a knight, one of the Magic Department professors would face him.
Someone might ask why they even bothered with something like this at an entrance ceremony. Officially, it was to inspire the students' drive for growth and improvement by showcasing a battle between true experts. In reality, it was just an excuse to watch people fight. After all, wasn't combat the most entertaining spectacle in the original world?
The founding emperor, who loved battles more than anyone, had created the event. Of course, only people from that era knew it was really just for the emperor's amusement. No need to broadcast that fact.
Whatever the intent, the effect was undeniable. Watching their seniors pave the way ahead fueled dreams of their own futures and spurred rigorous training.
That said, the continent was full of young knights and mages. Did they really have to drag in someone his father's age? Purely a personal opinion, of course.
"Is Kyle's dad strong?"
"Strong. He's one of the top three knights out there."
Most people lumped his father in with the other two at similar levels, but those in the know understood. Decal Arden stood at the pinnacle of the current era's knights.
It made sense—unlike the others, his father teetered on the brink of Grand Master, and he'd beaten both in unofficial spars in the past.
"Hmmm~ So that's why Kyle's strong?"
"Why are you spouting nonsense since earlier?"
She'd been at it nonstop. What was even more ridiculous?
"Huh? What do you mean~?"
Her shameless act. It grated a little. Felt like she'd found a weak spot. As long as she didn't use it for blackmail or anything, it was fine. Rana wasn't the type anyway, and she didn't bring it up constantly.
The empty arena's center. All the freshmen had cleared out and taken their seats. Figures emerged from entrances on both sides.
Left: his father, Decal Arden. Right: the Magic Department's star summoner, Ratral Heytald.
"Oh? It's Grandpa."
Rana's eyes sparkled at her grandfather's appearance. The participating professor was chosen in secret, so even a doting grandpa like Ratral hadn't tipped off his granddaughter. That explained her reaction. And facing him? Her friend's father. It only hyped her up more.
"Ah, Kyle hasn't met Grandpa yet, right?"
"Yeah."
He nodded. Students didn't know the Contract Land caretaker and the Magic Department professor were the same person. Different outfits and disguised faces.
She chattered on about her grandfather. Standard proud-grandkid stuff. Then the vast arena filled with mana. Tremendous mana that made his whole body shiver. Attention snapped to the center instantly.
Rana cut off mid-sentence and asked him, "Who do you think wins, Kyle?"
"No idea. Both are powerhouses."
Transcendent-level experts on the verge. Even he couldn't predict the winner. Besides, they fought to teach, not to settle a score—wasting energy pointlessly.
"Kyle. Wanna bet?"
"On what."
"Who wins gets dinner tonight. Deal?"
Hmm, dinner bet... Nothing he couldn't handle, but annoying. And he didn't know the outcome. In the novel, this scene focused on the protagonist's revelation, not the fight. Not a single line on the result.
Considering the purpose, it'd probably end in a draw. 'Accept, call it a draw, and head back to the dorm?'
Looked like they'd drag it out just to make it happen, but he had no intention of playing along. Protagonist was there—better dodge.
"I'll bet on Dad."
"Grandpa for me!"
Family involved, they had no choice but to pick sides.
"Don't worry, Kyle. I won't pick anything pricey."
"Not sure who's treating whom."
He shot back at Rana. But damn, it poked at some nonexistent pride. She said it confidently because she knew her grandpa's strength, but implying his father would lose like it was obvious? Irritating.
So he threw out boldly, "If Dad loses, I'll cover tomorrow's meals too."
"You serious, Kyle?"
"Yeah. Back out if you're scared."
Her eyes lit up at his words. "First time seeing you like this, Kyle. Awesome! If I lose, I'll handle tomorrow's food!"
The bet escalated. And right then—
BOOM!!!
The two collided. Side note: he'd win, no way he'd lose. Well, it'd end in a draw anyway.
The duel ended, and the entrance ceremony wrapped up. Decal Arden, who had inspired so many dreams in the students today, walked the arena corridors. His face was stoic, but inside, he brimmed with joy.
This was his fifth time at an entrance ceremony. Seeing future talents grow from glimpsing his sword in that brief moment? Pure delight, beyond any family gains as patriarch.
Decal continued down the hall. Two familiar figures waited ahead.
"Greetings, Patriarch."
Elraim bowed deeply in respect.
"Glad you arrived safely, Father."
Veil Arden, worried despite no real danger.
"Son. You did well on the exam. Elraim, good work."
"No, sir. I'm still lacking."
"Just doing my duty, my lord."
Decal gestured ahead with his hand—let's walk. He had a schedule soon, but time for his son and family knight.
"How's your first day at the academy?"
Decal asked his son. Dorm or no, academy life had begun—with the entrance exam counting as part.
"Feels fun, something new from home life. Should be enjoyable."
Veil smiled faintly. New environment? Diverse people? Meeting other students excited him.
"Good to hear."
Decal relaxed seeing his son like that. Veil was young and prodigiously talented compared to peers. Such kids often faced the same: ignored, underestimated, envied, bullied. Schools were harsh microcosms for geniuses.
Decal, who graduated Tianis Academy 28 years ago, knew it well. So he admired his adapting son.
"Speaking of, two standouts."
"Evan, sir?"
"Yes. Talent-wise, your equal. Won't say befriend him. But keep him close. Rivals drive growth."
"Noted."
"Mm."
Veil nodded, then continued. "Who was the final opponent?"
His father's question. Two names, but he hadn't expected this one.
"......"
Veil hesitated, lips twitching. Exam memories tormented him, sealing his mouth.
"That kid surpassed your generation. Don't despair—you match him. But his body's weak for his skill. If you meet later, offer Arden aid."
Like professors and students, his father didn't know the opponent. Veil swallowed dry-heaving nausea rising in his throat.
"...Yes."
Veil turned to Elraim next. Reports came by letter, but hearing directly differed.
"How's Kyle?"
"Fine so far, sir. Attends lectures diligently, trains stamina lately. Even asked me to spar yesterday."
"Seems he's pulled himself together?"
"Young master has always been that way, so hard to say. But..."
"Enough. No need for more. Just keep as you are."
The patriarch's words ended talk of the eldest son.
"Yes, my lord."
Elraim replied, but more lingered—like the woman recently close to young master, Rana Heytald. Better report slowly; their bond was unclear yet.
After, casual family chat. First week away, natural curiosity. But Veil couldn't focus.
'You know nothing.'
Exam memories resurfaced softly.
'What kind of man your father is.'
His brother's sad eyes.
'How rotten the Arden family is.'
His brother's rage-twisted face.
'You don't know the darkness inside.'
His brother's trembling, pitying voice.
'Brother...'
The scene overlapped endlessly. Father blind to his own son's face. Father's voice ignoring his eldest entirely.
'What did you see, brother?'
Hero, idol, pride of a father—now alien. That familiar face twisted today.
What dark side had brother glimpsed? His words weren't blindly trustworthy. Mother, elders, family all warned to beware him.
But Veil knew: brother never lied to him. Past to present, unchanged.
'Veil Arden. You're just a fool blind to simple truth.'
Brother's final words echoed.
'Maybe so.'
Veil wasn't heir yet—rumors swirled, but not official. Thus ignorant of family affairs. Excuse, sure. Fifteen years swinging sword blindly, blind to brother's pain.
Veil swallowed rising disgust from his heart's depths and resolved.
'I'll change it.'
He'd transform Arden family. For brother, raised in suffering, resorting to black magic. Veil vowed.
'Just wait a bit, brother.'
He prayed desperately brother wouldn't be cast out before he could act.
As expected, it ended in a draw. Obvious outcome. Full power here would've killed all students. Neither was the type for that just to claim victory.
So, naturally.
"Too bad. A draw..."
"I believed in Grandpa..."
Rana slumped, her brown bob drooping. She'd truly trusted Grandpa to win. Her summon pet Nene patted her comfortingly.
He waited silently till her gloom faded, then said, "I'm heading out. Busy starting tomorrow."
"You'll do volunteer work, right?"
"Have to."
Weekends would be packed. Catch up on two skipped days. No plans to drag volunteering into next year.
As he turned for the dorm—
"Kyle."
Rana tugged his sleeve. He chided gently, "I'll be around long tomorrow, so let me go today. Body's off from the exam."
Not dying, but wanted rest. Overdid it on surprises.
"I'll buy steak at the student cafeteria. You're hungry."
"No."
He refused Rana's offer. Free food welcome, intent aside—but truly tired.
Then, she whispered low, "Secret menu, Triple S-grade steak. Really passing?"
His body froze reflexively. He knew that secret menu too well.
Triple S-grade steak. Grilling masterpiece from the cafeteria's cooking master—scent alone made mouths water.
Secret menu for select students only. Rumors spread, but commoners never saw it.
'Pure profit.'
He knew its effects perfectly. Eat it, overflow with energy for a week. Lots of exertion ahead—refusing proved idiocy.
Inner conflict brewed. But half-surrendered already; decision made.
"Ugh... Fine, let's go."
"Heehee, got it!"
Rana led; he followed.
'Just for food.'
Not falling for steak temptation, ignoring her scheme. Absolutely not. Got it?