Raye arrived in the auditorium not long after, with Zephyrus and Pyro perched casually on his shoulders.
It had been over two years since he got in this world and the Zion Academy.
So no, it wasn't his first ti stepping foot in the academy's grand auditorium.
But even so...
"..."
His eyes still widened with subtle admiration.
It never failed to impress him.
The room was huge. Towering ceilings, long marble pillars, shining chandeliers that shimred like morning dew—
It was so spacious that during the demon attack in the past, it had been used as an ergency evacuation hall for all the townspeople.
And naturally, it was built like that for a reason.
Ceremonies such as this were only one of many held here.
Especially graduation ceremonies.
During which, mbers of the royal family and countless nobles ca to witness the events.
That's why—
It wasn't just wide and massive.
It was beautiful.
Everything inside scread elegance.
Decorated walls, shimring floors, layered banners that bore the crest of the empire and the academy...
It truly looked like one of the ceremonial halls inside the emperor's castle itself.
Raye looked up for a second.
Then around.
Then toward the front.
And there—
He saw Leon, Devin, Lycus, Allen, and the others all seated in the front row.
Jerusha was there too.
And with a soft smile, he walked toward them without hesitation.
The mont he got close, the others noticed him.
Raye raised one hand in greeting.
"Yo."
"Oh... hey, Raye."
Leon greeted back with a nod.
"Hello."
Aria added while smiling shyly. She rembered the ti Raye saw him and Leon while they were on a date.
"You're a bit late, aren't you?"
Lycus tilted his head, grinning.
Lena, Sofia, Allen, and Devin greeted Raye too.
Then, Jerusha stepped forward and walked toward him.
She gave him a light pat on the shoulder.
Then smiled sweetly.
"Morning."
"Morning."
Raye smiled back at her.
And after that—
They all just took their seats and continued waiting for the event to start.
"Hello, Zephyrus, Pyro."
"Hello, guys!"
Lena and Sofia greeted Zephyrus and Pyro.
-Hello.
-ep! hi!
Then the two greeted them back.
The atmosphere around them was light.
Anyway—
For now, only Professor Sariel was present inside the auditorium. The other professors hadn't arrived yet.
The auditorium itself, however, was filled with noise.
There were so many students present already. Murmurs, chatting, and footsteps echoed from all corners of the room.
Soone behind even groaned out loud—
"Ack! My ears hurt... damn it..."
Raye turned his head slightly toward the voice.
'Must have sensitive ears, poor guy.'
He thought to himself, then looked away.
So far, no students from the other academies had arrived. But it wasn't really a big deal to Raye and the others.
They'd probably arrive at the sa ti as the headmaster anyway.
And so—
Ti passed.
Minutes ticked by.
Raye crossed his arms and leaned back slightly on his seat, looking at the wide stage in front of the room.
Pyro and Zephyrus yawned at the sa ti, still sitting on his shoulders.
Jerusha occasionally stole glances at him.
And Leon looked half-asleep already.
...
...
*****
Then not long after—
BAM—!!!
The heavy double doors at the front of the auditorium suddenly opened with a loud swing.
"Huh?!"
Everyone turned to look at it. Their attention was pulled in instantly.
And there, marching through the doors—
Were students wearing different uniforms.
Their colors, emblems, and patterns were different.
They walked in a line, disciplined and organized.
And following them were the professors... There's Ramiel, Charles, Jacqueline and others.
And finally...
TAP.
Headmaster Bryan Blackwood.
Along with other staff mbers from the visiting academies.
But that wasn't all.
Because walking beside Bryan—
S W O O O S H—!!!
Three new figures entered.
Two won.
One man.
Their presence was imnse. Overwhelming.
They didn't even do anything.
They just walked.
But it was more than enough... Every step they made seed to echo louder than the rest.
Tap. Tap. Tap—
Tap. Tap. Tap—
Tap. Tap. Tap—
And seeing how they talked casually with Bryan—
All the students instantly understood who they were. The three figures were clearly not ordinary guests.
They were... The Headmasters.
Of the three prestigious academies that would be joining them in today's ceremony.
"..."
Silence.
That was all that followed.
The once-noisy auditorium quieted in seconds.
No one had to say anything.
The students shut their mouths on instinct.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The group moved forward.
Their footsteps sounded sharp and firm against the floor.
Bryan and the three Headmasters led the way to the stage at the front of the room.
While the professors followed behind.
As for the students from the other academies... They separated from the group and began taking their seats.
Raye watched as several of them approached the front row.
So wore blue coats.
Others wore sleeveless black robes.
And there were even so in red blazers trimd with silver.
Raye and the others recognized a few faces among them.
But for now, they didn't say anything.
Jerusha and the others beside him looked too.
But like Raye—
They all turned their eyes back to the stage as soon as Bryan stepped forward.
The Headmasters stood behind him.
Sariel moved to one side.
Charles and Jacqueline moved to the other.
Ramiel stood by quietly as well.
Then—
Bryan slowly raised his gaze to the entire auditorium.
He scanned the students seated before him. His presence was calm... and yet imposing.
He was commanding attention from everyone in the room without even saying anything!
And once he confird that the last group of students had taken their seats—
Bryan opened his mouth.
"Let us begin."
That was all he said.
His voice wasn't too loud... But it echoed through the silent hall like thunder.
The tone in it was enough to signal that the ceremony had officially started.
All eyes were on him.
Bryan then stepped forward slightly.
"There is one more important guest who will be joining us shortly."
He announced, with his hands folded behind his back.
"And I expect everyone here to treat him with the utmost respect."
The students looked at each other.
A guest?
Who else could it be?
Bryan turned his head toward the large doors once again.
Then gave a small nod.
The guards at the entrance responded imdiately, nodding back.
They straightened their backs—
And stepped forward.
CREAK—!
The doors opened again.
Slowly.
Steadily.
And with it...
F W O O O S H~!
A powerful wave of pressure seed to seep into the room.
The air shifted.
Tap. Tap. Tap—
The lights reflected softly on the polished floors as footsteps echoed from beyond the door.
Then—
TAP.
He appeared.
A tall, lean man walked in.
He had bright blonde hair, golden eyes... And an almost ethereal aura surrounding him.
He was wearing elegant black formal attire.
Laced with gold.
A shining golden brooch rested on his chest, and intricate accessories decorated his sleeves and collar.
Every student turned to look.
Their eyes widened.
So gasped quietly.
Even the professors held their silence.
And as he walked past the doorway—
The guards stepped to the side and bowed.
Then—
From beside Bryan—
Ramiel's voice rang out:
"Pay your respects..."
"To His Highness, the Second Prince of the Rakon Empire—"
"Aurelian Rakon."
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