The elf woman gently cleared her throat and smiled softly at the students.
"Hello, hello, everyone~!"
The girls and boys cheered cheerfully, responding to Principal Veronica's greeting.
"Miss Veronica!!"
"She's here! She's really here!!"
"Am-am I dreaming!?"
Eric crossed his arms, hearing the elf woman's light greeting. Her long blonde hair, which reached her back, fluttered in the spring breeze. Her bangs were neatly combed to the right and pinned with a hairclip. She blinked slowly and smiled, adding to the woman's beauty and mystique.
"First of all, I'd like to thank the staff who prepared and ran this year's orientation ceremony so well. Second, I'd like to welcome all the new students—I hope you feel at home here and study hard. The entrance exam was tough, wasn't it?"
The first-year students cheered and answered in turn, the clearest consensus was that getting into this elite institute was indeed quite difficult.
"Hehehe~! I thought so. So don't waste your time on unimportant things, especially if they might break the rules and get you in trouble with the authorities!"
Veronica then turned to the second- and third-year students. "To my students who have advanced to the next grade, I offer my congratulations as well. You've managed to survive here after passing many exams and overcoming challenges, solidifying your place as people who deserve to be here."
Some second-year students shouted their agreement and puffed out their chests slightly, while the third-year students laughed loudly, proud of their achievements.
Finally, Veronica turned to the fourth-year students. "To my fourth-year students, this is your final year to decide which path you want to take after graduating from this Academy. You are the future generation of this nation, so I hope you'll really think carefully about your future, okay~?"
She gave them a quick wink, and the fourth-years whistled in excitement, feeling motivated. The staff and professors present could only shake their heads and sigh at their Principal's antics.
Veronica then continued, her expression somewhat serious this time. "One more thing, you've probably heard some rumors or strange gossip. Don't let yourselves be swayed, okay? As well-mannered students, you must be able to distinguish between what's true and what's false. And don't act recklessly either~!"
Eric tilted his head in confusion, wondering what rumors this elf woman was referring to.
"The Principal even went so far as to warn us..."
"What rumors are there, exactly?"
"I can't confirm it myself, but I heard the fierce competition among the princes and princesses to claim the imperial throne is getting even more intense."
"Psst, I also heard that demonic cults all over the world are starting to brazenly attack anyone for their own purposes!"
Eric tapped his finger while crossing his arms, carefully digesting the mentioned rumors.
"I'd be a fool to ignore it completely, the best I can do is keep it in mind but not believe it right away..." he muttered to himself.
"That's all I wanted to say~! Since it's your first day, you're excused from your main classes. Feel free to make as many friends as you can, or if you'd rather study in the library, that's fine too!"
Eric then sensed a massive gathering of Mana around the elf Principal. She raised her hand into the air, and plant roots crawled around her feet, blossoming into a cluster of beautiful flowers.
"Once again, welcome to Zeris Academy!"
As Veronica spoke, flower petals rose high into the stadium, showering the entire audience—especially the students. They were utterly amazed by the magic Veronica had unleashed.
"Wow! So beautiful!"
"Principal Veronica!"
"Awesome! Unleashing so many petals!"
Eric calmly opened his palm and let a flower petal fall into it. As he watched the petal, now carried by a gentle breeze, he thought about how amazing it was for someone to be able to cast area-of-effect magic so quickly and effortlessly.
"Hmph. Of course… since that woman is one of the strongest people in this world…"
He slowly turned toward Veronica, who was chatting with the staff and professors. Then, suddenly, the elf woman turned toward him, and their eyes met. Veronica smiled softly, waving her hand at Eric.
"A Mithril-rank…" Eric thought to himself, staring at the woman with a slight glare.
Shortly after, the orientation ceremony ended in an orderly fashion, and the students dispersed from the stadium.
***
As he left the stadium and stretched lightly, Eric could see the crowd of students beginning to go about their business. Eric was about to head back into downtown for another stroll but stopped when a girl with a side ponytail waved at him.
"My, my~ Senior Eric!"
Elsie approached Eric with a wide grin. Eric furrowed his brow when he saw who was behind her.
"Leon and his harem." Displeasure flickered across his face, but he kept his composure. Meanwhile, Leon and his group were surprised when Elsie suddenly ran over and greeted someone they hadn't expected to be Eric.
Cecilia smiled at Eric, greeting him warmly. "Good morning, Eric. I hope we're not bothering you, especially this junior of mine..."
Ellen crossed her arms in annoyance, while Anna and Leon gave him a light bow.
Eric scoffed, then exhaled. "It's fine. What do you want?"
Elsie pouted playfully, looking up at Eric with wide eyes. "Eh~ don't you want to say something to me, Senior~? I mean, I managed to get into this elite institute, you know~"
Cecilia sighed upon hearing that, gently scolding her. "Elsie... how many times have I told you to watch your tone..."
"Hehehe~ It's fine, right~" Elsie laughed playfully. Eric clapped for Elsie in a flat tone, congratulating her. "Wow. Congratulations. Amazing."
Elsie was annoyed and retorted, "Ugh, you treat me like a child! Hah~ this is why you're never popular with girls, Senior Eric. Unlike Senior Leon here~"
Leon scratched his cheek shyly, "Me? Popular with girls? Hahaha! Nice joke, Elsie."
His words made everyone there look hopeless, especially Elsie and Eric. He spontaneously said to the girl with the side ponytail, "He's dumb, isn't he?"
"You're not wrong, though~"
Leon was flustered after hearing that. "W-who did you just call dumb!?"
Then Elsie patted Eric on the shoulder and spoke to Leon's group. "I'm going to take a short walk with Senior Eric~ It's fine, right? Senior Cecilia~?"
Ellen, Leon, and Anna looked worried upon hearing that, while Cecilia thought seriously. "Hmm... you may go. But don't go too far—stay within the Academy grounds, okay?"
"Okayyy~"
"Wait a goddamn minute. I haven't agreed to any of this yet!" Eric crossed his arms in confusion. Elsie then nudged him to start walking, "It's fine, it's fine~"
Eric grumbled to himself, wondering why he had to babysit this brat. Elsie's bouncing steps and cheerful humming made him give in, and he could only shake his head.
"Where are we going, Senior?"
"Hmmm... to the school cafeteria." Eric abandoned his plan to stroll through downtown and opted to go to the school cafeteria instead. The blooming plum blossoms and the bustling students joking with one another made the atmosphere on the first day of the new school year even more festive.
Elsie just stood there silently, looking around, her eyes sparkling with wonder at everything at the Academy. This was the first time Eric had seen this brat acting like a little kid.
Eric passed by a large garden with several gazebos and accidentally overheard some students there staring at him with hostility.
"Dude! Dude! It's him!"
"You're right! C'mon!"
A few male and female students sitting in a gazebo stood up and blocked Eric and Elsie's path. The girl accompanying Eric was startled and on high alert when she realized someone was blocking their way.
"You're Eric Ostheno, right?" asked one of the boys from the group.
"In the flesh. What is it?"
The group exchanged glances, then nodded firmly. "We challenge you to a duel."
Upon hearing that, Eric literally facepalmed himself and groaned. Looks like he can't catch a break on the first day of the new school year.