I Own the Evolution Domain

One might wonder, being such a grand event to the world's most prestigious Magic Academy, why is it that even when there are already just a few hours before the actual start of the Grand Talent Festival, there is not a single sign of said event to be found?

Not a single trace of the festive atmosphere, no food stalls just waiting for students to man it and rake profit, no game stalls too, no festive lights turning the night lively, no decorations.

It was like there is no festival at all.

Well, the answer is simple, so simple that some people might even find the academy's mindset while setting this up quite amusing, funny even.

That answer is also the very same reason as to why Novus notices quite the number of students still in the academy with his senses previously.

Because decorating the entire academy itself is a serious competition among some classes of the non-combat courses.

This one, especially, for the Environment Manipulation Classes.

"Hey newbie, get the fuck out of that place if you don't want to be blasted to kingdom come!!"

"Ah, this senior, please put in a bit more fire elemental mana to each floating lanterns, they lack a bit more to bring in the vibes…"

"Anyone free? Some areas in the northern sector of the academy have yet to be decorated, some idiots should make their move or we won't make it in time!!"

"Water!! Where the fuck are those water elemental mages when you need them!! Damn it, they were the ones who pushed us to make this alternate river path but they are nowhere to be seen now!!"

"Wind elemental mages, please double time and charge more of those wind blast shells, we're running low on time!!!"

"Alright everyone, we can work our hearts out without disturbing anyone's rest!! Senior Elena is going to grace us with her Sound Magic!!"

Had it not been for a well-known student the same year as Medea using her Unique Magic to suppress the sound these Environment Manipulation Classes are making; it would've been enough to wake up everyone no matter how far they are from the sites of pure chaos and teamwork combined.

This is the tradition of the academy, every single thing relating to the subjects a student is studying is a means for said student to measure their own abilities

And with the Environment Manipulation Classes focusing more on controlling combatant's battlefields rather than anything else, it is the perfect job for them to transform the academy into something else completely for such grand event.

"Even after the incident during the annual secret exam, the students are still really lively this year…" watching from one of the academy's towering buildings, three figures looked down, their eyes revealing a faint, yet intimidating glow as they observe the students doing their best.

"Still, Headmaster, isn't it too much for the students to basically change the academy grounds for a few days-worth of festival?" a figure, a feminine one said in an intelligent, yet still gentle voice, her gaze on the students one filled with care.

"Really, what an overkill, old man…" another figure, his shape a mixture of an asexual and effeminate one, said, his voice being the only indicator of his assumed gender as its depth were carried all the way to the first speaker, an older, wise old man's, ears.

"Hoho~~ such is the way of my academy after all, it is a place where students can shine their best…" the old man pointed out as he looked at the two figures standing just a bit behind him, his wise gaze carrying immense depth as he stares at them.

"Just like you two when you're still studying here…" the old man, the academy's headmaster, pointed out, revealing the fact that the two behind him, his Vice Headmasters, are once students who finished their studies in this very same academy as well.

With the three strongest, most powerful beings among everyone in the Galilea Magic Academy, or even the Regia Floating Island as a whole, watching over the students working in the middle of the night, their security is assured, with not a single trace of harm befalling among any of them as they work their heart out.

The students of the Environment Manipulation Classes are only given three hours of time, each class assigned to different area.

And to work in such effective, efficient way, every year, all Environment Manipulation Classes convene meetings to plan their moves carefully in order to meet, even surpass the steep requirements of finishing decorating the entirety of the academy all in the span of three hours before midnight.

The competition is still palpable among them though, as with the academy's magical prowess, a device that can measure each person, and collectively, each class's overall contribution to completing their tasks is developed, allowing students to see for themselves the progress of their hard work.

"Puhah!! That was refreshing…"

"Damn… barely made it in time this year again!!"

"Good work everyone, also, this is my last time doing this, hahaha!!!"

"Now we can rest a bit before the real show start."

It was just a few more minutes before midnight, and the Environment Manipulation Classes finally managed to finish their work, the clear expression of satisfaction failing to be suppressed by the tiredness rushing through their entire body.

"Cheh, as expected of the academy cheapskates, they've hidden the results when there's only one hour remaining again…"

"Haha, there's no need to worry about it, your class won't make the first place after all…"

"Ahaha!! As if your class is any better!!"

There are somewhat hurtful, yet nevertheless friendly banters going on around as these students await the signal of the festival finally starting officially, the anticipation clear in each of them as each second pass.

"It's time."

As the moon reveals itself after clouds passes, Headmaster Vereas reveals a faint smile as he leapt from the window he was previously observing from.

And being a great mage, he moves not along with the natural flow of things, his body gravitating towards the ground.

Instead, he goes into the opposite direction, floating in the air as he brought his old body upwards.

He slowly lifts one of his hands, snapping his fingers.

And as if mana bends to his will, a large, corporeal bell formed above his figure, a loud, deep, tone resonating from the bell all across the academy.

It wasn't just the air that moves causing the sound, but the very mana all around as well.

The sound travels, beyond the academy grounds, covering the entire floating island.

And it doesn't stop, in fact, it just continues to expand, farther and farther, covering more and more grounds.

That familiar sound hits the academy again, but this time, it wasn't because the great mage rung the bell once more, it was because the echo of the first ring finished its round trip across the world and return back to the academy once more.

To unaffiliated people, it was a declaration of another great event about to start in that fabled land, the Galilea Magic Academy.

To elders of the students there, it was an invitation to watch over their young ones' performance.

And to the enemies putting the student's safety to risk, it was a warning that he is here, watching over, protecting the academy.

With the echo of that bell returning back to its sender, the Environment Manipulation Classes took it as a signal to start, lighting up massive cannons pointing to the skies.

Flowers of light bloomed as the passing of midnight signifies the start of the Grand Talent Festival.