Chapter 157: Start of the Festival: Some of the Academy's Finest
Fire flowers blossoms across the skies, heralding the beginning of the Grand Talent Festival.
Well-known and well-received not only by the student of the Galilea Magic Academy, but also by almost the entire world, students, both those who are aware of what is about to happen and those who are about to experience the festival for the first time, reveals different thoughts in their minds.
"This time… I must win some fame for the people back home…"
"I hope a lot of them will come to watch my competitions…"
"I need to work hard to make the family proud!"
Some shows ideals, positive ones carrying the hopes of those who supports them from the back, these young people revealing determined, if not serious expressions on their faces as they were lit up by the show in the skies.
"T-this is my last year… at least now… at least now… I-I have to show good results…"
"Heh… it's that time again… I'll reveal my talent to the world again!!"
"This is a good chance… kikik… hehe... hahaha…"
Some students however, doesn't seem to appear all too good in the surface, the emotions oozing out of them more of desperation, some arrogance, while some twisted desire, as they watch the burning display with the same chaotic light in their eyes.
Still, nothing doused the festive atmosphere that begins out of nowhere, most of the freshmen, still new to the way things are in the academy, being woken up caught unaware despite the posters already informing them about the flow of the festival.
That doesn't mean that every single freshman was caught unaware by the suddenness of the Grand Talent Festival's start, as in fact, there are those who seems to just smile as they take in the sudden change all too well.
"Medea told me that the start would be quite grand but…"
Recalling the magic, more ceremonial than practical, that snapped him out of his meditation, the bell ringing that expanded beyond the academy's reach before eventually ringing once more, Novus couldn't help but take a look in the skies with admiration in his eyes.
There, standing unfazed despite the proximity of the flames exploding into flowers around him, the academy's headmaster stood still, watching over the entirety of the academy with what Novus can make out as a smile.
The senses of great mages sure are sharp, that is what Novus can say to himself as he witnessed the old headmaster's gaze shifting away from the commotion underneath before meeting his gaze, a faint, knowing light in his eyes as if he understands the young man's depth.
As if he's a monster acknowledging another one, still young, a fledgling, but a monster nonetheless.
After flashing that knowing look, the headmaster then decided that it is time to fade into the background to allow his dear students to shine, his figure disappearing all of a sudden as if he was never there, never standing on air before.
'Someday…' watching over the entirety of this old mage's performance, the effortless levitation, the bell, his sudden disappearance, Novus couldn't help but clench his fist as the smile on his face grew wider.
The encounter with this supreme being, him acquiring a faintest idea of how absurd said being is, fire of anticipation burns deep underneath the young man's eyes.
He allows himself to wallow amidst fantasy of growth, but not for long, as he returns to his usual self, the faintest of smile plastered on his face as he closes his eyes once more, having no prior schedule to roam around during this period, he opted to return to his meditation instead.
'Just a bit stronger before the duel tournament start…' he thought to himself as Evolution Energy flows within his body, the familiar notifications ringing in his mind as he allows time to pass, growing bit by bit with each passing moment.
[You absorbed Evolution Energy. Refinement of the body will continue until the source of the energy runs out.]
[Your talent: True Immortal Blood is being refined. +0.003% progress, +3 maximum Immortal Energy.]
[Your physique has grown. +3 strength, +3 agility, +3 vitality.]
[You sense all sort of energy clearer than before. +3 arcane.]
[Your body and soul seem to grow closer. +3 harmony.]
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"Hwah~~~ what a good show~~"
Watching through the entire fire show, Medea couldn't help but sigh satisfied as she finally lay on her bed once more, taking out yet another Evolution Crystal from her storage ring before closing her eyes, allowing its energy to temper her body, improve it, make it stronger.
"Fufufu~~~ I bet those classmates will be surprised~~"
Thinking about how much she had improved recently, the Sword Princess couldn't help but giggle to herself wondering how her peers will react to her sudden improvements.
'I was confident on winning against anyone in the tournament before but…'
Recalling how she was handled by her most recent sparring partner during one of their friendly matches, Medea couldn't help but reveal a helpless smile, but not because she knows that her chance of winning against him is slim.
'A bit more… just for a bit more, I wish I could've kept that capable side of his for myself…'
Those thoughts unknowingly popped up in her mind as she stares at the ceiling of her room.
'W-what the hell am I thinking about?? meditate, meditate…'
Eventually, she was made conscious of those complex things going on in her mind, her face turning flushed as she tries her best to rid herself of those distracting thoughts, prompting her to meditate once more.
"Hehe~~"
There is melodious giggling in the room as she meditates with calmer expression than she ever did before, a faint, sweet smile blooming on her lips as she allows the night to pass while improving herself.
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"Hmm? whoaa~~~ the light displays never fail to impress…"
"Good thing I finished the last mission early, lucky."
Watching the light display in the skies, a slim feminine figure watches with a smile on her face.
Partnered with the moonlight shining down, her beauty is revealed in full display with each explosion shining down on her face, the wind blowing causing her flashy, frilly clothes to rustle, a detailed, cutesy modification of the familiar uniform that everyone in the academy wears.
There is a faint, comforting tune that seems to come out of children's lullaby as she walks across the academy's midnight street gradually being populated by students who are here for the first competitions of the festival.
With each of her step, most of the student she passes by, whether they are male or female, couldn't help but have their gaze stolen by her charms, the doll-like appearance specially making it dangerous for any man's heart.
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"Cough!! Couch!!" that same light display show through the windows and revealed to another student the paleness of her smooth skin, that despite her thin, sickly figure, still remains ever-so-beautiful, save for its unhealthy color.
Despite the suddenness of her coughing, she immediately finds herself composed again, a smile on her lips as she reaches out for a notebook and a pen on her bedside table, watching the opening act of the festival as she writes down on pages.
If anyone were to see what it is that she is writing about, the first few lines are as follow:
'My third Grand Talent Festival, I'm looking forward to it.'
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Each student watches the same show, yet carries different thoughts, different wills as they allow themselves to be mesmerized by the sight.
Nearly all students bear witness to the show that the Environment Manipulation Classes, with the headmaster himself joining in, put on for the Grand Talent Festival's opening act, the sudden festive atmosphere making said students excited for the events about to come.