Chapter 66: INTER-ACADEMY REGIONAL COMPETITION.
For the first time since anyone could remember, the announcement hall had chairs—actual folding chairs, neatly lined up in rows across the glossy floor. Students shuffled into the space with expressions ranging from suspicion to amazement, most of them gawking like they were seeing some rare celestial event.
"Are we actually being treated like humans today?" someone whispered near the back.
As the last of the students reluctantly settled in, Headmaster Jian stepped onto the stage, hands behind his back, his signature smirk already in place. He gave a slight nod to the two teachers standing nearby — Jiayi and Gaoshun — before gripping the microphone with practiced ease.
"Good evening, students," he began, the mic catching the sharp cadence of his voice. "I won't take too much of your time. I know you all hate these surprise gatherings. Some of you are already checking your watches, wondering if there's food after this. There isn't."
A couple of laughs rolled out across the crowd.
"But this time," Jian continued, walking slowly across the stage, "you're not standing shoulder to shoulder, pretending to care. This time... we gave you chairs."
A few sarcastic claps echoed. Someone muttered, "Luxury!"
"I'm feeling generous today," Jian smirked. "So generous, in fact, that for today, no discipline points will be deducted for speaking during this announcement. I want to hear your real voices."
That caused a ripple of murmurs, whispers, and exchanged looks. Someone near the middle even muttered, "He's definitely up to something."