Chapter 372: Ceremony
Callista led Alaric through winding paths that gradually separated from the main campus.
The architecture shifted subtly, buildings becoming slightly less grand, slightly more utilitarian.
"Male dormitories are on the eastern edge," she explained. "Separate from female housing. Academy policy."
They stopped before a three-story building. Well-maintained but clearly older than the female dormitories visible in the distance, those were newer construction, more elaborate.
"This is Cedar Hall. You’re in room 2-14. Second floor, halfway down the east corridor." She handed him a brass key.
"Roommate assignments were in your packet. You’re sharing with another exchange student, someone from the Eastern Territories, I think."
Alaric took the key. "When’s the opening ceremony?"
"Six hours. At sunset. Main auditorium." She pointed toward a massive domed building visible across campus.
"I’ll come get you an hour before. Don’t be late."
She paused.
"And Azra? Be careful. The other male students... they’ll either see you as competition or try to befriend you for protection. Trust slowly."
He nodded. "Understood."
Callista left.
And Alaric entered the Cedar Hall alone.
The interior was... adequate. Clean floors. Essence-lit sconces. A common area on the first floor where a few male students lounged, watching him with wary curiosity as he passed.
He climbed stairs to the second floor.
And found his room 2-14 without much trouble. Then unlocked it and stepped inside.
The room was small.
Two beds were placed on the opposite walls.
With two desks, two wardrobes and a single window overlooking the training grounds. It was functional. Nothing more.
Though one bed was already claimed, personal items scattered across it, trunk at the foot.
His roommate had arrived earlier.
Alaric claimed the empty bed.
Set down his bag. Looked around the space that would be his home for the next few weeks.
Sigh!
He lay back on the bed. Stared at the ceiling.
Six hours until the opening ceremony. Until he’d be formally introduced as an exchange student.
The auction is in three weeks. Need to maintain cover until then. Acquire the crystal for Vanessia. Then figure out how to use academy resources to finish healing and eventually get back to Vedgard.
Simple.
His hand moved unconsciously to his chest. To where he could still feel it, faint presence of Brandon sealed inside. Quiet now.
What would you do? he thought toward the presence. If you were in my position?
No answer came. Just silence.
Alaric closed his eyes. Let himself rest. Preparing mentally for whatever the opening ceremony would bring.
---
Time passed.
Eventually, Callista came and retrieved him an hour before sunset.
Led him across campus as the sky turned orange and gold.
The auditorium was already filling when they arrived. Massive space with tiered seating arranged in semicircle around a central stage. Easily accommodated a thousand people and seemed likely to be full by the time the ceremony started.
"Exchange students sit in the front section," Callista explained. "Regular students behind. Faculty and administration on the raised platforms."
She pointed to a cordoned area near the stage. "Go. I’ll be in the second-year section if you need me."
Alaric descended to the designated area. Found maybe twenty other students already seated, all wearing similar academy uniforms but with subtle differences marking them as outsiders.
Exchange students from various kingdoms and regions.
He took a seat near the end. Studied his temporary peers.
They’re mix of genders, though still weighted toward female students.
Various ages, mostly late teens to early twenties. Some looked nervous. Others bored. A few radiated confidence that suggested significant backing.
One caught his attention, young woman with silver hair and violet eyes. She met his gaze briefly, nodded in acknowledgment, then returned to reading a small book.
Eastern Territories, based on her facial features and the style of her uniform modifications.
The auditorium filled rapidly. Regular students pouring in by the hundreds. Faculty taking their elevated positions, all wearing formal robes in deep purple marked with gold trim.
Finally, as the sun touched the horizon outside—
A gong sounded. Deep and resonant. Silencing all conversation instantly.
The Academy Headmistress walked onto the stage.
She was... imposing. Late fifties in appearance.
Silver-grey hair styled severely. Sharp features that suggested she’d been beautiful once and had aged into something more commanding. Formal robes more elaborate than any of the faculty, marking her position as absolute authority within these walls.
"Students of Royal Academy," her voice carried effortlessly through the space without any visible amplification.
"Welcome. To our returning students, I trust your breaks were restful and productive. To our new students..." Her eyes swept the crowd. "Welcome to an institution that has shaped leaders for three centuries."
She continued with standard opening remarks. Academy history. Expectations. Rules. The kind of speech that was probably identical every year.
Then she shifted focus.
"This year, we are honored to host twenty-three exchange students from seven different regions." She gestured to the front section. "These students represent the best of their homelands. They come to learn from us, and we from them. Cultural exchange strengthens all nations."
She began calling names. Each exchange student stood when announced. Their home kingdom. Their sponsoring house or institution.
"Azra. Sponsored by House Valcieri."
Alaric stood. Endured hundreds of eyes turning to assess him and then sat back down quickly.
The introductions continued. Once complete, the Headmistress moved on.
"Regular students... your class schedules have been distributed to your dormitories. First classes begin tomorrow at dawn. Study hard. Train harder. Make this academy proud."
She paused. "Exchange students however will remain seated. You will undergo placement testing immediately following this ceremony. All others are dismissed."
A wave of sound as nearly a thousand students stood and began filing out. Conversations erupting.
Regular students casting curious glances at the exchange students who remained seated.
Within ten minutes, the auditorium was nearly empty. Just the twenty-three exchange students and a handful of faculty members who descended from their platform to the stage level.
A stern-faced woman in professor’s robes addressed them.
"Exchange student testing consists of two phases. Academic assessment, measuring your theoretical knowledge, problem-solving, and general intellect. And practical assessment, measuring your combat capability and essence control."
She gestured to different exits. "Academic testing first. Follow Professor Morris to the examination hall. You have two hours. Your practical assessment will follow immediately after."
---
The examination hall was a large classroom. Individual desks spread far apart to prevent cheating. Each station had a thick packet of papers and writing implements.
Alaric took his assigned seat. Looked at the packet.
Questions covering history, mathematics, essence theory, tactical analysis, literature, sciences.
They’re designed to measure actual knowledge versus just combat ability.
The proctor called time. Alaric opened the packet and began.
The questions were... challenging but manageable. History of the kingdoms, dates, treaties, significant battles. Mathematics ranging from basic arithmetic to complex spatial calculations. Essence theory asking about cultivation stages, channel formation, elemental interactions.
He worked through methodically. The knowledge itself came from both Alaric’s original education and fragments of Brandon’s memories that surfaced when relevant.
Two hours passed quickly.
And the staff began collecting the papers.
"There will be fifteen-minute break," the proctor announced. "Then report to Training Arena Seven for practical assessment."
Alaric stood up and stretched, leaning against the wall.
Well... practical would be bit problematic, my restrictions hadn’t gone off yet.
Fifteen minutes passed, and then they moved together.
The arena was outdoors. Large circular space with reinforced walls designed to contain essence techniques. Measuring equipment lined the perimeter, devices that would quantify power output, control precision, combat capability.
Faculty members consulted clipboards. Called students forward one at a time.
"Azra."
He stepped into the arena center.
Faced the assessment panel, three professors studying him with professional detachment.
"Demonstrate your primary essence affinity," the lead professor instructed. "Maximum output. We’ll measure potency and control."
Sigh!
He channeled fire essence. Let it build in his palm. Pushed it as far as the restrictions would allow—
A flame appeared. Decent size. Well-controlled. But nowhere near his actual capability.
The measuring devices recorded data and the professors made notes.
The assessment continued.
All of them were tested.
Then...
"Dismissed. Results will be posted tomorrow morning."