LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 4 - Entrance Ceremony (2)
✦ Chapter 4 – Entrance Ceremony (2) ✦
「Translator – Creator」
𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝𒋝
The man wearing a mask caught everyone’s attention from the very beginning.
“Who is that guy?”
It started with a comment from one of the professors. This was before the headmaster’s speech. The professor, who was checking the monitor to ensure the auditorium was properly displayed, noticed the masked man.
“What’s the issue?”
“There’s a strange person over there.”
At the professor’s remark, other professors nearby also looked at the monitor screen. And indeed, there was someone peculiar in the auditorium.
“A mask?”
“Who on earth is that lunatic?”
“Coming to the entrance ceremony dressed like that…”
The commotion grew as Lucas began conversing with the masked man. Although no sound could be heard, Lucas smiled and seemed to be enjoying the conversation.
“What business does His Highness the Crown Prince have with that guy?”
“If he’s chatting with the Crown Prince, he’s definitely not normal.”
“Judging by his appearance alone, isn’t it obvious he’s not?”
Before long, all the professors were staring at the masked man and Lucas. To think there was a new student dressed so bizarrely among this year’s freshmen.
“Aha ha ha ha! Look at those noble kids over there! Trying to talk to His Highness but being too scared to approach because of that weirdo next to him! It’s hilarious to see those nobles act like that!”
As a female professor laughed heartily, everyone had the same thought.
‘Oh, right. We have weirdos among the professors too.’
“You’re a noble too, Idra.”
“Hehe, Professor. Now you have to call me Professor Idra, not just Idra. Repeat after me. Pro·fess·or·Id·ra.”
Idra’s eccentricities were well-known. Born into a marquis family and overflowing with talent, her innocent and carefree nature often gave her parents headaches.
In fact, after graduating at the top of her class from the academy, she left the capital to become an adventurer. Although she became an S-rank adventurer, her parents lured her back to the capital with the suggestion of a teaching position.
‘So, will I be called professor by those professors then?’
Idra said this and indeed became the youngest professor at the academy. As a result, the professors who once taught Idra now found themselves with her as a colleague—a curious turn of events.
However, there wasn’t a single professor who truly disliked Idra.
Even during her student days, despite her eccentric behaviors that caused professors headaches, she also did commendable things like standing up to nobles who bullied commoners. So, despite her antics, the professors were both wary and fond of her.
“I like him. What’s that student’s name?”
The professors felt sympathetic towards the masked student who caught Idra’s attention yet also thought paradoxically that since he looked strange, it didn’t matter much. A professor who was older than Idra but less experienced tried to find the masked student’s name, but then they heard a voice, making it unnecessary.
“Loki.”
Everyone turned to look at the person who had spoken. Platinum blonde hair and blue eyes marked the Academy’s Disciplinary Committee Head, Johanna Freya.
“Johanna! When did you get here?”
At the sight of Johanna, Idra ran up to her and embraced her. Idra was older, but Johanna’s taller stature made her look like the older sister. No one questioned why a student like Johanna was there. After all, representatives from other notable clubs were also present.
“By the way, Loki? Do you know him?”
“I met him on the way here.”
“Met him on the way? Is he strong?”
At Idra’s question, Johanna thought back about Loki.
‘Actually, I’m glad you told me about my unique magic. If I take your advice, I can become stronger.’
“He’s strong.”
“Really? How strong? How stro—”
“Be quiet. Idra, the headmaster’s speech is starting.”
“I keep telling you to call me Professor Idra, don’t I? Anyway, it’s been a while since we’ve had the headmaster’s speech. I’ve heard that in other academies, the headmaster’s speech alone takes about 30 minutes, but our headmaster keeps it short, which is great.”
.
.
.
[Show your worth.]
As the headmaster’s speech concluded, demonic beasts surrounded the students.
Many students fell victim to the beasts, while others managed to fend them off.
While most professors and club representatives focused on the spirit summoners, Isar tribe members, Lucas, and Clara, only two people—Idra and Johanna—kept their eyes on Loki.
The two of them watched Loki in silence, ignoring the other students entirely.
Since Idra, normally so noisy, was suddenly quiet, the other professors glanced at her and were startled. Idra, who always wore a smile, now had a serious expression, her chin held in her hand, watching with intense focus.
“Professor Idra?”
The startled professors followed Idra’s gaze to one of the monitors. When they finally saw what she was looking at, they were all stunned.
There on the screen was the masked man, Loki, massacring the beasts.
Yes, “massacre” was the only word to describe the scene.
Unlike other students whose impressive attacks garnered attention, Loki simply swung his staff while passing by. Yet, those swings alone were enough to bisect numerous beasts.
But that wasn’t the only peculiar thing.
While other students wielding weapons maintained their distance to avoid hitting one another by accident, Loki dashed through the chaotic fray.
He weaved through the tangled mess of students with ease, swinging his staff.
“He’s going to hit the other students fighting like that!”
However, contrary to the professor’s concern, Loki never once bumped into another student, nor did his weapon strike anyone else. Like oil and water that refuse to mix, he raced through the crowd of students, swinging his staff. As a result, the blood of demonic beasts never had a chance to dry on his weapon.
Some students weren’t even aware that Loki had passed by them; his dazzling and impressive movements captivated even the professors, who couldn’t take their eyes off him.
“It’s as if he exists in another dimension.”
“His speed is increasing.”
Although Loki’s speed was continuously accelerating, there wasn’t the slightest hint of hesitation or unnaturalness in his movements. He slashed at the demonic beasts as if he knew exactly where they were, then immediately moved to cut down another.
Before long, even the professors tasked with grading were simply marveling at Loki’s movements.
“I clearly saw him collide with other beasts.”
An elderly fencing professor spoke up. He was a veteran with over 20 years of teaching experience.
“And his staff did miss a few times.”
His name was Gedra, the former captain of the Imperial Knights.
“But the result was different. He didn’t actually collide with other beasts, and his attacks still hit their marks.”
The demonic beasts clearly suffered the impact of his attacks.
However, they weren’t actually hit.
His staff didn’t physically touch the beasts.
Yet, they were still severed.
If anyone other than Professor Gedra had said this, no one would have believed it.
“The other students are starting to notice now.”
As the number of demonic beasts dwindled, the students seemed to have a moment to look around, and they all began whispering about Loki. Although the professors couldn’t hear the sounds from inside the auditorium, they could guess what the commotion was about.
“Jenna.”
Johanna, who hadn’t uttered a word since the demonic beasts appeared, finally spoke.
Her close friend and fellow disciplinary committee member, Jenna, responded belatedly.
“…Yes?”
“I want Loki to join the disciplinary committee.”
Jenna couldn’t help but be taken aback by Johanna’s request. It was the first time Johanna had ever expressed a desire for something.
The other club representatives were a mix of disappointment and relief—thinking that while they might miss out on a promising talent, handling Loki, who had caught Professor Idra’s attention, seemed difficult. Having him join the disciplinary committee seemed a preferable option.
“That won’t be possible.”
A voice as cold as ice spoke up. Everyone looked for its source, and there stood a man who seemed to embody ice itself.
If Johanna Freya was the top ranker among the second-year students, this man was the top ranker among the third-year students.
The student council president, Jorden Adellian.
“What do you mean?”
Johanna’s voice was filled with uncharacteristic irritation.
“I plan to scout him for the student council myself.”
Jorden’s voice was as cold as ice, making the atmosphere tense; the tension between Johanna and Jorden was so palpable that other club representatives found it hard to breathe.
“Well, well, the enthusiasm is commendable, but the test isn’t over yet.”
As the headmaster appeared, both Johanna and Jorden withdrew their intense auras.
By now, all the demonic beasts in the auditorium had vanished. So the club representatives couldn’t understand the headmaster’s words “The test wasn’t over?” meant?
“Professors, prepare ‘that.’”
“Headmaster, are you really going to bring that out?”
“Considering a strong student like Loki has appeared, there’s a chance it can be defeated.”
“Hehe, what are you all talking about? Since we have more unexpected strong candidates, let’s make it two of ‘those.’”
“Pardon?”
“If you release two of them, the students might get seriously hurt!”
“Well, I trust those students. If a teacher can’t trust their students, what good are they?”
One of the club representatives, unable to keep up with the situation, cautiously asked Jorden.
“Student Council President, what is ‘that’?”
“…You’ll see soon enough.”
The club representatives turned their gaze back to the monitors, gasping in horror — two massive golems over 10 meters tall had appeared, accompanied by dozens of newly spawned demonic beasts threatening the students.
The students inside the auditorium were all horrified, retreating in fear.
“Headmaster, two golems are too much! This could demoralize the students!”
“Haha, I don’t see it that way. Look over there. There are three students who haven’t despaired.”
As the headmaster pointed out, amidst the retreating students, three stepped forward.
A boy wielding a spear, walking with determination—Lucas Leonhart, the Crown Prince of the Empire.
A girl holding a staff and chanting incantations—Clara Adellian, the sole disciple of the head of the Magic Tower.
A boy gripping a staff, his cloak billowing as he strode forward—Loki, the Clown.
These three showed no fear of the golems. Instead, they prepared confidently for the fight.
— End of Chapter —
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