Csendez took a second to look around at the seats. There were a few empty chairs, including the one next to her. After a brief glance across the grand hall, she noticed that the empty seats existed only in her class. Every other class seemed to be complete.
Hmm... some of my classmates shouldn't receive special treatment without a reason. After all, this school promotes equality among all races, sexes, and places of origin.
With that thought in mind, Csendez returned her attention to the principal, who was standing not far from her, and to the tall stack of papers placed in one corner of the stage. A small smile appeared on her lips. One of her hands made a subtle movement before becoming still again. Then she focused on the director's speech.
"Welcome, young ones, to the Academy!"
His voice was exceptionally clear and pleasant, reaching every corner of the hall.
"I hope this opening ceremony marks the beginning of a chapter in your lives that you will one day remember with joy, as well as the period of your greatest educational achievements. One of my own greatest accomplishments was opening this Academy to bring the races closer together, so that battles and misunderstandings could gradually disappear."
The projection raised one hand. With a gesture resembling the act of wiping a window, countless scenes appeared in the air—battlefields, ruined cities, devastated planets, and endless conflicts.
They were the tragedies recorded throughout history.
"The actions of our ancestors—and even of our parents—have led to irreversible consequences. But your generation has the opportunity to learn from those mistakes, so that your own lives will not be burdened with regret. When you look back on these years, do so with happiness. Be able to say that your present became the best future your past could have created."
The images vanished, replaced by sheets of paper drifting gently through the air like snowflakes. One floated toward every student.
"These sheets contain your schedules, from which you will later choose your optional subjects. Now that the welcoming speech is over, I will explain the structure of your studies, along with one of the most important things you must remember while you call this place your home."
With another gesture, a three-dimensional image of a planet appeared above the audience. It was breathtaking, almost as though it had been painted. Its surface was divided into perfectly organized regions that fit together like pieces of a puzzle.
"This is the planet where the Academy stands. It has not yet been given a name. The Alocanai Council decided that if one of our students someday performs a deed significant enough to change the universe for the better, that student will earn the right to name this world. The Academy has existed for only two hundred and fifty years and has already graduated four generations, yet none of them has come close to achieving that honor. Perhaps one of you will."
A wave of whispers spread throughout the hall.
Quite a bold statement... but an effective one. He certainly knows how to inspire people.
Csendez looked down at the paper that had landed in front of her. One side contained a map of the Academy grounds, while the other listed every available subject, distinguishing between mandatory classes and optional courses.
"Now, let us move to the most important topic—the Academy's rules. Some of you may have already heard them from your families, while others may not, but that changes nothing. These rules are absolute."
His expression grew noticeably more serious.
"They apply to everyone on this planet—students, teachers, servants, and even myself. Breaking them comes with severe consequences. If you ignore them, you may wake up one day expelled from this Academy. There are only five rules."
He raised one finger.
"First: Do not kill another sentient being."
A second finger.
"Second: Every professor may establish additional rules that apply only within their own classes."
A third.
"Third: Do not leave the Academy without permission, and do not receive anything from outside the Academy without permission."
A fourth.
"Fourth: Until you receive your sigil, students are forbidden from practicing magic or manipulating any form of energy outside supervised classes."
Finally, the fifth.
"Fifth: Do not form romantic relationships during your time at the Academy."
Predictable.
A faint emotion flickered across Csendez's eyes before disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.
His voice echoed throughout the hall like the toll of a bell. After a brief silence, he clapped his hands. Above him, an enlarged version of the schedule appeared.
"These rules are to be followed without compromise or exception. Now, let me explain how your studies are organized. There are six academic branches within this Academy. Although each class follows a primary specialization based on its overall aptitude, that does not prevent individual students from pursuing other fields."
After a pause.
"Take Class A, for example. Their primary focus is law and politics, but that does not mean they neglect magic. As a class, they are required to complete ten hours in their specialization, five hours of magic, five hours of arts, and the remaining seven hours divided among sports, history, and mathematics."
Several sections of the schedule illuminated as he spoke.
"In total, every student must complete twenty-seven study hours each month."
The director paused before continuing.
"For those final seven hours, beyond the mandatory requirements, you are free to choose the subjects that interest you most. My advice is simple—select courses that complement your main field of study. It will benefit you greatly."
A brief pause followed. Many students lowered their eyes to their schedules, and quiet discussions immediately began.
Almost no one seemed particularly concerned about the five rules. Most had already heard them before arriving. Those unfamiliar with them considered them seriously for only a moment before dismissing them as obvious.
"You may continue those discussions during your first homeroom session. There is still more that you need to know. May I have your full attention once again?"
He waited patiently until the hall fell silent.
"Good. Secondly, your current class rankings are based on your entrance examinations. After the first examination period, however, those rankings may change. Do not misunderstand me. The students assigned to each class will never change, nor will your class's primary specialization. What can change is the ranking of the classes themselves. Class B may someday surpass Class S, while Class S could fall to Class A. The ranking system exists to encourage teamwork among classmates and to demonstrate principles that you do not yet fully understand."
The schedule disappeared, replaced by what looked like a large blackboard. Letters and numbers rapidly filled its surface.
"This board will remain displayed in this hall throughout your years at the Academy. You will be able to monitor the rankings in real time and, hopefully, use them as motivation."
The board listed every class beneath the previous one. Class S stood at one hundred thousand points, followed by Class A with eighty-seven thousand, Class B with seventy thousand, Class C with fifty-one thousand, Class D with thirty thousand, and finally Class E with twenty-five thousand.
The murmurs returned. The director acknowledged them with a satisfied smile, clearly pleased that the competition had already begun to spark excitement.
"We have many exceptionally talented students among you. But never forget this: talent and natural ability do not necessarily make an excellent student. So do not become discouraged. At the end of every academic period, both individuals and entire classes will receive rewards."
For a brief instant, the director's pupil-less eyes seemed to gleam with amusement before returning to their usual calm.
"Thirdly, your classmates will remain the same except under very special circumstances—death, expulsion, or my personal decision that someone no longer belongs in a particular class. I expect you to avoid conflicts with one another. You will remain here for many years, not because you are incapable of learning more quickly, but because the amount of knowledge you must master is simply immense."
The headmaster clapped his hands once more. The blackboard floated toward one of the walls beside the grand staircases. It was enormous, easily visible even from the farthest seats, and appeared to be enchanted so that its information remained understandable regardless of distance.
"Fourthly—and finally—I will introduce your homeroom teachers, who also serve as the heads of your respective academic branches. They will explain the Academy's daily routine, mandatory conduct, the circumstances that may lead to expulsion, and the methods by which your progress will be evaluated."
He paused briefly.
"Without further delay..."