"Pleasure to meet you, Principal Erza!"
"I am Jose Porla. It is a great honor to lead our school's students to Fairy Academy for this exchange program!"
Jose, the Master of "Phantom Lord" and one of the Wizard Saints in the original work. In this world, because Zera killed the Master of "Blue Skull," Geoffrey, early on, he was unable to escape and found "Phantom Lord." Coupled with the rise of magic academies decades ago, the current Jose did not become the Master of a magic guild, but rather a teacher at the Royal Capital Magic Academy.
"These are the exchange students coming to study at your esteemed school. Please allow me to introduce them one by one!"
"Jellal Fernandes. He is the most gifted among these children and currently serves as the captain of this squad!"
Erza nodded with a smile, her gaze shifting to Jellal. He was handsome and would likely charm quite a few young girls; plus, being introduced first by the leading teacher suggested his strength would not be lacking. It was just that the tattoo on his face might easily lead the school's atmosphere astray!
"This is Macbeth. His talent is not quite as high as Jellal's, but he is equally outstanding. He is also the adopted son of Principal Brain!"
Macbeth—also known as Midnight of the "Oracion Seis" in the original timeline. Hearing this, Erza likewise fixed her gaze on Macbeth, paying him special attention. To be taken in as an adopted son by that brat Brain, this child must have some talent. But what caught Erza's attention wasn't Macbeth's talent, but his appearance! For a boy, he looked so effeminate... It was normal for boys of this age not to be fully developed and to look effeminate; as long as he ate and drank well, he would surely become a man who could stand on his own in the future! However, wearing lipstick and earrings—that sort of behavior wasn't very good!
Jose did not notice Erza's gaze and continued the introductions: "These are Erik, Richard, Sawyer, and Sorano. They are all 13 years old!"
Erza continued to shift her gaze. The boy named Erik was reasonably handsome, but more importantly, he always had a smirk on his face; he would likely be very popular among girls of his age. The little girl named Sorano was very cute, but her brow faintly carried a hint of a wandering spirit; she was most likely a restless one as well. Perhaps she would have to strictly crack down on campus puppy love later! Richard, Sawyer... these two boys are 13?! Why do they look like 33-year-old uncles? Their faces aged far too fast!!
"Pfft—"
A soft laugh rang out among the children. From the moment he entered the room, Erik had been secretly listening to the inner thoughts of the old lady Principal before him. At first, when he heard her thinking that Jellal and Macbeth's styling would lead the school atmosphere astray, he only snickered internally; then, hearing her praise his and Sorano's looks while wanting to crack down on puppy love, he felt a secret touch of pride; but upon hearing her say Richard and Sawyer looked like uncles, he finally couldn't hold it in.
"Oh? This young friend seems to have many thoughts?"
Erza was as shrewd as an old fox; she saw at a glance that Erik was not simple. Her eyes narrowed slightly, a shallow smile appearing on her face.
"Ah... that... no..."
Cold sweat immediately broke out on Erik. Eavesdropping on others' hearts was inherently very rude, and the person before him was the Principal of Fairy Academy. If he were caught, he would definitely have a hard time! Just as he was racking his brain to fabricate an excuse to brush it off, Erza silently looked away.
Jose gave Erik a thoughtful look. As the leading teacher, he knew a bit about Erik's magic, so seeing him suddenly laugh, he immediately realized the brat was eavesdropping again. He was both annoyed and worried. This rascal... to dare do something so rude right in front of the Principal was certainly bold! Fortunately, this Principal Erza didn't seem inclined to pursue it; otherwise, wouldn't he, as the leading teacher, be dragged into it? Forget it, forget it, this kid can overhear thoughts, better not think about it further...
"These final three are the juniors in the squad."
"Juvia Lockser, age 11!"
"Rufus Lore and Orga Nanagear, both age 7!"
"Though these three are younger and their magic power is weaker, their talent is even greater than the four before them. In time, they will surely become excellent wizards!"
The two magic academies sent exchange students every three years, but because of the rotation, the frequency of the Royal Capital Magic Academy sending students to Fairy Academy (or vice-versa) was actually once every six years. To avoid talented wizards missing the chance for deeper study at the other school, the ages of the exchange student squad were not concentrated; some were older, some younger. After all, they couldn't guarantee these wizards would still be in school six years later. For example, Juvia was 11 this year; if she didn't come now, by the time she was 17 in six years, she might have already left the Royal Capital Magic Academy and would have missed the opportunity. As for Rufus and Orga, though they could wait six years, it would be a waste of their magic talent if they weren't cultivated as early as possible.
"I remember three years ago, the exchange students we sent to your school numbered a full 20!"
"So I thought the exchange students your school sent this time would be at least 10, but... are there only these nine?"
"It's fewer than expected!"
There was a hint of regret in Erza's tone. Jose's mouth twitched. Was it that he didn't want to send people? It was because six years ago, they sent 20 students to Fairy Academy, and after studying here for just one year, more than half chose to drop out of the Royal Capital Magic Academy and transfer to Fairy Academy! They snatched away their school's best prospects! Just like rogues! Unfortunately, the Royal Capital Magic Academy was intimidated by the influence and couldn't easily lash out; in the end, they could only swallow their pride in silence.
"Hehehe... Principal Erza, please forgive us. Our school cannot compare to Fairy Academy; we don't have that many talents."
Erza simply nodded and whispered softly, "Nine... is barely enough."
What do you mean "barely enough"? Are you saying that poaching nine of our students this time is "barely enough"? So you people at Fairy Academy aren't even going to act anymore?! Jose, in a fit of rage, felt quite angry: "...Principal Erza, what did you just say was enough?"
"Ah? I didn't say anything!"
Erza first blinked slightly, then looked at Jose with a confused expression. She looked like an ordinary elderly lady experiencing a slip of the tongue or a loss of hearing.
Jose: "..."