The wind brushed against the faces of hundreds of students. Some of them were haughty, others nervous. However, all of them had something in common. They were all first-year students who had managed to enroll into the Royal Academy.
I watched them from afar, knowing that I wouldn't fit in.
Most of them had maids or parents alongside them for their first day of class. On top of that, every year there was only one special admission, which included commoners and... that was me.
I knew rumors were bound to spread the moment they would see me.
Still, the headmistress had clearly warned me yesterday. I had to attend the Entrance Ceremony. Otherwise, she would revoke my enrollment and I'd have to keep running from my past.
This was a chance for me to start anew and I wasn't planning on missing it.
After a few minutes, most of the students had gathered outside in front of a small platform where a small stand with a microphone could be found in the middle.
'Seems like it's about to start...' I thought to myself as I finally got off the tree where I was hiding and slid in with all the other students.
"I-Is that her?"
"Oh my god! She's actually here!"
Dozens of students started whispering as someone on the stage had finally appeared. However, when I finally raised my head, I didn't see the headmistress, but a student wearing a black and gold uniform, completely different from the blue and white uniform we had.
'Is she some kind of celebrity?'
She tapped the microphone to make her presence known and immediately, everyone stopped talking.
"It is my pleasure as the head of the student council to welcome you all to our academy!" She said with a joyous tone as cheers erupted within the crowd. "However, as you all know, while you got admitted... our academy is different from the rest. You'll have to fight to keep your spot."
As she uttered those words, the atmosphere became darker in a split second. Every single person in this crowd knew what she was talking about.
Everyone... except me.
"As you all know, you will be placed in different classes based on the results of your admission test, from Class F to Class A. The higher your potential, the better the resources the Royal Academy has at your disposition will be. However, so will the Academy's expectations. So, make sure to work as hard as you can."
'But I didn't get any sort of test apart from what happened yesterday? I'm sure no one was observing me while dealing with those mercenaries. How will they decide which class I'm a part of?'
I had questions, but I pushed them to the back of my mind since I could always ask the headmistress later.
"Also, each and every one of you will receive additional tests to decide which paths you will take on: physical, magical, or utility." She took a deep breath and continued. "Now, without further ado, let me announce the top five students who performed the best during their admission test."
Every student began looking around them, whispering amongst each other.
"Who do you think will be top 1?"
"It's probably going to be her, right?"
"She's been the top of her class ever since she was a child. There's no way it can be anyone other than her."
I wondered who they were talking about but kept it in. After all, I was about to learn it.
"The fifth ranked student is Gabriella Elarion. The rank of her Nature Affinity was unlike anything else we had seen in years. Please welcome her to the stage!"
'Elarion? Is she Ivy's sister?' I frowned. 'How come they didn't ride the same carriage on their way to the Royal Academy.'
I sighed just thinking about it as I saw a thin silhouette with long blonde hair walking onto the stage, her back straight and filled with confidence, the complete opposite of Ivy.
"The fourth ranked student is Beatrice Loge. She has a double affinity of Ice and Fire, both of them B-Ranked. Her combat talent is also on par with B-Rank mercenaries, making her one of the best first-years."
'Two B-Rank affinities and only fourth?' I tilted my head, confused. 'Are the people in this academy really that talented?'
Then, in the corner of my eyes, I spotted a beautiful, tall woman with red and white hair walking onto the stage. However, she didn't seem happy to be there.
Murmurs filled the crowd as confusion slowly began taking over the atmosphere.
"She ranked fourth? Isn't she usually third...?"
"Who got before her?"
Still, the head of the student council continued speaking without any hints of stopping.
"The third ranked student is Alex Loge. And just like his twin sister, he has a double affinity, with his Mana Core being A-Rank."
"There really is someone new?!"
"Did someone more talented than those two really appear?"
"From what noble family could he be from?"
Most of the students became excited because of the unexpected ranking. Everyone was wondering who would rank number two.
As for me, I didn't really care... as long as I could attend classes without making too much noise. I'd be happy, the ranking and everything else were useless to me.
"Now... the second ranked student is actually this year's special admission, someone who has gone through a special test unlike the rest of you. Please welcome to the stage Yike Vale!" The head of the student council grinned as she began looking around.
'Did...' I looked around myself, confused. 'Did she just say my name?'
"Vale? Have you heard of this noble family before?"
Everyone began shaking their heads, confused. None of them had ever heard of the Vale family in their entire life.
"Yike Vale?" She repeated. "Please make your way onto the stage."
I rolled my eyes and sighed. 'That's why she wanted to make sure that I'd attend.'
[Shadow Manipulation]
In an instant, I appeared behind the head of the student council.
"Sorry, I was a little caught by surprise," I whispered as she jumped in surprise.