Chapter 9

### Chapter 9: On the Day of Enrollment - Behind the Banquet Hall (1)

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#1

The formal greeting, a rough thank you for coming, had ended.

I didn’t really hear it properly, so I don’t know what was said. It didn’t seem too important, so it’s fine.

How much time had passed?

The senior student on the stage suddenly spoke.

— Now, we have a special invited lecture for the new students. Please rise and give a warm round of applause.

What’s this? Why is there a lecture at the enrollment ceremony?

I stood up from my seat and clapped as instructed.

Gabriel, sitting next to me, whistled and clapped enthusiastically. From what I observed, he seemed like the type who would drain your energy if you played with him...

As the applause began to die down.

The senior student looked to the side, and someone who had been waiting to the right of the stage walked out.

Thud, thud...

A moment later.

The crowd murmured at the sight.

— Wow, it’s been three years since she last appeared in public, hasn’t it?

— At least she hasn’t disappeared completely. She seems even stronger than she was ten years ago. Does she never age?

— I came to see the future of the empire, but now I get to witness something truly rare...

The distinguished guests who recognized her whispered among themselves.

What’s going on? Who is she that everyone is in such a fuss?

The senior students looked at the person standing in front of the stage with admiration, and Gabriel stroked his chin, exclaiming in amazement.

“Wow... That senior, she’s something else...? There’s not a single weakness in her. It feels like I’m looking at a monster, not a human. Right? Am I the only one who thinks so?”

It was a rude comment, but it didn’t seem entirely off the mark.

Indeed, she had an overwhelming presence.

The oppressive aura filled the entire hall. She stood alone on the stage, but her formidable presence held everyone in the hall in its grip.

Her healthy, sun-kissed skin.

The solid mass of muscle covering it.

Her black tank top clung tightly to her clearly defined abs.

Her generous training pants fluttered with her steps, and her black hair, tied up carelessly, seemed to declare its freedom in the air.

The scars on her sharp face clearly showed the hardships she had endured.

Moreover, one of her bright yellow eyes was covered by a black eye patch.

— Let me introduce her. This is the war hero who led the Southern Demon Realm Great Expedition ten years ago, the High Priestess of the Sun, and a graduate of our Epic Class, the 41st term, Elena...

“Elena Kraymore. No need for formalities, just call me Senior Elena. There’s no need to make such a big deal out of it.”

She cut off the senior student with a smirk.

But that brief introduction was firmly etched in our minds.

The Southern Demon Realm Great Expedition.

The High Priestess of the Sun.

And our distant senior.

We naturally adopted a respectful posture.

I think I understand why she was invited.

To see, with our own eyes, the path that the legendary hero, the great person, would walk, which we, the next generation, would follow.

“Hmm...”

Elena, now in control, crossed her arms and scanned the crowd. Her eyes, more like those of a bird of prey than a human, scanned us, and all distractions vanished, replaced by a tense atmosphere.

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

So, she’s our senior.

Indeed, an indescribable strength emanated from her.

At my current level, no, no one in this room could even touch a toe of Elena.

The power Elena had built was of a kind that I couldn’t dismantle. Pure physical strength. Even if it was talent-driven growth, the strength that had solidified in her body was beyond my reach.

Elena spoke in the tense atmosphere.

“Don’t be too nervous. I’m not here to eat you. Everyone, sit down and listen comfortably.”

Following her command, we gradually returned to our seats.

Elena didn’t seem to need to amplify her voice with magic, and with a loud, clear voice, she looked around and spoke.

“I won’t make this too long. Because, the enrollment ceremony is incredibly boring. I felt the same way. But I’ll get the necessary things out of the way and finish quickly. It’s a boring history lesson that could make you fall asleep... But don’t really fall asleep. If I see anyone dozing off, I’ll personally crack their heads open. Got it, chicks?”

— S-Senior Elena... Could you tone down your language a bit...

“What, you bastards? You invited me despite my busy schedule, and you can’t even handle this? Should I just leave? Huh? Should I go right now?”

— S-Sorry, Senior...

The senior students broke into a cold sweat. They had invited her, but she was as straightforward and brutal as she seemed, making threatening remarks casually.

Elena smirked again.

“Good. It’s a bit quieter now.”

After that.

Her speech was so bizarre that the significance of the special invited lecture gradually faded.

“—Back in my day, you know? Hey, juniors. Some of the benefits you enjoy now were only achieved because I went ballistic at headquarters. You should be grateful, brats. You should always be thankful to your seniors. ...Oh, is this too old-fashioned? Can’t help it. Everyone becomes old-fashioned as they age. If you don’t like it, come up and see the power of a senior.”

...Is she crazy?

She said she would finish quickly.

But she’s been going on for ten minutes like this.

The distinguished guests also murmured. They must have known about Elena’s personality, but this was the enrollment ceremony of the Epic Class, which represented the empire.

Finally, the senior students, who had been sending desperate looks to Elena, managed to calm down the old-fashioned speech, and it finally subsided.

“...Well, I got carried away with memories. Sorry. Actually, I’m not sorry, but I need to start, so I’ll have a drink of water.”

Geniuses are all a bit strange, after all.

Elena, who had been chugging from a water bottle, took the cap off her mouth, smiled broadly, and finally began the story she was supposed to tell.

“First, welcome to the Epic Class, new students.”

She started with a light introduction.

“...But, are you not curious why this place is called the Royal Frontier Academy? Academies are usually just educational facilities, right? But there are so many academies here. It’s like a big city. Why is it called the Royal Frontier Academy, not the Royal City or just the Frontier?”

The new students listened silently.

Elena, who seemed to have planned to answer her own question, waved a finger and spoke.

“The reason is simple. In the early days, the Royal Frontier Academy was just one building. It started with that one building and grew into a city. How does that make you feel? A bit grand, right? ...Or not.”

“Anyway, the history that began in those early days and has continued to this day is the very foundation of the empire, us, and you. The Epic Class.”

“More precisely... I don’t remember the exact date, but as exceptional heroes began to emerge in the Frontier, the Frontier gradually developed a specialized education system. As the campus grew and the system advanced, the empire began to cultivate exceptional talents with special abilities.”

“The founding motto was this: To praise the great achievements of the heroes who dominated the centuries and to honor the eternal glory of the empire. And to support the future heroes, our beloved juniors, in every way. To ensure that their great epics can be smoothly followed, the Epic Class was established.”

“In other words, you are the ones who will carry on the legacy of countless heroes and great people. It’s not just a metaphor. Why? Because you have the qualifications to be here. The empire’s eyes do not see falsehood. In that sense, you are proud future heroes. You’re just sprouts now, but the future is bright.”

Elena continued her explanation steadily.

She recited the history of the Epic Class, capturing everyone’s attention with light gestures.

Surprisingly, it was easy to focus, and the new students, including me, listened to Elena with rapt attention.

At some point.

Clap.

A short applause sounded.

“...Alright, that’s it. At least no one was rude enough to fall asleep. Keep that respectful attitude towards your seniors. Got it, darlings?”

Thinking she had said enough, Elena smiled contentedly and gave a light bow to the second and third floors.

“...I also thank the distinguished guests who have gathered here to see the future of the empire. Please remember the faces of these promising students. If you find a student you like, you can sponsor them privately. Of course, not now. If you do, do it discreetly. Thank you.”

Elena, who had briefly bowed, continued.

“After the official enrollment ceremony, there will be a banquet for the new students and the distinguished guests. It’s a place for free interaction, so new students can make friends, and guests can exchange greetings. That’s all. Really, that’s it... Oh, no, it’s not.”

The senior students, who thought it was the end, hesitated again.

“...”

Elena scanned us.

For some reason, I felt our eyes met.

“...But I won’t be at the banquet. I need to know what these new students are like. I’ll see their faces and get to know their names. I’ll forget them soon, but if you make a strong impression on me, I’ll remember you for life. So, let’s see... Hey, give me the list.”

A senior student, who had rushed over at Elena’s gesture, handed her a thin document. It was probably a list of the new students’ information.

After flipping through it for a while, Elena raised her eyebrows at the last page and smirked, then called out loudly.

“I’ll call out the numbers, and I want you to respond loudly. Brats!”

And so.

The students’ names were called out one by one.

The first person called was.

“Alright, number 1! Oh... Roersen Academy middle school, early graduation? Wow, that’s impressive. Your name is also unique. ...Anyway, raise your hand. Mu.”

#2

The numbers were called out one by one.

“Number 2! The precious princess of the Artina Kingdom, Yurie von Artina, where are you sitting? ...Ah, there you are.”

“Number 3! The noble lady of the Feltrine Dukedom, Stella de Feltrine! ...Your voice is too quiet! Louder! ...Ah, never mind. Never mind. Just sit down.”

...

“Number 5! Roersen Academy middle school valedictorian, Ruby! ...Oh, do you know her? You both graduated from the same academy?”

“Number 6! The eldest son of the Cambion Viscount, Aldrie Cambion! ...”

“Number 7! Sasha Elne! ...Why do you only have elementary school records?”

...

“Number 14, Gabriel Lamani! Oh, you’re from the North? The winter training is pretty intense. You must have suffered a lot.”

“And, the last number 15. ...What, you too? What kind of place is this academy to produce three Epic Class students? ...Oh, you didn’t graduate. You dropped out. Anyway, Ezio Crani! Raise your hand.”

Elena’s powerful voice echoed.

— Bang!

“Huh— Ah, damn, you scared me. What are you doing, man! What’s going on, geez. I really got a shock.”

The girl in front of me jumped up from her seat.

“...”

Looking to the side,

Ruby was already staring at me blankly.

Ah.

Shit.

School life, it’s really going to be tough...

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