"Yo, I want to make a friend too."
At that moment, the boy who had been sitting beside the girl stood up, his movement breaking the previously calm atmosphere. His voice echoed lightly through the spacious hall, drawing the attention of those nearby.
Ray looked at the boy walking toward them with a faint smile. He hadn't expected the son of Sect Master Mira of the Water Formation Sect to approach them so openly.
Ray met his gaze and said with a friendly tone,
"I didn't expect the young master of the Water Formation Sect, Brother Ryan, to come and make friends with us."
Ryan blinked, confusion flickering across his face. He tilted his head slightly and asked,
"Do we know each other?"
Ray's smile deepened as he replied calmly,
"I was given a list of the strongest youths of the top ten from different kingdoms, sects, a village, and a valley. It is surprising that the strongest youth from the Water Formation Sect is present here. And this lady beside you is the strongest from the Fire Alchemist Sect—Grace—who is also your fiancée. Of course, I know all of you."
Ryan and Grace exchanged surprised looks upon hearing this.
"A list? What list?" Ryan asked, his brows knitting together. Then he pointed toward the two young men still sitting cross-legged not far away.
"Do you know those two as well?"
Ray nodded without hesitation.
"That person wearing a mask over there possesses a special talent for puppetry. His name is Amon, from the Ashbourne Kingdom. The other one is from the Ironholt Kingdom—Brian Ironholt. He also has a mysterious special ability. I received very little information about him."
Ryan gave a low hum and nodded.
"You're more informative than I am. I only knew they were ranked in the top ten. I also got information about you—Ray from the Richard Kingdom—being the strongest among the top ten." His gaze then shifted behind Ray.
"But I don't know these two ladies with you."
Ray let out a light chuckle.
"Well, this lady here is the princess of our Richard Kingdom, Alice," he said, gesturing slightly. "And this lady is my friend, Arisa."
He kept his introduction brief, as he didn't yet know Ryan well enough to share more.
Ryan nodded and offered a light, respectful greeting to Alice and Arisa.
After some casual conversation, Ray excused himself, and the two groups went their separate ways. Ryan returned to his previous seat, Grace following closely and sitting beside him once more. Alice and Arisa, on the other hand, followed Ray and settled down beside him, one on each side.
They didn't wait long before the announcements continued.
First came the top ten.
Then the top hundred.
After that, nearly a thousand names echoed through the hall.
Beyond them were nearly four thousand candidates who hadn't qualified due to failing to meet the academy's standards.
Ray's gaze lingered on those four thousand. His thoughts drifted to the triplets who served as his shadow guards. He pondered quietly for a while, an idea slowly forming in his mind—one day, he would give rejected candidates like these another chance. Not through sorcery or swordsmanship, but through different kinds of academies meant for poorer children or those who didn't meet this academy's rigid standards.
He watched as many of them left the hall in tears. Strangely, Ray didn't feel sadness. Instead, his mind was already focused on their future. Still, to make such plans a reality, he would need greater financial power. For now, he could only wait.
Just then, the principal stepped forward onto the elevated stage once more. The hall gradually quieted as her gaze swept across the candidates who had successfully entered the academy. A hint of satisfaction crossed his face—the number of new students this year was greater than the last.
He stepped forward, his voice clear and steady.
"Congratulations, everyone. You have already proven your strength by reaching this point. The exams you passed and the challenges you overcame were not meant to test your knowledge alone, but your resolve.
"But this is only the beginning. Ahead of you lie greater challenges, greater adventures, and moments that will push you beyond what you believe you are capable of. Along the way, you will find friendship and rivalry, failure and triumph.
"You will change here. Whether that change makes you stronger, wiser, or braver depends entirely on you. Every lesson you learn and every obstacle you face will shape the person you become.
"When you one day graduate from this academy, you will carry more than memories—you will carry experience, courage, and purpose.
"Welcome to the academy of Elarion. Your journey begins now."
As his words settled over the hall, the vice principal stepped forward. Her expression was firm, yet not unkind, as she began to speak.
"Remember, there are rules you must follow. You will be given a rule book, along with the uniforms of the houses to which you are assigned. Read the rules carefully and respect them, for they exist not to limit you but to guide you. What you learn from following them will serve you well in the future.
"But before you go, I must tell you some of the rules you must follow. You mustn't leave the academy without permission. You mustn't go to the back of the academy forest without permission, as there are beasts and creatures far more powerful than you can handle. There are many more small rules that will be given in the rulebook—read it and memorize them."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"The second thing I must announce is the contribution points. First place, Arisa, receives 1000 contribution points. Second, Alice receives 900 contribution points. Third, Ryan receives 750 contribution points. Those ranked fourth to tenth will receive 500 contribution points. Anyone from eleventh to one hundredth will receive 100 contribution points. And those ranked from one hundred and one to one thousand will receive 10 contribution points."
A soft murmur rippled through the field.
"Now that all of you have been assigned to your respective houses, the house leaders will arrive shortly to pick you up. They will explain the rules of your house and the uses of contribution points. Form four orderly rows according to your assigned groups so the leaders can escort you."
She finished with a slight nod.
"Good luck—and welcome to the academy."
The vice principal returned to her seat. Moments later, the side doors of the hall slowly opened, and four house leaders stepped outside, an air of quiet confidence surrounding them as they came to lead the newest students of the academy.