Chapter 175 - A Toast for the New Students of Magierstadt

After the speech of Professor Yoan, the students were escorted into the academy's Great Hall. The Great Hall, which was the largest space inside the academy, had long rectangular tables able to fit at least three hundred students each.

In those tables were students like them. Faustina had felt more anxious than ever as she stares at the entirety of the great hall. She had never even dreamed of such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by the artificial fireflies that were floating in midair over the long tables, where the rest of the students were sitting. These tables were laid with scintillating golden plates and chalices. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting. The fireflies floating around the vicinity looked like warm lamps that had rivaled the lambent candlelight. Faustina lifted her head as she sees a velvety dark ceiling.

Faustina and the others were led into their respective tables. And as they sat into their seats, Faustina was welcomed with new faces staring right at her with wonder. But the wonder soon disappeared as the teachers began to enter the hall.

There was a total of ten teachers that entered. They all sat into the table in front of the hall, leaving only one throne-like seat unoccupied.

The chatters soon died down as one of the teachers stood up. It was a male teacher, who had a monocle; his hair was silver-blue. His eyes had different colors each. One red, and one blue. He was also tall and looked charmingly timid, like that of a gentle wind. 

"I am Professor Miketsukami Daiki, the Dean for Magical Theory." Says the professor.

Another professor stood up. It was Professor Yushalem, who wasn't eating a lollipop now. "I am Professor Yushalem Adelaide, the Dean for Ancient Runes."

Professor Yoan stood up. "My name is Professor Yoan Brigdt. The Dean of Astronomy."

A bearded man, who was stout yet small, stood up next. Faustina and the other students couldn't see his eyes. 

"Professor Gimli Dorf. Dean in Taming."

Next to stand was a woman whose bust was the first noticeable thing. She had half of her face covered with her purple hair. Even her dark robes were modified to show her chest area, and her legs by a slit. 

"I am Professor Lotus Madne, your Dean in Alchemy."

Timidly, a professor who was slouched even as he stood up. "I-I'm Professor Ramsha Colt… y-your Dean in E-Elemental Theory…"

Standing abruptly was a man who was dressed so languidly and had spikes in his hair. With a glare, he introduced himself; "I am Professor INDIO WELLS! I am your Dean in Transfiguration! So be sure to remember my name!"

All of the students looked taken-aback.

"You're so extra, Professor Wells…" Standing up modestly was a beautiful professor dressed promptly. She had moles in her face and had her hands pressed together as if she was praying. 

"My name is Professor Zoe Klein. I am the Dean for both Clairvoyant Studies and Charms. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Next to stand was an older professor. She looked solemn and experienced, and had an air similar to a wise old man, except she was a woman.

"I am your Dean for Greenery, Professor Devon Belle. I am the only professor who did not partake in judging each of your performance." She says. "It is a pleasure to meet new faces. Yes. Yes."

"We will be your Professors, first years."

Faustina turned to Leviticus and to the other students who seemed to be surprised. 

"Deans teaching first years?"

"Magierstadt's going through some drastic changes, huh…"

"We congratulate all of you. May the firefly guide you all, first years." Says all the professors as they sat back to their chair. 

"Wait—"

"Isn't that…"

Faustina glanced towards the person who had caught each and everyone's attention—a woman wearing a purple-colored robe matching her amethyst eyes and silver hair—walked towards the highlight of the table—which is a throne-like chair in the center where the current Headmistress sits.

Anna Unsterblich!

"The Great Hall of Magierstadt is the main assembly and gathering area in the academe, which is located off the Entrance Hall. Students eat their meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner here. The Great Hall is a large hall that can easily hold all the school's students, staff, and guests. At the front of the hall, is the staff table, also known as the Professor's Tables, which is designed to house the entire Magierstadt staff." She exclaims. "This Great Hall shall be your resting place as it will serve as a sanctuary to all of you, aside from your dorms."

"You are all here—the academy's first years. Those who have passed the exams."

Faustina glanced around the place.

"Wow… we're this many."

"Did they take the dungeon exam as well?" Michelle whispered.

"We have revised the examination of Magierstadt and you are the firsts who can surpass such task. The professors, along with much other staff of the academe, worked hard to make the dungeon examination possible. And why did we have to change it? It is because we opted to test all your strengths and weaknesses so we could improve both teachers and the students."

Anna Unsterblich lifted her chalice.

"I commend you all, the new students of Magierstadt." She smiles. "Now eat to your heart's content!"

Faustina blinked as food began to appear before all of them, filling the plates and making the chalices filled with water and juice. Soon, the long tables were filled with heaps of delicious food. Faustina and the other students cannot help but stare in sheer amazement.

This… is magic!

"You—from the first batch to the last batch of the examinees that passed the exam—are the ones who had survived the perils of the Undead Royals. However…" Faustina turned towards Anna Unsterblich, and then, almost impossible as it may seem, she met her amethyst eyes despite the distance.

"One batch had stood out among the rest… They were able to defeat almost all of the Undead Royals, and were able to even find the Undead Hermit!"

The students—who seemed to be the other batches of examinees, chattered among themselves.

"We only managed to get into the Undead King and the maid. How did they get to find all the Undead Royals?"

"Amazing… even the Undead Hermit? Then the one who defeated him would head straight to Ianua I, right? Lucky…"

"The last batch of the examinees—the students who had taken the exam just this night—please give them a round of applause."

The students began to clap their hands as their attention directed to Faustina and the others.

Anna Unsterblich then raised her hand, stopping the clapping on cue.

"Now, to give the first speech is the student who was granted the first spot to Ianua I." Anna exclaimed. "Chastity Beverly. Please come up to the front."

Faustina watched as Chastity climbed towards the upper stairs and then went to a podium. She was looking pale and anxious, which then matched the tremor in her hand as the paper she held shook fidgetingly.

"Um…" A slight tremble in her voice. "I'm not sure if I'm too deserving f-for the spot… but… I'll… d-do my best to be deserving."

A moment of silence.

"I-I congratulate everyone on passing the exam. I knew that all of us would be great mages someday… A-and I… where…" Chastity then stopped and rescanned the copy of her speech once more.

Whispers then began to flood the entire hall.

Unsatisfied nobles.

Unimpressed students.

Mocking chuckles.

Scoffing ardently.

"I don't get it. She's the one who defeated the Undead Hermit?"

"Seriously?"

"She probably got lost from the passage she's reading. Poor girl." A peal of laughter.

Faustina clenched her fist.

"Chastity… you can do it."

Leviticus glanced sideways, staring at Faustina whose eyes were glued to Chastity Beverly. 

"Chastity." 

Faustina blinked, seeing a familiar young man now beside Chastity.

"Th-that's…"

"Ezekiel Unsterblich!"

Amethyst eyes and silver hair, similar to Anna Unsterblich—and an air that befits that of a schoolmaster… Faustina couldn't help it but have her entire attention fixed to Ezekiel.

He had spoken to Chastity, whispering to her, and had guided her into continuing her speech. Chastity took a deep breath, and with a pat from Ezekiel, she was able to continue her words more confidently. The students inevitably clapped, even those who had mocked her from the start.

Faustina couldn't help but be amazed at how Ezekiel was able to encourage her like that.

"Ahem," the headmistress faked a cough. "Now, for our second speech. Please give a round of applause for the examinee who had the highest marks for the exams—Ezekiel Johann Unsterblich!"

Ezekiel nodded to his mother and then proceeded towards the podium.

"I am absolutely delighted to have each of you as my fellow students. Years from now we will be mages who will help each other in the times of need—and be in servitude of the people." He exclaims. "Here, we are all equals. I will not lengthen my speech, because I believe a mage should be more on action and less talk."

The students laughed at Ezekiel's remark. Faustina smiled.

Ezekiel then walked towards the Professor Table and then reached for the chalice of his mother. Anna Unsterblich only smiled at her son.

"Here is a toast for the new students of Magierstadt!" Ezekiel exclaimed. 

"A toast for the new students of Magierstadt!" The professors and the students repeated as they raised their chalice.

Anna Unsterblich smiled.

"A toast for the era of the new generation."