Cedric did not believe, even for a second, that these five could graduate this class just like that.
Uruk said it to him once; that the only way they pass this class is if their Sword Laws reached the Intermediate Stage, at the very least. If someone reached the Advanced Stage of the Sword Laws, they could directly apply for graduation since, at this point, this class barely has anything to offer them if they choose to stay here.
Amongst the top 5 only the 1st place; Cassius Nightfall, and the 2nd place; Lyra Moonsteel, reached the Intermediate Stage of Sword Laws - which was the bare minimum requirement to pass this class. According to what Cedric heard, those two have been informed of the other requirements but are taking their time completing them since they weren't in a hurry.
Then, all of a sudden, not just those two but all five of them are graduating? How does that make any sense?
Looking at their expressions, Cedric could sense the helplessness and uncertainty. They might look undeterred or indifferent, but Cedric could see right through it.
Their body language also screams nervousness and trepidation. It's as if they are facing enormous pressure that nobody else can see or feel.
All of this made Cedric think that there's a story here, and he'd admit that he's very curious about it.
**
After the entire class expressed their salutations to the graduating students, they were dismissed and asked to return to their usual work.
Some people didn't think much about it and just shrugged it out. Others gossiped about it since they could do so.
Cedric waited, he sat on the bench and immersed himself in the silence for a bit. Then, he felt a presence sitting next to him. He didn't need to look to know who it was.
"Curious?" Thirdy asked after sitting down next to him.
"Yeah." Cedric replied, "Things just don't add up, I guess. I'm both confused and curious."
"Yet you patiently waited until I approached you to ask." Thirdy chuckled next to him. "Curious, but not curious enough to outright ask. Good for you."
"..." Cedric chose to remain silent, he patiently waited until Thirdy was ready to tell him about it...only if he wanted to or if he was allowed to. Cedric won't force him if he can't.
"Well...where should I start, hmm..." Thirdy hummed, "Ah, I don't know if you've heard of it, but recently Demons have become really active out of nowhere."
Cedric felt chills running down his spine as he heard him say this.
"...that's too little." Cedric frowned.
"Yeah, it is. Given the scale of what this might turn out? Yeah, that's nowhere near enough. There are a lot of people in the army, but because many people are ignorant about the real status of the world, most people don't see the appeal of joining the army, that's why even though we have a lot of soldiers, out situation is still bad because we can't easily replenish our numbers like Demons could."
"But this is all we can offer." Thirdy sighed, "Ultimately, a lot of you aren't ready yet. But best believe that when push comes to shove, even the Academy won't be able to protect you. That's why you must spend your time wisely here while you still can."
Thirdy patted Cedric back and continued: "I know that you have a lot of burdens to carry. Sadly, time doesn't wait for anybody, and fate's a bitch. Even I might not be able to escape this so...good luck to us. Work hard and no matter what happens, prioritizes your safety. You being alive is worth more than you being dead."
After saying his piece, Thirdy got up and left Cedric to simmer in his thoughts.
'Is this a coincidence...?' Cedric muttered inwardly. He couldn't help but think that all of this was related to him somehow. The time frame just fits a little too perfectly.
And if it does have something to do with him...Cedric suddenly felt horrible, his stomach churned at all the possible deaths that might happen because of his recklessness.
Still, he can't focus on that too much right now. Tensions are rising and students are being drafted for a potential war.
Could Humanity even survive another war? Cedric thinks that Humanity is doing good, but was it enough to win? This...he had no idea.
It is also highly possible that if the war really happened, even he wouldn't be able to escape it. Cedric wasn't all too concerned with that. He can fight, he could even match Planar Travellers in raw strength.
Besides, he thrives on a battlefield, the founder of the House of Light even said that that's his real stage. It might be a little too early for this, but he wouldn't shy away from responsibilities like this.
But of course, that's under the assumption that shit truly hits the fan. For now, there's only a very small chance of that happening and he's still safe.
Taking a deep breath, Cedric summoned his system interface and began creating a list of things he needed to do before he got drafted.
Sure, he might be overreaching here since nothing's certain yet, but if there's something he knew, it's that; 'if things can go wrong, it will go wrong.'
He can't be caught unprepared, especially in a dangerous event of this scale.
Looking at the list he made, he felt that he put too many things he wanted to do with what seemingly little time he had, but he made no changes to it. He just sighed and said:
"I'm about to get really busy..."