Chapter 114 Orientation Speech [1]

Lydia grinned as she looked at Arvell.

It had been over a week since they last met, but it felt like ages.

"I'm doing fine, but I see you've gotten quite popular. Especially… with the ladies."

Lydia glanced at the countless girls eyeing her with hateful glares.

They looked like they wanted nothing more than to tear her to shreds right then and there.

Arvell let out a sigh.

"I don't even know those people. They looked at me before deciding they wanted nothing more than to devour me whole."

Lydia let out a slight chuckle.

"Looking at that crazed look in their eyes, I wouldn't say you're too far off the mark."

Zen bent forward in his chair and turned to Lydia.

"Hello, are you a friend of Arvell?"

Lydia didn't know how to respond.

Were they friends?

Arvell basically just saved her life, and they both got through the death trap that was the entrance exam, but does that mean they were friends?

While Lydia was mulling over their relationship, Arvell cut in and answered on her behalf.

"We aren't really friends… We're more like casual acquaintances at best. We met during the examination."

Lydia's expression fell.

While technically Arvell was telling the truth, it stung for some reason.

But… Just because the two of them weren't friends now didn't mean that couldn't change in the future!

'Arvell taught me to work to breaking point if I wanted something! So I can't give up so soon!"

Lydia mentally pumped herself and looked at Arvell with her eyes blazing with hope.

While Arvell only meant that in terms of getting stronger, Lydia decided to put her own spin on it.

Zen nodded his head with understanding.

"So you guys are just acquaintances, huh? Well, it's nice to meet you! My name is Zen."

"Hello Zen, my name is Lydia."

"Oh, me too!" Reyna glanced over Zen's shoulder to look at Lydia, "Hello Lydia, my name's Reyna."

Lydia threw Reyna a smile.

"Hello Reyna, it's nice to meet you."

"Likewise!"

Arvell turned to Lydia, "did you happen to see Titus? I haven't seen him at all since the entrance exam."

Lydia shook her head.

"I didn't see him anywhere."

"I wasn't able to find him either."

Arvell wanted to get closer to Titus to understand his status skill wasn't working for him.

But since he couldn't find him now, he'll just need to see him later.

The four of them idly gossipped until the final students trickled into the amphitheatre, prompting the orientation to finally begin.

Professor Orfina stepped out from behind the curtains and walked onto the central stage, throwing a cursory look in Arvell's direction.

When their eyes met, she smiled lightly, but Arvell felt a chill go down his back for some reason.

'Why do I have a bad feeling about this….'

Professor Orfina took a deep breath before opening her mouth to speak.

"Greetings to all of you here today. Allow me to formally welcome you all into our prestigious halls. But first, I would like all of us to have a moment of silence for the countless young lives lost during the entrance examination, which I'm sure you've all heard about."

Professor Orfina lowered her head and closed her eyes, prompting the students and the other faculty members to do the same.

For nearly a full minute, nobody made so much as a peep.

It was so quiet that Arvell could hear the breaths of everyone in the room with perfect clarity.

Professor Orfina's eyes fluttered open as she redirected her attention at the countless students sitting before her.

"What happened last week was nothing short of a tragedy. It was something that should not have ever happened.

Even if those responsible were punished, it wouldn't ever be able to bring back those we lost on that fateful day.

That's why I will give my personal promise; nothing like that will ever happen again. I swear on the honour of Skysword Academy," professor Orfina put her hand over her heart, "and on my life."

While there were countless students in the seats watching her with looks of admiration, those who were there and those who lost friends and family didn't seem too convinced.

Seeing their varying, Professor Orfina sighed.

"I understand that some of you will not forgive the academy for a fault this big; we know that. But that's why we will do everything to regain your trust and let you all feel safe knowing that we are protecting you.

However, that is enough from me. So, without further ado, I would like to introduce to you all the headmaster of Skysword Academy!

Please give a warm welcome to our headmaster… Professor Newton Alabaster Westfield!"

A bearded old man with snow-white hair slowly walked onto the stage.

Professor Orfina bowed politely to him before walking off the stage and disappearing behind the curtains.

Professor Westfield nodded to professor Orfina before turning back to the audience.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank you all for attending our humble school. Without a constant influx of new faces, our halls would quickly become barren and devoid of life."

Professor Westfield looked at the countless students sitting before him from behind his half-moon glasses.

"While I understand getting into Skysword academy is quite difficult, all of you managed to get in is a testament to your strength and character."

'Or connections,' Arvell scoffed inwardly.

"However, it is you've managed to gain admission into our prestigious academy; what matters now is what you do with this opportunity you've been given.

Will you polish yourself into a diamond? Or will you be left behind in the dust? Everything depends on your ability to put in hard work. The academy will be there to support your back all the way, so follow your dreams and become the best version of yourself!"

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The students all looked at professor Westfield with visible admiration.

They were getting a live motivational speech from THE professor Westfield!

Just that alone was enough to motivate the students to do their best.

Seeing the motivation and the burning passion in the eyes of the students, Professor Westfield's smile grew ever so slightly.

"That's about it for my piece, so I'd like to hand over the stage to the representative of the first-year students. So without further ado, please welcome…."

A turquoise-haired girl stepped out from behind the curtains and gave everyone a bright smile.

"Princess Lilianna Arietta Elantrya!"