บท 44: Award Ceremony [I]
Vereshia Morrigan, the president of the Cadets Council, delivered her speech. Everything she said was concise and straightforward.
She covered several rules that were already outlined in the Academy guidebook we received the day before and gave us a few encouraging words.
After that, she told us about the Code of Honor and the Code of Conduct – it was basically how we were expected to behave both on campus and out there in the world now that we were officially Cadets of the Apex Academy.
After she was done, the captains of some of the most renowned and prestigious Academy Societies took the microphone to deliver a few more speeches.
The Dueling Society emphasized the importance of courage, the Scholarly Society stressed the value of knowledge, the Alchemical Society highlighted that human curiosity is the drive to true power, and the Strategic Command Society stated that intelligence is mightier than the sword, and so on.
By the end of their speeches, it practically felt like they were competing amongst themselves to impress as many of us first-years as possible.
Honestly, it was kind of boring. And pathetic.
Of course, I was the only one who felt that way.
In our world, Hunters — those who are Awakened and venture into the Spirit Realm or combat the Spirit Beasts that cross into our world through Portals — are celebrated as heroes.
In fact, some of the more powerful Awakened are even worshiped in some distant parts of the world.
My own father had several cults devoted to him, filled with zealous followers who would gladly lay down their lives for him if he just wished for it.
That's the level of fame and reverence a Hunter could achieve.
The captains of these Academic Societies, including Vereshia Morrigan, were among some of the best rising Hunters in the world today.
They have been sent to numerous missions by the Academy and built their reputations.
In fact, the media promotes these rising stars from the Apex Academy as the next-generation heroes of our world.
Some of them even have fan followings in the millions. Millions!
So, it's no surprise that most first-year students recognized them and felt excited to hear from their idols.
Except for me.
I couldn't care less.
If anything, I was just waiting for it all to be over.
And eventually, it did.
Finally, after the captains of the academic societies had finished speaking, one of the Grandmasters took the stage to present the awards and share a few closing words.
The Grandmaster who approached the stage was a tall man with broad shoulders.
He was draped in an austere black robe, and his face was hidden behind a golden mask fashioned to resemble a fearsome, single-horned demon, with the number '1' engraved beneath its chin.
And as he stepped onto the stage, an oppressive aura crashed down upon us like the weight of the world itself.
Some Cadets swayed under his presence, many struggled to breathe, and others seemed on the verge of collapsing to their knees.
I myself had to rely on my sheer willpower to stay upright.
After all, I was the Ace now. I couldn't afford to appear weak.
But just as suddenly as it had come, the oppressive aura vanished, granting us mortals a moment of respite.
A wave of murmurs swept through the crowd.
"A Venerable! It's a real Venerable!"
"Wow, this is my first time seeing one!"
"Yeah, same! They weren't visible in the Questioning Hall during the Interview. But why is he wearing a mask?"
"...Oh, maybe he's really ugly and doesn't want us to see his face?"
"You idiots… Grandmasters keep their identities hidden. That's what makes them so scary. They could be anyone — from a strong instructor to a lowly janitor. They're always watching, and you'll never know it. That's common knowledge."
That was indeed common knowledge — not overly common, but still.
You'd have a better chance of winning three lotteries in a row than uncovering the identity of the Venerables.
All anyone knew was that they were considered to be the strongest of all the instructors at Apex Academy.
That in of itself was a bold claim, considering that the staff roster was filled with some of the most seasoned and powerful Hunters our world had to offer.
In fact, their identities weren't revealed in the game either, although there were numerous fan theories about who they might be.
I had a few theories of my own, but they were just unfounded guesses.
Anyway, the Grandmaster took his position in front of the microphone stand as his golden mask glistened in the brightening sunlight.
The twin holes in the mask where his eyes were supposed to be were full of suffocating darkness, like a gateway to the abyss.
So when he scanned the crowd, most of the first-year students shuddered involuntarily under his ominous gaze.
Then, the Grandmaster took a deep breath.
When he started speaking, his voice resonated like a choir of angels singing — chillingly melodious yet commanding our undivided attention.
"Not so long ago, the world was an unforgiving place — much more merciless than you can imagine today and far more cruel than you're used to. Thousands upon thousands of people perished every single time there was a Portal break. Twisted and ravenous Corrupted Spirits used to cross over into our world to spark chaos and bloodshed without end."
He paused, allowing the somber silence to settle over us as the weight of his words sank in. Then he continued in a tone edged with both sorrow and defiance:
"And why did such suffering continue to reign? Because there was no one to stand against it. No champions to tame those Portals. No warriors to rise and protect the people. It was a world devoid of heroes. And so, it was a world filled with anguish and despair and darkness."
A heavy sigh escaped him as if he was heartbroken for an era that was already lost to ruin.
"And that… is why the predecessors of my predecessors — the first Grandmasters — founded this institute. This place is not a sanctuary where you'll be coddled or protected like other Hunter Academies. Here, you will not be sheltered and cared for. This is a crucible where you will be forged into true heroes!"
His voice lifted, full of unwavering intensity.
"Here, your limits will be shattered and your fears cast aside. For only those tempered by fire can wield its might."
The crowd slowly erupted in cheers as his words ignited something fierce within them.
With righteous pride, the Grandmaster raised his head high and continued:
"You will be taught, you will be tested, and you will be sent to face perils that will challenge your very soul. We will send you on dark missions to battle against forces beyond mortal reckoning. You will fight for what is right! You will fight for the glory of humanity! In doing so, you will earn the right to carve your name into legend, to rise as Hunters whose strength will shape the ages to come! All of you will become some of the greatest heroes this world will ever see!"
The cheers and applause from the crowd were almost deafening. Some were moved to tears, while others threw their hands up in the air, crying out in booming excitement.
"...Wow," I scoffed, looking at the Cadets around me.
Why were they overreacting so much?
To be fair, that speech was indeed awe-inspiring.
If I hadn't known the future this world was headed toward, I might have been swept up in the moment and started cheering like a starstruck fool at their first rock concert as well.
But I did no such thing.
After all, I knew that most of these people around me would die by the end of the first arc.
That was their fate.
Unbeknownst to my discordant mood, the Grandmaster continued:
"But now is not the time to dwell on your future. Today, we are gathered to celebrate the present — to honor your admission into the world's most prestigious Hunter Academy. Now is the time to revel in strength — the strength of those who have earned their place among the finest."
There was a short podium on the left of the stage, where a row of medals, Cards, badges, and a few other items rested.
"Today, we celebrate the victors — the top ten Cadets of the Evaluation Exam — those who proved their resilience, skill and resolve. By leading the charge, they have set the standard of excellence for their peers. Now, they will be rewarded for it."
He gestured grandly to the podium, and the anticipation in the air swelled as the crowd prepared to applaud their champions.
"And for those of you who are not being rewarded on this stage, remember this moment. Remember the fierce envy and brewing wrath you're feeling now. Remember how insignificant and irrelevant you feel. Anytime you see the top ten Cadets in your year being treated differently, remember that while everyone is equal under the heavens, the heavens themselves are unfair to all!"
When the Grandmaster spoke again, I swear I sensed a hint of mirth in his voice.
"With that, let this ceremony begin!"
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