章節 682: -673- [ Walpurgis Night ]
Night Party, the battleground.
Within the academy, there isn't a dedicated stage for hosting the Night Party. However, there are numerous locations within the academy suitable for dueling.
In previous Night Party, participants would choose among these locations based on their preferences.
This time, the stage for the Night Party is set in the grassy plaza located behind the central lecture hall, sandwiched between the Mechanical Arts Department and the Laws Department.
Here, white stone pillars rise from the ground like massive stone formations, creating a vast battlefield of grass.
In the front of this battlefield, the students with gloves, dressed in their formal attire, stand in formation, appearing like a formidable legion.
Although only glove holders have the obligation to attend the opening ceremony of the Night Party, the number of attendees seems to exceed a thousand.
For students who didn't qualify to participate in the competition, the Night Party is still a grand celebration worth enjoying.
Therefore, in this place, there are many students gathered around, stalls from the welfare society, and decorations that make the surroundings resemble a festival, keeping people engrossed.
Rozen, seemingly as usual, with Yaya by his side, arrives at the battlefield under these circumstances.
However, following his usual style, he looks quite disinterested and even yawns as he walks in. He appears to be the last to arrive, attracting the attention of many.
"How leisurely."
"Even though the most brutal competition is about to begin."
"He's the 2nd rank, the last participant to show up other than Magnus. He's still far from the competition."
"So he's being cocky, huh?"
The glove holders in the vicinity comment with such dissatisfaction and hostility in their gazes when they look at Rozen.
For these automaton users who are also participants in the Night Party, Rozen is a formidable rival. To win at the Night Party, they have to treat everyone as an opponent. Rozen is one of those rivals who stands out.
Rozen doesn't pay any attention to their comments. He just yawns and, together with Yaya, enters the fray, surrounded by everyone's gaze, joining the lineup. In the front of the lineup, one step above the ground, the podium slowly rises up, and the academy's principal just happens to appear.
"I am Edward Rutherford, the headmaster of Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart."
Upon his appearance, the headmaster proclaims in a strong and authoritative voice. The overwhelming aura he emits, like an invisible pressure, makes all the surrounding voices vanish in an instant.
"The Night Party is a grand celebration in the world of Machinart, the highest ritual recognized by the Mage's Association. It has been held for 48 editions and has produced 48 Wiseman, each stepping into the world."
The principal's voice slowly spreads.
"These Wiseman, as the most outstanding individuals of their time, made numerous significant contributions to this world upon stepping out. Some of them became the strongest bulwarks protecting nations, while others brought forth inventions that benefited humanity. The world's development is inseparable from the knowledge of the Wiseman. The progress of civilization depends on the contributions of the Wiseman.
For this reason, the Association recognizes the legitimacy of the Night Party, bestowing upon it the power to give birth to Wiseman, allowing them to conduct research, invent, and explore without adhering to the International Magic Charter and the Mage's Code of Ethics, gradually revealing the truth of the world of magic and enabling humans to continually advance."
The principal's gaze scans each of the glove holders in the room.
"Among you, the forty-ninth Wiseman will be born."
"Your paths may be different from the previous Wiseman."
"Your reasons for being here are diverse."
"However, there is one thing that will not change."
"You need to prove that you are the most outstanding, the most powerful, the most authoritative presence of this era."
With that, the principal breaks into a smile.
"We look forward to your activities and interactions."
The principal's speech concludes here. However, the eyes of each glove holder in attendance burn with an unprecedented sense of determination, with many feeling their blood boil.
Clearly, the principal's speech has completely ignited these participants. They want to become the strongest, enjoy privileges, prove themselves, and rise above others.
"Crafty old fox," Rozen mutters internally amidst the crowd.
The principal's speech undoubtedly ignited a surge of emotions in people, but what's coming next isn't peaceful competition; it's a fierce battle.
So, one can only assume that the principal's words will make the battle even more intense.
"Seems like people are eager for some action," Rozen comments in a dismissive tone.
The opening ceremony continues amid Rozen's cynical remark.
Following the principal's speech is the oath ceremony for the participants in the Night Party. Representing them is the academy's first rank, Magnus.
Amidst the watchful eyes of everyone, Magnus ascends the stage with six uniformed girls in Goth loli outfits.
This academy's first seat silently gazes down at the students below, with his peripheral vision momentarily falling on Rozen.
Then, Magnus begins his oath.
"We who gather at Walpurgis, as the torchbearers of Machinart, vow to bathe in blood."
Magnus forms a fist and places it on his chest, closes his eyes, and slowly takes the oath.
"Failing to become a king means becoming nothing."
"Without success, there's nothing but benevolence."
"We pledge to fight with truth."
Upon completing the oath,
"Boooh!"
The band plays a resonant horn.
"Flap, flap, flap!"
A group of white doves is released, soaring into the sunset sky.
"OOoohhhh!"
The surrounding students applaud enthusiastically and cheer.
"Ding, ding, ding, ding."
In the distance, the clock tower, as if timing it perfectly, chimes.
"The 49th 'Walpurgis Night' begins now!"
The principal's declaration reverberates throughout the sky, prompting all glove holders to take off their gloves, place them on their chests, and then put them back on.
With this, the opening ceremony concludes.
The people in the combat field disperse in all directions, clearing the entire area. Rozen, along with Yaya, makes his way to the audience seats. First, he buys some snacks from a nearby booth, and then he takes a seat, gazing toward the field.
At this moment, Rozen feels a very noticeable gaze directed at him.
In response, Rozen turns his head and looks toward the source of the gaze. In the corner of the audience seats, Charl sits alone, seemingly secretly observing Rozen. When she's noticed, she startles for a moment and then glares back.
"This girl," Rozen mutters, rolls his eyes, and then turns back to look at the field.
The first battle of the Night Party is about to begin.
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