The 6704th Opening Ceremony of the Aethelgard World Academy officially began. Pip, Kael, and Ellarish wore extravagant and splendid outfits.
"Do I look handsome, Kael?" "Haha, you look ridiculous! What’s with that slicked-back hairstyle?" Kael laughed.
The two were joking around, paying little attention to the formal ceremony. Suddenly, a sound echoed: tap, tap, tap. It was the footsteps of the Headmaster—not overly fast, yet carrying a suffocating pressure. He approached the large table in the center of the hall. The surrounding atmosphere seemed to collapse, and the initial hubbub was quickly extinguished by the aura of authority radiating from the academy's supreme leader.
"Ahem... Today is the opening ceremony for the 6704th class of Aethelgard Academy. As your Headmaster, I warmly welcome you all to this prestigious institution!"
Applause erupted like crashing waves, but Kael startled slightly, unaccustomed to the solemn and rigid atmosphere. Beside him, Pip closed his eyes, clapping with an air of pride.
"You look... kind of stupid, Pip." "Tsk... a commoner like you has no right to judge me, Kael." "You damn weirdo." "Hehe, just kidding."
The Headmaster paused for a moment, his sharp eyes hidden behind his aging spectacles scanning the entire hall. He raised his thin hands to signal for silence. The hall immediately fell into a deathly hush.
"This is called the Staff of Power. Each of you will be invited to the podium to touch it. Magic energy comes in many colors; touching the staff will reveal the color of your mana. The brighter and clearer the color, the higher your potential, though not necessarily powerful yet. However, the darker the color, the more it shows that you not only possess potential but also the ability to reach the ranks of the 12 Divine Temple Envoys."
The Headmaster's words were like a stone cast into a still lake. Whispers began to spread. Ellarish whispered a quick explanation to Pip and Kael:
"In this academy, it has been a very long time since anyone reached the color gray or darker. Those who reach that threshold are the ones capable of competing for a seat among the 12 Divine Temple Envoys."
A student stepped up, trembling. He swallowed hard and gently touched his index finger to the gem. A crystal-clear golden light erupted.
"Clear gold... you have quite a bit of potential. You are assigned to Class C."
The student bowed his head, looking clearly disappointed. The Headmaster looked down at the list, his voice booming:
"Next: Pip von Aethelgard."
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Pip stepped onto the podium and gently touched the gem. A burst of magic energy erupted, its colors swirling wildly before slowly thickening. The Headmaster was stunned, his voice trembling with amazement:
"Purple... and it’s laced with black? This puts me in a difficult position..."
The hall erupted. Before the shock could settle, conservative teachers stood up and slammed their tables, shouting malicious accusations:
"He is of the Upo clan! THAT’S RIGHT, HE IS UPO! WE CANNOT LET HIM CONTAMINATE THIS ACADEMY!"
The Headmaster turned around slowly. He was not angry, but his silence was even more terrifying. He leaned on his staff, his voice as sharp as a razor:
"Fellow colleagues, I understand your concerns regarding the Upo bloodline. But... there is no rule in this academy that forbids those outside the Human race from becoming mages. If you consider his blood to be a 'contamination,' then you are the ones staining the honor of Aethelgard. We train mages, not those who cling to archaic, bigoted ideologies!"
Pip stood there with a faint, enigmatic smile on his lips. The Headmaster spun around and shouted to the entire hall:
"Are you all howling because you cannot stand that a foreigner has stronger magic than you? If no one accepts Pip’s result and thinks it is a lie, please, step forward."
An arm was raised from behind the wings.
"I will!" A deep, guttural voice echoed, silencing the hall instantly.
The Headmaster exclaimed in shock: "Lord Valerius? You wish to duel with this child?" "That's right! Is there a problem?" "It is allowed, My Lord, but..."
Valerius approached, his eyes scanning Pip's body. He saw neither Upo blood nor human blood; what he saw was an ancient Power. Valerius smiled craftily, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He hoisted Pip up into the air and declared loudly:
"I AM VALERIUS, A RANK 4 DIVINE TEMPLE ENVOY, AND I WILL PERSONALLY DUEL THIS KID!"
The hall seemed to come alive with sounds of astonishment. Kael and Ellarish held their foreheads and rubbed their temples.
"That guy is causing trouble again."
Meanwhile, on the podium, Valerius was still holding Pip with one hand as if he were a toddler, his silver cloak fluttering. Ignoring Pip’s confused expression, he turned to the teachers who were still standing in shock:
"Well? Does anyone else have an opinion about this 'contaminated blood'?" Valerius sneered, his voice a mix of mockery and threat.
The conservative teachers turned pale. Not a soul dared to say a word. Pip, despite being held high, maintained his "aristocratic" calm:
"Lord Envoy... could you perhaps put me down before we actually start? I really need to prepare my 'aristocratic' dignity; being carried like this... is quite damaging to my image."
Valerius burst into loud laughter: "Ha ha ha! This kid is interesting! Very well, I shall give you time to 'prepare'."
He placed Pip back on the stone floor and waved his hand, creating a silver barrier that enveloped the podium. The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy and stagnant. Kael, standing below, clenched his fists until they bled:
"Ellarish, do you think Pip has a chance? That is a Rank 4 Envoy... his rank isn't just for show."
Ellarish silently pulled a protective charm from her pocket, her eyes fixed on the stage: "Pip isn't fighting with ordinary skills, Kael. Look at his magic. It isn't being suppressed by that barrier; it is... merging with it. I fear this battle won't end in a victory, but in some terrifying truth being laid bare."
On the stage, Valerius stopped laughing, his eyes turning a hypnotic, milky white. A spear of light manifested from thin air in his hand:
"Let's begin, Pip von Aethelgard. Show me the 'Power' you are trying to hide!"
Pip smiled faintly and replied:
"Very well, Lord Valerius!"