Ch.1010. A Chaotic, Joyful Entrance Ceremony

# The Entrance Ceremony

The entrance ceremony is the same whether in the original world or this one.

It’s just a gathering where they flatter the new students saying how honored they are to welcome them, then they expound on the academy’s history and greatness… In short, it was boring.

It was so boring that the student council president’s speech was the most interesting part. Not because it was actually entertaining, but you know how you tend to focus more when someone you know comes out? That kind of feeling.

“Greetings. I am Alkine, currently serving as the student council president. I hope you won’t think of the student council president as too intimidating. After all, I’m a student just like all of you.”

Um… with that way of speaking, it’s impossible not to find you intimidating, Student Council President Alkine?

I keep feeling embarrassed because I know this is just her persona. Is there any blue pill available? Please help me forget this truth.

Of course, apart from her persona, her speech was textbook perfect. She had a certain flair for commanding the crowd.

Just when I thought she was wrapping things up…

“…And Celia, Ludion. I’d like both of you to come forward.”

What? Madam President, what’s this about without any prior notice?

You said you’d find us after the entrance ceremony. Why are you calling us during it?

Just to be sure, I glanced at Celia beside me, but she also looked confused, suggesting she hadn’t been informed either.

Though bewildered, I couldn’t ignore the president’s request, so I tried to appear calm as I walked forward.

At the front of the auditorium, with everyone watching, I could feel their gazes as Alkine carefully apologized.

“I’m sorry for calling you so suddenly. But cases like this are extremely rare, so I thought it would be something everyone could take pride in.”

Well, that’s true, but didn’t the original story just gloss over this?

Then again, in the original, it was just Celia, so that makes sense.

Considering her status, it might have been awkward to make a big show of it.

But now that insignificant me is involved, I guess it’s worth boasting about. Should I take this as a compliment?

“Ahem. I believe these two are figures most of you are already familiar with.”

Alkine continued her speech, seemingly oblivious to my concerns.

No, at this point it wasn’t a speech anymore—it was a declaration.

“As of today’s entrance ceremony, these two will become members of the student council.”

The auditorium immediately erupted in murmurs.

It’s certainly surprising—first-years joining the student council is extraordinary enough, but not just one, but two of them?

Though about half of the reactions seemed accepting. Celia is quite famous, and as for me, after yesterday’s commotion…

“I was a bit hasty. To be precise, they have the qualifications to become members. So it’s not confirmed yet, and their own intentions are important… If either of you wishes to decline, you may step down now.”

Most people are well aware of the dangers associated with the student council. That’s why some might be hesitant.

She seemed to be giving us a choice, taking that into account.

But… could anyone really step down in a situation like this? She clearly planned this when she called us up here.

Of course, considering everything, I had no reason to refuse and was definitely going to accept, but I felt somewhat annoyed at being put in this position and couldn’t just accept it meekly.

So I stepped down once and then came back up.

Alkine’s expression changed in real-time, revealing her to be quite expressive.

“…What did you just do?”

She seemed genuinely confused, as if she hadn’t anticipated someone stepping down only to climb back up.

“I was thinking about it. Whether to accept or not.”

“…Couldn’t you have just stood there and thought about it instead of doing that in front of everyone?”

“Well… maybe I wanted to mess with you for creating a situation where refusal wasn’t really an option?”

“Are you insane?”

“Probably.”

Alkine sighed at me, seemingly exasperated that I wouldn’t back down, but she didn’t say anything more.

Given the formal setting, she seemed to decide to let it slide.

Just as I was wondering if I should step down now, she handed the microphone she was holding to us.

“I’m sorry, but could you say a few words?”

Oh… I asked for a blue pill, and you’re turning my indirect embarrassment into direct embarrassment? Is this what they call passing the buck?

“Due to time constraints, just one of you needs to speak. For something like this, would Celia be more appropriate?”

With no one volunteering, Alkine resorted to directly asking someone to speak.

Um… saying that to Celia won’t work. She’s not good at this kind of thing.

No, that’s not right. She’s actually good at it, but she just doesn’t like doing it. She’ll probably end up doing it since she has trouble refusing.

“Ah. Well, um…”

But somehow, she wasn’t saying she’d do it and instead was looking at me expectantly.

This was clearly a silent signal asking me to do it instead.

That’s unusual for her—she’s not typically the type to pass things off to others.

While I don’t particularly enjoy being in the spotlight either, if Her Highness is asking, I can’t refuse.

Besides, accumulating favors like this could be useful for future requests.

“I’ll do it. Of course, if this were a speech representing the academy, Celia would be the right choice, but since this is something the student council is doing internally… The student council has a bit of an image of being focused on combat prowess, and yesterday during the practical exam I…”

“I saw you two exchanging glances, so skip the lengthy explanation and get to the point.”

“Since Celia seems embarrassed, I’ll speak on her behalf.”

“Yes, let’s go with that.”

I could have just said I’d do it, but I unnecessarily made excuses and ended up saying things I didn’t need to.

Still, I’m doing this for you, Celia! Remember that you owe me one!

“Wait a minute. Who said I was embarrassed? I just thought Ludion would be more suited for this speech…”

“Yes, we’ll go with that explanation.”

“Don’t just brush it off like you’re humoring me…”

Glare!

Hey, Alkine was the one who put us on the spot, so why are you glaring at me? You do remember this debt, right?

It was a glare fierce enough to stab someone to death, but that’s just her defense mechanism… pretending to be tough.

Of course, with her looks, that act usually works. That’s why she maintained the position of the cool beauty in the original story.

I’m just outside that “usually works” range because I see through her true nature.

“What’s going on? The atmosphere seems tense.”

“Is it a lovers’ quarrel?”

“Are you crazy?! Do you know who those people are?”

“I’m joking, joking. Of course I know. But at a glance, that’s what it looks like.”

Perhaps because our conversation had gone on too long, the attention of the new students gathered in the auditorium began to wane, and they started murmuring among themselves.

Judging that we couldn’t delay any longer, I stepped forward with the microphone.

After pretending to test the microphone by clearing my throat to get everyone’s attention, I confirmed that everyone had quieted down and began speaking.

“Hello everyone. My name is Ludion, and I’m entering the academy alongside all of you. It’s nice to see familiar faces—I met each of you yesterday. You all remember my face, right?”

I didn’t mean to tease. In such settings, finding even a small connection helps engage the audience.

…Come to think of it, I don’t need to engage them. I just need to say a few words, but being suddenly put in this position made me a bit full of myself.

It was absolutely not my intention to tease, so please don’t look at me with contempt, ladies. No matter how thick-skinned I might be as a veteran who bullies newbies, it hurts when two beautiful women look at me like that.

“Ahem. First of all, I already considered it an honor just to be admitted to Rubetia Academy, so I never imagined I’d immediately be joining the student council as well. The student council’s prestige is well-known, so I won’t bother explaining it.”

After that introduction, I rambled on for a bit, and when I ran out of things to say, I quickly wrapped it up.

“I’ll keep this brief to avoid boring you… I promise to do my best not to bring shame to the honor of the student council. Thank you.”

*Applause*

“You’re better at this than I expected.”

“It’s all about confidence.”

“Says the one wiping sweat off his hands while speaking.”

“Ah.”

Busted. Actually, I was so nervous I don’t even remember what I said.

But judging by the reaction, I don’t think I said anything strange.

“Well, you did well handling something that wasn’t planned.”

Alkine said this as she handed something over.

It was a badge that served as proof of student council membership.

“Originally, I planned to meet separately after the entrance ceremony to give these to you… But then I realized that after the ceremony, everyone would move to their assigned classes. It wouldn’t be right to call just the two of you separately, so take these now.”

“Thank you.”

“And when today’s schedule is over… Ludion, I want you to come back to the student council room.”

“What?”

“Everyone, let’s give a big round of applause to our new student council members!”

“Woooah!”

*Applause*

The atmosphere suggested it was time to step down, so I couldn’t press further and had to comply.

Celia was snickering beside me—what should I do about this annoying girl?

“Ah… um… next… um…”

At that moment, the person in charge of conducting the entrance ceremony stuttered for the first time today. Wondering what was happening, I turned around to find them staring intently at me.

No, not at me, but at Celia standing next to me.

Just as I was about to wonder why, the conductor spoke with their original clear tone, as if having made a decision.

“Student Celia Rubetia. Please come forward.”

Asking Celia, who had just stepped down, to come back up…

Oh right, I remember now. The part where they call Celia up to praise the Empire.

Even in an academy that strives for equality, they can’t ignore the Imperial Princess.

If she goes up there, they’ll probably make her listen to some praise for the Empire and ask about her impressions of entering the academy.

All my efforts to speak on her behalf were for nothing. No, I guess it’s better than her having to do both alone.

This time, even if you look at me, I can’t substitute for you. Give it up.

Celia, who had just received applause and stepped down, awkwardly went back up, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the situation.

“Pfft. *inhale* *gulp*”

In the midst of everyone’s respectful silence, only my laughter echoed through the auditorium.

But listen, Alkine, the culprit behind this situation, is also laughing over there, just not making any sound.

I saw Celia murmuring quietly, “Please don’t laugh…” but I kept laughing anyway. You laughed at me too, so we’re even.

With Celia’s slightly reddened earlobes, the enjoyable entrance ceremony came to an end.

///

At the academy, classes are divided according to skill level.

Lower class, middle class, upper class.

Having achieved complete victory against all new students in the entrance exam, I was naturally assigned to the upper class, and after the entrance ceremony, I moved to the upper class.

…But why did it turn out like this?

“Is everyone excited? I’m Reina Trier, in charge of the upper class. I don’t need to introduce myself, right?”

You’re supposed to be in charge of the lower class. Who’s going to mentor the protagonist now?