episode_0018

Identity revealed.

Spreading shock.

He assumes a crooked posture and scans the interior of the auditorium.

─Oooh!

─That is Northmund! This is my first time seeing it in person.

─It’s a real dragon! A dragon!

I desperately tried to control my facial muscles because I felt like the corners of my mouth would go up, but I couldn’t completely erase the smile that formed on my lips.

Lately, I’ve met a lot of people while cutting down monsters every day, so I’m kind of used to being looked at in awe, but it still feels good.

At first, it started as a concept, but gradually I got used to it and started to secretly enjoy this kind of gaze.

It may be too late to realize it now, but I guess I might have that kind of talent. what is it… Did you say it was a custom?

Maintaining the concept of seeds of interest is simple. You just need to be good at tightrope walking. It’s simple, but difficult to do easily. In other words, it’s important to keep your wits about you without crossing the line.

Moreover, to be honest, my tone is not polite. On the contrary, it is so aggressive that if strangers hear it, they will start a fight or be treated like a crazy person.

… Haven’t I heard it once before?

“Then let’s start briefly with a congratulatory speech.”

I glanced down at the podium. On the podium, there was a congratulatory message about three sheets of A4 paper. This is a congratulatory speech prepared by GDO for Elada’s entrance ceremony.

I memorized it all, but honestly, I sighed a little. Do you mean to read this entire amount?

Anyone who has ever heard the principal’s lecture during school days will know this.

Wasn’t it the kind of story where meaningless words were added and expanded so that once you heard them all, you couldn’t tell what they were trying to say?

Simply put, boring stuff. When I was in school, I used to spend every Monday morning writhing during the principal’s lecture that was broadcast on school TV.

I want to skip all these boring things and do it my way… .

I glanced around and looked at the camera next to me. A person wearing a shirt with the International Defense Organization symbol on it was holding a huge camera.

I sighed softly in my heart. okay. This is all recorded. It’s not okay to speak rudely.

Adults have adult circumstances. This is the long-awaited first entrance ceremony, and it will be something that will forever be remembered in human history, so let’s go gently.

“Dear freshmen.”

As I uttered the first line of my congratulatory speech, I raised my head and made eye contact with the freshmen looking at me in the auditorium.

Perhaps because it shows that the polymorph is lifted and the person returns to his original form, his eyes are looking at me even brighter.

There was a girl on my left looking at me with a profound expression, so I gave her a glance, and her eyes became profound, like a ripe pomegranate about to burst, so I quickly looked away.

“We sincerely congratulate you on being admitted to the Elm Talent Development Academy. Let me also express my gratitude to the parents and guardians who raised these children wonderfully.”

A ridiculous way of speaking that makes it impossible to tell whether it is respectful or semi-respectful. But there are no people here who find fault with that way of speaking.

This is thanks to the interpreter magic and polymorph show that took the lead first. Once you set the tone, it is common for most people to follow suit without being dissatisfied.

That’s why suppressing the momentum is important.

“Since its founding in 2012, this academy has produced heroes every time who will add light to this world and become the sword that fights against monsters and the shield that protects humanity. This process will not be easy.

The floor of this Ellada will be wet with the blood and sweat you shed, and there will be people who fall down from exhaustion and will never be able to stand up again.

But it will become a proud tradition of Ellada, and I have no doubt that you will also be proud of it.

The incident two years ago became clear proof that this world is not full of peace, and it became an opportunity for all intelligent beings in this world to seriously think about the future of the world, which they had previously thought vaguely and dismissed as a fantasy.

Because the gate can open anywhere, no place on Earth is safe, so humanity must resist and preserve itself.

The mindset of thinking that you will survive alone and that everything will work out somehow no longer works, and everyone must sacrifice themselves and join in for the common good.

I, Elm Northmund, bestowed the Mana Engine on this Earth, allowing you to awaken Mana.

You are the human shield that will block the monsters that are eating away at this world, you are the successors of the will passed down from old Grandis, and you are the descendants of the dragon who share the power of I, Elm.

Those who have power have responsibility for it, and that is why I hope that you, as my sons and daughters, will become mature, responsible, and wise swords.

All of you standing here now will be filled with hope for the future, the joy of accepting Mana, and pride. Remember this spark in your heart today and forever.

Even when hardships come to the world and you faint one day from exhaustion, do not forget the resolution you made here today.

Even if a long struggle has cut your heart and hindered the flame, as long as you do not forget that heart, someone will continue your lingering fire and rekindle the great flame. My will, no, our will will not end until the moment the world ends. will be.

We bless your future and congratulate you on your acceptance once again into this academy. That’s it.”

As he finished speaking, he picked up the scripts that were on the podium and threw them to the side. The scripts he threw caught fire before they hit the floor, and instantly turned into white ash and disappeared.

When I moved my gaze to the side, I saw people in black suits with badges looking a little embarrassed.

That’s because I finished the entrance ceremony congratulatory speech script without even reading 1/5 of it. But I don’t really regret it.

This is because I wanted to leave a strong impression and finish quickly.

This is because the tense atmosphere created by polymorph and magic did not make you want to be immersed in boredom with a long congratulatory speech for no reason.

Still, wasn’t the plot’s conclusion perfect? Then it’s done, isn’t it?

‘This is how image making is done.’

Clap clap clap!

Someone starts clapping, and in an instant, the auditorium is filled with loud applause.

People gathered in the auditorium applauding enthusiastically. There are also people who seem to be moved by my speech, so they quickly clap and raise their hands and chant, “Whoa!”

After looking at this with pride for a moment, I turned my attention to the parents’ seats on the second floor.

Likewise, people clapping. But I was able to check those expressions without missing them.

Unlike the students who were crazy about my snout, I was able to catch a bit of anxiety and bitterness in their expressions. This is the fear of age.

It’s easy to say, but if you dig into it, it’s no different from a simple inflammatory speech that lights a fire in your heart.

Also, a story about my descendants. In other words, my will is paramount, and depending on my choices, I can decide how they will be treated or put them to death.

‘It’s not something parents will be happy to hear.’

With that in mind, I nodded and gave a signal to the host who was waiting next to me, then left the podium and returned to my seat.

this. Should I have prepared a chair with an open back? This tail is trouble. It’s very uncomfortable when sitting on a chair.

He sat down on a chair with his tail roughly twirled and hugged in his arms.

The professors sitting next to me laughed heartily when they saw me sitting there looking like I was holding a pet.

“Okay then. Let’s proceed with the next steps. Freshman representative Li Jiyuan, please come to the podium.”

The next step appears to be the representative oath. Looking at the face of the guy coming up to the podium, he looks quite serious.

Is he trying to make up for his disgrace he showed earlier? He stands in front of the podium with a calm expression, raises his right hand, and takes the oath in a loud voice.

“Seon! All 127 new students under me, Li Li Yuan… ”

A loud voice echoes through the auditorium.

In what day and age these days, I wondered if this was the entrance ceremony oath. In fact, these days, the freshman oath has already disappeared from most universities and is only practiced in some middle and high schools.

When I spoke to the GDO in a mocking tone, it turned out that this was, unexpectedly, a time-honored culture in the West.

This is the oath taken by freshmen every year at H, O, and C universities, which are some of the world’s leading universities. Hmm.

“… I solemnly swear that I will carry out my duties faithfully. March 7, 2012. Freshman representative Li Jiyuan.”

I was lost in thought for a moment, and after the guy took the oath, the auditorium was filled with applause again.

It’s Li Jiyuan. Actually, I don’t really have any grudges between countries. After all, I am already bound to a certain country.

He’s just bowing down to live quietly in his position as principal. In fact, if I wanted to, I could easily overthrow a fairly large country without force.

My words are enough to secure the position of GDO President, not Principal Elada. The title of world hero is not something that is easy to come by.

However, this guy is receiving great support from the Chinese government.

As he was the first awakened person, he had enough time to enroll, and his skills were amazing thanks to the support he received from the party.

When I looked at the information written in the document, it seemed like I already had the skills of a special forces unit. It was also overwhelming in the physical fitness test.

‘what. ‘You must understand that since I woke up early, I had a lot of time.’

But I guess something unpleasant can’t be helped. This guy is almost the face of the party with the name of the first awakened one, the hope of humanity, and the first descendant of the dragon.

Isn’t it a bit wrong to use my name to promote their party? I’ll have to catch up with you sometime and talk to you.

“Then there will be a congratulatory speech from the parents next. Parent representative, Jang Tae-seong, please come up to the podium.”

Was there even a congratulatory speech from the parents? An old man whom I saw on my way to meet Han Se-jun earlier comes up to the stage with support.

He is the grandfather of Jang A-hyun, the chairman of Taesung Group.

He comes up to the stage, sees me sitting behind him, takes off his fedora, and bows his head in a polite greeting. I also responded with a simple bow.

Then, standing in front of the podium, he took out a magnifying glass from his pocket, placed it on his face, and opened his mouth with a smile.

“Hello. Everyone, my name is Taeseong Jang. I am very happy to be here today, even in a humble way.”

Jang Tae-seong briefly bows his head and says hello.

“Actually, I was worried about what to do with this congratulatory speech since people came from all over the world and prepared it in English, but thanks to Northmund, it was useless. Hehehe… . That’s a good thing. I always had a hard time trying to speak English because my tongue got stuck. ”

There is a small smile in the auditorium. Tae-seong Jang immediately continued his congratulatory speech.

I may be looking at the world a little crookedly. As he traveled around the world and became famous, he became unable to accept simple favors from people as favors.

So when I see people’s actions, I don’t just accept them as they are, but I start to question them first and think about their true intentions.

Even now, we are able to understand the political intentions behind Chairman Jang Tae-sung’s actions themselves.

There is probably no one who does not know that Taesung Jang is the chairman of Taesung Group. Taesung is already a global company that spans the world.

It is an expression of his will to imprint Taeseong in those with awakened abilities who will become the leading figures of this world in the future, and also to take good care of his granddaughter, Jang Ah-hyun.

‘You lobbied.’

I don’t know the exact circumstances, but he must have spent a lot of money lobbying GDO to become a parent representative and give a speech.

GDO is an organization that is still young. Furthermore, lobbying will not work if the name is consistent with the name of an international defense organization responsible for security. I think almost an astronomical amount of money was spent on the lobby alone.

When I turned my eyes and looked at Jang Ah-hyun’s face, I felt almost certain when I saw that her gaze was slightly lowered, as if she was a little embarrassed.

“… That’s it. Thank you.”

Jang Tae-seong descends the podium to the sound of applause. On the outside, he pretended to be a helpless old man and was supported by a secretary, but I saw his backbone being strong for his old age.

What a scary person.

“Then, I will introduce the professors of Elm Talent Development Academy. First of all, this is Professor Elvin Clark, a world-renowned physics doctor and former president of the European Physical Society! Please welcome us with applause.”

Amid applause, an old professor who was sitting in the professor’s chair walks out to the podium with an embarrassed expression on his face.

Hmm. I didn’t really know the exact qualifications of the professors, but they were more amazing than I thought.

Isn’t the European Physical Society responsible for the cutting edge of European science? Even though Europe suffered a huge blow due to the invasion of monsters, it does not mean that the reputation of those groups is lowered.

I didn’t think it would be a good idea to let students use such professors’ lectures as a sleeping room. Isn’t that denigrating their honor?

Should we at least make a no-sleeping rule within the academy? .

‘But my nose is also three feet tall.’

Two years ago, on the day I fell into this world, I was possessed too early and saw that there was no academy yet, so I decided to set up an academy myself. It was quite an impromptu decision.

Honestly, now that I think about it, I am very worried about whether I will be able to do well as I have never even taught a class to nosey dogs, let alone lectured.

Of course, from the day GDO made the decision to establish an academy, I had been preparing the contents of the lectures I would teach little by little, but I guess I couldn’t help but feel nervous as it was getting closer to my eyes.

Today is Friday, so a new day begins three days later, next Monday.

Let’s pull ourselves together.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s nervous. Aren’t steps toward something new and unknown always accompanied by anxiety and fear?

Everyone standing here is trying to overcome fear and move forward toward the future. I shouldn’t be left behind in a situation like that.

‘Heh. ‘Who would have thought that I, who was bragging to the whole world, would be nervous about something like this.’

I let out a self-deprecating laugh and scratched the side of my head. The small sound of metal scraping against scales with fingernails echoed softly.

.

.

.

When I came to my senses, the entrance ceremony was already over.

The guardians of the students who were in the parents’ seats came down and took commemorative photos in the auditorium, and the sounds of them talking to each other echoed through the auditorium.

Because they are all energetic, they are people of that age who become friends just by making eye contact.

I can see that a few groups have already formed, as if we are already friends. This picture makes me think of going somewhere to have a drink.

You can also see a guy walking around talking to everyone around him as if he can’t use the interpretation magic.

‘It must be fascinating. The shape of the other person’s mouth may not be correct, but the words you hear will be in their native language.’

Communication within the Academy will be resolved with this interpretation spell.

The dragon-shaped badge they were given today was actually an artifact that had been given the interpretation magic in advance. And just now, I activated the badge with my unique magic wave.

Come to think of it, I didn’t mention this to them… .You wouldn’t give it to your parents as a souvenir or put it on a used market to earn pocket money, right?

If so, you should be prepared to start the new semester with 50 penalty points removed.

As I was looking at the scene with satisfaction, I felt that attention was increasingly drawn to this direction and I was preparing to disappear from the auditorium.

Because it felt like someone was going to talk to me. Because I refuse to do anything that is bothersome.

Crack-tap–

As I was reciting the teleportation starter word, I saw someone quickly running towards me.

Girl. It was a long-haired girl who kept looking at me with strange eyes throughout the entrance ceremony.

She quickly came under the podium, picked up the tie I had torn, and said something to me.

“Ah… Oh my… ”

At that moment, the teleport casting was completed and my vision was engulfed in bright light.

I think she was trying to say something… .

hmm. Well, it’s probably not urgent. Since we are at the same school, we will probably meet in the future.

I sat down on the luxurious chair in the principal’s office, picked up the cold coffee I had left earlier, and took a sip.

As I look out the window for a moment, savoring the bitterness of the cooled coffee, I see GDO agents rushing somewhere.

“… What is it?”

*

“Ah… You’re gone… .”

She stares blankly at the space where Northmund disappeared along with the light.

“Mister… .”

As she clutches the tie she picked up to her chest and makes a pitiful expression, a GDO agent calls out to her from behind.

“Excuse me, but please give me that tie.”

“… .”

“Pay it here. Anything related to Northmund is prohibited from being taken outside.”

“… I hate it.”

“Yes?”

fault!

She suddenly stuffed Northmund’s tie into her pocket and started running like lightning. It was incredible momentum.

─Ugh!

─Hundreds of millions! No, what is that girl!

She runs out of the auditorium, pushing everyone who gets in her way. The sudden push made many people flinch and voices of dissatisfaction erupted.

But she runs straight toward the exit as if she doesn’t care about them at all.

Agents standing at the entrance to the auditorium tried to catch her by blocking the exit, but she was extremely agile.

She escapes from their hands.

“Emergency situation occurs in the auditorium! Mr. Northmund’s belongings were stolen. The hijacker was a long-haired woman who appeared to be an Elada student with a dragon badge on her chest and had just left the auditorium. Requesting support!”

The agent quickly radios somewhere and follows her.

─What is it? what’s the matter.

─I guess there was a thief or something. Looks like someone stole something from Northmund.

─It’s a strange thing. Lucia are you okay with being pushed?

The people in the auditorium could only wonder about the outcome as they watched the exit of the auditorium where the agents rushed out.

It was a small incident that occurred at Elada’s entrance ceremony.