# Chapter 40: First Day of Enrollment (1)
The large auditorium, where the enrollment ceremony was to take place, was bustling with new students and outside guests.
There were also rumors circulating about a large number of extraordinary individuals with unparalleled talents joining this term, which drew journalists eager to cover the event in droves.
“Thankfully, I passed.”
To be honest, I hadn’t expected much until the acceptance letter arrived. After all, the things I had demonstrated during the exam were far from impressive.
I had even contemplated retreating to a mountain somewhere to undergo intensive training if I hadn’t made it, but fortunately, that wasn’t necessary.
“Master… I’m so nervous.”
“Don’t be too tense. The ceremony won’t last long.”
Ria, who had likely never been in such a crowded place, remained visibly nervous throughout.
During the exam, it was easier since she could focus solely on the task at hand, but now that she was face-to-face with the people she’d be spending several years with, her introverted nature seemed to be kicking in.
Because we’re in different departments, it seems like it’ll be hard for me to take care of her directly every time, and that already worries me.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t become the top student of the Department of Medicine. I wanted to make Master proud…”
“You’ve only been studying medicine for a year, so it’s quite an achievement that you managed to pass with the knowledge you have gained in such a short period. That in itself is impressive, wouldn’t you say?”
If you count the time Ria has seriously studied medicine, it is barely a year.
Moreover, she hasn’t even fully utilized her divine powers. With such incredible talent, once she receives professional and systematic education at the academy, I suspect the top student title in the Department of Medicine might belong to her every year.
“Ah, ah. Please settle down everyone. We are now beginning the admission ceremony of Hebrion Academy.”
At the master of ceremonies’ cue, the massive auditorium fell momentarily silent.
A distinguished elderly gentleman then walked gracefully to the podium.
‘That’s Fedrick Leonhart…’
He occasionally appeared as an NPC in the original game and serves as the Principal of this academy.
‘His presence is definitely impressive. From the look of him, he looks like someone who is well-versed in magic.’
The way he looked reminded me of some wizard headmasters from fantasy schools. True to form, he went on repeating the same old formal greeting, dragging it on endlessly.
Even Ria, who stood nearby with perfect posture, nearly dozed off. Apparently, the principal’s speech is tedious in any dimension.
After the tiresome lecture came the short speeches from the top students of each department. This part of the ceremony allowed top performers to address the audience and talk about their aspirations and goals for the future.
As there was no mention of “top student” on my acceptance letter, I casually listened to the speeches while letting my mind wander.
When it came to the protagonist’s department of swordsmanship, I focused, expecting someone familiar. However, seeing a different person approach the podium, I lost interest and drifted off into thought again.
As I was reviewing my lecture schedule and information about the Evil God’s followers who would infiltrate the academy, it was announced.
“Next is the speaking time for the overall top student. The overall top student is chosen to represent the grade and is a figure with exceptionally promising potential. This student is expected to be a guiding beacon and take responsibility for the future of this group.”
What a burdensome position that must be. It must be both tedious and demanding.
I offered my silent condolences to whoever would have to stand in that spot.
“Overall top student, Rab Netoire!”
Realizing that the statement was making me the deceased, I had mixed feelings.
…Wait, what?
Did I hear wrong? Could there be another person named Rab Netoire here besides me?
“Rab Netoire, please come forward to the podium.”
No, it’s definitely me they’re referring to. They were looking directly at me.
Struggling to understand the situation, I reluctantly got up under the pressure from the moderator and the gazes of everyone present.
Thud, Thud—
Walking to the podium, I could hear muttering from some of the other new students who recognized me.
“Is he the top student? That’s ridiculous.”
“Maybe his family paid a fortune to secure this spot? The Netoire family has plenty of money, don’t they?”
“Oh. That’s possible?”
What nonsense.
Though my family is wealthy, contrary to appearances, we don’t waste our money. We may have spent on covering up accidents of the past or paying unnecessary settlements, but we mainly use our wealth for the development of our territory.
Even if we did spend large amounts, it’s generally just on food.
Because my father insists on having a bountiful table, not only does our family eat well, but so do the servants.
Surely it’s not likely that such a family would throw money around at the academy for no good reason.
Ignoring these baseless accusations, I slowly ascended to the podium.
The stage was higher than I anticipated. From my elevated position, I could see everyone in the large auditorium, and I awkwardly stood there.
“Is there any script?”
I quietly whispered this to the master of ceremonies, who responded with a chuckle and dashed my last hope by stating that there was none.
“This speech is merely an opportunity to gauge the will and thoughts of the top students. Whether you make a mistake or say something off-topic, it’s perfectly fine. Just talk and then come down.”
How irresponsible of them. As if they didn’t care about what happens.
Would they have let me dance around naked up here?
Standing on the stage, I took a moment to consider what to say.
Everyone, excluding Ria who looked up at me with bright eyes, clearly showed dissatisfaction with my presence.
Wait a moment.
‘What if I could channel this dissatisfaction in the opposite direction?’
The power of the Evil God is great.
Even though Cecilia, who fell under the Evil God’s control in the previous cycle, was strong, it seemed implausible for her to have been so powerless.
Which means, the average skill level of the academy students must have declined significantly.
People tend to relax and slack off when peace lasts too long.
With the passage of time, power and skills deteriorate in the midst of prolonged peace, leading to laziness in training and blind reliance on the empire’s strength, which eventually caused its downfall.
Soon, the academy will become caught up in the schemes of the Evil God and his followers, resulting in a chaotic mess.
Even I, who have some familiarity with the general flow of events from the game, cannot possibly prevent every invasion.
“Ah, ah. Hello. I am Rab Netoire, chosen as the overall top student. First of all, I wish to thank all the esteemed professors who recommended me for this honorable position.”
Therefore, I decided to implement a plan to boost the academy students’ capabilities significantly.
“Since I received no preparation beforehand, I am quite flustered. However, there is one thing I am certain about.”
To ‘provoke’ them, that’s what I decided.
“If you felt offended, you should’ve listened more attentively.”
…
It seems my words took them a while to process.
As they stared at me blankly, likely having their common sense shattered, I continued delivering more provocative statements.
“The professors here are not fools. Only those with sharp eyes for talent and skill become professors at Hebrion Academy. The fact that these esteemed professors selected me to be the overall top student indicates that I am better than you all.”
Anger.
“Honestly, I am aware that you are not holding positive feelings towards me. I understand. If I think about last year, a reckless guy like me suddenly becoming the top student without any warning must feel both envious and embarrassing. I get it.”
Inferiority.
“But wasn’t it because you were unable to achieve more? If you had put in more effort and shown greater results, this position might have belonged to someone else among the many talented people here. Oh, and my superior potential has also played a part.”
Competitiveness.
“What I’m saying is this.”
“Defeat me if you’re annoyed.”
“That concludes my speech.”
Thud, Thud—
The auditorium was completely quiet.
Ignoring their gazes, I descended from the stage, my footsteps resonating in the silence.
If looks could kill, my name might have already become “Rab Netoire Pierced a Thousand Times.”
I remained calm while Ria looked at me with admiration, as if amazed by the sea of hostility directed towards me.
‘Everyone will thank me later.’
This is all about making you stronger, for my sake.
No, for all of our sakes.
I hope you grow strong in proportion to my sacrifices.
Please.
