Chapter 862: Exchange Students at the Secret Rite Academy of the Saints 4k
First Floor, Grand Hall.
As the students gradually entered, the professors also took their seats.
By one o’clock in the afternoon, the hall was filled to capacity.
Professor Shylph walked to the podium and looked up at the students with an expressionless face.
After about two minutes, the entire hall naturally quieted down.
She spoke calmly about the usual opening remarks, briefly summarizing the situation since the start of the new semester and praising some outstanding students.
Of course, she did not forget to criticize some particularly misbehaved students.
When the atmosphere in the hall had reached its lowest point, Professor Shylph slowly began talking about the upcoming Golden Cup finals and encouraged the sixteen contestants.
Then, she mentioned Easter and announced that this year’s Easter Duel Festival would continue as last year’s, with the second edition.
The previous Easter Duel Festival, especially the preliminary rounds, indeed brought a refreshing experience for the students.
Therefore, Professor Shylph’s announcement genuinely made the students happy.
After wishing the students a happy Easter, Professor Shylph finally addressed today’s main topic—the exchange learning activity with the Secret Rite Academy of the Saints!
…
All the students instantly perked up, paying close attention.
Saint Maryann Academy had not frequently engaged in such exchange activities with other schools, and interactions with the Secret Rite Academy were even rarer.
In the past decade since the war ended, this was the first time.
The older students who had some knowledge of the matter immediately began contemplating the reasons behind this.
Children of this age often viewed things through a political lens, as if any change was politically motivated.
Many couldn’t help but speculate whether there had been a shift in the political stance between Saint Maryann Academy and the Secret Rite Academy.
For instance, due to the king regaining power, might Saint Maryann Academy and the Secret Rite Academy have developed a cooperative intention?
This speculation wasn’t entirely unfounded.
Indeed, the current state of the kingdom was moving in that direction.
After the old king “cut off the leg,” he consolidated his power, subtly aligning himself against the Church.
Although Saint Maryann Academy maintained neutrality, the increasingly radical actions of Princess Eliza influenced the academy’s public stance.
And as the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Thus, Saint Maryann Academy and the Church, which had never gotten along well, now seemed to have a basis for cooperation in the eyes of some enlightened citizens.
This exchange learning activity between the two academies at this crucial moment seemed to support this speculation.
However, for now, this was only a small part of the students’ views.
At least, when Professor Shylph explained the exchange learning activity, she did not mention any intention to collaborate with the Church.
…
“In summary, to broaden students’ knowledge and promote interaction and learning among them, we have decided to engage in a one-month exchange learning activity with the Secret Rite Academy of the Saints.”
Professor Shylph’s voice easily overpowered the students’ whispers.
“During this period, exchange students from the Secret Rite Academy will come to our school under the leadership of their honorary principal, Caleb Norris.”
…
The mention of Chief Archbishop Caleb Norris immediately excited those students who had speculated about it, making them want to celebrate right then and there with champagne.
But many were shocked and puzzled.
Even those who usually ignored external affairs felt something unusual about this exchange activity.
Naturally, this led to a sense of exclusion.
This sense of exclusion was inevitable.
However, the appearance of Chief Archbishop Caleb Norris intensified this feeling.
Saint Maryann Academy’s students wouldn’t look up to the Church just because of its supposed “sanctity.”
Just as they wouldn’t bow down to nobles.
Magi were inherently at the pinnacle of society.
More students started discussing after hearing the name of the chief archbishop, creating a buzz like a thousand mosquitoes flying around the hall.
Professor Shylph didn’t scold them; she continued, “Of course, our school will also send exchange students to the Secret Rite Academy for a month-long exchange. Considering the importance of this exchange, Principal Altair and I have decided to select Wit Gold from the Second-Year Knight Academy as the student representative to participate in this exchange activity. Additionally, Justin Wayne from the Second-Year Knight Academy and Betty Murray from the Fifth-Year Mana Academy have expressed their willingness to go.”
Wit Gold, as the “Hero’s Child,” indeed had the qualifications to represent the academy in the exchange.
Even the most critical students could not deny this.
But Justin and Betty’s identities were somewhat lacking.
While students themselves didn’t want to go, they always wanted someone representing them who was as impressive as possible.
If the chosen representative didn’t meet expectations, they would say things like, “It would be better if I went instead.”
Amidst the ongoing discussions, Professor Shylph finally mentioned the exchange students from the Secret Rite Academy.
Dark was most eager to know this information during the gathering.
Up until today, Professor Shylph had been vague about it.
On stage, Professor Shylph suddenly looked up, and a small griffin carrying an envelope flew through the wall and into the room.
She stretched out her hand, and the tiny griffin placed the envelope in her hand.
The voices below gradually faded, and the students’ attention was drawn to the envelope.
“A letter from the honorary principal of the Secret Rite Academy—Caleb Norris.”
Professor Shylph opened the envelope in front of all the teachers and students and read clearly after a brief scan: “To the vice principal of Saint Maryann Academy. Our school attaches great importance to the exchange learning activity between both institutions. We have specially selected Saint Son Evan Pearson and Saint Maiden Audrey Jeane, along with two Guardian Knights, as exchange students to your academy. We hope both institutions will gain valuable experiences from this activity. Caleb Norris, signed.”
“It seems the Secret Rite Academy has determined the exchange students.”
Professor Shylph folded the envelope back up and returned it to the griffin elemental.
Then, she rested her hands on the podium and said seriously, “I think there’s no need for me to say more. The exchange activities will officially begin next Monday, but I expect the exchange students from the Secret Rite Academy to arrive earlier. I hope you can maintain your spirits and show the spirit of our academy. Don’t let people think Saint Maryann Academy is mediocre. After the assembly, we’ll have a thorough cleaning!”
…
The students were shocked by the arrival of the Saint Son and Saint Maiden just moments ago, but they groaned when they heard about the large-scale cleaning project for the whole school.
The one-hour assembly on Wednesday afternoon concluded amidst various sounds.
Then, each class leader received notifications from the professors, detailing the cleaning areas for each grade.
A massive cleaning operation began accordingly.
…
Before Dark and company could leave the hall, they were summoned by Tudor Teddy, the class leader of the Second-Year Noble Academy.
Tudor frowned and said, “Let’s get straight to the point. The area we’re responsible for seems special—it’s the outer edge of the thick forest. Due to the large area, we’ve been granted permission to use golems to assist with cleaning. Additionally, our main tasks include garbage collection, ground leveling, filling underground caves… and safety warnings… There are quite a few tasks, so I hope everyone can participate earnestly and not shirk responsibilities. Once the cleaning is done, I’ll treat everyone to a free meal, okay?”
“Okay…” the replies were scattered.
“Tudor, where will you take us for dinner tonight?” Pistons asked curiously.
Tudor replied expressionlessly, “Canteen.”
…
“Ground leveling, cave filling…”
Dark’s expression was slightly awkward.
He roughly understood why the task had been assigned to the Second-Year Noble Academy.
“I’ll call a few golems to help.”
So he sighed and said.
The outer edge of the thick forest, especially underground, was likely full of holes.
He had been busy studying and researching, not noticing, but rare bones kept piling up in the club storage room.
The Magic Book probably used Greed III to evolve the spell cage Gabu Beast into the Drill Mole Beast, frequently digging for bones in the underground areas of the thick forest.
Over time, the soil became loose.
This was entirely his fault, and he needed to deal with it.
Reluctantly, he notified Senior Clarissa Eluria that their meeting was postponed.
Clarissa Eluria also had cleaning duties, so she naturally had no complaints.
…
From two o’clock in the afternoon to six o’clock in the evening, before the sky turned completely dark, the Second-Year Noble Academy students finally cleaned up the outer edge of the thick forest and placed warning signs every certain distance.
Then, Tudor Teddy fulfilled his promise and invited everyone to eat a free feast at the canteen.
The students weren’t too exhausted, as tasks like ground leveling and underground reinforcement were handled by golems.
Mostly, they picked up trash, placed signs, and trimmed trees around the perimeter.
Instead, the scenery outside the thick forest was beautiful, with spring sunshine and laughter echoing continuously.
Thus, this dinner was quite pleasant.
During the dinner, the students couldn’t help but discuss the exchange learning activity with the Secret Rite Academy.
Talking about the exchange, even Dark hadn’t expected the exchange students to be the legendary Saint Son and Saint Maiden!
At the table, Pistons Kellogg whispered mysteriously, “I remember Evan Pearson and Audrey Jeane were the only ones chosen as Saint Son and Saint Maiden since the end of the war, and they’re both just thirteen years old like us!”
“That’s the Second Year,” Tudor said, holding a spoon seriously, “the area we’re responsible for.”
“Should we give them a taste of our strength?” Shiweite suggested with a sinister tone.
Tudor looked at him and shook his head, saying, “There’s no need for such low-level actions. We should welcome them with our greatest enthusiasm and invite them to the Dueling Arena for a friendly duel.”
Pistons said, “Speaking of which, where will the Saint Son and Saint Maiden stay? With their Guardian Knights, this time four exchange students are coming. Will they be split among the four academies?”
Tudor looked suspicious, “You seem to know them very well?”
“Of course,” Pistons said proudly, “I know more than you think. Do you know about the guardian system at the Secret Rite Academy? Don’t assume that just because they are the Saint Son and Saint Maiden’s Guardian Knights, they must be from the Second Year. In fact, the Secret Rite Academy does not prohibit seniors from serving as guardians for juniors.”
Tudor frowned immediately, “Do you mean that if we challenge them, we might face two senior guardian knights?”
Pistons said, “Guardian Knights have permission to participate in duels on behalf of their masters. We do have to get through them first.”
“That makes it tricky,” Tudor couldn’t help but look at Dark, “What do you think, Dark?”
Dark Demon was focused on fighting his steak.
In response to Tudor’s question, he casually said, “Since they are seniors, let the seniors handle the exchange. This exchange learning activity has attracted attention from the royal press, so don’t appear petty. Besides, there are many exchange projects, not just duels. Friendship first.”
Tudor said, “Dark, your words are getting more official.”
Dark couldn’t help but smile, “Then let me put it differently. Treat them well and make them feel welcomed. People selected as Saint Son and Saint Maiden shouldn’t have moral issues, right? This is a rare chance to become friends with them. Be enthusiastic and friendly, make them feel our warmth rather than coldness or hostility. Don’t let outsiders say we’re poor hosts. Besides, aren’t you curious why the Saint Son and Saint Maiden were sent for this exchange?”
Everyone looked at each other.
Tudor said, “Of course, we’re very curious.”
Dark said, “Then follow them closely once they arrive, and you’ll find the answer.”
Tudor paused, then whispered, “Are you telling us to watch them?”
Dark cut his steak gently and said, “I didn’t say that. It’s always good to have more friends in life.”
