Chapter 113: The Opening Ceremony
As I glanced up again, I saw the principal, Grandma, being supported by Sister Teresa, standing in front of the cheering students. The teachers lined up on either side of her like a secret society ready for a meeting. Opposite them, on the massive training field, students were packed shoulder to shoulder, spilling out near Lake Cyril, the Yahamah Mountain, the Emi Plain, and the Trestar Canyon. The crescendo of noise threatened to lift the entire academy off the ground.
She raised her hand to signal for silence.
Just that simple gesture worked wonders—the students quickly hushed. Grandma, trembling slightly, reached into her garments, rummaging around before pulling out a…
Hmm?
What on earth is that? It looks like a golden orb! It’s about the size of a fist, and I half expect something weird to pop out of it like a cheesy magic ball from a movie.
“Dum dum—”
My heart lurched with two dramatic beats.
Grandma held the orb and began to chant softly, a warm, gentle golden light emanating from the sphere in her hands.
A strange sensation welled up inside me, one that was oddly familiar and comforting.
It felt like that, but just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished before my brain could register it.
The next moment, dazzling golden light burst through the heavens, parting the clouds and seamlessly penetrating barriers, casting a heavenly glow over everything. In an instant, the ground beneath my feet, the iron bars in the distance, the tiny dust particles in the air, and even Sarah’s face beside me—all were coated in a gossamer layer of gold.
I couldn’t help but squint, as a familiar roar of excitement erupted from the students.
“Wow—”
“It’s a divine miracle! Ancient divine words!”
“So flashy…”
Then, from the sky came a thunderous declaration that echoed like a massive drum: “Silence—!!”
Buzz buzz buzz…
The voice, cumulating in a decibel level that felt like it could shatter glass, vibrated through me, compelling me to cover my ears. I recognized it—it was Grandma’s voice.
“My goodness…”
The three girls next to me couldn’t handle the volume either and covered their ears, screaming in shock. After a brief moment of panic, the entire scene fell into an eerie silence.
Grandma surveyed the four rows of students, paused thoughtfully, and then her voice resonated once more amidst the golden light.
“You all are this year’s new students at the Royal Academy? Is this really how it is?”
Her voice was low and trembling, like thunder echoing from fathomless depths, or a ghostly whisper right next to my ear.
Is this… a loudspeaker? A voice from a thousand miles?! No, it’s a divine miracle…
The power of faith can do even this…
“First, take a good look at yourselves. Cough, cough.” In the golden light, Grandma coughed twice and continued, “Sloppy, low energy, ill-fitting clothes, hair like a bird’s nest…”
At this, Sarah hurriedly brushed her hair back into some semblance of order.
Grandma paused again, pointing at those still jogging around in circles.
“Now look at them… Twenty laps, doesn’t that sound like a lot? But I gave you twenty minutes. Last year, not even that many were late in fifteen minutes. If you can’t handle something as simple as being on time, how do you expect to tackle anything big? I showed up early just to see how many useless individuals we have among this year’s new recruits…”
“…And don’t glare at me; you are those useless ones. Tell me, what can you do? Hand you the best central workshop steel sword, and who could you possibly take down? Those ferocious heretics? Or the thugs blocking the road outside?”
“I don’t care who you are. Nobles or commoners, if you’ve chosen to come here, then play by the academy’s rules. Leave your outside life behind. The royal city is a special place…”
The lengthy lecture began, and soon enough, my mind started wandering to something else.
Something felt off.
Shouldn’t it be the church personnel performing this miraculous light show? Sister Teresa is right there; why is it Grandma? She’s not from the church and doesn’t possess the power of faith—this is suspicious.
“Sophia…”
“This is a miracle.” Sophia stared straight ahead, her expression unchanging. Before I could even ask, she already knew what I was about to say. “It’s activated using something called ‘Ancient Divine Words’… that orb Grandma has is a divine relic of this royal city, capable of covering nearly the entire city.”
“Divine relic…”
Here we go again.
I looked up at the golden-tinged barrier: “Like an eggshell?”
“…Please call it ‘Boswell’ properly.” Sophia shot me a disapproving glance. “Try not to use that term around the residents of the royal city. Some people get really offended and think it’s blasphemy.”
“Oh.”
But I can’t remember all these complex names…
“‘Boswell’ is what humans called the Ancient Deity in legends.” Sarah chimed in.
“Wrong and right.” Sophia cleared her throat. “Peilo, your understanding isn’t far off. According to the historical records, both ‘Ancient Divine Words’ and ‘Boswell’ are two great relics bestowed upon the Royal City by the deities hundreds of years ago—although the latter remains a mystery.”
“No one knows, huh…”
“For safety, it has to be kept secret. The church hides ‘Boswell’ so well that even the palace doesn’t seem to know about it. All anyone knows exists is that glowing barrier.”
“So it can be used even without the power of faith?”
“Should be. Her Majesty the Queen has used it too, and she doesn’t have the power of faith.”
I nodded.
“Oh.”
So it feels like divine relics are more akin to… how should I put it.
Just like those stories from my past life, where deities grant “cheat codes” to reincarnators—functional items given to humans? Each divine relic showcases varying abilities based on its traits, like shields, trumpets… Is that how it works?
Sort of, but it’s difficult to say.
Still too inexperienced; I need to check out the library at the academy sometime. They must have more good books than Shanter Castle… or maybe I should visit that woman on a rest day—
Gurgle.
！！！
I startled, my eyes darting around—looks like no one noticed.
…My stomach is kind of rumbling though.
I wonder what the cafeteria at the Royal Academy is like… I remember it’s free of charge; I just hope they don’t limit how much we can eat… They wouldn’t, would they?!
Hurry up and finish the ceremony already…
“…The deities have blessed the royal city for a thousand years, and the academy has existed for six hundred years. The number of legends that have emerged from here is countless, especially in the last hundred years with a surge of heroes. Sword Saint Ryan, Meteor Shower Magipanny, Blazing Lapria, Lily Chris, and… our Her Majesty the Queen.”
“They are already famous worldwide, and you might become just like them in the future… cough cough!”
Grandma took a deep breath.
“The heroes of this world wear pure gold medal of honor on their chests, don sunflower shield armor, drape pure white Iris cloaks over their shoulders, travel thousands of miles, and slay demons with a snap of their fingers—tell me! Will you be one of them?”
“YES—!!”
Among the thunderous chorus, Sarah’s voice was the loudest, ringing through the air.
