Entrance Ceremony

Morning arrived, painting the academy with a soft golden hue.

Students streamed out of their dormitories, their voices blending into a vibrant chorus of excitement and anticipation.

Today marked the entrance ceremony—the official start of their journey as students of the prestigious Astralis Academy.

Lucian walked briskly alongside Keal, taking in the sights.

The campus felt alive, buzzing with energy. In the distance loomed the ceremony venue: a colossal stadium with towering stands that could accommodate 8,000 spectators.

Its architecture was a testament to the academy's grandeur, its gleaming pillars and intricate carvings embodying the legacy of excellence the institution upheld.

The academy was not a small place. Every year, it admitted 7,000 freshers, handpicked from millions of hopefuls worldwide.

Over three years, the campus would house a staggering 21,000 students, each vying for greatness. This was where legends were born and futures decided.

'It's starting,' Lucian thought, his expression calm, though his mind raced with a whirlwind of thoughts.

Today wasn't just the start of his academy life—it was the beginning of the main plot.

Though the true story wouldn't begin until after the midterms, Lucian knew the importance of this initial period.

These months were meant for character development, foundation building, and quiet growth. A calm before the storm.

'I need to get stronger as much as I can before the midterms,' he reminded himself. 'Once that line is crossed, all hell will break loose.'

"Where do you think the girls are?" Keal asked, breaking Lucian's train of thought.

'How the hell would I know?' Lucian inwardly groaned but kept his response measured. "They're probably already at the stadium."

"Let's go then," Keal said, his steps quickening with excitement.

The two continued toward the stadium, joining the stream of freshers pouring in.

The atmosphere was electrifying, a mix of nervous energy and awe as students took in the sheer scale of the venue.

Lucian and Keal eventually found seats near the middle, giving them a clear view of the stage.

The ceremony began with the vice principal stepping up to the podium.

A man with sharp features and a commanding aura, he addressed the gathered students without preamble.

"Welcome to Zenith Academy," his voice boomed, reverberating through the stadium.

"Today, you begin a journey that will test your strength, resilience, and determination. You have been chosen from among millions because of your potential, your talent, and your drive. But this is only the beginning. Here, you will be forged into the leaders of tomorrow."

Lucian listened with mild interest, his focus unwavering despite the predictable tone of the speech. These formalities were always more about pomp than substance.

"And now," the vice principal continued, "it is my honor to introduce the representative of this year's freshers… Alex Solstic!"

Lucian's gaze locked onto the stage as the name echoed through the stadium.

'There he is… the protagonist,' he thought, his lips curling into a faint smile.

Alex Solstic. A name that carried weight. He was from the Solstic family, one of the 7 Great Families renowned for their mastery over light and shadow.

The Solstic's were a family of harmony, balancing the two opposing forces with unparalleled finesse.

But Alex was more than just his lineage. He had a system.

Lucian recalled the details: the system granted Alex quests and penalties, pushing him to evolve through trial and error.

Each completed quest earned him stat points, paving the way for his transformation.

By the middle stages of the story, Alex would become a dragon—a being of unmatched strength.

For now, though, Alex was far from that peak.

As Alex stepped onto the stage, the crowd fell silent, their eyes following his every move.

His posture was confident, his expression calm. But just as he ascended the stairs, his foot caught on the edge, and with an audible thud, Alex stumbled and fell onto the stage.

The silence broke, giving way to laughter and whispers.

"Is he really the first ranker?" someone sneered.

"I can't possibly accept him as our representative," another voice muttered.

"Is he for real?"

"Maybe he used his family's influence to get here."

Lucian remained stoic, watching the scene unfold with an unamused expression.

'They have no idea,' he thought, suppressing a smirk. Beneath the clumsy exterior, Alex was a storm waiting to be unleashed.

Alex pushed himself up, brushing off his uniform and flashing the crowd an awkward smile.

The laughter didn't seem to faze him. If anything, it fueled the charm of his speech.

"Good morning, everyone," Alex began, his voice steady despite the earlier blunder.

"First, I'd like to thank the academy for giving me this opportunity to represent the freshers. It's an honor to stand here today, surrounded by so much talent and potential."

His words carried sincerity, and the crowd gradually quieted, their initial impressions giving way to curiosity.

"I'm sure many of you are nervous about what lies ahead. Trust me, I am too," Alex admitted with a small laugh.

"But that's what makes this journey exciting. We're all here to grow, to challenge ourselves, and to become something greater. Let's make this year unforgettable—for ourselves and for each other."

The crowd's mood shifted as murmurs of approval replaced the earlier mockery. Alex's speech, though simple, struck a chord with many.

Lucian couldn't help but nod inwardly.

'Well played,' he thought. 'The protagonist has a knack for turning situations around.'

After Alex stepped off the stage, the vice principal returned to the podium.

"Thank you, Alex," he said, his voice calm and authoritative.

"Now, I'd like to remind all students that your rankings and dormitory assignments will be sent to your personal devices shortly after this ceremony. Your rankings are determined by your performance in the Ranking exam and will affect your standing in the academy."

The announcement sparked a wave of chatter among the students. Rankings and dormitories were crucial in the academy, determining everything from resources to potential alliances.

'This… this is only the beginning,' Lucian thought, leaning back in his seat.

The stage was set. The characters were falling into place. And Lucian was ready to seize every opportunity to grow stronger for the chaos that began after midterms.