Chapter 96- Entrance Ceremony (Part 2)
Then, the light was focused on the main stage. Everyone went silent out of respect and also anticipation for what was going to happen. They were really eager to see who was going to give a speech.
Normally, it was only the floor supervisor, which is a position occupied by Emilia, who gives a speech to open the new academic year. But, out of exception for this year, there was also another person that will speak too.
"I heard the one that will give a speech apart from Mrs. Clearsky is from a higher floor."
"Wait, really?! That would be amazing!"
"Yeah, I even heard that it's a top 100 student. Imagine that!"
"No way! The top 100 students are legends. There is no way they will come down to the lowest floor."
"Yeah, it's not possible!"
Such whispers could be heard everywhere as students gossiped about rumors left and right. Rin simply shook his head at their funny thoughts. He already knew who this person was so that made their rumors even funnier.
"Can you see clearly, your highness?"
'And then we have this moron.' Rin looked from the side at Phillipe. He was completely turned in his chair facing Elise and speaking with her while she fully ignored him. But, not even that clear indication of disinterest stopped him from continuing to speak to her.
His eyes had a passionate glint in them that was fully focused on Elise and only Elise. It was as if she was the only thing that existed in his world. That idea alone made it even weird for Rin.
'He's clearly not gonna stop anytime soon. Was he this deep in love with Elise before?'
Rin knows that in the original story, Phillipe was indeed in love with Elise but she refused him at the start and he slowly but surely fell out of love. But, looking at him now, he didn't seem like someone who was going to give up any time soon.
"Rin?"
Suddenly, Elise called for him and made him wake up from his thoughts. Looking at her, she was very calm and composed even though Phillipe was staring daggers at her back.
"Mmm?"
Then, without saying anything, she pointed at the stage. There, Rin could see Emilia standing in the middle as she eyed the whole audience around her with a composed expression. However, for some reason, her eyes stayed longer than expected on Rin.
'Oh shit! She's angry!' Rin paled when he saw that all-too-familiar expression of hers. In the past, he got to know Emilia more and he got to understand some of her personality to an extent and that face was something he can't miss. It was the look of 'So you ignore me, huh? You will regret that.'.
"She seems to be angry. Did you do something?" Elise asked.
"Beat me. I am in deep trouble." He replied as he scratched his cheek.
'He also knows Mrs. Clearsky. How did he get to know her this quickly?! How dare he do that!! He must've done the same thing to her. I must not allow him to do anything else to them. I will save both of them from the clutches of an evil being.'
"Well deserved, you criminal bastard!" Phillipe said with a snicker.
"Criminal?"
"Anyone who tries to hypnotize and manipulate her highness is a criminal that needs grave punishment!"
Rin couldn't even bother to say anything anymore. He just focused on the speech since it already started.
"First of all, I would like to welcome you again to Divine Sapphire Magic Academy. It's a great honor for anyone to be able to enroll in this prestigious haven. You all have succeeded in the first step in your long path. You can all consider yourself greatly talented individuals with a bright future ahead of you. But…" Her words greatly moved the masses before she added the last word and then made them forget all of those compliments.
"If I have to be frank, you are all a bunch of weaklings. A bunch of useless, powerless, spoiled brats that could never do anything remarkable in your lives. I don't even need a pre-prepared speech to say all of this."
Her cold words were like an ice bucket spilled over their heads and completely cooling them off.
"Most of you probably think that since you were accepted here then you are already a great figure. That you are above and beyond other people your age. It's a good feeling, isn't it? That sense of power, it's intoxicating. However, for those of you who are drowned in that nonsense, wake up. You are nothing but a small insect in front of others."
'That's one hell of an original speech. I never expected her to go that route with the speech. But, somehow, it's expected.' Rin was slightly amused and also impressed at Emilia's great speech.
"This world is dangerous and cruel. Way crueler than you could think. Being talented is simply not enough. Every one of you here, how many of you want to make your families and loved ones proud? How many of you want to be great? To be special? To get recognized and acknowledged everywhere?"
Those exact words hit most of the students in a special place in their hearts. They all wanted to be great, they all wanted to feel special and they all wanted to live a life they will remember. That feeling of recognition was worth more than any wealth of luxury. It was what engraves some people's names in the pages of history and bury others in the void of irrelevancy, never to be talked about until the end of time.
"For those that understood what I meant, I have good news for you. You took a perfect first step toward the right path. You are now striding toward your dreams. It's all going perfectly. All that is left is for you to continue down that path."
"Keep your head straight and look at your goal and nothing else. No arrogant person had ever reached glory. Engrave that into your minds. It's time for you to actually live up to your own expectations."
Taking a deep breath, Emilia finally closed her eyes for a second and opened them again.
"With that, I shall end my speech. I hope all of you will have a fruitful and great year."
The moment Emilia ended her sentence, a deep silence took over the whole hall. No one uttered a single word for a good 5 seconds as if they were struck by lightning and couldn't move at all. Then…
*Clap* *Clap*
A few claps echoed in the room and just like a chain reaction, claps and cheers erupted loudly everywhere. Students even stood up and clapped as hard as they could. Somewhere were even moved to tears because of her speech.
Frankly, most of them expected a boring and long speech about how great this academy is, how the professors are great and how this will place will change their lives. But, they instead got a great speech that moved their hearts and ignited their hidden feelings.
Rin also started clapping softly with a small smile on his face. This was indeed the way Emilia did her speech in the original story.
'And then certain someone will be star struck by the spee-' As he turned around to look at Phillipe expecting him to be eyeing Emilia silently. Instead, his eyes were still fixated on Elise, never moving an inch.
Elise wasn't aware of it since she was focused on Emilia. But, Rin saw it clearly. Phillipe hasn't averted his eyes from Elise the whole time. That same passionate expression somehow intensified. A chill ran down Rin's spine for some odd reason.
'What the hell is wrong with him?' He asked himself with a shocked expression.
Maybe Phillipe wasn't aware that he was looking directly at him, but Rin wasn't keen on that gaze. It wasn't a mere 'like' or 'crush' type of gaze but something far deeper and far more rooted in his heart.
'He isn't normal at all. There is definitely something wrong with the main character.'
Rin was at loss for what to do. Was the protagonist affected by the current change of events? Did he somehow fall deeper in love with Elise than they both anticipated? Is he hiding something they didn't know about?
All kinds of thoughts ran through his mind like a raging bull wreaking havoc in his head. One thing for granted though, Rin did not like how things were going… Not one single bit.
Looking at the oblivious Elise, he contemplated his choices. Should he tell her? But, what if that makes things worse? Elise won't allow a person no matter who it is to try and get awfully close to her and try to invade her life.
'Maybe I can deal with him myself? No! What am I even thinking? I must tell Elise. She has the right to know. But, what if I was just imagining things and I could end up being wrong and that will mess things up even more than they already are? Fuck! This is so stupid. I have to tell her.'
Fighting with himself, Rin decided on what to do after much contemplation.
"And now, for the special guest to end the ceremony…"
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