Days had passed since Alex's conversation with Kai. During his time at the academy, he had neither sought nor received help from anyone. As he wandered alone through the corridors and rooms, he encountered astonishing details at every step. The depths of the Kaizen system, woven through years of effort, seemed to shout that they were part of a flawless order.
When he stepped into the Elites' resting area in the early hours of the morning, he noticed people flowing toward the main square. Curious, he quickened his pace and joined the crowd, blending in with the students. As he reached the General Square via the Arter, he listened closely to the murmurs of the people passing by; most were speaking with a weary expression about the opening speeches.
The traditional opening speech of the Ascension Academy was, as every year, awaited with great excitement. In the common area located at the center of all the academy's factions, an ornate podium had been set up. The moonlight, shining silver, illuminated the stage magnificently, casting a mesmerizing aura over the atmosphere. Around the podium, symbols representing each faction floated gracefully, dancing in the air. It was the first time Alex had ever seen the academy so crowded. A buzzing murmur spread across the crowd, but when Headmaster Kai stepped up to the podium, everyone instantly fell silent.
Kai was wearing a royal robe enriched with shades of black. The long, dark cape cascading from his shoulders further enhanced his majesty. The sharp glint in his eyes radiated outward like a wave of energy the moment he stood on the podium.
"Newcomers, welcome to the opening of Ascension Academy. In fact, we might as well say there were no new admissions this year since no one passed from the first classes. So, saying welcome once again would be more accurate," Kai said with a slight smile. His words carried the familiar irony that had become an annual tradition. However, there was an underlying restlessness among the students; some faces showed disappointment, others, anger.
Alex overheard the murmurs around him.
"I hate this school. So few people graduate that there's barely any new student intake."
"It's all because of that man's stupid exams. Damn you, Kai!"
"Isn't he tired of using the same sentences every year?"
"Here he goes again. 'The best learner is the slowest learner,' kids..."
"This is certainly unfortunate, but don't be disheartened. After all, they say the best learner is the slowest learner." Then, with an elegant gesture, he tapped the podium. "Now, meet your new teacher, who will be presenting the academy to you this year — Professor Logan, the former headmaster of Celestium Academy."
As Kai's last words echoed in the air, his body seemed to dissolve into a liquid form and drift away with the Arter. Soon after, when Logan stepped onto the stage, his presence was strikingly majestic. Everyone who saw him immediately thought of one name: Zeus. Logan's stark white hair and thick, long beard gave him an almost divine appearance. Yet, he paid no attention to the gazes directed at him, not sparing even a glance at the students before beginning to speak. His low but resonant voice echoed from the stage, filling the entire square. Logan's presence exuded an aura that was both captivating and intimidating.
"Every stone, every test in this school exists not to take something from you, but to give you something," Logan began. "The exams are small rehearsals of real life. Every failure reveals just how merciless reality can be." His words were heavy and harsh, but the wisdom behind them was immediately felt. The students listened in absolute silence.
Without altering his firm stance at the podium, Logan confidently continued. "I come from another academy," he said, in a cold and distant tone. "I am the best at what I do, but that does not mean your exams will be easy. As you all know, your headmaster has practically withdrawn from all responsibilities. Furthermore, the fact that your school hasn't produced a single graduate in recent years is another mark of negligence. This year, you are in for a tough journey. I hope you are ready for your comfort zones to be shattered."
Toward the end of his sentence, his voice took on a mocking tone and lowered slightly. As if speaking only to himself, he added almost in a whisper:
"Especially for one of you..."
Without breaking the silence, he slowly raised his hand, and the faction symbols rotating around the podium began to disappear one by one. In their place, new and more complex emblems appeared. These new symbols aligned carefully, from bottom to top. Pointing to the emblems, Logan continued:
"Now, let's talk about the rules," he said, his voice still carrying sharp authority. "Each faction has three ranks. These symbols represent, from bottom to top, the ranks of Novice, Journeyman, and Ace. If you successfully pass these three ranks, you will ascend to the Master rank and be among the few masters of Kaizen."
Logan paused, his eyes sweeping across the students. A faint, mocking smile settled on his lips.
"Of course," he added with a grim sarcasm, "if things continue as they have been, I doubt anyone outside of the Enders will live long enough to reach it."
Whispers began to rise among the students. Despite Logan's seriousness and challenging tone, a few students couldn't resist making mocking comments among themselves.
"Where does he find these weird guys?"
"You wish, fake Zeus. This year I'm definitely leveling up, kids!" said a student confidently, prompting light chuckles from his friends.
Another, pointing at Logan's white beard, said, "Hey, then I can grow a beard like this guy too."
"Your chances of growing a beard are about the same as leveling up," another joked.
"But you're baby-faced... Oh, that's just cruel."
"Another matter," said Logan coldly. "Each year, an inter-faction tournament is held. The winning team of the tournament will have an advantage in rank promotion. The winners of the last tournament, the Elites, have earned the privilege of hosting this year's tournament."
His words echoed among the Elites' class, met with proud applause.
Logan finished his speech shortly and clearly:
"That's all I had to say. I hope you understood, because I won't be repeating it."
For the first time, he began scanning the students from one end to the other with his eyes. But when his gaze landed on Alex, he paused for a moment. A brief but intense moment passed between them, like a flash of lightning, and Logan suddenly disappeared.
At that moment, some movement from the Arter caught everyone's attention as Kai returned, breaking the silence. With his usual mischievous gleam in his eyes, he smiled, noticing the curiosity among the students.
"Such a ruthless man, isn't he?" said Kai, chuckling lightly as he added, "I know the question running through your minds. Yes, he is Zeus!"
Once again, murmurs of mockery rose among the students.
"Told you, guys," said a student confidently. "I could tell just by looking into his eyes. They're just like my dad's."
"Does your dad also control electricity?" another chimed in quickly.
"Only when paying the electric bill," the first replied.
"To conclude my speech, I'll announce the faction leaders. The teacher of the Elites will once again be Kaizen Master Doctor Albert. The Enders' representative will be Professor Logan. As for the Elites and Elementalists, your ever-perfect headmaster will continue to lead... and after that— Hey! I spilled coffee over my speech notes! Ah, sorry kids, no notes, no speech! Arter Ridanyum!"
In reality, raising his hand alone would have sufficed, but everyone knew he loved saying flashy phrases like that.
Kai's final words dispersed everyone onto the Arter pathways running above the academy. Thus, the opening ceremony ended, and Ascension Academy stepped into a new year. The students, filled with excitement and expectation, began to ponder the challenges and opportunities the new academic year would bring.