Sword, Magic and Academic Society

"This concludes today's classes. Starting tomorrow, you'll have your two months of spring holiday. In this one year, your batch has reached a height never before seen in the history of the Royal Academy. 

I hope you continue to believe in yourself. In the end, it had been your lofty goals, determination, and hard work that brought you to your current heights. So much so that aspirants hoping to undertake the entrance exams would be appraised from a renewed perspective. It's going to be a tough journey for them, hahaha.

Every aspirant would want to learn under the same roof as you. When your vacation ends, you’ll be their seniors. I expect you to be great examples for the younger students… Alright, it's time to see off the third-years on their new journey."

Godorfun announced the end of the first year's last class for the term, and we exited the chalk-white building. 

Today was the so-called graduation ceremony as it was called in my previous world, or «Inception Ceremony» as they called it in this world. In their words, the ceremony wasn't to commemorate them finishing their academic life, but it was a day when they departed for a new world, a metaphor for working society.

We went to the spectator seats of Arena No. 1 of the Academy. After waiting for a moment, today's stars made their gallant entry.

The Royal Academy was typically strict on who could or couldn't enter the premises. However, limited only for today, people who were related to the graduates like parents, siblings or guardians — in short, the students’ loved ones — were permitted to attend the ceremony.

Additionally, various dignitaries and notable figures from different sectors were also invited. 

The graduates were met with a round of heartfelt applause from these people.

The chairwoman of the Royal Academy, Miharu Shutrene, delivered a congratulatory speech. Afterward, each graduate was handed a matching black gown, embroidered with the Yuglia Kingdom's flag and their graduation year, as a symbol of their graduation from the Royal Academy.

This gown, which signified their graduation from the Royal Academy, was considered so prestigious that even ordinary nobles would frame it and hang it in their entrance halls. Or well, that was how Fey explained it to me of her own accord.

"They're all beaming."

I muttered to myself as I watched the seniors’ proud faces while ignoring Fey. Many of them were seniors I knew through club activities.

"Well then, the top performer, the «Rock of permanence», who shall represent his fellow students is—— Rondy von Margot."

After Chairwoman Miharu made this announcement with dramatic flair, the hall erupted in applause.

"Rock of Permanence?"

I was puzzled at the unknown words. 'Pfft,' Fey, who heard me, broke into laughter, while Bester — who was sitting across from me — had an expression of disbelief.

"Y-You must be joking, right, Allen?... How could you not know this?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Well, I really don't know. In fact, this is my first time hearing of it."

I nodded while kicking Fey's feet. Bester then took the trouble to explain it to me.  

"Rock of permanence, Daybreak Moon, and Seeker Flower— all three are special titles conferred to the top achievers of the Knight course, the Mage course, and the Civil course respectively. Though the origin was said to come from a custom popularized by the common people, at some point, the Royal Academy began to use these titles as well.

It is the greatest, super-duper glorious title conferred only to the top performers of their respective courses, you know?! These titles are the objects of pursuit for everyone the instant they enter the Academy— scratch that, everyone just dreams of getting these titles for themselves even before joining the Academy!"

"Mm-mmm..."

This was one quite a... chic custom, I guess? 

Moreover, it appeared that those who earned these titles were also conferred with some sort of special tie. In Rondy-san's case, he had a silver cloth draped around his neck, which contrasted beautifully with his pitch-black gown. 

I had known him since the Hill Road Club, and he was also the representative of the third years in the Rising Star Cup. I assumed that his results must have been stellar to be able to step on that stage.

"Ah, your reaction is just Mm-mmm......?"

Bester remarked with an astonished expression. Meanwhile, Chairwoman Miharu continued with the announcement. 

"Now to our «Seeker Flower». It's—— Riyad Gufus. It has been eighty years since a student of Class B has earned the title, a testament to his steady efforts and unmatchable will."

The audience broke into murmurs when they heard Miharu-san's statement. 

I promptly got on my feet and offered my Senpai my sincerest applause as I clapped as hard as I could.

"Spectacular, Senpai! I knew all along you could do it! There’s just no way anyone is more worthy of the «Seeker Flower» title than you!!!"

By the way, I wasn't lying! 

In the two-second gap between Bester's explanation to Chairwoman's preamble before she announced the name of the «Seeker Flower» titleholder, I had promptly guessed that the only person fitting of that title would be Riyad-senpai!

Bewildered by my sudden shout, Senpai turned around to check and made a wry smile when he saw me. He then turned back to face the chairwoman and raised his right hand in a reserved gesture.

The audience erupted into enthusiastic applause at this gesture.

My classmates, the Class 1-A students, were all petrified, astounded at my sudden flip from not even knowing the 'S' of Seeker Flower to 'I knew it.' Only when they heard the buzz did they come back to their senses and follow the suit.

"Now, last but not least, «Daybreak Moon». At the same time, she's also the Imperial—— Purim Testy!"

In the end, it was the turn of the top performer of the mage course. 

Purim-senpai had been a member of the Emission Magic Research Club. Even when the club gained its notorious fame of being the 'Skirt Flipping Club', and seniors left in succession, she would be the one to throw a huff like 'Can you be more serious, Advisor, please!' But she never gave up, and helped push the club forward.

My word, she was such a stickler for proper etiquette. I even forgot how many times I told her, "You’re a senior, so you don’t need to use formal language with me," but never did she budge. When we finally returned from the Transport Mission, she appeared and then threw another fit, saying "Why didn't you tell me earlier?! Gosh, I must be such a clown now in everyone's eyes, after all my tantrums!"

"......Imperial what?"

I tilted my head once more at the mysterious term that came up.

"...It basically refers to the top scorer of the combined courses results. In short, Imperial is the title for whoever earned the highest additive score of the combined three courses in the third year!"

"Oh? Frankly, that sounds intriguing."

Listening to Bester's explanation, I sincerely applauded Purim-senpai. However, Bester looked crestfallen for some odd reason.

◆◆◆

After the top students were announced and everyone applauded the graduating third-years for the last time, Miharu-san continued with the ceremony.

"Now, let me introduce this year’s guest speaker."

A guest speaker was someone invited from outside the school to give a speech during the "Inception Ceremony."

The background of guest speakers often included high-ranking military officers or government officials from the kingdom, though it’s more common for prominent figures from the arts, or the heads of major commercial guilds, musicians, or painters, to be chosen.

As much as the Royal Academy was open for everyone, given that they'd passed the exam, the number of students from affluent families were often on the higher side due to various factors like finances or quality of tutors. Obviously, this meant that they had little to no information about the real world, so students appreciated being exposed to values that differed from their own.

Okay, great. But the question now was how did I — who hadn't even known about the titles of the top performers until a moment ago — suddenly become an information master, right? Well, to be blunt, the guest speaker happened to be someone I knew very well. Rather, I had been at the place where the deal was made.

"This year's guest is that hidden dragon who had been quietly living in the depths of the Dragoon region, and the beholder of ever encompassing thoughts. Please welcome—"

...If you haven't guessed it yet with that introduction, just like the audience, then the answer was— Schord.