<h4>Chapter 12: Entrance Ceremony</h4>


    "Phew, we made it," Louise eximed between haggard breaths, her chest heaving with exhaustion.


    Tristan, seemingly unfazed by the intense running we had just endured, replied


    "Luckily, the ceremony hasn''t started yet"


    I couldn''t help but think inwardly, "This damn overpowered protagonist," as I caught my breath alongside them.


    After a series of intense sprints throughbyrinthine alleyways, we finally reached Charlotte Hall, where the entrance ceremony was set to take ce.


    ''The system considers me as level 91 you know? How high are his stats for him, to run nonstop and not sweat at all''


    "Let''s hurry up and get inside," I said, trying to maintain a nonchnt demeanor despite the adrenaline still coursing through my veins.


    Louise looked at us, a hint of sadness in her eyes, and asked, "I guess this is goodbye for now?"


    "Well, I guess so," I replied firmly, though the words tasted bittersweet on my tongue.


    As we entered the grand hall, we noticed that each department had been designated its own section. Thebat department sat to the right, the magic department to the left, and so on, with the summoning department adjacent to the magic department, and finally, the alchemy department to the left of the summoning department.


    As we separated to find our respective seats, Tristan turned to us with a bright smile. "It was nice meeting you guys. Let''s see each other soon."


    "Yeah, let''s see each otherter," both Louise and I chimed in simultaneously.


    We had altered Tristan''s words, changing "soon" to ter," and it brought a genuine smile to his face, knowing that we had formed a special bond in our short time together.


    As I bid my farewells to both Louise and Tristan, I scanned the grand hall and realized that nearly every seat was already upied, except for one lone, empty chair conspicuously positioned at the very front of the Alchemy department''s designated area.


    Without hesitation, I made my way over to it and took a seat.


    Above the chair, a shimmering magic text read, "Adrian Vulter Tellus," confirming that each seat was indeed designated for a specific individual.


    It seemed that the arrangement was meticulously nned, a fact that hadn''t been mentioned in the novels I''d read.


    As I settled into my spot, I couldn''t help but notice the girl seated to my right. Her gaze was fixed squarely on me, and she was tantly scanning me from head to toe.


    Her actions caught me off guard, and I couldn''t help but ask.


    "Uhm, is there any problem?"


    She responded with a thoughtful "hmm" before saying, "So, you''re the one supposed to sit there, huh?"


    "Yes, is there any problem?" I inquired, growing curious about what had prompted her peculiar scrutiny.


    She leaned in slightly and exined.


    "The front seats are typically reserved for the top 5 students of each department, with the very front seat closest to the stage being reserved for the top-ranked student."


    I nodded in understanding, realizing that I was now upying the prestigious front seat of the Alchemy department.


    "That means you''re ranked first for our department," she concluded, her expression a mix of curiosity and subtle annoyance.


    I shrugged nonchntly, not fullyprehending her vexation.


    "Well, I guess so," I replied casually, though my response seemed to only fuel her irritation.


    Her annoyance became more evident as her features contorted. Inside my head, I couldn''t help but wonder.


    ''What''s wrong with her? Why is she suddenly so upset?''


    Putting aside her strange reaction, I decided to introduce myself.


    "I''m Adrian Vulter Tellus, nice to meet you," I said, offering my hand for a handshake.


    She replied with a smile, but as she shook my hand, her grip was surprisingly firm, almost to the point of difort.


    "I''m Euphemia Dunhaven, nice to meet you too," she responded, her smile belying the tension in her grip.


    "Wait, Euphemia?" I thought inwardly, feeling a cold sweat trickle down my back as I locked eyes with the person whose knowledge I had stolen.


    ''Well, it was her future self that I stole that knowledge from so I didn''t technically steal from her yet right?'' I thought trying to console myself.


    Her question came as no surprise, though it carried a hint of anger and intense curiosity.


    "If you don''t mind me asking, from one alchemist to another," she inquired.


    "What type of potion did you present to secure the top rank?" Her voice betrayed a burning desire to know who had surpassed her, and I couldn''t me her.


    My nerves got the better of me, and I let out a nervousugh, attempting to downy the significance of the moment.


    "Haha, Alchemic rules," I replied cryptically, desperately trying to divert her attention away from the specifics. It was the only reason I coulde up with at the moment.


    once again ''Thank you Alchemic rules''


    Euphemia scrutinized me, her brows furrowing slightly as she assessed my response.


    "Is that so?" she said, her tone carrying a hint of skepticism.


    It was clear that she wasn''t entirely convinced, but she decided to turn away, attempting to ignore my presence.


    ''Haha'' I couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly at her apparent attempt to dismiss me, despite the fact that I was seated right next to her.


    Deep down, I had a nagging feeling that this encounter was only the beginning of what promised to be an annoying and persistent interaction.


    Euphemia Dunhaven wasn''t the type to give up easily, and I knew that our paths would cross again, and next time, I''d have toe up with a far more convincing exnation for my remarkable achievement in alchemy.


    ...


    The anticipation in the air was palpable as the grand hall filled with the lively chatter of students and the hushed whispers of faculty members.


    Sounds and music echoed through the vast space, indicating that the long-awaited ceremony was about tomence.


    The orchestra, positioned strategically in a corner of the hall, began tuning their instruments, the soothing hum of strings and the melodic trill of flutes melding together to create a harmonious prelude to the event.


    As the lights dimmed, the magical glow of enchanted orbs suspended above the stage illuminated the room, casting an ethereal aura that heightened the sense of anticipation.


    The collective hush of the audience signaled that the ceremony was about to begin in earnest.


    Thebination of sounds and music created a mesmerizing ambiance, setting the stage for the start of a new chapter in their lives at the academy.


    "Rumble, rumble," the ominous sounds of thunder echoed through the air, creating an electrifying tension in the audience.


    Suddenly, "Boom!" apanied by a blinding sh, a lightning strike struck the stage with breathtaking precision. The dazzling disy of nature''s power left the spectators momentarily awestruck.


    As the reverberations of thunder subsided and the dissipating smoke cleared, the figure of the principal emerged dramatically.


    She stepped forward, her silhouette imposing against the backdrop of the illuminated stage.


    With an air of theatricality befitting a character from the pages of a novel, the principal raised her voice to address the assembled students.


    "Wee, new students of Estelle Academy!" Her words rang out with authority and charisma, and she seemed to have emerged from the very heart of the thunderstrike itself.


    "As you step through the doors of this institution," Principal Victoria continued, her weing speech resonating with a mixture of warmth and determination.


    "I encourage you to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."


    Her gaze swept across the assembly of fresh-faced students, each with their own dreams and aspirations.


    The atmosphere in the grand hall was electric with anticipation, and every eye was fixed on the principal as she spoke.


    "I want you to know that you have chosen a path that is filled with endless possibilities," she continued, her voice unwavering.


    However, her next words took a surprising turn, injecting an element of uncertainty into the room.


    "Trust me, most of you here won''t graduate to the path that you''ve thought of," she dered bluntly. The abruptness of her statement left the students and even some staff members puzzled.


    Vice Principal Edward, in particr, looked visibly shaken by the principal''s words.


    "Fate is like a bitch," Principal Victoria remarked with an air of indifference, her words hanging in the air like a challenge.


    The students exchanged bewildered nces, unsure of how to interpret her enigmatic statement. It was a moment that left many in the audience feeling uneasy.


    "And the only way to fight a bitch, Is to be bitches yourselves."


    As she spoke, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense.


    The principal released some of her mana, exerting a subtle pressure on the students, a tangible reminder of her authority.


    "Learn to adapt, learn to survive, and above all, be strong," she emphasized. Her words carried the weight of experience, hinting at the rigorous journey ahead.


    "At Estelle Academy, there is no right and wrong for your talents, only results," she proimed, her unwavering gaze locking onto the young faces before her. It was a stark reminder that in this prestigious institution, excellence was the only standard.


    "Dream big, work hard, and never underestimate your potential," Principal Victoria continued, her tone shifting to one of encouragement.


    "Each one of you has a unique gift to offer, and we are excited to guide and witness your growth and achievements."


    A palpable tension hung in the air as the students absorbed her words.


    The principal concluded her speech with an unsettling grin that sent shivers down the spines of the ordinary students.


    It was a speech that left asting impression, a stark reminder that Estelle Academy was a ce of both extraordinary opportunity and unforgiving challenge, and that their journey here would be like no other.