chapter 913: marshall academy ( 2 )

    ?

    the four arcane assembly hall was located near the central part of the marshall academy. it had an incredible interior that showed how the academy spent a lot of money to build it.

    its domed ceiling wasn''t just an empty, boring view. it was actually embedded with starlight runes that seemed to attract everyone''s attention as it cast a soft, silvery glow on the rows of first-year students below.

    students from all four branches-dark arts, mystic arts, psychic arts, and elemental arts- were seated in designated sections. since the ceremony hadn''t started yet, the hall was filled with everyone''s chatter.

    they were mostly discussing the class sections they hoped to enter and the professors they wanted to teach them.

    armin sat among the dark arts enrollees, feeling excited and curious about the result of his test. he felt that his actions at that time weren''t enough to allow him to enter class 1, but he would really be happy if he somehow managed to get into class 2.

    thud...

    suddenly, the hall quieted as everyone felt the faint aura of a powerful arcanist. it signaled the arrival of someone important. the massive double doors at the far end of the hall opened, and all eyes turned as a figure walked confidently toward the podium.

    needless to say, the one and only headmaster of marshall academy had arrived.

    "ah~ is that the headmaster?"

    "whoaaa- she looks amazing."

    "so young..."

    "so the rumors were actually true."

    instead of the wizened elder many had envisioned, a strikingly young and elegant woman ascended the stage.

    her blue hair fell straight past her shoulders, and her azure eyes seemed to see through every soul in the room.

    she was also dressed in an arcanist robe of deep indigo. it was embroidered with intricate silver patterns of the academy, and aside from that, she exuded an aura that was quite similar to a normal person. it was really strange that was why the hall fell into stunned silence.

    "thank you, headmaster constance," professor morgaine softly said.

    "welcome, students. i will now begin the announcements. as the headmaster mentioned, your class placement reflects your starting point. remember, your class today does not define your future. growth and improvement are always possible."

    she unfurled a scroll, its parchment gleamed faintly as everyone waited for her next words. "class one," she said...

    "the following students have demonstrated exceptional potential and will join our elite cohort."

    professor morgaine began reading the names, and each announcement drew gasps or murmurs of approval from the crowd.

    several familiar figures from the dormitory hallway were called, including celeste vayne, the paranormal investigator''s daughter, and marcus drayen from rune arts'' family...

    armin listened intently while his heart pounded in his chest as the names continued...

    armin''s name had yet to be called, and his palms were beginning to sweat. was this a good sign or a bad one?

    there seemed to be 30 students who would be in class 1, and there were three names left... "aiden stormshard, mira emberlane, and armin."

    armin was shocked as soon as he heard his name. he was even unsure whether he heard it right but as soon as he heard myla''s soft voice from behind, he knew that he had really done it.

    anyway, the announcement continued.

    "class two," morgaine called, shifting to the next group. "these students have shown commendable abilities and will receive specialized guidance to help them reach their

    potential."

    the pattern continued as she listed the names for class three, four, and beyond.

    even after the announcement was over, armin still couldn''t believe it... only when they were ushered to his room together with the other class 1 students did he realize what had

    happened.