So, I headed to the entrance ceremony.
Even at a school like this, there exists an entrance ceremony.
The new students this year are gathered in a cold schoolyard.
Of course there is no orderly file.
Some students appear to be listening to the Principal's speech intently, while others appear rather uninterested.
There are also those gathered who are acquaintances and they are chatting away.
If this was a Japanese school, this would be the place where the guidance councelor would shout at us.
The principal gives a speech on a platform constructed of the ever-present brick material to the many different types of people who are standing before him.
[Ladies and Gentlemen, for the longest time, the ones called "Magician" have been looked down upon by the ones called "Swordsman."
Indeed, that fencing art that the Sword God created might reign supreme.
However! Magic is also a form of supremacy!
After all, in the end, fencing is just a murderer's tool.
However, magic is different, there is a future for those who practice magic!
When we stand together united and exchange and build upon our current chanting methods, we can regain our once lost magic system and bring about a new evolution of . . . ]
Elinalise and I just stood there quietly.
No matter what world you are in, the principal's speech is long.
However, no one here who is listening to his speech seems tired.
I guess perhaps the motivation to use magic is overflowing?
No, it's different.
It's because everyone seems to be interested in watching the principal desperately trying to pin his wig down before it takes flight off of his head!
Elinalise is looking about the surrounding area, examining all the men closely.
She seems to be having trouble choosing one at the moment.
[ . . . That is all. Gentlemen and Ladies, may your path of magic be straight and true!]
Finally the Principal wrapped it up in words like some protector of freedom and justice.
There is no school song sung in unison.
This is likely because there is no school song to begin with.
A national anthem exists, but I can't sing it.
[Continuing on, we will now hear some words from our Student Council President to the new students.]
With the words of Vice Principal Jinas, a mix of three boys and girls climbed up to the stage.
The girl in the lead has beautiful blonde hair.
Her long silky hair has been put into a braid.
Her uniform is the same as ours, though much newer, and she oozes dignity and grace from the way she carries herself as she walks across the stage.
Compared to that one, the Ojou-sama next to me is a fake.
But then, Elinalise's standing behavior says with an act "Not enough opportunities..."
[Oh, isn't that the young child Rudeus made cry the other day?]
She said this when looking at one of the two people who were trailing behind.
The person with the White hair and wearing sunglasses.
It was Fitts.
While moving across the stage, he is vigilantly surveying the area.
The other boy is one I don't know yet.
I guess he would be a bit older than me.
Fussy brown hair in a combed back style and a sword is visibly worn on the waist.
He does not seem to be a magician.
The way he moves makes me think he is likely a swordsman.
Above all though, he is an ikemen[3].
According to my investigation, of the countries of central continent, from the faces I've imagined ikemen to have, it seems that the ones who possess a "strong-man" expression are the most popular.
To put it simply, those with a Paul-like face are popular.
Actually that guy looks similar to Paul.
Incidentally, it turns out I'm not bad looking either, but apparently the way I laugh causes people to be disgusted.
Only Elinalise has praised my fantastically masculine smile.
When they went to the top of the stage, the young students present began to chat noisily.
[Hey, isn’t that Ariel-sama...?]
[Then isn't that one 『Silent Fitts』?]
[Kyaa~, It's Luke-sama!]
It seems they are somehow famous.
The schoolgirls all raise their squealing voices.
Perhaps that Paul-like man might be this 『Luke』?
Girls send their support with [Kyaa~ Kyaa~], and he returns it with a wave of his hand.
He's really popular.
Tch, I don't like this Mannequin-like guy with an AV[4] actor's name.
[Ara, that's a fine man.]
It seems he is suitable to Elinalise's discerning tastes.
[Quiet down! Ariel-sama will be speaking now!]
On Luke's (likely) order, the noise in the surrounding area momentarily quiets down.
He's incredible for not needing to use a megaphone.
Choosing the moment when it's quiet enough, the girl from before comes out.
[I am Ariel Anemoi Asura. The Second Princess of the Asura Kingdom, and in charge of the Magic Academy's Student Council!]
Her commanding voice penetrated to the core.
Attacking the earlobes, and shaking the brain.
Can I call it charisma?
This is not just a penetrating voice.
Just hearing it brings about the feeling of a good mood.
[You have come here together from places all over the world. And there are those of us with big differences in our common sense. But, here at the Magic Academy, the way we protect it is different than your hometown.]
The contents of what she speaks are basically just school regulations.
Things like even if things are done too differently, please respect what is considered a rule here.
However the way in which it was said was profoundly sunk into the heart.
That's right, the rules should be followed.
Even though I was formerly Japanese, it doesn't seem that this is why I care.
I seemed to care because I honestly believed in her words.
[ . . . Now then, please lead a good student life.]
Once Ariel's speech had ended, she got off of the stage.
At that time, suddenly Fitts's glance caught me.
Even though he was wearing sunglasses, I was convinced he was looking at me.
His gaze was strong.
This might be bad, I should hurry and go buy a box of cakes already...