The attention of all the peoples attending the banquet all turned at the man on a podium.

He wore a black suit adorned with silver embroidery, a crest hung on his chest—the crest of his own bloodline. A tried mustache on his face as he looked at them, Umbothered by the several dividing factions that have attended.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this banquet is held so the cadets who have shone the most within the trial will be properly rewarded. Some of you might be confused as to why there’s outsiders here, let me be direct with you all cadets."

"This banquet will also be the chance for you cadets to be scouted by guilds, towers and the knight order themselves."

"Now, I will begin announcing the names of those who passed the trial, and for those who not—you are immediately expelled." The man held up a yellow parchment.

"The academy sure is harsh."

"That’s the best process of finding out who’s capable."

"This is the Lunaire Academy, what do you expect?" The outsider continued their chatter while the cadets stood there.

Nerves tense, posture stiff— even the noble children’s looked nervous.

Zeres stared at the man standing on the podium.

Revenant-rank gifted.

’Fuck’ he cursed inwardly, the scent of blood and the vivid sound of hearbeats was making him feel dizzy.

He grimaced, then he staggered back on the wall.

"Is it that bad? " professor Elyssa asked.

"Not something you’ll be worried about." Zeres shook his head, though his senses felt extremely heightened today.

’I should’ve just been a human for fuck’s sake.’

All of a sudden, the place was filled with silence, though for Zeres, he could still hear the vivid sound of their heart beats.

"Now, let’s move to the one with the most outstanding performance among all of the freshmans."

"Cadet Haslien, come forward." The man standing on the podium announced, his voice carrying across the banquet hall that had turned silent—or should he call it calculation?

Haslien stood up from the table where paladins and bishop sat at.

She crossed the hall confidently, her expression calm, gaze focused on the way to the podium.

’She’s nervous’ Zeres thought.

Her heart beat wasn’t normal, it was too fast for it to be calm.

’Still, looking at them like this—I truly felt like they’re young ones.’ He leaned back, arms crossed, one ankle curled just to balance him against the wall.

"I’m really proud you’re all my students." Professor Elyssa mumbled beside him, a soft smile casted over her delicate features.

"Certainly, you can be proud of that." Zeres nodded.

"Cadet Haslien, ranked sixth on the trial. I here by bestow you the reward: a plaque to access on the second floor of the library." The man removed the velvet cloth resting on a table. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"And a chance to choose any of the professor to become your mentor."

"Whoa! " the crowd erupted.

Being able to choose a mentor means if the other party agrees, you’ll have a leverage within the academy, not just with private training—but also higher chances of being scouted into prestigious factions.

"The academy’s so generous."

"Just how strong is the class-A anyways? "

"Idiot, if we’re all on the initiate to occultist—they’re already on arcanist!"

"Thank you" Haslien replied politely, extending her hands in a careful gesture, the silver plaque was then passed onto her.

"Congrats Saintess! " one paladin from the church’s envoy stood up, his armor making a clanking sound as his gauntlets slammed to each other—he was clapping, yet the sound was enough to disrupt the nobles chatter.

"Tsk, how barbaric."

"What do you expect? All they learn is how to serve as a dog."

The hall was immediately filled with silence, tensions from the noble circle and the church was unending.

"This bastards." Professor Elyssa clicked her tongue, her arms crossed as she stared at the two factions trying to being down each other with mere words.

"Next, student Vairel ranked fifth. Come forward." The man announced.

Vairel stood up from the corner, he wore a crimson suit adorned with silver embroidery, his red hair carefully combed and a sword hang beside him.

"What is he? A barbarian?" The nobles snickered on the far table.

"As expected from a northerner"

Watching the scene from a far away distance. A sigh escoed from Zeres’ mouth.

"When is this political conflict going to end so we can have a peaceful banquet professor? " he turned at professor Elyssa beside him.

"I’m not sure, I’m sick of this." She massaged her temple.

Vairel reached the podium, stepping up, he stood straight— his gaze fixed on the man before him.

"The reward for your accomplishment cadet Vairel, a plaque to access on the 2nd floor library, a chance to asked any professor to become your mentor and two purified essence stone of a forsaken at the ghoul rank."

’Huh? ’ Zeres froze.

Esssence stone from forsaken can be absorbed?

’No wonder it was expensive when he sold some of it.’

"The essence stone have the affinity of fire." The man continued.

"Thank you" Vairel took his rewards then he walked out quickly.

’Hmm, is he not a fan of banquets?’ Zeres thought, his gaze following Vairel’s departing figure as soon as he received his rewards.

"Next, cadet Helize. Come forward."

"Helize? "

"Isn’t she the dual-affinity mage? "

"It’s a pity she’s from a noble house, or else I might have already scouted her." The voices around them erupted.

"Yeah, she has so much potential—if only she’s training." Professor Elyssa echoed.

’I don’t think she needs that.’ Zeres thought.

Helize, or to be precise—an elf. She’s attending the academy on a disguise as some central noble’s heiress.

As far as he could remember, Helize was an elf, nothing more—when he was still reading the story, it still wasn’t explored yet, he had only read up to third volume.

Given how drastically the system has changed from the first draft, there might be a chance Helize was a far greater deal than he could have ever expected.

’Though I’m still not certain why she’s undercover.’ He thought to himself, his gaze following Helize’s figure.

The way she lazily walked as if this banquet didn’t matter at all.