NOVEL NEXT Chapter 323 Graduation
"Today is a grand day for all of you, as well as for the entire first-year staff... Months of effort and dedication have paid off. With the cold winter air, we officially conclude the first year of education for all of you. I have the great pleasure of delivering this speech..."
A pair of anxious eyes scanned the surroundings. Every first-year student wore a shiny black robe with golden lines along the sides, all seated in a grand hall with solemn expressions, though inside, they felt a mix of pride and joy.
A pair of purple eyes frowned, not finding the person they were looking for. Crossing their arms and pouting in frustration, they thought to themselves: Today was supposed to be a grand day, the day of graduation! Everyone's happy, but in reality, I feel so alone...
Sigh... he's not in the great hall,* Charlotte muttered quietly to herself. This is bad, really bad!
Where is he?! Damn it, I can't believe it, he can't be missing today of all days! Alicia cursed under her breath, clenching her fists beneath her robe.
Uhmm... Could it be that he's still stuck in the magic forest? I can't believe it! We left him behind!! It's our fault after all, Stephanie's expression turned pale as her body trembled slightly.
I don't see Professor Athena either, Emily calmly observed the surroundings. I don't think my brother is still stuck; maybe he just forgot... She shrugged.
Wow, I'm surprised you're so calm, considering your brother is supposed to be the representative of the first-years, Persephone shook her head, noting how serene Emily appeared, although she almost always had the same expression.
Hmm, what do we do now? Daniela asked curiously.
We're going to be embarrassed... being the top class in the entire academy... and our representative is absent. They're definitely going to scold us! It's not fair, it's not our fault... right? Eleanor grabbed her head in frustration.
Alicia, can't you signal your brother to skip the part where they call up the first-year representative? Adelaide whispered while glancing at the imperial crown prince and student council president who was giving the end-of-year speech.
Sigh... it's impossible, even if I try. It's a rule that at the end of the first year, the top student has to give a speech! Kya!! Why now?! Alicia clasped her hands as if praying for a miracle.
It can't be helped... Charlotte shook her head.
As is tradition at the grand imperial academy... the prince's voice grew louder and more resonant. Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire
Here it comes! Alicia clutched her head as if descending into despair.
Ugh... Stephanie clutched her stomach, as if experiencing severe pain.
The best student of the entire first year, this title is awarded to the top, the most outstanding, the one who has accumulated the most points throughout the entire first year, and this title has been selected by Professor Athena... And the best of the first year is none other than... Anthony Von Valeriano!
A thunderous round of applause echoed through the hall.
Oh no!! Daniela became even more anxious.
We're doomed! Because of him, we'll be demoted
Ugh...
Would the top student please come to the stage? After waiting for a few minutes, thecrown prince frowned...
All the students fell silent... waiting.
Seriously...
*****
Opening my eyes, I stretched my body as far as I could... My mind felt so peaceful, as did my body. Letting out a satisfied groan, I slowly pulled myself up from the soft bed where my body had rested as a reward after being pushed to its limits for nearly two weeks. My mind was as clear as the water on a sunny day...
Rubbing my eyes, I felt an urge to stay in bed, but with another great effort, I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth... After that, I looked in the mirror, feeling completely at ease, and splashed my face with cold water to shake off the remaining sleepiness. Once fully refreshed, my stomach grumbled... With slow steps, I left the room and, walking through the corridors, noticed with some surprise a young man with multicolored hair sitting with his eyes closed, nodding off at the table...
Ignoring him, I sat down on one of the many chairs in the dining room, patiently waiting as some maids entered with luxurious trays... The aroma of food reached Dorothy's nose, and she quickly opened her eyes...
Seeing the splendid breakfast on the table, her eyes sparkled. On the plate were two fried eggs, four slices of bacon, surrounded by a golden liquid, and right on top of it, a sweet-smelling bread with a cut in the middle, revealing a salad of vegetables inside. Beside it was what appeared to be a dark liquid...
Looking at the sumptuous meal, my stomach growled in protest, as if demanding to know why I hadn't started eating yet...
Picking up the cutlery, I broke the silence with the first question: *How do you feel? It's really awkward to stay silent.
Not bad at all, it was very satisfying to sleep, she nodded with contentment as she took a spoonful of the fried egg. Very delicious!* she exclaimed with enthusiasm...
Closing my eyes, I savored the taste of real food that wasn't just fruit, letting the flavor spread across my palate... Mentally nodding in approval, I continued eating my breakfast in peace...
Now that I think about it... Dorothy pursed her lips as she gently moved the spoon. Today is Monday, right? she asked.
Nodding, I replied calmly: Yes, it's Monday. Why?
Hmm... She tilted her head as if recalling something important. *Oh!! Right, it's already 10 in the morning, and I remember your professor mentioned that the first-year graduation is today!
Listening to her words in silence, my mind clicked, and my body froze... The last spoonful of breakfast was suspended near my lips... My eyes widened, and my body tensed slightly: *No way!! How could I forget!!* Glancing with despair at my nightclothes and the time on the clock, I swallowed dryly... I couldn't believe it...
Dorothy smiled darkly: *Don't worry, I'll take you there,* she said, snapping her fingers.
No, wait...