The Grand Feast and a Fiery Encounter

“Alright, everyone, form a single line now,” Provence instructed. “Ai Ou, you’re at the front. Everyone, follow me!”

Ai Ou and the others followed Provence, passing through the foyer and then a set of double doors at the back, which led them into the academy’s grand hall. By now, the grand hall had been transformed into a lavish dining room. Stepping into the hall, everyone was utterly stunned by its opulent splendor.

Students from other years of the academy were already seated around long tables. Thousands of candles, suspended in mid-air above the tables, illuminated the dining area. Each long table in the hall was adorned with shimmering golden plates and elegant stemmed goblets. In the very center of the hall, a particularly long table was set aside for the faculty.

The candles and lanterns in the sky drifted freely, their light flickering as it shone from all directions. This, combined with the scattered, beautiful violets and roses floating through the air, made the entire hall appear enchanting and dreamlike.

Karen found herself lost in a romantic reverie.

Just then, a large hand snapped a finger, flicking Karen’s forehead and jolting her awake.

“What are you thinking about, madam? It’s time to go!”

Having her dream interrupted by Ai Ou left Karen feeling rather displeased. She pouted and retorted, “You’ll never get a girlfriend acting like that. You simply don’t understand women’s hearts.”

“Haha, you’re quite mistaken,” Ai Ou countered, his tone playfully sharp. “Those who like me could form a line from here all the way to the academy gates. The question is whether I’d even consider them.”

Ai Ou’s defiant reply annoyed Karen, but she found herself unable to retort. He was the most handsome boy she had ever met. Even among the many talented individuals she had encountered in her hometown of Stormwind City, none possessed Ai Ou’s captivating allure, especially the unique aura of mature wisdom he carried, as if he were from another realm. It was incredibly appealing. Moreover, even if Ai Ou’s looks were ordinary, his talent alone would make him exceptionally attractive. In this world, strength reigns supreme, and Ai Ou’s terrifying talent destined him for greatness. He was sure to achieve extraordinary feats in the future. Other girls, upon hearing of his talent, would undoubtedly pursue him actively, for talent was the very currency of survival in this world.

“Alright, aren’t you going? Look, everyone else is staring at us!”

Seeing Karen about to get lost in her own world again, Ai Ou flicked her forehead once more. Karen clutched her head with both hands, glaring angrily at Ai Ou. Realizing that everyone in the hall seemed to be watching her, she quickly scurried away in embarrassment.

“Alright, you newcomers, please sit here. I hope you’ll get to know each other; you’re all classmates now. Oh, and Ai Ou, come with me. You won’t be sitting here.”

After leading the new students to a corner, Provence placed a hand on Ai Ou’s shoulder, motioning for him to follow.

“Professor Provence, why isn’t Ai Ou sitting with us? Where is he going?”

Hearing that Ai Ou wouldn’t be joining them, Karen felt a pang of unhappiness, as if something was missing within her.

“Ai Ou is different from you all. You new students are all first-years, but because of his talent, Ai Ou has been placed directly into the second year. That’s why I need to take him over to the second-year section. He should be at their table.”

Upon hearing Provence’s words, the other new students began to buzz with discussion.

“Is this the power of our chief new student? Directly into the second year!”

“That’s terrifying! To be promoted straight to the second year.”

“How can there be such a huge difference between people? We all enrolled at the same time, yet he’s going to the second year!”

“Truly worthy of being called a monstrous talent with dual-element top-tier magic.”

Karen felt a surge of displeasure after hearing this, as if she had been left behind. They had all come together, so why could Ai Ou go to the second year while she, like everyone else, remained in the first?

“Professor! Why can’t I go to the second year? Why am I in the first year? I want to be placed in the second year too!”

Listening to Karen, Provence adjusted his reading glasses on the bridge of his nose and calmly stated, “Because Ai Ou’s talent is the strongest among this batch of new students, we professors believe he doesn’t need to attend the first year to acquire magical knowledge. Karen, if you wish to be placed in the second year, you can apply during the midterm exam and pass the placement test.”

“Each year, only one or two new students can be directly placed. Your talent, while among the top five of the new students, isn’t significantly ahead enough to warrant direct placement.”

After speaking, he gestured for Ai Ou to follow him. Karen, silent for a long moment after hearing Provence’s words, sat down in a huff. The small group that looked to her as their leader, seeing her expression, didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.

Upon arriving at the second-year long table, Provence arranged an empty seat for Ai Ou before returning to the faculty table. The moment Ai Ou sat down, several older-looking students narrowed their eyes, displaying expressions of keen interest. This was an unfamiliar face, and he had been brought by Provence himself; this fellow seemed far from simple. Seeing Ai Ou’s unperturbed demeanor, coupled with the tender glances many second-year girls cast his way, deeply irritated the other senior students. Their jealousy towards Ai Ou silently festered, especially when they noticed girls they admired looking at him with expressions they had never seen before.

“Hey, kid, you’re a stranger! Where are you from? What’s your strength? What family do you belong to?”

A cocky boy sitting close to Ai Ou leaned over, asking with an arrogant swagger. Ai Ou merely glanced at him indifferently.

“None of your business.”

Hearing Ai Ou’s retort, the boy’s eyes narrowed, a twitch appearing at the corner, and a forced, insincere smile spread across his face.

“Kid, you’re quite arrogant. It’s not good for a newcomer to have such a bad temper. The second year isn’t like the first year’s ‘starter village.’ We don’t tolerate weaklings here.”

Seeing Ai Ou completely ignore him, the boy was so enraged he almost moved to teach Ai Ou a lesson. He pulled a magic wand from his pocket, but the person next to him immediately pressed his hand down. After whispering something into his ear, the boy put his wand away. He then delivered a harsh threat before finally leaving Ai Ou alone.

“Consider yourself lucky, kid! We’ll see about this.”

This person likely held some status. After seeing him humiliated by Ai Ou, the others seated near Ai Ou also ignored him, hoping to make Ai Ou feel isolated. Ai Ou, however, was content with the quiet, sitting there absorbed in his own thoughts.

Soon, Douglas Elliott, the Headmaster of Saint Roland Academy, emerged to deliver his opening speech. After a lengthy, somewhat indoctrinating address, Ai Ou, feeling drowsy, wished for it to end. He regretted coming, knowing it would be so dull.

“…Everyone, I hope that all of you at Saint Roland will see your magical paths flourish, and that after leaving Saint Roland Academy, you will all become influential figures in the magical world, never bringing shame to Saint Roland Academy. So, now, let the feast begin! The magical tablecloths are ready. Simply think of what you wish to eat, and it will appear. Now, let us feast to our hearts’ content!”

As soon as the speech concluded, dishes of exquisite food began to appear on the tablecloths.

‘This tablecloth feels more advanced than the magical tablecloth on the cruise ship,’ Ai Ou mused, smacking his lips.