Chapter 36
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Volume 3 + Chapter 36: The Entrance Ceremony
Xia Yi looked a little puzzled.
After all, Laurel Tree Academy was one of the most prestigious academies in the human world, with a long history and a wealth of talent.
To be invited as a distinguished guest to the entrance ceremony of such an academy—what kind of person would that have to be?
Norma said, “Let me keep it a little secret for now, Xia Yi. This is an internal scoop—top-tier, ultra-confidential! Not many people in the academy know about it yet.”
“So mysterious?”
“But I can give you a hint—he’s a true national idol.”
A national idol?
Xia Yi’s curiosity grew even more intense.
Could what she said before actually be true? Was there really a national idol who could sing, dance, and rap?
“Come on, let’s hurry and grab a good seat. No more chatting,” Norma suggested.
“Okay.”
Xia Yi nodded.
Then, she followed Norma into the auditorium of Laurel Tree Academy.
The auditorium was enormous, able to hold a large number of people. Most major academy events were held here. It was said that during the school’s anniversary celebration, a grand party would even be hosted here.
That anniversary celebration was not far off from the start of the semester.
Many new students would choose to participate and show off during the party in hopes of gaining the favor of upperclassmen.
But that was a story for another time.
“I feel like… a lot of people are staring at us,” Xia Yi muttered.
She could feel gazes from all directions falling on her. Some people were secretly observing, while others were very direct—some even waved at her boldly after meeting her eyes.
“Xia Yi, you’ve already become a celebrity at Laurel Tree Academy.”
“Me?”
“To be precise, a celebrity among the new students. After all, no one else has managed to spark a jealous standoff between Teacher Leah and Teacher Hill in such a scandalous loli showdown.”
“…Huh?!”
Xia Yi’s cheek twitched.
“Wait, what kind of words are you even using? That never happened!”
“Even if that’s true, gossip always needs some spice to be interesting,” Norma said, getting increasingly indignant. “Things are getting more and more ridiculous! They’re saying you use your cute appearance to attract other girls like some kind of magnetic force field—and they even dragged me into it, saying I was bewitched by you and willingly became your exclusive maid, and that it’s turned into some kind of forbidden yuri love between sisters!!”
Now Xia Yi was completely speechless.
For someone like her—a sword saint who had focused solely on swordsmanship and never spared a thought for romance—this kind of talk was simply beyond comprehension.
All the words were perfectly understandable, but why was the meaning so utterly baffling when strung together?
“Hello everyone. I’m the student council president of Laurel Tree Academy. At this entrance ceremony, please allow me to represent the student council and the rest of the students in welcoming all the new students to our academy!”
A dashing young man walked up to the stage, announcing the official start of the Laurel Tree Academy entrance ceremony.
Everyone’s attention shifted to the stage, which relieved Xia Yi quite a bit.
Next came the usual proceedings of the ceremony.
The student council president, as the representative of the senior students, gave a speech, briefly introducing the academy’s history and honors, going over some of the basic rules, and offering blessings to the new students.
Overall, it was a very formulaic speech—not flawed, but not particularly impressive either.
Still, it seemed like many people developed a favorable impression of the student council president, likely due to his good looks.
After that, it was time for the heads of each major department to give short self-introductions and brief messages to the students.
The teachers from each department all had very distinct personalities.
The combat department teacher was a passionate muscleman with a watermelon-shaped haircut. Xia Yi couldn’t remember exactly what he said—only that it was extremely fiery and intense, with repeated phrases like “I have no regrets about my youth!”
The magic department teacher was a very elderly man wearing reading glasses, speaking with an air of profound mystery.
That would be the teacher for the department Xia Yi was choosing as her major. She hoped she could get along well with him in the future.
The swordsmanship department teacher was none other than Hill.
Among all the instructors, her looks easily stood out. The moment she stepped onto the stage, the student body erupted into cheers. It seemed that even students from other departments liked her a lot.
Aside from them, teachers from other departments also gave short introductions.
Xia Yi was also considering whether to take an elective minor—like alchemy.
Only majoring in magic might not give her enough credits.
Once the department heads all finished introducing themselves, an elderly man with a full head of white hair walked onto the stage.
Though he clearly appeared quite advanced in age, he was completely different from the magic teacher. He wore a suit, stood tall, and walked with vigor—like a man still in his prime. His eyes gleamed like those of a lion, sharp and full of strength.
“Who’s that?” Xia Yi whispered.
Norma made a shhh gesture. “That’s the principal of Laurel Tree Academy.”
The principal?
Xia Yi remembered when she had visited the academy to give a lecture in the past. The principal had been away at the time, and she hadn’t met him—she’d only heard he was very old. She hadn’t expected him to be in this kind of condition.
To be able to serve as the principal of Laurel Tree Academy, he must not be ordinary.
She felt a bit curious about what he would say next.
Standing at the podium, the principal swept his gaze over the audience and began to speak. His voice was deep and powerful, reaching every corner of the auditorium.
“Battle! Battle! Battle!!”
The new students all wore bewildered expressions, while the senior students stood solemn and respectful.
“Battle! Battle! Battle!”
…Huh?
Xia Yi was more confused than ever.
But the principal simply repeated those few words—strong, forceful, and strangely compelling.
“Battle! Battle! Battle!”
After repeating it a final time, he smiled at the crowd, then left the stage.
Immediately, the senior students and faculty erupted into thunderous applause.
“Thank you to the principal for that wonderfully concise and inspiring speech!” the student council president said with emotion. “With the principal’s guidance, I believe Laurel Tree Academy will only grow stronger!”
Wait… what did he even say?!
Xia Yi had a blank look on her face.
But Norma nodded earnestly, as if she completely agreed.
Xia Yi was starting to worry—maybe Laurel Tree Academy was a little too weird?
“Originally, the ceremony would end here,” the student council president continued, “but thanks to our hard work, we’ve managed to invite a very special guest!”
He suddenly shifted gears and made an exciting announcement.
“Let’s all give a warm welcome to our guests!”
Norma was so excited she almost jumped. “Xia Yi! This is it—the big one’s here!”
A person stepped out from backstage.
The moment this guest appeared, the entire auditorium exploded with cheers—so loud it nearly blew the roof off. Everyone began shouting the guest’s name in unison.
“…How can it be…”
Xia Yi looked at the invited guest with a look of stunned disbelief.
