Chapter 198: Entrance Ceremony
Hearing the upperclassman’s remark —sarcastic or praising— Yuvika froze, then glanced at the rest of her group.
Two of them had entered without taking the entrance test, and another had ranked first in it.
Yeah... monsters was a fair label.
"Hand over your belongings. We’ll have them delivered to your dorm building," said the second-year student, this time in a louder, more official tone.
He marked each of their items one by one, giving a side-eye to Yuvika —whose pile was easily the biggest— before continuing, "Now, follow the other first-year groups."
They fell in line behind the other new students who had already handed over their luggage.
Stepping through the academy’s main gates, they were greeted by a spacious lobby.
Portraits of elderly men lined the walls, each one painted in a dignified pose.
"Those must be the former headmasters," Yuvika said excitedly, her eyes sparkling as she finally saw what she’d only ever heard about in stories.
Across from those portraits hung another series of paintings— some showing groups of students, others individual figures.
Out of all of them, two portraits caught Gara’s attention. They looked strangely familiar.
"Wait, isn’t that Professor Langga?" Orman pointed at the very same portrait Gara had been staring at.
Madha gave a silent nod, while Gara kept his mouth shut.
Before Orman could start a conversation about Langga, Gara nudged Madha and whispered,
"That woman on the far end... isn’t that Anel?"
The blue hair, gill-like ears, and shimmering scales on her arms were unmistakable— it was the same mermaid woman they had met once before.
"She looks like Andine... but Andine’s yellow," Orman blurted out, and Yuvika nodded eagerly in agreement.
"Andine— the one ranked second?" Gara asked, earning another enthusiastic nod from Yuvika.
Their steps came to a slow halt as they reached a large doorway.
A crowd had gathered —first-years, second-years, even third-years— all waiting to enter.
The line moved at a snail’s pace, but eventually the grand assembly hall opened up before them.
It was a vast room filled with row after row of wooden chairs.
At the front stood a podium, with a few cushioned seats placed right before it— likely reserved for important people.
Chandeliers with fire lightbulbs hung above, casting a warm, steady glow, while marble walls and ceilings reflected the light with a cool sheen.
Massive windows on the side revealed a garden bursting with colorful flowers.
"First-years, this way!" a senior student called out, guiding them toward their seats.
Once Gara found his spot, he finally had time to take in the sight of everyone gathered inside.
A variety of faces.
A mix of races and features —just like in the center of capital city— but now all dressed in the same robes and uniforms.
"Whoa~" Orman couldn’t stop gawking. "Feels like I’m dreaming."
The five of them looked content as they soaked in the atmosphere.
Only Kevio remained quiet, not uttering a word—though from the expression on his face, his mind was full of unspoken thoughts.
Soon, the entrance stilled— no more students coming in. Every seat was filled.
At the front, those cushioned chairs were now occupied by older figures— professors, unmistakably.
Among them, one stood out.
A young, strikingly handsome face.
Someone all too familiar to Gara, Langga.
The entrance ceremony finally began.
A series of performances filled the stage— starting with a choir singing a hauntingly beautiful hymn, followed by a dazzling act that looked a lot like acrobatics.
Gasps of awe rippled through the hall, not just from the first-years, but even from the second and third-years. Clearly, even for them, this kind of spectacle wasn’t something they saw every day.
After the final bow, a handsome, middle-aged man with golden hair and pointed ears stepped up to the podium.
"Welcome, new students of our beloved Gyakarta Academy. I am your headmaster, Asta Elfutih..."
The hall fell silent as all attention locked onto him.
His speech was typical —standard greetings and hopeful words about growth and honor— yet somehow, no one looked away.
It felt as if his voice carried a magnetic pull, drawing their minds and eyes toward him.
Only after the headmaster stepped down did Yuvika lean closer and whisper,
"He’s been alive for centuries— almost a thousand years. One of the few living beings who’s actually seen the world before the Mist appeared."
Gara’s eyes widened. "That face is almost a thousand years old?"
Elves really didn’t know the meaning of aging.
Gara leaned toward Fian, grinning. "That means you won’t age either, not for a thousand years."
His playful whisper turned Fian’s cheeks red, especially with their faces so close.
Sensing it instantly, Madha reached out and gently tugged Gara back toward him.
"Focus," he murmured. "Professor Langga is giving a speech."
At that name, Gara’s posture stiffened.
After a whole year... he was finally seeing Langga again.
The silver-haired man looked the same— strikingly handsome, radiating quiet authority.
Gara’s fingers instinctively brushed the satchel resting on his lap.
And then... he felt it.
That gaze.
Langga’s eyes —searching, sharp— seemed to land directly on him.
But how could Langga possibly pick him out among hundreds of new students?
Still, Gara didn’t look away.
For a brief moment, it felt like they were locked in a silent duel of stares.
"To all new students," Langga began, his voice deep yet calm, "Make full use of the knowledge you gain here. Strive to become the best among the best, true Liners."
A shiver ran down Gara’s spine. Langga’s eyes were still fixed in his direction—
though to everyone else, it probably just looked like he was addressing the crowd.
When Langga finally stepped down, a young woman walked onto the podium— one whose face both Gara and Madha instantly recognized.
She wore a Liner robe with green trim at the edges over the academy’s burgundy uniform, her beauty accentuated by a gentle smile.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Aneline Karina, a senior representative. I’m honored to welcome you to Gyakarta Academy..."
...