Chapter 7.1 - Black-And-White Princess and Soul Dress [1] – part 1 (2/2)

Then a female teacher started walking to the center of the stage.

「Good morning everyone. My name is Leia Lasnode, and I am the president of this academy. Pleased to make your acquaintance from here on out.」

Leia bowed in a beautiful posture. She was an extremely beautiful young woman.

Glossy black hair that extends to the back. Long slit eyes. Tall and very stylish.

Wearing a tight black suit, with a matching black tie. Tight black gloves on both hands.

She seemed like a person who can get things done.

No, since she became the president of one of the Five Academy’s at such a young age, I’m sure she’s actually an excellent person.

Her actual age is unknown, but judging from the looks, she seemed to be in her twenties.

Then, the president raised her head slowly and spoke again.

「Congratulations to all the new students!」

The president, who read a long ceremony speech, then began to talk about the current situation of the school.

「As you already know, our academy has been in a difficult situation in recent years. We can already hear rumours and fears that the Five Academy’s will become the Four Academy’s if we keep it as it is.」

Then she further added.

「So we made a major reform this year. We renewed the teachers who had problems, including the former president, and introduced a recommended admission system to secure excellent human resources from this year. And this time – I was very thankful that I succeeded in securing three recommended students. These students are all the swordsmen that I have judged to be『transcendent』 in my eyes.」

While listening to the story silently, I had a bad feeling.

Should I say as expected or else, because the president said the unthinkable.

「Then, the three students who have been enrolled through the recommended admission: Ria Vesteria, Rose Valencia, and Allen Rodore please come up to the stage.」

…………I’m done for.

The peaceful and safe student life I sought, disappeared like mist with just a single word from the president.

The surrounding students looked around to see the recommended enrollees, and the entire gymnasium became noisy in an instant.

(…I wonder if I can just sit like this and hide away?)

Such a wicked thought crossed my mind for a moment, but Leia-sensei was beckoning while looking straight at me, so I gave up on it.

Then, when I moved up to the stage, there was a face I knew in front of me.

A dignified face featuring red eyes and beautiful pinkish silver hair extending to the back.

「Ro-Rose-san…!?」

Rose-Valencia: Sakura Blossom One Sword-style user who fought in the finals of the Sword Festival.

She recognised me and raised her right hand to greet me.

「It’s been a while, Allen.」

「W-Why are you here!?」

「Nn? Obviously to pursue you… oops, we’re still in the middle of the ceremony. Let’s talk later.」

She shuts her mouth and I followed suite.

「Now, from the right, please introduce yourself one by one in order. Please give us your name, school, and a simple word at the end.」

The president handed the mic over to Ria.

As she stepped forward, she opened her mouth with a bold posture.

「Everyone, I am glad to meet you. My name is Ria Vesteria. I came from the neighboring Vesteria Kingdom to study abroad here. My affiliated school is the, High King Style. Although I am royalty, in this academy, I am a student like everyone else. I hope to get along well with everyone.」

She said that and gently laughed.

Ria-Vesteria. She was a gentle person with long and beautiful golden hair tied into twin tails with wine-red coloured ribbons. She was like a princess who jumped straight out of a story, with large clear eyes and snow-white skin.

Although I was a little surprised that she was a princess of the neighboring country, she had a dignified aura surrounding her that was convincing.

Then, the new student’s who heard about Ria’s self-introduction began to clamour.

「By Ria-sama… you mean the same person who won the Sword Festival at the age of five!?」

「An amazing person just became our classmate…」

「W-Well… she is a recommended admission after all. They would have to be at this level at the very least」

Then Ria lowered her head and a big applause erupted from all over the gymnasium.

「Thank you very much. Next, Rose, please take the stage.」

「Yes」

Then, Rose also stepped forward and cleared her throat.

(…Why is Rose-san enrolled at Thousand Blade Academy in the first place?)

She never even attended the middle school of swordsmanship…

When I was thinking about that, she started introducing herself.

「I am Rose-Valencia. My school is Sakura Blossom One-Sword style. Pleased to make your acquaintance.」

It was a very simple self-introduction, but the impact on freshmen was great.

「Ro-Rose Valencia is that 『Bounty Hunter』!?」

「Terrifying ones keep appearing one after the other… Thousand Blade Academy is going all out this year…!」

「The legendary Sakura Blossom One-Sword style which is said to be passed down from father to child. I want to witness it at least once with my own eyes!」

Then, when Rose-san bowed, the same applause as before erupted.

「Thank you very much. Well then, the last one is Allen, please take the stage.」