Chapter 288: Graduation (1/2)

Sometime later…

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

On a wide, expansive stage that peered out into a crowd of thousands walked a smiling man with a microphone in hand, all the lights directed at him, making his rather well-kempt face even brighter yet at the same time highlighting the thick black bags under his eyes. In all his years of being general, this year specifically, he had never looked better.

But today, for some odd reason he seemed to be looking far more cheerful than usual. People knew that something was off and that It couldn't be from a simple graduation ceremony— there had to be something beyond that yet no one knew.

”Good afternoon everyone! As you know, I'm High General Ryker, the one who oversees this school. I hope you guys enjoyed the festivities and the events so far! We had so many talented people working on this! I would like to once again apologize for the delay on this graduation ceremony! We had some issues so we were forced into doing this in the middle of the summer vacation… BUT! It will not take away anything from the event and the spirit we all have today!”

Sitting in the middle of the crowd with a casual smirk was a man dress in a fancy suit, his black and red hair perfectly combed, his green eyes staring lazily yet calmly onto the stage ahead.

To his side were three others. On the right was a short frosty haired boy sitting next to another person of similar height, navy hair with a slightly more nervous expression on his face.

And, directly to his left was a gorgeous girl, dressed in a gown that perfectly matched the beauty and elegance of her silky, dark blue hair as she leaned onto the man's shoulder who was directly to her right.

”When will this end…” She complained. ”Why were we even forced to be here? It's not like we're the ones graduating...”

”Don't worry it shouldn't be too long… I guess it's just so we can respect our seniors.” he yawned, scratching his eyes, hearing a small pout from below before redirecting his gaze up above.

”First off, I would like to mention all the dropouts and failures, I deeply wish you good luck with your next time… If you even get a next time that is... I know that many students were not able to make it here due to the earlier tragedies this school year so we will use this moment of silence to honour all of their deaths…”

The mood stood still with a sombre air, not a peep from a single person for an entire minute. It was almost certain that most of them could not care less and were not reflecting or morning the dead. They simply did not want to get in trouble. Customs were customs after all.

But, the man and his companions were not part of that crowd, as they looked deep down thinking about a certain person... no two very certain people and how they wished they were there with them that day...

That was was when the man on the stage continued speaking… ”Thank you all for your patience and respect…”

”Today, we will be celebrating all the second-year students that have survived this hectic year in one peace and all of the ones that are sadly no longer with us... The next years of humanity are uncertain… But with the help of these future soldiers and possible elites! We will help shape this world and protect us. First, can we please call upon Jacob Rosewall, Saz Star, Elaina Allen, Darth Konwell, and the exchange student, Lan Tao! Please come up to receive your graduation certificate!”

In groups of six, students were called upon, lining up at the foot of the stage before being invited once again to climb the stairs onto the stage. Then, they shook hands with their homeroom teacher and general, taking their picture along with their certificate before walking away.

And, there were thousands of first-years to go through… It was like a living nightmare… By the time they finished all of them, the entire crowd had almost gotten half to sleep.

”And now, for our final two graduates… It is my great honour to announce this! I have seen these two grow stronger and stronger with my own two eyes and I could not imagine anyone else in their place! I would please like to call up…”

'Two more? I thought they just finished the last batch…' The black and red-haired man thought in his head, yawning and looking at the beauty half asleep on his shoulder.

”I would please like to call up Moby Kane and HikariYami to the stage to receive their graduation certificates!”

”Huh… ?” The man mumbled to himself before something sparked in his bored, foggy consciousness, completely recharging him.

”HUUUUUUUUHHHHH!!”

He shot out of his seat, startling the girl on his lap that looked at him with wide eyes.

When he looked around him, he managed to fully see all of their faces despite the darkness in the room, most people looking at him clapping with smiles of admiration.