252 Graduation Nigh (2/2)
”We'll have to replenish players...” Zaksus said, obviously worrying about the status of the team.
”How long is the ceremony?” Noah then asked, leaving Zaksus to worry on his own.
”It should take approximately two hours,” Muria answered as she read from the brochure on her phone. ”But the boat cruise will take about three hours.”
”Three hours?” Noah took out his phone and checked the time. ”It's 6:14 PM already, so...we'll be done at what? Around 9:20?”
”Around that time,” Muria nodded.
”Ah!” Irina pointed out to the rest of us. ”It's about to begin.”
We all looked towards the stage as the lights in the theater dimmed, leaving the only major source of illumination being the ones coming from the large open windows. Lights shined on the stage as a select group of faculty members walked across the stage and took a seat on the cushioned chairs. These were the teachers that taught major core academic classes, and among them, I immediately recognized Mura and Emilia. Then, the school principle, a woman in her mid thirties, walked towards the podium where a microphone was placed.
”Good evening ladies and gentlemen,” she said into the microphone. ”It is my honor, to be here today...”
The principal then went on with the usual opening speech that almost every graduation ceremony would have. To be honest, the graduation ceremony is like every other ceremony. The principal would make a speech, then some of the more senior members of the faculty would give a speech, and an accomplished alumni of the school would give a speech before the ceremony would progress and enter the process of handing out the diplomas.
The ceremony took a while, and only ended after a large group photo of the graduating class of students. After that, the ceremony was over, leaving us with the liberty to enjoy the remainder of the river cruise as twilight loomed over the world. I left the theater with the others, and in one of the larger rooms just before the open deck, there were long tables with food served buffet style. The options available were rather top notch, with items such as full roasted pig and lobster spaghetti. In addition, there were also catering staff hired to take care of used plates and eating utensils.
After grabbing some food for myself, I followed the others onto the open deck, enjoying the fresh air. Here, we stood around and dug into our food as we waited for Luna and Erith to stop by after they finish chatting with their parents. None of us were in a rush as the cruise has just gone halfway and is making a turn so that it could flow down the river and back to the starting port.
Coincidentally, when we finished with our food, Luna and Erith walked over to us. They were still dressed in their graduation gown and had a relatively happy countenance on their faces.
”Congratulations!” Irina said to them, smiling happily.
”Thank you,” Luna responded with a pleasant smile.
”We're done with school,” Erith said in a teasing manner as she tapped me gently on the head with her diploma, almost as if she was playfully showing off.
”Congratulations,” I said with a forced smile. ”Now you got another four years at college.”
”You're such a downer,” Erith frowned and said to me. She made a puffy face, and it would appear that she was genuinely in a good mood as she would never do such a thing when she's her usual self.
Our group then continued to converse, chatting about casual topics mostly about Luna and Erith's plans for college. It's a rather bland topic, but...it's rather pleasant. It's just this...calm and everyday feeling of the topic that made me feel satisfied. And combined with the beautiful skyline of Palisia, where lights began to dot the skyscrapers and creating a beautiful painting of a light show, and the windy nature of the river's surface, the formula simply combined to add an even more tranquil atmosphere.
I leaned against the railing of the boat, taking in the neon skyline of Palisia and the reflections of the city on the river surface, I took a deep breath as I enjoyed this pleasant retreat. In this hot, summer day, the wind that blew atop of the river is still cool and comfortable. It reminded me greatly of the breezes that blew in the riverside walkway just beneath my house. In fact, I can see that walkway right now as the boat crept towards the mouth of the Helliger River once again and towards the docks.
Once the boat docks...our summer will officially begin.