Chapter-01 · EP-003

Episode 3: Entrance Ceremony

After that, homeroom included an explanation of the entrance ceremony procedures, and we moved to the auditorium where the ceremony would be held.

The faculty and current students were already assembled, and we new students—the main participants—entered in order starting with A-Class.

The order of the lines was the same as the seating order in the classrooms, based on exam scores, so I was the very last to enter.

Huh? Being the last in D-Class means I effectively had the lowest score in the entire grade, right…? I thought I was average…

After confirming everyone had entered, the principal took the stage and began his address.

"New students, congratulations on your enrollment. After this entrance ceremony, the student ID cards that will be distributed to you in your classrooms also serve as your dungeon explorer licenses. From the moment you receive that card, you will become dungeon explorers three years earlier than the general public. The dungeon is a dangerous place. There are those who lose their lives. As beginners who are just about to start exploring, you are particularly at risk. Therefore, the academy has prepared an educational program to help you grow as safely as possible. I will reiterate: please be careful of injuries and grow as dungeon explorers."

Following the principal, whose speech essentially boiled down to "be careful not to get hurt," the current student representative, Third-Year Student Council President Kazuma Kujo, began his welcome address to the new students.

He was the man we had encountered in front of the bulletin board that morning. As he took the stage, I could feel his immense presence. He had, for lack of a better word, a commanding aura.

"Congratulations on your enrollment. We sincerely welcome you all. Unfortunately, dungeon exploration is not as fun as everyone seems to think. Even among us third-years, many have left the academy, unable to keep up with the harsh reality of exploration. Engaging in dungeon exploration allows you to earn money by selling the gems and items you obtain. In terms of earning a living, you will be on the same footing as so-called working adults. I want you to shed the carefree student mentality you had up until middle school, buckle down, and dedicate yourselves to your studies and exploration."

The new students listened intently to his words. Until just a moment ago, the atmosphere in the classroom had been light and friendly, but now everyone's expressions were serious.

The student council president continued.

"Now, regarding the new student representative address that follows…"

His expression turned solemn.

"Since the founding of this academy, the role of new student representative has always been held by a member of the imperial family or a noble family who achieved the top overall entrance exam score. However, this year, a commoner holds the top score."

The venue buzzed at this.

We in D-Class had heard during homeroom that Murasakimura would give the new student address, but the second and third-years probably hadn't. The degree of commotion showed they were all unsettled.

"I want to offer my praise to Kyoya Murasakimura, the top new student, who has undoubtedly worked harder than any commoner before him. At the same time, I want the children of nobles—who should have received a more rigorous education than commoners up through middle school—to feel shame at being defeated by a commoner."

There was a hint of anger in the student council president's voice.

Hearing this, the students stirred even more.

What Murasakimura had achieved—becoming the top overall entrant as a commoner—was likely an unprecedented feat. And there were clearly many who did not take kindly to it.

"You have three years from now until graduation. Through your efforts over those three years, the ranking of your grades will likely change. I trust that the graduation address for your class will be delivered by someone from the nobility. I encourage you all to do your best in your upcoming school life."

With that, the student council president ended his address.

Aren't these kinds of speeches supposed to be non-controversial and simple? I never expected him to so clearly highlight the divide between nobles and commoners while also showing open hostility toward commoners. I couldn't hide my surprise.

As the student council president retreated backstage, the teacher acting as master of ceremonies continued with a slightly flustered tone.

"Th-then, next, we have the address from the new student representative, this year's top overall entrant, Kyoya Murasakimura. Murasakimura-kun, please come to the stage."

Murasakimura, who had been at the front of our D-Class line, was about to move toward the stage when his name was called.

"Boo!"

Murasakimura turned toward the source of the sound. The booing, started by someone unknown, gradually spread among the surrounding nobles, echoing through the auditorium. Some even shouted insults telling him to go home.

"Quiet! Stop making noise!"

The teachers hurriedly tried to calm them down, but the booing against Murasakimura did not stop.

As Murasakimura stood frozen, taken aback, the student council president quietly approached him.

"It's hard to speak in this situation. Wait a moment until the commotion dies down."

But Murasakimura glared at the student council president and replied.

"This is your doing! You lost fair and square, so now you resort to this? I won't lose to cowards like you!"

Ignoring the surprised student council president, Murasakimura ascended the stage amidst the ongoing boos.

"Be quiet!"

For a moment, silence fell at Murasakimura's first shout, but the noise quickly resumed.

The boos gradually became mixed with insults, calling him a commoner, a poor person, telling him to go home.

"Nobles sure are classless! I heard this was a high-level academy, but is this the best you can do?"

"Murasakimura-kun, stop provoking the upperclassmen!"

The teacher acting as MC tried to stop him, but Murasakimura didn't stop glaring at the upperclassmen spread across both sides of the auditorium.

"From today until graduation, I will continue to hold the top grade in this class. And when I become the world's greatest dungeon explorer in the future, I will abolish the Japanese nobility system. Your days of lording it over others won't last much longer!"

This was no longer a new student representative address. It was a declaration of war against the nobles from Murasakimura.

His declaration was met not only with insults but also laughter. It was mocking laughter, the kind that said there was no way he could do such a thing.

This was a disaster. Had Hikaru Kujo—who had earlier asked Murasakimura to let her take his place as representative—foreseen this when she made her request?

If Hikaru Kujo, a noble and the student council president's sister, had given the address, things wouldn't have turned out like this.

Having said what he wanted to say, Murasakimura was satisfied and quickly left the stage.

The entrance ceremony should have ended with this, but since the commotion showed no signs of stopping, the teachers were desperately trying to calm the unruly students, and it was unclear how it would end. I wished they would at least have the first-years exit quickly.

Then, the student council president, who should have already finished his address as the current student representative, once again took the stage. The students quieted down, curious about what would happen, their attention focused on him.

"Silence."

With those words from the student council president, the chaotic noise that had seemed unstoppable vanished completely.

"Kyoya Murasakimura. Become the world's best and change Japan. That's fine. We're still in our teens. We're full of potential. If you start thinking things are impossible, you'll only crush your own possibilities. Anyone can have any dream they want."

I was surprised. A noble, the student council president, was praising a commoner, Murasakimura.

But the student council president's words did not end there.

"However, words carry responsibility. Murasakimura, I'm sure many hardships await you in achieving your dream. Do your best. And to those of you who were hurling insults at him just now: instead of doing that, show your own excellence in your own way, and surpass outstanding commoners like Murasakimura through your own ability. Make the most of the school life you have left and strive to improve yourselves. That is all!"

Applause broke out from somewhere for the student council president, who had finished his speech. It spread, and the auditorium was filled with cheers praising him.

Murasakimura had been the center of attention until a moment ago, but in the end, everything was taken by the student council president.

What was this? The entrance ceremony, where new students should have been the stars, somehow ended as a ceremony praising the student council president.

It almost made me wonder if this had all gone according to his script from the start.

"Th-then, with that, we conclude this year's entrance ceremony. New students, please exit."

Our homeroom teacher rushed over to lead our class out.

What is up with this academy?

I just want to do dungeon exploration.

I wish they'd stop with this troublesome conflict between nobles and commoners.

Anyway, I silently vowed to stay out of the affairs of people like them—especially Murasakimura and the student council president.

And so, the turbulent entrance ceremony came to a close.

And thus—the three years of beginning as a dungeon explorer at the academy quietly began.