After his speech, Aldebran finally smiled.
He then clapped once and the sound echoed. "That's enough of ghosts from the past. After all, we're here for the future!"
The energy in the auditorium changed instantly.
"You, five hundred freshmen and one thousand veterans gathered here, represent exactly that—the future we will build together!"
He began walking along the stage with renewed enthusiasm for speaking about the newest generation.
"Some of you have awakened extraordinary powers. Others, more modest abilities. But that doesn't matter."
He stopped at the center.
"Because power doesn't determine value. Choices do. And in this academy, you will have the opportunity to shape not only your strength, but your character."
He pointed to the stained glass windows.
"The dragons remind us that even the invincible can fall."
He pointed to the tapestries.
"The five races remind us that even the weak, united, can survive the impossible."
He smiled broadly.
"So be humble in victory. Be resilient in defeat. And above all..."
His voice gained a final, resonant tone.
"...Protect each other. Because when the next threat comes—and it will come, eventually—it won't be a lone hero who saves this world. It will be a united generation."
Applause erupted spontaneously.
Aldebran allowed it for a few seconds, then raised his hand asking for silence.
"Now," his tone became light again, "let us introduce you to the main members of our student-run administrative system."
Nervous laughter.
"In this academy, we have two councils that ensure you don't blow up expensive facilities or kill each other during minor disagreements."
He pointed to one side of the stage.
"First: The Disciplinary Council. They're basically the academy police. If you break the rules, they will find you and have the authority to bring you in by force."
Chronara, standing beside the recovered chair, gave a small bored smile.
"Their President is Chronara, a third-year student, my esteemed disciple and the strongest mage of your generation."
Laughter and applause.
Chronara waved lazily, as if the effort tired her.
"And their Vice-President," Aldebran continued, pointing to a blue-haired woman seated among the disciplinary members, "is Anas Tidecaller, also a third-year, a 4th Circle water mage."
The woman rose gracefully. Long blue hair fell like a waterfall, ocean-colored eyes observed the auditorium with absolute calm.
And the applause continued.
"Second!" Aldebran turned to the other side. "The Student Council. They organize events, mediate conflicts, and ensure you have a social life beyond training until you pass out."
He pointed to Erica.
"Your President was formerly just Erica, but now she is Erica ThunderBird, a third-year student who—as all veteran students witnessed—today demonstrated a... significant transformation."
Erica rose, white wings opening magnificently. Golden horns gleamed.
Impressed silence.
"The first student to reach Sixth Soul in a thousand years," Aldebran declared proudly. "And bearer of an authentic draconic lineage, which awakened due to his existence."
Thunderous applause mixed with reverent admiration.
"Their Vice-President," Aldebran said, looking at Dex, "is the twin who, together with his twin sister, caused the... interesting commotion earlier."
Dex and Echidna exchanged nervous glances.
"Dex and his twin Echidna," he announced. "Hybrids of humans and beastfolk, of First Soul—something they should reach in a few days."
The tone was light, but the warning was clear.
"I'm certain," he said, looking directly at Dex, "that we will eventually have an enlightening conversation about certain... anomalies."
It wasn't a suggestion. It was an order.
"But for now," he continued cheerfully, "applaud your student leaders!"
Polite applause, but many students looked at the trio with intense curiosity.
"In summary!" Aldebran clapped. He pointed to Chronara and Anas. "They will punish you if you mess up." He pointed to Erica, Dex and Echidna. "They will help you mess up within the law."
Widespread laughter escaped from the crowd.
"Now get out and enjoy getting to know your classmates! Classes start today at eleven o'clock, and trust me—you'll want to get there on time."
He waved, and students began to rise.
But before they could leave completely, Aldebran added—voice low, that only the people on stage could hear:
"Oh, Erica, Dex, Echidna?"
The three froze.
"I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and believe the reports about your bloodline for such changes."
Loaded pause.
"But I'll be watching you."
And he disappeared into the air of the great auditorium.
And time passed until ten fifty-five.
The three stopped at a corridor fork.
To the left, ornate signs with golden runes indicated: "Veterans Wing - 3rd Year".
To the right, silver runes glowed: "Freshmen Wing - 1st Year".
Erica looked at both with an expression that mixed pride and reluctance.
"Here we part ways," she said, adjusting her white wings that had become slightly rumpled. "My classes are in the Veterans Wing."
Dex held her hand briefly. "See you at lunch?"
"Of course." She smiled, then looked specifically at Echidna. "Take care. And don't cause trouble on the first day."
Echidna laughed. "Where's the fun if we don't cause small problems?"
Erica rolled her eyes, but the smile didn't disappear. She gave them a final wave and walked gracefully toward the Veterans Wing, wings and tail swaying slightly with each step.
Dex and Echidna were left alone.
"Ready?" Dex asked telepathically.
"Always," Echidna replied, intertwining her fingers with his.
Together, they turned right and followed through the Freshmen Wing corridors.
Dex murmured as he looked at the various first-year classroom doors. "1-S/A - Applied Magical Theory"
The double dark wooden door was ajar.
Engraved in golden letters: Room 1-S/A - Applied Magical Theory - Professor Tiamat.
"Tiamat..." Dex murmured. "Isn't that the dragon who has a contract with Aldebran?"
"Must be," Echidna confirmed. "So that's what he meant by watching us."
They took a deep breath simultaneously and entered.
The room was imposing.
High ceiling. Each row elevated relative to the previous one, ensuring perfect view of the giant blackboard at the front.
But what really captured attention was the professor.
Standing beside the desk, a dragon of primordial beauty.
Snow-white hair fell to her waist in soft waves, gleaming like polished silver under the stained glass light. Pearly white eyes with golden vertical pupils observed each entering student with intensity that seemed to penetrate to the soul.
Two pairs of curved white horns emerged gracefully from her temples, the upper pair larger and more majestic, the lower pair smaller and turned slightly back. Translucent white scales partially covered her forearms, neck and the visible part of her collarbones, glowing softly.
A long, elegant white draconic tail rested coiled around the base of the desk.
She wore an adapted professorial uniform—long white coat with gold details, leaving arms and shoulders partially exposed to accommodate the scales. The cut was elegant but practical, allowing full movement.
"Fifty-one students, exactly as expected. Class 1-S and Class 1-A together."
The students already present occupied scattered desks—some in front seats, others in back.
Dex recognized faces:
Selene seated in the second row, with a blindfold he had never seen before.
Lyra in the third row, with her giant hammer propped beside her desk.
Sylvia in the first row, praying silently.
And finally Zephyra, who wore a uniform that seemed to randomly release small purple lightning bolts, in the third row.
And dozens of other unknown freshmen, who filled almost the entire auditorium.
He then looked for two seats side by side. And he found the only one, in the front row right in front of the teacher and next to Sylvia. 'I guess I have no choice.'
They quickly sat there to Sylvia's surprise.
But those most surprised were the students who began to murmur seeing the two wearing white uniforms.
But before they could start, Tiamat clapped once and the sound echoed like thunder.
"Silence."
Instant. Everyone froze as she began.
"Good. This is the first class and first lesson as your main professor: hierarchy."
She walked to the board and, with a sharp claw, drew lines that glowed gold with magic:
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM - 1ST YEAR - JOINT CLASS S/A
Class 1-S (Special Class)
├─ Ranks 1-10
├─ Privileges: Restricted library access, advanced equipment and VIP dormitories
└─ Total: 11 students
Class 1-A (High Class)
├─ Ranks 11-50
├─ Privileges: VIP standard library access, intermediate missions and basic equipment
└─ Total: 40 students
She turned, pearly eyes sweeping the room with silent authority.
"In this room are the Top 50 freshmen of Ouroboros Academy. You are the elite of the first year. But elite doesn't mean equality."
She pointed with her still-exposed claw to the list she had written below:
Rank 1: DEX THUNDERBIRD AND ECHIDNA THUNDERBIRD
└─ Subclass: Ruler of Sins
Rank 2: KAELIRA DRAKENVEIL
└─ Subclass: Dragonbane Inquisitor
Rank 3: SELENE VON DRACULIS
└─ Subclass: Ruler of Lust
Rank 4: LYRA IRONFANG
└─ Subclass: Berserker
Rank 5: SYLVIA VON SILVERPLATE
└─ Subclass: Saint of the World Tree
Rank 6: ZEPHYRA
└─ Subclass: Ruler of Gluttony
Rank 7: ARIA STORMWIND
└─ Subclass: Tempest Mage
Rank 8: TOREN IRONHIDE
└─ Subclass: Fortress Knight
Rank 9: LUNA MOONSHADOW
└─ Subclass: Arcane Archer
Rank 10: EDWARD SUNLIGHT
└─ Subclass: Holy Magic Swordsman
...