TBATE - Not Bound By Fate

Part 31

Today was the opening ceremony of Xyrus Academy, so I had a pretty busy day ahead of myself. Things like helping guide the news students to the auditorium and making sure they weren't trying to kill each other was just part of what I had to do.

As the captain of the disciplinary committee, I swiftly organized the group and delegated the tasks for the event. Claire and Theodore would welcome the new students at the gate, Curtis was patrolling around the school to help anyone who got lost, Feyrith was guarding the entrance of the building while Caera, Doradrea and Kathyln were positioned inside to watch over the students. I was responsible for guarding the backstage area.

Kathyln had arrived two days ago and was quick to adjust to her role. She got along well with everyone else but spent most of the last two days catching up with Sylvie, as it had been a while since they last saw each other. Kathyln will take some time to adjust to our training regimen but that's mostly due to her lack of experience as mage. While she did have some of the best private tutors and occasionally some help from Varay, she still lacked the practical experience.

I was broken out of my thoughts by some movement behind the backstage door. Feeling for the mana I didn't recognize the signatures so I moved over to check. Opening the door I saw three fifth year students fidgeting with a common device used for pranks, a programmable sound emitting artifact, or PSE for short.

"Can I help you?" I asked to announce my presence and ended up startling the trio.

"Nah man, we're good. Just taking a stroll you know? Killing some time before the director's speech." The one on the left replied nervously while the other two nodded and tried hiding the PSE behind their backs.

"Right. The ceremony starts in a little less than five minutes, so how about you three go get some seats while they're still available? And leave the PSE with me, wouldn't want that firing off on accident now, would we?" I more or less demanded from them while using the same smile my mom had whenever dad was in trouble. Judging by their reactions it was extremely effective.

"Wild to think that some people out there would try pulling this sort of prank here of all places. Aren't these kids supposed to be geniuses or something? They aren't creative enough to be considered that." Regis commented from within my core, and I somewhat agreed with him. Trying to disrupt Cynthia or scaring the students is way too simple.

"They should be trying to leave things stuck on a roof or something. Committing some arson maybe, not this middle schooler level shit." Regis kept complaining.

"That would just be more work for me and Sylvie, and while I know you love watching me suffer, I'm sure you still remember how she likes to relieve her stress."

"God, just thinking about the clean up makes me shiver."

Pushing away the memories of a stressed Sylvie to the back of my mind, I went back to my position and waited for the director to appear. It didn't take long for her to arrive and silence the students. Her speech was the same as last time, followed by the entrance of the student council and Tess' speech, which was an improved version of the original one she did last time.

It was then Sylvie's turn to speak, and of course I had a recording artifact prepared to save this moment. I couldn't just not record her first speech. Unfortunately I couldn't enjoy the moment for as long as I wanted since Cynthia wanted to introduce the DC today. As I knew this was going to happen I had told the members to come backstage a few minutes after all the other students entered the auditorium, so they were already with me when the director called.

The order we walked into the stage was Doradrea, Feyrith, Curtis, Claire, Theodore, Kathyln, Caera and me last, much like the student council earlier. There were varying reactions from the crowd, but the only negative ones came from the spoiled nobles who realized our group existed to curb their behavior.

Making my way to the podium, I took one last look at all the students before I began my speech. It wasn't anything special, but still good enough for the occasion. I emphasized the role of the disciplinary committee ensuring all understood we were not oppressors, that we worked for the safety of the students while inside this campus. Of course I made sure to let them know discrimination of any kind would not be tolerated and that I would personally deal with such cases.

To drive the point home I showed what I was capable of as a mage by putting on a little show using all the basic affinities. Last time I kept my status as a quadra elemental mage a secret as a way of protecting my family and myself from greedy nobles, but in this timeline there was no need to do such a thing. In fact it was even beneficial, not only am I powerful enough to keep those I love safe, but receiving recognition now will only lead to a more smooth experience as a Lance.

Having finished my speech there was a wave of applause bigger than I expected and director Goodsky took over to finish the ceremony. The DC walked out of the stage and followed the instructions I gave out earlier to patrol the school in pairs for a little while after the event was over. I paired up with Caera and as we left the building Sylvie and Tess joined us.

We were getting a lot of attention as we walked around, especially me since Tess and I were holding hands. The looks of jealousy I was getting might have made even Kezess visibly uncomfortable. But that was by far the least disturbing thing I was going to see today.

At some point Sylvie's fanclub had started following us from afar, but even then I could still hear their, let's say, encouragement for a lack of better term. Things like 'You're the best!' or 'The Battle Goddess of Xyrus has graced us with her visage!' and an occasional 'We love you Sylvie!' were being thrown, making for the most uncomfortable mood I had the displeasure of experiencing. And to top it all off, the one leading the merry band was none other than Clive Graves himself.

While I'm glad he won't be around to bother me and Tess, especially since he doesn't have a crush on my fiance, the idea that his infatuation is now direct at Sylvie left an even worse taste in mouth than the former situation. He was annoying for sure, but he never did anything to warrant my disdain. Until now that is. He may not get the chance to graduate from Xyrus regardless of the upcoming war.

As I looked at the group behind us, resembling more obsessed idol fans than students, the only thing I could think to myself was that I had a long year ahead of me.