Weirdos IV: The Emerald Heart

Chapter 12: Black Diamond

It's the start of another school year in Emerald School of Magic. Because it's the first day of school, anyone would expect to see happy faces, chattering students, and joyful noises all over the school grounds. This year, however, the atmosphere all over the school is subdued. Students walked in total silence while glancing warily at their surroundings where black-clad people stood like sentinels in almost every direction—the villains of the Legion serving as watchmen. There are very few students walking around the school grounds, and those who are outside walked hurriedly towards their respective destinations.

The bell in the Emerald Building's clock tower suddenly clanged loudly, its noise rippling throughout the school grounds. Green-clad students headed towards the open grounds in front of the Emerald Building where several people are standing on an elevated platform.

The people standing on the platform are easily recognizable. Most of them are the members of the inner circle of the Legion of Death. One of the people was Jaeron, who'd ditched his untidy jacket a long time ago for a classic black coat. The most recognizable of all was Serafina, in her striking physical features enhanced further by the sweeping black robes hugging her body and extending to the ground around her.

However, the person on the platform who was getting the most stares from the students was a young man with even more attractive features than the leader of the Legion. He's dressed completely in black, enhancing further his dual-colored hair. Black and purple wavy markings can be seen on his face and arms and other exposed parts of his body. The students gathering in front of them whispered to each other and gave him bewildered stares, but the young man just stood gracefully on his spot, his lips curved into a small smile.

When all the students have gathered in front of the platform, Serafina walked forward and scanned all the people standing motionless and in total silence in front of her. Her lips slowly curved into a sly smile, and the students on the ground fidgeted uncomfortably on their spots.

"Good morning," she said in a loud, clear voice that echoed all over the school grounds. "Welcome to Emerald School of Magic."

Silence.

"To those of you who still don't know my name, I am Serafina, and I am your new headmistress starting this year," she began. "First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincerest apologies if I wasn't able to address you before the previous school year ended a few months ago. There were some. . . complications that we needed to fix first. Well, what matters now is that a new era of progress will soon be blossoming from this great, great school. Let us put the old ways in the past where they belong, and look forward to the bright future that waits ahead."

Although she's not saying anything threatening or scary, Serafina's flat and lifeless voice was powerful enough to make everyone apprehensive and uncomfortable. The professors who were watching from the windows of the Emerald Building looked at the students with great concern and worry.

"This school boasts as the gold standard of agent education in this country and even in the world. For many years, Emerald gave birth to mighty and powerful protectors of the country. This year, we are going to take this school to a different level of quality and competence that the term gold won't even suffice to describe it. The golden age of Emerald is over. We are now entering the diamond era, a time of progress and prosperity that will not just benefit this school but will also echo all over the magical society and beyond," Serafina said, opening her arms grandly.

"As the students of the best magical school in the country," she continued, "I will also expect nothing but the very best from every single one of you. Your respective programs have been updated to comply with the demands and standards of our ever-changing society. Now, all you have to do is to work really hard to reach the goals and results that we expect from you."