Among the five old men on stage, the one looking the most frail, as if he was about to collapse from the weight of the several layers of robes he wore, took his place in the center. The chatter throughout the various floors of Assembly Hall diminished as he took those few steps up to the raised podium.
When he placed his hand onto the lectern, a shining light of blue woke beneath him and split, speeding to the opposing ends of the stage, illuminating everything it touched along the way. Beyond the light, if one looked closely, they would see no fire or fluorescence of a mana shard, but fine, deep cuts in the rock.
"Welcome to Orientation. I am glad to see every seat filled." He chuckles softly. "My name is Orrin Drevayne, and I am the sixth Headmaster of this institution, a position entrusted to me by our patrons, the Mage Association, that I have held for the last fourteen years. Beside me are my most loyal, and experienced staff; the Deans, and Head Instructors here."
He allows for a moment of silent respect when he turns to them.
"We do not have a curriculum specialized for just one specific field. This is not a Magic Tower, or Knight Order that will teach you everything to know about battle, killing, and death in five years-time."
"When I first set foot here, there were few buildings, fewer staff, and even fewer students. It was a place of promise, but little structure. It was certainly unable to fly then, as we are now. But through the tireless efforts of those who came before you, this patch of grass and dirt was transformed into the world's first true center of magic education and research. We create individuals who have endless opportunities, pioneers who can reach limitless heights; not just fighting machines. Forty years ago, our students and staff constructed what you now see. One of the greatest marvels of both architecture and sorcery. Nothing, no Magic Tower, not even the Cathedral of the Sun, could be placed above it. And yet, every year since, our Academy has only grown stronger."
"You have earned your place among us. Out of millions in your generation, and hundreds of thousands of applicants, the fifteen-hundred you see here were chosen. Whether you have been accepted into the School of Magic or the School of Academia, know this: you are among the most gifted and capable of your generation. We will guide you to discover your true destiny that lies in what you accomplish beyond these walls—contributing to intellectual fields, adventuring dangerous lands, or perhaps becoming educators here yourselves. That is the charge of the Academy, and the Mage Association.
"I am sure your parents are aware of the troubles of the world, and the risks involved in attending this Academy. They would not have sent you here unless they were prepared. But now, you are on your own. For the next five years, you will have to live, learn, and grow independently. Students in the School of Magic, though courses may vary, will spend three full years learning the foundational principles of magic as well as developing a core understanding of academic subjects. Your fourth year will be devoted to independent research, and your fifth year will take you outside the academy for you to gain true, practical experience at Magic Towers, Knight Orders, Divine Conclaves, or Research Centers. And when you do, I promise that you will excel there using what we have taught you."
"Students in the School of Academia will spend their first two years learning and mastering the core subjects. In their third year, they will choose one subject that they will fully devote their time to, which will continue to the fourth or fifth year, depending on when they finish their Academic Study. If requirements are met, they will spend the rest of their fifth year being mentored with one of our affiliated organizations, some of the finest in the world.
He looks down at his lectern and shifts to a more serious tone.
"However, these will not be options for you if you break our contract. You will not be able to freely leave the Academy during your attendance. Our flying city docks at fewer than ten sanctioned locations, and its course may only be altered in the event of true danger. The world beyond these walls is perilous. Our ultimate goal is to reclaim it, so that future generations may one day live without fear of monsters; but we are not there yet. Wherever there is darkness, there are monsters, wherever there is light, there are monsters. We will be floating above these lands of light and darkness; civilization will be a rare sight. We cannot guarantee your safety on this rock if the Dragon God, or Demon God attacks, but I-we will do everything possible to protect you."
"If you leave
"Let me speak plainly about expectations. Passing the entrance exam does not guarantee your continued enrollment. The first semester will be a probationary phase. During this time, all students will focus on the foundations of magic and the core education curriculum. At the end of that semester, during the midterm examinations, your performance will determine your path: retention in your current program, elevation into the Honor Class, or loss of your seat to an external applicant. Those who were not admitted have begun taking preparation classes covering the same material already. External applicants are graded by stricter standards, because we do honor your punctuality in the First Academy Qualifying Test–you took and passed at the time you were supposed to, but only to a certain extent. If you fail to show commitment and ambition to advance, this is not the place for you."
"As for your daily life: your wake-up call is at 07:00 hours. Classes run from 08:00 until 18:00, with breaks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Attendance is not mandatory if your results are satisfactory—but lessons are never repeated. To miss class without preparation is to fall behind. Supplementary lessons may be purchased with Academy Credits. And let me be clear: proper uniform is required to be counted as present. It demonstrates respect toward this institution and to civility. You are to be presentable."
"Conduct here is rooted in respect. There will be no discrimination against peers, faculty, or visitors on the basis of race, religion, nationality, status, or school of enrollment. I must stress that the Honor Class holds no special privileges beyond access to Specialized Classes, which is only due to a lack of instructors who currently hold such specialization. My dream is to give everyone in the world the best education, but there are only so many educators."
"Integrity is paramount: plagiarism, fabrication, impersonation, unauthorized collaboration, and all forms of cheating are strictly forbidden. Violations will be judged by the Judicial Board of the Mage Association and punished accordingly."
"You will come to know the Academy Credit system well. Aside from your stipend, credits can be earned through outstanding work in assignments, and assessments. They may be redeemed for food items, private lessons with instructors, rare materials, or access to restricted areas. But let me emphasize: Credits cannot be used to bypass the law or the rules of conduct. Any misuse will be punished."
"Combat training and assessment are core to Academy life. Injuries are possible, but academy staff are always present to safeguard your health. However—hear me well—killing or attempting to take another person's life is forbidden. Violence is strictly limited to sanctioned assessments. Threats or duels outside supervised events are prohibited, and will result in immediate detainment while an investigation is conducted. If found guilty, you will be expelled, and will not be protected from the laws and punishments of your home-nation when you return."
"As for property and access: every structure on this flying island belongs to the Academy. Intentional destruction of academy property is forbidden. The Academy is divided into seven sectors, five reserved for students, one for each year, plus two reserved for staff. All your classes and dorms are in your assigned sector. You may access only your designated sector and public facilities; unauthorized entry into another is strictly prohibited. And again: you may not leave the Academy without documented authorization."
"By the power given to us by the Mage Association, we will also grant you a surname if you do not already bear one. This name, valid on all official documents, will not bestow noble status, but it will be yours, and you may pass it down to your children for centuries to come. It is our way of ensuring that every student stands equal in our records, with a name that will be remembered."
"And so I close. It is both our honor to teach you, and your honor to be here. The Academy exists because of those who came before, and it will thrive because of those who come next. What I've gone over is just a simplification and general introduction to the Code of Conduct. These rules are not chains, but the structure that allows freedom and greatness to flourish. Hold to them. Compete with vigor. Learn without restraint. And above all—remember that you are not merely students now, but heirs to the greatest institution of magic in the world."
"Schedules will be posted tonight in the meeting hall of your dorms, and classes will begin tomorrow. Feel free to speak with any of our instructors for any further questions you may have. Until then, please take part in the food our chefs have made for you, and I hope you enjoy your time here."
He raised his hand, and like an instinctual command, we all found ourselves already clapping.