CHAPTER 1821: CHAPTER 42: ADDRESS

"Boom!!"

A deep and majestic drumbeat suddenly sounded, echoing in the expansive First Square. The previously whispering discussions ceased cleanly.

Zheng Qing glanced at the pocket watch in his hand.

It’s eight forty-five.

Only fifteen minutes left until the Trial begins. The young wizard subconsciously let out a sigh of relief — the drumbeat proved that the school wouldn’t simply throw them blindly into that so-called ’Trial Ground.’ Whether it was to encourage them before departure or offer blessings, it was far more reassuring than saying nothing at all.

He raised his head and looked forward through a gap, seeing a tall, silver-haired elder wizard stepping forward with a shoulder-high magic wand, standing ahead of all the black and grey-robed wizards and stopping in front of the many student formations.

It was Professor Charles from Alpha Academy.

Zheng Qing had a deep impression of this elder wizard. When he joined the school last year, it was this elder who welcomed the freshmen at the First Square and First Hall. Additionally, Professor Charles was also the deputy dean of Alpha Academy, not a Big Wizard, but adept at managing affairs, and he would lead many of the school’s activities.

"Boom! Boom!!"

"Boom!"

Another few deep drumbeats sounded. Following the sound, Zheng Qing finally spotted the location of those large drums surrounding the First Square. With each echo of the drumbeat, a colossal drum several meters high would slowly emerge, suspending in the air, surrounded by several flags of red, gold, blue, and white, among others.

Drumsticks resembling giant beast leg bones danced in the air, sketching out simple lines, reminiscent of ancient wizards hunting, with an atmosphere of age and vastness permeating the air.

After three drumbeats, Professor Charles raised his magic wand, his shoulder-length silver hair fluttering without wind, and the drumbeats ceased.

Zheng Qing squinted slightly.

It wasn’t that he had any issues with this deputy dean of Alpha Academy; it was when Professor Charles raised his wand, coinciding with the sun rising behind his head — it might just be a coincidence, but Zheng Qing believed more that it was a pre-arranged school ritual.

With the dazzling sunlight, Professor Charles’s face and even his figure seemed somewhat blurry, yet his silhouette was accentuated as extraordinarily tall. In contrast, the school emblem on the Hua Gate a bit farther away appeared particularly radiant in the Chaoyang.

The young wizard felt a sense of enlightenment deep in his heart, perhaps this scene was meant to downplay the identity of the host and strengthen the concept of the school or group.

"I am Professor Charles."

In front of the stage, the elder wizard’s deep voice slowly rose, resonating clearly through each student’s ear:

"Welcome to the First University’s freshmen trial... Although you are no longer first-year freshmen, in our view, in the view of the school’s veterans, and even your graduated predecessors, you are still some newcomers."

"Just like three hundred years ago today, when the First University reached an agreement with the Mage Alliance and dozens of major hunting teams within the Alliance, as stated — bravery, fearlessness, and unity, facing the most real Hunting Ground, accepting the baptism of faith and blood, young wizards can truly grow."

"This should have been a trial you experienced before becoming real First University students!"

"Boom!!"

The deep drumbeat suddenly sounded, seemingly drawing a period for Professor Charles’s speech, reminding him of the time, not to be overly indulged in heavy history; it also seemed to be a reminder for some inattentive students in the ranks to get into spirit, not to wander off.

After a moment of silence, the elder wizard onstage changed his tone:

"Every young wizard standing here is brave, like your parents and your parents’ parents. Besides the wisdom ancestors gave you throughout long history, there’s also the essence in the bloodline — great like them, fearless like them, loyal to the interests of the First University, and even all wizards in the Alliance!"

"I cannot guarantee that your future will be smooth sailing."

"But I can assure you, your future is dark — because in front of you, there are countless ferocious demons, endless alluring temptations, tribulations, difficulties, disagreements, the last point being particularly important because disagreements appear not only between you and demons but also among your companions — and every wizard able to pass through those darknesses will be as radiant as the sun above my head!"

Wow!!

Many students underneath couldn’t help but applaud, feeling this old man’s speech was truly excellent. Especially at the end when he raised his hand pointing at that sun, everyone seemed to feel it was their target, they too could become the sun.

"Certainly worthy of Alpha Academy’s reputation." Zhang Ji Xin scoffed amidst the applause, full of disdain: "Feels like everyone in that academy is adept at bewitching minds — just like Sepulano."

Zheng Qing laughed to himself.

Ever since Sepulano defeated Sir Friedman to become the new ’Augustus,’ Zheng Qing heard this name increasingly often from Zhang Ji Xin. This was likely under his brother’s influence.

But one thing, the Red-faced Male Wizard was correct, Professor Charles indeed lived up to his Alpha identity, here, addressing all First University students, he even casually mentioned words like ’bloodline,’ truly admirable.

After adjusting to the light, Zheng Qing could clearly see several elder wizards behind Professor Charles showing displeased expressions, some even openly whispering to each other.

On the stage, Professor Charles raised his hand, pressed down slightly, and the tide-like applause instantly dissipated.

"You are living in an era full of disagreements, threats, and contradictions!"

He slightly raised his voice, speeding up the pace: "Demons are ferocious, savage, the Old Gods are chaotic, mad, there are countless shadows stirring in the darkness, and the school needs you to learn to face all this! Needs you to welcome what’s coming!"

"Welcome like the storm-flying petrel!"

"Welcome like the rooted red willow in the desert!"

"Welcome like the mythical dragon leaping the Dragon’s Gate!"

Applause again had the urge to rise, but the professor promptly raised his hand decisively, made a silent gesture to suppress the sparse sounds that had just started:

"Trial is the rehearsal for you to welcome all this. In the Trial Ground, all you can rely on are the blank magic book, ink and cinnabar, and your companions."

"Feel this lesson well, feel the meaning of being alive, and find the real power from it."

"This is the beginning of your learning."

"Merlin bless you."

"We bless you."