"Raye."

Sariel called the first name on the list who was qualified to make a [Hero Party].

Which everyone in the room expected, even the students from the other academies.

They still remember what Raye did in the tournament between the four academies last year— the Battle of Elites.

And his achievements during the demon invasion were pretty widespread too. It was all over the newspaper. The nobles talked about it.

Even the people on the slums had heard and discussed it, allegedly.

So when Sariel said his name— no one was surprised.

Murmurs instantly rose in the air.

"Raye... of course."

"He carried the Zion Academy in the tournament last year."

"Yeah, he beat every top performers from the other academies too..."

"And during the invasion, he killed a high-rank demon and held off against a noble demon until the headmaster arrives."

"I remember that too... That was crazy, I can't believe my ears when I heard that."

All the voices layered together.

But amidst the talking—

Tap—

Raye casually stood up from his seat.

"..."

His face unreadable. Calm as always.

Then he started walking forward. No rush.

Tap- tap- tap—

He walked toward the stage like he'd done it a hundred times.

A large hologram made of mana behind the stage displayed his full name and academy as he approached.

[Raye Alvah - Zion Academy]

And once he got up there, all the headmasters greeted him.

One by one.

Ariel Celada extended his hand first— Raye shook it.

Micah Abella gave a light smile and a respectful nod— Raye returned the gesture and shook her hand.

Cassiel Gallim actually smirked— and said:

"Looking sharp, kid."

Raye tilted his head and smiled a little in return.

Then lastly...

He turned to his own headmaster— Bryan Blackwood, who simply patted his shoulder and said:

"Good work, Raye."

Raye nodded silently.

And unlike earlier when it was just the headmasters— this time, the second prince was up there too.

Standing at the center.

Aurelian Rakon.

Raye turned toward him.

The prince smiled— calm, poised, and then... He extended his right hand forward.

"Congratulations."

He said that with a neutral tone.

Raye looked at his hand for a second—

Fwip~

Then reached out and shook it.

Firm grip. Nothing too strong. Nothing too soft.

But...

"..."

A few seconds passed.

And the prince didn't let go.

"...?"

Raye frowned a little.

He tilted his head— confused.

He looked up at the prince again.

"Uh..."

Before he could say anything—

Aurelian chuckled.

And he leaned in a bit closer!

"Haha... you've changed a lot, you bastard."

He said that!

"...?!"

Raye's eyes widened slightly.

'...What?'

He was stunned.

And for a split second— his calm expression faltered.

'What the hell is that supposed to mean...?'

He stared at the prince, brows furrowing deeper.

But before he could even say anything— ask anything—

Aurelian let go of his hand.

Tap- Tap- Tap—

And casually walked away!

The prince stepped back and returned to his place like nothing happened.

"..."

Raye just stood there.

His mouth slightly open. Still shocked.

His thoughts were spinning.

'Do I know the second prince...?'

That question lingered in his head. He was pertaining to the original Raye, of course.

'The way he looked at and called me... the way he said that...'

And of course— the fact that Raye was part of a powerful noble family before.

It's not that really a far-fetched idea.

It's definitely possible.

"..."

Raye's brows furrowed. But for now, he just let it go.

Instead, he looked at the crowd. And there—he saw Jerusha with Zephyrus and Pyro. The three of them clapping for him.

Raye smiled seeing them.

"—Anyway!"

Just then, Sariel's voice broke the tension.

The auditorium turned their attention back to the stage.

Sariel grinned lightly and placed a hand on Raye's shoulder.

"We've got another student from Zion Academy who matched Raye in evaluations this year."

He said.

"And since they're exactly tied in results... we're making an exception and selecting two representatives from Zion."

He raised a brow and smiled teasingly.

"What a strong batch this year, huh?"

Then turning his head—

"Leon Lightbringer."

He called out.

In the audience— Leon blinked.

"...!"

Then he stood up in surprise.

He didn't move for a second, but to not embarrass himself—

He started walked forward soon, confidence in every step he takes.

Tap— tap— tap—

Then Leon joined Raye on stage, standing beside him.

"..."

The headmasters greeted him too. They shook his hand, and the same with the second prince.

Anyway, nobody really said anything with Leon tying up with Raye... They know how strong he was, and his achievements were widely known to everyone in the room as well.

And so with no objection being raised— Sariel moved on.

He looked toward the other students seated across the auditorium. Then with a big, sweeping gesture—

"Now for the other academies!"

He exclaimed.

"The top students from each of the three remaining academies!"

He raised his voice a bit.

"Step forward when your name is called!"

He opened a small paper.

Then raised it dramatically.

"Ahem—"

"First..."

He looked ahead.

"Ignis Valefor, from Crimson Academy!"

FWOOOO—

The red-haired student stood up.

He looked strong— tall with a wide build, red eyes that burned sharp. His uniform had gold trims, signifying his top-rank status.

Raye, Leon, and the others knows his face really well.

(Chapter 107-108.)

Moving on— Ignis walked toward the stage without saying a word. He still look as arrogant as ever.

Clap clap clap—

Applause followed.

Sariel smiled.

"Ignos was top of his class three years in a row. Crimson Academy's elite, first-class."

Ignis reached the stage by the time Sariel mentioned that.

He stood beside Raye.

No words. Just a sharp, serious gaze.

Then—

"Next!"

Sariel raised another name.

"Christian Hartford, from Zephyros Institute!"

SHUFF—

A blue-haired guy stood up.

He adjusted his gloves, and calmly walked forward.

He looked a bit slender, but his movements were confident.

Zephyros Institute emblem was shining on his robe.

"Christian is part of the Special Group."

Sariel said.

"He's known for his strategic talent and out of this world spearmanship."

Christian got up on stage, bowed once to the headmasters and shook their hands just like the others, then stood at the far end of the group.

Now there were four.

Raye, Leon, Ignis, Christian.

And then—

"Last but not the least..."

Sariel grinned.

"Ace Silvercrest, Night Academy's prodigy."

FWIP—

A guy with black hair and sharp silver eyes stood up from the shadowed section of the auditorium.

His steps were light. Almost noiseless.

He wore his academy's standard uniform— his sleeves were rolled up though, his tie slightly loose. Ace had a few piercings on his ear, and a sword hanging on his belt.

"Special Order member from Night Academy."

Sariel announced.

"He has the highest solo combat efficiency ever recorded in the Night Academy's history."

Ace slowly climbed the steps of the stage.

When he reached the top, he glanced at everyone— And gave them a smile before shaking their hands.

"Hello, everyone."

He said that, before standing on the side.

Raye looked at him briefly.

'He's more casual now that last year.'

Then he turned his eyes forward again.

So now—

The five stood side by side.

Five top students.

Each from one of the four prestigious academies.

Chosen by merit.

Qualified by excellence.

Future leaders of their own Hero Party.

The whole room stared at them.

Whispers filled the air again.

"Two from our academy, huh..."

"Ignis from Crimson... scary guy."

"Christian just looks like a handsome nerd, but they say he wiped out an entire mock battlefield alone. And he can kick your ass as well."

"Ace looks good... Really good. Ugh, I'm jealous of all of them."

"This lineup's crazy..."

Some students were excited.

Some were envious.

But one thing was clear—

These five weren't normal students anymore.

They're candidates for the new Hero Parties.

And they're going to be sent out—

To fight demons.

To protect the Empire.

To carry the name of a legend.

(If they just want to.)

Sariel smiled at the five of them.

Then clapped his hands once.

"And that concludes our announcement for today. We'll update everyone about their decisions later on."

He said.

"Everyone, give them a round of applause!"

CLAP— CLAP— CLAP—!

The auditorium roared with clapping hands.

Cheers were heard from every corner.

Students, professors, the headmasters, and the second prince.

"I'M PROUD OF YOU, RAYE!!!"

-MEEP! PAPA!

-Haha, and to think he's just a weak little kid when I first met him.

Jerusha, Pyro, and Zephyrus said as they looked at Raye on the stage.

On the other hand, Raye just stood there.

"..."

Unbothered.

His eyes shifted up in the ceiling slightly.

His thoughts still on what the second prince said earlier.

But then, at that moment—

B O O O O O O O O O O M—!!!

A HUGE EXPLOSION WAS HEARD!

AND A HUGE HOLE APPEARED ON THE CEILING!!!

SWOOOOOOSH~

Cloud dust and debris went everywhere, and seeing that—

"Oh, it's starting."

Raye mumbled that.

-KAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA—!!!

Then a voice laughing maniacally echoed throughout the area. And that voice—

SWOOSH~

It contains a massive amount of demonic energy!