High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 319: Chapter 243 Principal’s Speech_1

”A new term signifies a new starting point, a new beginning.”

”New students stand for new thoughts, new hopes.”

”We, the old ones, will eventually fade away.”

”As history has once told us... This world is ours and also yours, but ultimately, it is yours. You are like the sun at eight or nine in the morning, and hopes are pinned on you.”

”You should be as splendid as the summer flowers, and as brilliant as the fireworks.”

”Here, no one will be silenced.”

”There’s always a part of the sky that belongs to you and it’s waiting for you to shine.”

The atmosphere in the main hall was somewhat solemn.

The large clusters of light under the ceiling had lit up again, following a complex path, sprinkling brilliance and creating a vast world of white.

The freshmen from the four academies had already left the corridor and had gathered in front of Principal Nameless.

The four different colors of the robes were distinct. They stood in long, neat rows under the stage, silently listening to a voice that was somewhat old but full of wisdom:

”The First University is honored to be your choice; you choosing this university is an opportunity for you and for us.”

”You will have the chance to experience the progress of thinking through collisions and friction, to enjoy the enduring fragrance of wisdom that has been deposited through time, to witness the rise of one giant after another, the blossoming of one giant star after another!”

”This is an honor and wish of every faculty member of the First University.”

”As you can see.”

”The First University represents progress and inclusivity in the wizarding world.”

”Just as the school’s, regular tetrahedron symbol shows: no matter the angle from which it is viewed, it is always positive.”

”Each academy is unique, but there is no essential difference between them.”

”You all will become a part of the First University.”

”Therefore, I hope, that each and every freshman who steps into the campus, face their classmates from other academies with an inclusive, positive attitude.”

Zheng Qing took a deep breath.

His gaze slid over the white mage’s robe of Alpha Academy, and he covertly curled his lips.

Ever since Old Yao confirmed that he was cursed, his original tolerance and favoritism from Augustus was completely gone.

All that remained was the cold transaction with Sepulano.

As it is well said, while returning good for evil, what then is used to return goodness? It is only by returning injury for injury and goodness for goodness.

While being tolerant doesn’t mean being indulgent.

Clearly, there was no shortage of freshmen who shared Zheng Qing’s thoughts. Although there was no disturbance in the students’ line, a certain peculiar atmosphere was silently spreading.

Everyone was communicating with each other with their eyes and expressions, silently answering the principal’s expectations.

Principal Nameless heaved a sigh.

”You are divided into four different academies, not because there is anything different about you.”

”If people think this way, I can decisively claim that every wizard is unique, is different from the others.”

”On the contrary.”

”Each one of you is a part of the wizarding world. What difference is there between wizards?”

”It’s only because the school has its ways of admitting students that lead you into different academies.”

With a frown, Zheng Qing found the principal’s words quite contradictory.

If he knew that different admission methods would result in divisions and rifts, then why not use the same way to screen students?

This seemed to be a deliberate act of creating contradictions.

As expected, the principal’s next lines offered a very clear answer:

”Running water does not grow stale, nor does a door hinge get worm-eaten.”

”Without comparison and competition, the First University might become a stagnant pool...a green, despair-inducing stagnant pool.”

”Just like what I said in the beginning.”

”The First University is your First University, our First University, and the wizarding world’s First University.”

”This university carries too many responsibilities... and hopes.”

”We must keep moving forward, no pauses, always forward!”

With that, Principal Nameless ended his speech.

He unbuttoned his collar, as if the frail button on his neck was restraining some kind of emotion.

Applause erupted suddenly, like a storm, starting from the balcony four floors up and spreading all the way down to the central hall.

The professors, the school workers, the senior students, and the freshmen who had just enrolled.

Everyone was clapping hard, venting their emotions.

This outburst seemed to have startled the principal.

He curled the corner of his mouth, raised his hand, and stopped the students’ applause.

”You have been divided into four different academies.” He repeated as his eyes slid over the red-robed students of Jiuyou Academy, landing on the white-robed squad of Alpha Academy, then sliding over to the yellow-robed squad of Atlas Academy, and finally resting on the blue-robed Starry Sky Academy squad.

All the freshmen puffed out their chests, striving to show their most spirited side.

”You should already know.”

”Alpha selects students based on talent; Jiuyou admits freshmen through tests; Atlas values each person’s faith; and Starry Sky Academy places importance on your practical ability.”

A hint of a smile appeared on Zheng Qing’s face.

That the selection method of those who relish battle in Starry Sky Academy could be spoken of in such an elegant way truly followed the line of that dusty old man in the newspaper.

”Undoubtedly, such a division can better hone your abilities.”

”And we won’t shy away from the fact that such academy divisions can cause some differences amongst you in the school.”

”The school will encourage you to extol your strengths.”

”However, the school will not allow unrestrained collisions between your differing opinions and characteristics!”

”The school will not let these differences turn into separation, and separation lead to hostility.”

”You need to understand the essence of different academies, recognize your weaknesses, and know your shortcomings.”

”Talent and aptitude have forged the silver cross of Alpha Academy. Talent is inherited through bloodlines, aptitude accumulates in wisdom... yet they all bloom in freedom. Alpha, you should not remain confined within the intersection, learn to face the world with equal eyes, find your own beliefs, and then implement your wisdom.”

The freshmen in white robes stood solemnly upright, exceptionally proud to be the first to receive the Principal’s comments.

”Equality and fairness are the basis of all exams and the foundation of Jiuyou Academy. But excessive internal competition will consume your energy, a rigid scoring system will bind your thoughts, and a heavy coursework load will suppress your inspiration... students, you are still young, life is not just about struggling to get by, there are also poetry and dreams! Release your free souls, find the light within your hearts, and pursue your dreams among the stars and ocean!”

The line from Jiuyou Academy erupted in warm applause.

These words were very much to their liking.

Of course, as with all speeches, for students of Jiuyou Academy who’ve been deeply hurt by exams, these words weren’t much use either.

It was just like having a bowl of soul-soothing soup.

”Faith is Atlas’ choice. But some people confuse this concept, place faith purely on those unknowable and indescribable entities above our heads, or treat hope, freedom, and the beauty of life as some kind of faith... This is hypocrisy. True faith is a choice... I won’t force you to agree to disagree, but I hope you can genuinely understand whom you serve—they are all loving fathers, and you should be loving children.”

The lines of Atlas were quiet.

All the freshmen looked at the principal with serious expressions.

No one opposed or protested, and no one supported or cheered.

Just like the usual style of this college.

Silent, quiet, as firm as a rock.

”And Starry Sky Academy. I appreciate your straightforward style!”

There was a loud laughter and cheers from the lines of Starry Sky Academy.

Zheng Qing gave them an envious glance.

Perhaps in the whole university, only those in blue robes dared to be so uninhibited in front of the principal!

The principal smiled and raised his hand, pressing down to calm the young wizards’ excitement from Starry Sky Academy, and added:

”However, I hope that after battles, during your rest, you think more about life and look at the starry sky; remember, your battlefield is outside the school, your enemies are demons... and more importantly, Vice Principal Shi Hui has once again protested the school’s over budget. What can I do? I am also desperate... so I hope that you can reduce the damage rate of school’s public property and the occupancy rate of the school hospital this term, and put more smiles on our dear Mrs. Stone’s face!”

This time, all the freshmen from the four academies laughed, and even the students and professors standing on the second and third floors laughed.

Zheng Qing laughed quietly, looking up at Lady Shi Hui standing behind Principal Nameless.

She kept her face straight, her lips tightly pursed, expressionless.

Without her support, the laughter in the hall quickly subsided.

”Talent and aptitude, fairness, and equality, faith, and fighting spirit!”

”This is your choice at the First University!”

”The red circle, the silver intersection, the golden triangle, the blue nova... You young people who have just entered school, feel the connotations of various academies, understand your own glory, inherit them, pass them on, and enhance them.”

”You are the future and hope of the wizarding world.”

”This is the school’s expectation of you, and also the universe’s expectation of you.”

”When you stand here and look up at the starry sky, I don’t ask you to see the future path from the complex star signs, nor do I dare to hope that the corners of your robe won’t be dampened by the waters of the River of Destiny. I just hope that you won’t let down the ground you’re standing on.”

”Here is where it all begins, and the only place.”

”Now, let your Academy Principals present the school badges and academy badges to the freshmen!”

...

At the top of the first hall.

Underneath the balcony, in the semi-enclosed corridor.

Assistant Hilda, pinching her chin, curiously surveyed the headmaster at the center of the great hall.

”Do you feel...this year’s Principal is a bit different?” He nudged Thomas next to him, the copper hoop on his ear hitting the silver stud on his cheek, making a clear sound: ”Feel like this year’s speech content is more substantial... hmmm, deeper.”

”Perhaps this is the real standard of the Principal.” Thomas chuckled softly, not answering Hilda’s question directly.”

”Silence!” The gentle voice of Zhang Yu rang out behind the two: ”There are hundreds of wizards in this hall whose hearing is sharper than yours... I don’t want any bad rumours spreading from my assistant team.”

Hilda laughed dryly, raising her hand and doing a zipper action over her mouth.

Thomas on the other hand, remained silent, staring intently at the towering figure in the middle of the great hall.

His gaze distant, expression deep.