The Result of My Interview

The interview with the heads had finished, and they only called a few students after me. The professor announced that they would reveal the students who passed the selection process later in the afternoon, allowing the headmaster and the heads to evaluate every student in the meantime.

Unlike many other schools with a limited number of students, this academy does not care about the amount despite having the so-called 'selection process.'

They're the real-life example of 'quality over quantity.' They don't mind having that many students if they all have the potential, likewise with only a few as long as they're diamonds.

Now the question is, will I be able to pass? Will Lia be able to earn a spot despite being absent today? I need to make a backup plan if she fails, but won't the future be altered if that happens? If so, then killing her won't make any difference anymore, and I will be able to manipulate anyone without any interruptions.

This second chance sure is great! Luck is on my side this time; I don't know what happened with her, but whatever it is, I am thankful enough. Unfortunately, I won't be able to take my revenge on the person who took my life. I hope that she never appears for good.

---

It was already three in the afternoon, and the heads had just finished evaluating. It seems that they took their time and had a lot of time to spare despite managing a prestigious academy.

The same professor who called the names a while ago went back to the stage for the second time.

"A letter will be handed out to each of you. Once you open and read it, you will see a letter of acceptance or rejection. Those who received the acceptance letter can head to the assembly hall. Unfortunately, those who received the rejection letter shall return to the school entrance for your fetchers are already waiting." He clapped his hands as the school helpers gave us a letter with our names written on the back.

Here it is, the moment of truth. I took a deep breath before opening the letter. I appreciate the effort of the school to print out that many letters. That is also probably why it took long before the results were out.

I opened the letter and quietly read my result:

[ Letter ]

Dear Mr. Olphiticus,

We are delighted to inform you of your acceptance to be one of the students here at Central Academy. Not only do you possess a unique trait, but the school saw the qualities of a Central Academy Student within you.

Your orientation will be held at the assembly hall after the school introduces you to the higher-level students, as you will also have the chance to ask questions before the orientation ends. The assignment of your dorm rooms will happen after, and you will be given the time to rest and prepare for the year.

Lastly, we want to invite you to the banquet hall at seven in the evening to interact with other students for exposure.

Congratulations on earning your early-level spot, and we are looking forward to nurturing you as one of our own.

Sincerely yours,

Central Academy

[ End of Letter ]

"Phew," I passed! YES, I PASSED! I'm screaming internally. Although I'm a hundred percent sure that the questions asked in my interview before changed because of Lia's absence, I still passed. I earned my spot, and that's a good thing. Not minding the others, I quickly headed to the assembly hall.

When I reached the hall, I was asked to go backstage and noticed the number of students who passed. It seemed that there were only a few who earned their spot. Most of them were males, and some looked like they came from the East. One of them is Natalie.

I might have transmigrated back in time, but I rarely remember this scenario, so no one can blame me if I'm unaware of the students' whereabouts.

Now that I look at it, from how the other students dress, none of them seemed to come from the North. The North's citizens aren't that dumb that none of them managed to enter the academy. Even the South, the lowest ranking nation among the four, has at least one or two citizens.

"Is it only me, or has no student from the North earned a spot?" It was Natalie who asked. She didn't direct the question to me but all of us. However, I miss her deep-toned voice; if only I had been there to save her. Things wouldn't have to go downhill with Lia.

Huh? Why did I sound like blaming Natalie? Lia should be blamed for her death, not her death for my friendship with Lia. Since Lia is not around anymore, there will be no reason for her to die.

I was supposed to answer Natalie and pursue her for real this time, but a random student interrupted.

"I heard from the other students that no students from North went here for the selection process." She sounded like a little girl who had just been separated from her parents. She's small, and she looks like she's from the South, but I don't recognize who she is.

"Oh, is that it? Then perhaps do you know the reason why?" Natalie asked.

"No, miss, I'm sorry." The small girl smiled and acted as if they'd known each other for a long time.

"Don't you know how to answer appropriately? 'I apologize' is the right statement. Don't act as if you're close friends." Another one joined the conversation. Sigh, when will I get a chance to talk?

Natalie giggled after the complaint, "It's alright. We will be schoolmates anyways. For sure, we'll get along." It's been so long, but I still find her giggle so cute. She always smiled whenever she was with me, and if it weren't for our current prince, Natalie could safely reside in the West, the nation where she belongs.

As they continued to talk with each other, the chances that I could speak were getting slimmer. I need to be able to say one word at least, or else I might become a loner, and even my past colleagues won't mind me. After a few minutes of trying, I'm still quietly watching their conversation. This has never happened in my past life, but I did my best.

"You sure are lively here. I'm afraid I'll have to end the fun for a while." A tall woman with the face of Cecil appeared. Uhm... I have no idea she's tall. She really is Ms. Cecil, and I have no say about it.

As soon as she appeared, everyone kept quiet, and she continued her statements. "Once I call your whole level, you need to walk onto the stage in front of the crowd. Your orientation will then happen afterward." Everybody nodded after hearing her instruction. She had that profound annoying aura, but her atmosphere completely changed when she walked onto the stage.

"Students of Central Academy, I, Cecil Qary, as the early-level head, would like to take this opportunity to personally introduce the new early-level students of Central Academy!"

All of the students from backstage, including me, went to the stage and stood there like a log. Like, literally. Setting that aside, all the higher-level students gave us a round of applause and it seems that they don't mind where they came from, which is the same as I remember it.

We sat as the headmaster stated a long boring speech for almost an hour. Who could stand that?! Not even our house dog would like to listen in such. The school finished the assembly soon, and all higher-level students were dismissed. We are left behind for the orientation.

Again, Cecil walked to the stage with many papers ready to be handed out. "You are all lucky that your head is willing to give you the orientation. Now let me make it fast and straight." She gave all the papers to one student, "Get one and pass. Read it for yourself. I'm only going to give you a minute to read. Ask any question if necessary."

What an excellent orientation 'Miss Head.' I can't tell if you're lazy or don't want to do it.

We all followed what she told us, and as I looked through the paper, it's all about the school rules that a student has to follow. There were only three rules a student had to follow.

[ Rules ]

- Discrimination and bullying inside the academy are strictly prohibited.

- Students are only allowed inside the Central City.

- Student's performance rate should only be 3 to 5. A performance rate of 3 and below will result in expulsion.

[ End of Rules ]

"The rules are not so hard to remember, right?" Cecil grinned as she spoke.

What kind of prestigious school would only have three rules? If I remember correctly, Core Academy only had one, so I guess it's pretty natural here in the central city. Natalie raised her hand out of the blue, and Cecil allowed her to speak.

"Miss Qary, can I ask about the curfew of students?" Cecil meticulously grinned and responded, "Dear one, students in this academy do not have any curfews." Natalie seems disturbed by Cecil's answer, "But Miss Qary, won't that allow students to not return to school if they so ever desired?"

Cecil looked annoyed with Natalie's statement, but only I noticed it, "I will be honest with you, once a student earned a performance rating of 3 from any subject, their spot in this academy is already debatable. Students should be responsible, and those who won't take this academy seriously will most likely affect their performance rates, making them expelled in no time." Natalie was left speechless.

For all the years I've known her, Natalie was a very upright person, making her so vulnerable despite her knowledge and background. On the other hand, Lia was once more susceptible than her. Who would have thought that the girl I was playing with was also playing with me? I should not think about the past; Lia's not around now.

"Your dorm room is already assigned. Go to the dorm building and ask for your name. They will tell you your room number, and you will be able to get your keys. You can do whatever you like after that, rest, prepare for the banquet, stroll around the city, anything that you're interested in." Cecil instructed.

"Does any of you still have any questions?" Everybody's staring at her, and the whole crowd is quiet. "I take that as a no. I now dismiss your orientation." She straightly walked down from the stage and quickly headed out after her statement. She is probably so done with her job.

All the new students, including me, were left behind. "Miss, do you want to go to the dorm building together?" The small girl asked Natalie, and Natalie, being herself, couldn't say no. She smiled and nodded, "Sure, does any of you want to go with us?" She asked; however, no one responded. Everyone is distant from each other, and they already have plans on what to do next.

What's stopping them from saying no is the social pressure, it's either they will be someone who agrees to every request or someone you should not get close to. I haven't spoken since a while ago, so let me break this awkward silence.

"My apologies, but I have other plans. We will be together for a year, so knowing each other won't be so hard." Everybody looked at me after I spoke, "I will be taking my leave now, ladies and gentlemen." As much as I want to spend time with Natalie, I don't want her to find me strange. Taking my time is the best strategy to get close to her.

I left the room with no worries, and other students gave the same excuse and started to leave. I would like to see if I still remember the academy, so I decided to roam around for a little bit.

When I was near the school entrance, a school helper happened to pass by, and as soon as the helper recognized my face, he stood still and asked, "Are you Mr. Olphiticus?" Ah, so he's looking for me. I nodded and asked why. He gave me a letter saying that it was from Lael. I then thanked him and walked away.

Hmm, I wonder if he wrote this letter in advance, I was expecting to receive one after a week, for the West is far from here. Anyways, I'll read his letter when I get to my dorm—this time, I need to know the capacity of what I can remember.

I heard a commotion happening at the entrance. At first, I thought it was just the students who failed, but it had already been more than one hour when they revealed the results, so for sure that those students had already left.

I decided to check it out. Why are there many students with unfamiliar faces? It looks like they came from the North but too bad they are late. The headmaster personally talked to them. Will he consider them? That will be unfair to those who came on time.

"Welcome to the Academy congratulations on earning your spot!"

What?! They all have passed? How did that happen? Aren't the students supposed to be here for the selection process?

"A thousand apologies for giving you the wrong schedule. Fortunately, the Core Academy did the selection process on behalf of our mistake." Roadster continued. What is happening? Core Academy even involved themselves? Then these students who passed went under stricter interviews. So what is the purpose of asking me about the requirement in the interview?!

I rather not concern myself with them. I've already decided that I should live a new life since the person I would like to get rid of won't affect my future. I accidentally made eye contact with one of them. She looks timid and thin. She doesn't stand out, and her hair is like it didn't undergo a proper haircut.

That person who deliberately averted her gaze from me has a similar image to the girl who killed me. If it were the past, I wouldn't have noticed her, but since I have the wisdom of a twenty-seven-year-old man, I couldn't be wrong.

The girl standing before me is the youngest lady of the Adroguild Family—the Verphillia Adroguild.