Spotlight (Bonus Chapter)

The next morning finally arrived, and all the participants were eagerly led through the grand doors of the academy for the first time. Until now, they had only caught glimpses of the outside from the inn, along with the academy's imposing arena, located just outside those very doors where the trials had taken place.

As Ethan and the other participants stepped inside, a rush of wonder and excitement washed over him. Before them lay a magnificent hallway that exuded an air of grandeur and history. The space seemed vast, stretching as far as the eye could see, engulfing them in its splendor.

The walls were adorned with intricate and elegant paintings, skillfully depicting figures and significant events from the academy's storied past. Each stroke of the brush seemed to breathe life into the scenes, immersing the onlookers in the academy's rich heritage.

Beneath their feet, red carpets adorned the floor, leading the way through this awe-inspiring corridor. Above them, chandeliers with shimmering crystals hung from the lofty ceiling, casting a warm and welcoming light that bathed the entire hallway in a timeless glow.

Standing tall and majestic, marble columns lined the sides of the hallway. Meticulously sculpted with remarkable precision, these pillars supported the arches above, creating a stunning architectural marvel that exuded strength and stability.

Strategically placed throughout the hallway, various statues of revered scholars and accomplished graduates added an artistic touch to the environment. Each lifelike depiction served as a powerful reminder of the academy's unwavering commitment to knowledge and impact to the world.

In this splendid setting, Ethan and his fellow participants couldn't help but feel the weight of the academy's prestigious legacy.

As they followed closely behind the guide, they entered yet another spacious room. Unlike the previous areas, this room appeared vast and devoid of any furnishings. At the far end of the room, a relatively high platform caught their attention, seemingly designed to enable a speaker to address a large audience, ensuring both visibility and audibility for everyone present. The room bore a resemblance to school gymnasiums, but without any workout equipment or basketball hoops to be found.

"I wonder if they have P.E in this world school system." inquired Ethan internally.

As the group stood in the center of the room, they couldn't help but imagine the potential significance of this space. It seemed perfectly suited for gatherings, perhaps for important lectures, ceremonies, or even for the announcement of trial results during their time at the academy.

With a resounding thud, the door behind them closed, signifying that the last person had entered the room. An expectant hush fell upon the participants as they waited in anticipation. As if on cue, a relatively large group of individuals began to march purposefully toward the tall platform situated in the corner of the room. They took their seats in a well-organized horizontal line, creating an air of formality and importance.

Amid the gathering, the final person to assume their position on the platform was none other than the principal himself, Roderick Spellman. Positioned in the center, his presence commanded attention, indicating that he was about to deliver his speech.

The participants stood quietly, their eyes fixed on the principal, eager to hear his words.

"Our bright and eager students!" The principal's voice resounded, filling the room with an air of excitement.

"Today, we gather here to celebrate the culmination of our annual trials and to welcome each and every one of you to our esteemed academy. I stand before you with pride and joy, witnessing the dedication and hard work that each participant has exhibited throughout these trials."

This statement provided the participants with a well-deserved sense of relief as they were confirmed in their enrollment to the academy. Claps and cheers resounded throughout the room, echoing the collective happiness of the students. Ethan himself couldn't contain the beaming smile on his face, relieved to have overcome this significant hurdle, breaking free from the fate of a meat shield and a pawn to the empire military.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of you for completing the challenges presented to you. Your commitment and perseverance have brought you this far, and I am confident that you will continue to shine throughout your academic journey."

"However!" His voice boomed with authority, instantly halting the sudden cheers and claps from the newly admitted students.

The room fell into a hushed silence, with all eyes now fixed on the principal.

"As we reflect on the written trial, I must address a matter that requires our attention. It is with utmost sincerity that I express my concerns about the lack of originality displayed in your answers. The purpose of education is not merely to recite information from textbooks, but rather to encourage critical thinking, exploration, and the generation of new ideas."

Ethan couldn't help but notice some of the noble children visibly scoffing at the principal's words, their smug laughter and whispered remarks.

"Why does that matter? Magic has always been the same for the past century," one of them said, dismissing the idea of change.

"Yeah, the definition of magic has already been set. Why is he like that?" another chimed in, clearly unwilling to embrace anything new.

"As long as I can pass the trial, I'll write the exact same words from textbooks if need be. Why would I risk it?" a third one murmured, focusing solely on the practical outcome rather than embracing the principal's challenge.

"Our founding father envisioned an academy where innovation and creativity flourished, where students dared to question the norms and forge their path of understanding. " Continued the principal. "Yet, I find that many of the responses presented to us today were disappointingly formal and lacked the spark of individuality we seek."

"Let us remember that knowledge is not confined to the confines of a textbook. The real magic of learning lies in the freedom to contemplate, to challenge established notions, and to venture into uncharted territories of thought. I urge you to break away from the shackles of conformity and dare to be different from the rest."

'Who cares..." one of them muttered, displaying their indifference towards the moment.

'When is he going to finish this old-timer's lecture.' another said, clearly showing impatience.

"But!" Amidst the disdainful comments and impatient murmurs, the principal voice became even louder.

'Huh?' The scoffers turned their attention towards him.

"Among the hundreds of students, there was one individual who had taken the academy's challenge to heart and provided an inspiring perspective—one that hadn't been seen in centuries. His answer had a profound impact on all of us who had read it. It ignited a spark of enlightenment in some minds, and suddenly, brand new purposes began to take shape."

In that moment, the atmosphere shifted once again. The principal's words found resonance in this exceptional student's response. "This brave soul had dared to challenge convention, daring to ask "but what if...?" and in doing so, had opened the doors to a world of possibilities."

The noble children's who had earlier scoffed were now listening intently, curiosity piqued by the potential of something beyond what they knew.

The principal's voice carried a sense of excitement and anticipation as he addressed the room, "I wish to invite the student who provided such a remarkable answer to the question of 'What Defines Magic?' to come forward and read their answer with all of us. Please, join me at the podium."

The nobles were waiting in eager anticipation, their curiosity piqued to discover the identity of the noble individual who had elicited such a reaction from the principal and teachers of this prestigious academy.

Among the hundreds of noble children present in the room, all attention was irresistibly drawn to one specific individual, much like during the previous trial. An illusory light manifested, illuminating a glowing arrow that seemed to be pointing directly at the person in question.

"Ethan Hartfield!"

"..."

'H-HUH!!!'