Chapter 6: The Opening Ceremony
Tristan Fort, the youngest member of the prestigious Fort family, sat in the stands of the Zukunft Arcanum Academy arena—a boy with dark crimson hair and eyes who had been accepted—or more accurately, forced—into the academy.
Yes, Tristan was not talented.
But that wasn't the topic today.
At present, Tristan was seated in the audience, waiting for Zukunft's traditional opening ceremony to begin.
Every year, the top three first-years were invited to give speeches at the ceremony. This was just one of many long-standing traditions of Zukunft.
Bored from waiting, Tristan began scanning the arena.
In the center of the arena—a place usually reserved for duels and training—stood a raised platform with nothing more than a podium and a microphone atop it.
Looking around the seats, he saw that most of the audience were first-years like himself, with a few upperclassmen scattered throughout. But the most striking presence came from the special section—important figures of status and influence filled those seats. Practically anyone who mattered in this world seemed to be here.
And yet… Tristan couldn't bring himself to care about this ceremony. Still, he was obligated to attend.
Why?
Because Tristan was the disgrace of the Fort family.
Among his siblings, he was by far the most incompetent. His greatest flaw: the complete lack of energy. Neither Holy nor Degenerate energy coursed through him.
Normally, someone like him would have been disowned outright. But the Fort family couldn't afford even the slightest stain on their reputation—they were France's most powerful family, and losing face was not an option.
So they forcibly sent Tristan to Zukunft, pretending he still had a place in their plans.
And Tristan didn't object.
Because deep down, he still clung to a foolish hope:
That maybe here—at Zukunft—he could awaken his energy.
It was probably a ridiculous thought, but he didn't care.
After all… Hope is the bread of the poor.
As Tristan thought to himself, five figures stepped onto the platform, silencing the entire arena.
Leading the way was Director Sophie Baldwin. Behind her came the academy's top-ranked student, the one who bore the title of Sonnenaufgang.
Then came Theodore Mosby, Arabella Belini, and lastly Angellica Baldwin.
…Wait.
Who was this top-ranked boy?
Tristan squinted, staring more closely at the brown-haired figure following Sophie.
He had neither seen nor heard of him before.
What shocked him more was the realization that this boy… had surpassed Theodore Mosby—the so-called Absolute Prodigy.
Clearly, Tristan wasn't the only one shocked. Murmurs rose throughout the arena as everyone tried to make sense of it. Some even voiced open objections.
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Baran, meanwhile, paid them no mind. He had expected this reaction.
Sophie took her place at the podium and began her speech, while the four students stood behind her, waiting their turn.
"First of all, congratulations to all first-years admitted to Zukunft Arcanum Academy," Sophie's calm yet commanding voice filled the arena.
At once, silence fell.
"I'll skip the long-winded procedures. You're all here because you've proven yourselves capable. I won't bore you with needless formalities."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"I am Sophie Baldwin, Director of Zukunft Arcanum Academy. Today, I am proud to present the brightest stars of your generation."
She gestured to the four standing behind her.
Baran. Theodore. Arabella. Angellica.
Then she stepped aside, signaling them to begin their speeches.
Baran didn't hesitate. The moment he caught her signal, he stepped forward.
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Tristan's gaze followed the brown-haired boy as he moved to the podium.
Around them, others were too busy booing and jeering, refusing to believe anyone could surpass Theodore Mosby.
Amidst the insults and ridicule, the atmosphere suddenly shifted.
The air grew heavy.
With every second, it became harder to breathe.
Even Tristan found himself struggling, forcing his breaths into rhythm.
"Thanks for shutting your mouths… insects."
The brown-haired boy's voice cut through the silence, dripping with venomous contempt.
With each word, the pressure in the air intensified.
"I'll keep this short. Don't cross me. I have no interest in you or your families…"
The weight of his presence doubled.
"…but that's not because I fear you. It's because you're not worth my time."
He scanned the arena, his eyes cold and sharp as knives.
"I assume you understand me… insects."
With that, the suffocating aura dispersed like smoke.
Tristan sucked in a breath of relief, his gaze fixed on the boy.
The boy casually handed the microphone to Theodore and walked off the stage.
Not a single soul dared speak.
Not Sophie. Not Theodore. Not even the ever-chatty spectators.
After that brief speech from the brown-haired boy—no, from Sonnenaufgang—nobody dared utter a word.
Having witnessed Sonnenaufgang's true power, the opening ceremony ended in a way no one expected: with just one speech.