"Second place in the entrance academy exam goes to Raymond Vance!"
Even with all the applause and celebration, it was meaningless when the person being celebrated was in a foul mood.
The reason for his foul mood was naturally Ellen.
While he had known the possibility of her using the contract to eliminate him. He didn't think she would actually use it!
Wasn't it supposed to be a fair match?
It was his fault for thinking that an evil woman like her would have good sportsmanship.
Even as the people nearby congratulated him, the feeling of being second place still left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"And finally! The first place for this entrance examination goes to... Ellen Grace! Please give her a round of applause everybody!"
The bitter taste only intensified as her name was called out for first place.
"It should have been me...". Bitterly muttering, Raymond soon felt a pat on the back.
"There's always a next time Raymond." Thomas's soothing voice came in from behind him.
Raymond sighed, "You don't get it Thomas, this was my chance! My chance to finally get my revenge!"
"Revenge? No offense but you keep talking about how Ellen is all evil and whatnot but are you sure its not just your bias against her?"
Raymond sighed even harder, "You see! Even you can't tell she's evil! I'm telling you she acts so nice in front of others but when she's with me she is absolutely evil!"
"Can you give me an example?"
"...no."
He furrowed his brows, staring at Raymond. "Is there a particular reason or...?"
"Its embarrassing."
He nodded, although Raymond doubted this guy even understood the concept of embarrassing.
As an angel, he had spent most of his childhood growing up in the heavenly realm and had only recently descended. Raymond wasn't sure how life was like in the heavenly realm but it was probably pretty different compared to a regular human life right?
As the rankings announcement concluded, the principal came back up on the stage. Walking on the ground this time.
'Why is it always this guy?'
"First of all, I want to give my congratulations to all of the candidates who managed to pass the academy entrance exam. As of now, you have officially become students of the academy! After this speech, the academy will be holding a celebration in order to help all of you ease in to the academy culture."
Thunderous applause erupted as hundreds of kids celebrated. With the amount of footsteps and screaming, it sounded as if an army was invading.
Waiting for the applause to die down slightly, he continued. "But do not be mistaken, this is only the beginning of your journey as heroes. Throughout the five years at this academy, you will experience countless hardships and challenges. Failure to persist will prove that you are ultimately lacking."
The applause quieted down more now, the audience hanging onto each word from his mouth.
"However, I can guarantee you one thing and one thing only! If you manage to pass these five years and graduate, I can guarantee you that you will become one of the strongest awakened out there! I can guarantee you that your future will be bright! With your power, humanity can take back what is rightfully ours!"
He exhaled slightly, his energy increasing with each sentence. The passion and spirit that he exuded could be felt—causing each of the students to erupt into even louder cheers and celebrations.
Raymond had to admit, this guy was really good at controlling a crowd. The way he so effortlessly got everyone to cheer and stomp their feet before making them as docile as sheep was admirable.
Raymond mentally raised a thumbs up.
"That is all from me, I hope all of you will enjoy the celebrations now."
As if a signal had been released. Confetti rained down from the ceiling while disco balls made of magic appeared—shining multi colored light everywhere.
The previous bright lights turned off, leaving only the dim lighting of the disco balls and a few lamps scattered here and there.
An entire band of musicians soon appeared on the stage where the principal was(how did he disappear like that?) and while Raymond personally didn't recognize the band.
Judging by the numerous screams he heard, they were probably a pretty famous band.
Staring at one of the members though, Raymond could swear that he had seen him before.
Although he looked like a standard idol with the styled black hair and maybe black eyes? It was hard to see with so many people in the way. Raymond felt a faint sense of recognition upon seeing his face.
"Hmmmmm, hey Thomas you know who that guy is?"
No response, turning around. Raymond could see Thomas was surrounded by several girls. Each excitedly talking to him.
"..."
'Aren't I more handsome then him?'
Raymond had never felt insecure about his appearance, in his home dimension he was considered as the most handsome catch of all!
But seeing how no one seemed to dare approach Raymond. His confidence was shaken. Was it just because he wasn't fully grown up yet?
It would only take around 2 more years before he stopped aging anyways. Then everyone could see his true appearance and everyone could admire it over Thomas's!
Picking up a random glass of soda, he sipped it with a grin. Imagining that soon to be future put a smile on his face.
Chucking one of the ice cubes into his mouth, he wandered around the room a bit more.
Despite the numerous flaws of the academy, at least they knew how to do food right!
Fancy circular tables and chairs which had also seemingly appeared with magic, arranged neatly throughout the room. But the true star of the show was the buffet table.
One massive long table, filled with nearly everything Raymond could even think of! Massive platters of steaming food, freshly cooked with each of the smells combining into something that nearly made him weep him joy.
Raymond had almost forgotten, wasn't this the whole point of working under Rayez and joining the academy?
Sure they were nice but he had always wanted one thing and one thing only!
A damn comfortable life, stress-free and relaxing with no one to judge or care!
Picking up a plate in each hands, he went down the table. Picking up something from nearly everything.
Smoked ribs? Fried rice? Lobster mac and cheese? An entire tin of caviar? It didn't matter how cheap or expensive they were. He took everything.
Halfway through the table, he realized something even more important. There was a desert section as well!
Running to a nearby empty table, he set the two plates down—laden and filled with as much food as they could handle without spilling over.
Grabbing another two plates, he ran down the deserts section. Pastries, puffs, cakes, and more! They even had a chocolate fountain!
Finally, with another two plates full. He went back to the empty table that had his food on it.
The ice cream didn't even melt on his plate, more academy magic.
This and all the disco balls and tables appearing out of nowhere, it was such a damn waste of magic but by gods it was the best waste of magic ever.
Returning to his table, he noticed five others also there.
Setting his two desert plates down, he stared at each of them for a bit.
Clearing his throat, he coughed slightly. "This table is occupied, don't you guys see all the food? It means someone is already here. So please move yourselves there's plenty of other empty tables."
Sitting down, he slid one of the plates towards him. Ignoring the conveniently placed fork and knife—he grabbed one random food item that he couldn't even identify and started eating.
Seeing him sit down, one of them—a muscular brawny man with red hair said to him. "Raymond Vance, I've heard a lot of things about you."
Finished with the mystery food that honestly tasted quite good, he picked up another piece of mystery food and started tearing at it with his hands.
"I've heard that you have a potential score over 100."
Stopping to swallow, he glanced up at them. "The principal told me he would keep it a secret but damn! It hasn't even been a day yet!"
Truly the academy's incompetency could be seen clearly.
"It's a bit hard to keep a secret like that in this academy when so many people saw it." Another butted in.
A third one chimed in, "Especially something as monumental as a potential score in the 180's like yours."
"Thank you, thank you truly and I'm flattered and all but just get to the point already. You're all here to recruit me aren't you?"
Figures, Raymond already figured something was wrong when there was so much good food around yet none of these people even had a plate with them!
That and also Raymond could detect that they had way too much mana to be a new student.
...and also the fact that they did not look to be 15 was probably the biggest giveaway.
But it was mainly the first part that tipped him off, so much good food around and you didn't want to eat anything?
They were definitely either a weirdo or a freak. That or they were someone with business in mind.
Either way they were the type of people Raymond didn't like to hang around.
The fourth crossed his legs—leaning back slightly, "Yes we're all here to recruit you Raymond. After this, we're all planning on going around to ask the other top 5 as well."
"Quincy, we already agreed not to act so bluntly in front of potential members. You're ruining our reputation." She frowned at his laid back behaviour.
"What? The fact that he already knows and hasn't said anything already is a dead giveaway—he's not interested."
Tilting his head slightly, he made eye contact with Raymond. Who nodded, "Yeah I'm gonna be honest, I'm not interested in joining any of your clubs. I'd rather join stuff I actually enjoy."
Picking up his fork and knife, he started cutting into a piece of steak and continued. "Besides, why would I join a club filled with weaklings like you all?"