SSS-Ranked Summoner: Only I Summon All Heroes And Heroines Of Legend-Chapter 11: First Day, First Kiss

THE NEXT DAY

"Hey. It’s morning already."

The voice was right there, barely inches from his face.

Altair’s eyes snapped open to find Finn hovering over him like some kind of hyperactive ghost.

"What the..." Altair shoved him back. "Back off."

"Sorry! My bad!" Finn stumbled away, sheepishly fixing his glasses. "But today is the Inaugural Assembly for all the freshmen! If you aren’t ready soon, we’re going to be late."

"Right." Altair sat up and ran a hand through his hair, squinting as the morning light streamed through the window. Finn was already fully dressed in the House Daeryion uniform, a sharp brick-red jacket over brown trousers, with the house crest embroidered on the chest.

Altair had been so exhausted the night before that he’d barely touched his bags before passing out.

"I need to get ready," Altair muttered. "You can head out without me."

"Okay!" Finn bounced toward the door with disturbing enthusiasm for this early in the morning.

"And kid..."

Finn turned.

"What’s your name again?"

The boy’s entire face lit up like Altair had just handed him a precious gift.

"Finn!"

"Thanks, Finn."

"Hmmph!" Finn nodded vigorously, that signature smile stretching wider, then bolted out the door.

Altair stared after him for a moment.

Weird kid. But... not the worst roommate he could’ve gotten.

He dressed quickly. And in thirty minutes, he’d arrived

The Inaugural Assembly Hall was massive. The vaulted ceilings reached three stories high, fitted with enchanted skylights that let in plenty of natural light without any annoying glare. Rows of seats stretched across the floor, divided into color-coded sections for each house to claim its own territory.

There was House Daeryion in brick red, House Halo in shimmering gold, House Slykhar in deep shadow-black, and House Berdania in forest green. These were the four pillars that held up Gran-lusia Academy.

Altair slipped through a side door and scanned the Daeryion section for a place to sit. He managed to snag an empty spot near the middle just as a figure stepped onto the central stage.The Headmaster.

An older man, silver beard braided in the traditional scholarly style, robes bearing the Academy’s full honors. His presence commanded immediate silence.

"Welcome," his voice carried effortlessly through the hall without magical amplification, "to Gran-lusia Academy. You have earned your place here through talent, dedication, or circumstances beyond your control. What matters now is not how you arrived, but what you become."

He gestured broadly at the assembled students.

"You sit divided by house colors. Daeryion, showing strength and loyalty. Halo, brilliance and ambition. Slykhar, cunning and adaptability. Berdania, harmony and growth. These are not limitations. They are foundations upon which you will build your legend."

"Your first true test awaits. But before we discuss that..." The Headmaster turned, gesturing to the wings. "Allow me to introduce our Vice Principal VIvienne, who will outline the specifics of your curriculum."

A figure stepped onto the stage.

She was young, early twenties at most, and striking. A wave of whispers broke out as the students reacted to her looks, the crowd practically purring.

Altair was filled with surprise. How is someone that young already the Vice Principal?

She moved with total confidence, her dark hair pulled back and sharp eyes scanning the room as if she were documenting every single student at once. Her robes were covered in achievement marks that most mages would spend a lifetime trying to earn.

"Good morning." Her voice was sharp and professional, leaving no room for playfulness. "I am Vice Principal Vivienne Zaldris. You will address me as Vice Principal Zaldris or ’ma’am.’ I don’t do nicknames."

The flirtatious energy in the room died instantly, replaced by a wave of nervous tension.

"You’ve been sorted into your houses," she continued. "Each house has a Head who will supervise your progress." She gestured to four figures seated at the edge of the stage. They stood briefly, four stern professors, each dressed in their respective house colors.

"As freshmen, you will take general classes in combat theory, summoning fundamentals, mana control, magical history. In your second year however, you’ll specialize based on aptitude and interest." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

She paused, letting that sink in.

"But most importantly, your first practical class begins in two days."

The hall went silent.

"A training exercise between houses. You will demonstrate your summons in controlled combat scenarios. This serves multiple purposes: we assess your current capabilities, you learn what you’re working with, and..." a slight smile curved her lips, "we get to know who actually belongs here."

Murmurs erupted. Excitement, nervousness and the reality of competition altogether

"You have two days to prepare. Underneath your seats, you’ll find Academy-issued communication devices. Take them. Input your student data. They contain everything you need. schedules, maps, resources, emergency contacts."

Altair reached beneath his seat. His fingers closed around something smooth and cool.

He pulled it out.

The phone was unlike anything in Valthoria. Translucent screen on both sides, no buttons, it was purely touch-responsive. The Academy crest revolved gently at it’s center.

Technology and magic in a blend. Of course Arlindel would have this.

"That’s all for general orientation." Zaldris stepped back. "Now, let me introduce some key faculty you’ll be working with throughout your time here."

She rattled off names. Professors stood, waved, sat back down. Altair was already thinking about training, he needed to get Heracles’ full contract, and see what Delilah’s abilities could actually do in combat, when one name cut through his distraction.

"Master Oz. Combat Theory and Practical Summoning."

Altair’s head snapped up.

The man rising from his seat was unmistakable. The facial expression, and the look in his eyes were exactly the same. The examiner who’d overseen his disastrous summoning ceremony back in Valthoria.

Their eyes met across the hall.

Oz’s expression, showed recognition for a moment. But his entire composure was unchanged.

Altair sank lower in his seat.

Of course. the one person who’d witnessed his public humiliation would be teaching here.

The assembly concluded shortly after. Students flooded toward the exits, chattering about houses, combat trials and what summons they’d brought.

Altair grabbed his phone, inputting his student ID as instructed. The device beeped, syncing his information. multiple icons populated across its surface, indicating class schedules, dorm location, dining hall hours, and interestingly tagged restricted areas.

Most importantly, it had a map.

He pulled up the Academy grounds layout, marked his dormitory location, then pocketed the device.

Time to explore. Get his bearings, learn this place without relying on digital directions every five seconds. If he got truly lost, the map was backup.

He walked, following his instincts.

He passed the main academic buildings with their soaring architecture. He cut through the gardens where the upperclassmen were busy networking (or flirting) . , and followed the winding paths tucked between two buildings that bore no particular tag, not that he bothered to look.

The Academy was massive, putting most noble estates to shame. It was a literal maze designed to devour your free time.

Twenty minutes deep into his aimless exploration, the ambient noise of the Academy died down. Altair found himself in a forgotten sector where ancient oaks provided a heavy canopy of natural shade. Ahead lay a practice yard enclosed by a high iron fence,the kind of secluded spot that was either a sanctuary or a trap.He stepped through the gate, but the "peace and quiet" he expected was already occupied.

Three guys were positioned in a tight tactical triangle, their body language screaming "predator." In the center of their formation was a girl, cornered against the fence. It didn’t take a genius to see they were making a move she wasn’t interested in.The second Altair’s boots crunched on the gravel, the boys eyes snapped to him.

Immediately, she exploited the split-second distraction like a pro. With a sharp, calculated pivot, she slipped through a gap in their formation before they could close ranks and walked straight toward Altair with a focused, steady stride. As their eyes locked, the air between them shifted. A jolt of electric, old recognition flashed in both their stares that spanned years in a single second.

Whatever history lived there was pushed aside for the mission at hand. Her expression smoothed out into a mask of relief and faux-affection. Before Altair could even process her closing speed, she was in his personal space.

"Hey, babe. You’re late," she announced, loud enough for the boys to hear.

Then, she leaned in and kissed him.