The Unvanquished: Child of Nihility-Chapter 70: Welcoming Speech

(Chapter 70 – Welcoming Speech)

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The Entrance Gate Facilities Hall gleamed under the soft radiance of a golden sun, its crystal roof reflecting the sweeping skies beyond the academy’s Southern Region.

Far beyond the transparent arches, the grand Southern Entrance Gate stood – ancient, solemn, a reminder that for many, this was only the first step into Eden Domineer Academy.

The hall was vast, wide enough to house thousands, yet filled with only a fraction: the new recruits.

They clustered in small groups, some standing tall with pride, others still bearing bruises and bandaged arms from the dungeon trials.

Though three days had passed since the trial, many injuries had yet to heal – a testament to the brutality they had endured. Some had suffered broken limbs, while others bore deep gashes and scars, yet here they stood, a living testament to the academy’s superior treatment facilities and, perhaps more importantly, to their own tenacity.

Low whispers buzzed through the crowd like restless bees.

"Did you see how that Morca Sherman slayed the 3-Star monster back in the dungeon trial?"

"Forget that–! Did you see the Monument Tower flare three days ago? Someone triggered a Perfect Mystery...!"

"A Perfect Mystery? Impossible. Isn’t that usually reserved for third-years or maybe the occasional second-year genius?"

"Yeah... but the whole academy saw it. The name was..."

"Morca... Morca Sherman."

"You mean the same Morca? The one who took down the 3-Star Bone Devourer?"

Morca stood silently among them, hood drawn low, ignoring the stares that sometimes brushed his way. His mismatched eyes – crimson and abyssal black – remained sharp, sweeping the surroundings with quiet calculation. He wasn’t here to bask in attention; he was here for something more.

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Above the gathered students stood a high platform, towering enough that the heads of the recruits barely reached its base.

On the platform were three thrones: one obsidian throne placed slightly ahead, and two black thrones spaced evenly two meters behind it. Their arrangement alone announced that those who sat upon them were no ordinary figures – they were pillars of Eden Domineer Academy itself.

A sudden hush fell over the hall, silencing the last of the restless chatter.

Six figures appeared atop the platform – or rather, seven, for one had already been seated.

The students’ eyes widened in collective surprise. The man sitting so casually upon the obsidian throne exuded no overwhelming aura, no thunderous pressure. Instead, he sat calmly, detached and undisturbed – like a mortal among gods.

Yet, somehow, that very ordinariness made him seem more dangerous.

He was neatly dressed – black pants, a crisp white shirt, and a black trench coat that draped over his shoulders and cascaded over the throne. His rich brown hair was flawlessly trimmed, an elegant contrast to the sharpness hidden behind his closed eyes.

Whispers buzzed again, softer this time, more cautious.

’Who is that man? Why does he sit at the front while the others stand? He looks weaker...’

Some frowned in confusion, while a few sharper minds among them smirked knowingly.

’Strength doesn’t shout. It acts.’

Beside him, the six other figures were unmistakable in their authority.

Two stood out the most: a man with a scar slicing down from his right brow to the base of his eye, whose very posture radiated crushing force – Vice Principal Evans Tamar, the Second Elder of Eden Domineer Academy.

He made his way to one of the black thrones, settling into it with casual ease. The remaining four, dressed in elegant robes of varying dark hues, bore themselves with the quiet pride of high-ranking instructors – far above ordinary staff like Alvis or Dale.

Their mere presence sent a clear message: these figures reported directly to the academy’s highest authorities.

Then came a new presence.

Tall and regal, First Elder Lilly Abigor, adorned in layered crimson-black robes, ascended the center of the stage.

Her silver hair was braided into a flowing river down her back, and her sharp gray eyes glittered beneath the ambient lights.

Without preamble, her voice rang out across the vast hall, clear and commanding:

"You have survived. And that alone earns you your first merit."

A profound silence answered her.

"You braved circumstances beyond the expected parameters – monsters evolved unnaturally. Threats that should have been beyond your reach. Yet here you stand."

Her gaze swept the crowd slowly, measuring.

"Others before you crumbled under less."

She allowed a faint smile to curve her lips, prideful but fleeting.

"Remember this: Eden Domineer Academy does not raise flowers."

Her voice hardened.

"It cultivates storms."

The words struck deep. Many students straightened instinctively, pride and resolve flickering in their hearts.

First Elder Abigor let the silence linger – then, her expression sharpened:

"However..."

The warmth in her tone vanished like mist.

"As for your second trial?"

She allowed the tension to build.

"The Monument Tower itself has sealed certain results for internal observation. That is all you need to know – for now."

A ripple of whispers spread, wary and confused.

"I will now yield the stage to our Principal, the headmaster of Eden Domineer Academy, who will give his final remarks and bestow honors."

She took a step back, her robe trailing like mist as she ceded the stage.

"And one last thing," she added, her voice dropping a note. "Listen carefully. Opportunities like this – to hear from the Principal directly – are rare. Some of you will never witness it again."

The weight of her words sank into the crowd.

---

As she withdrew, the ambient lights dimmed further.

The air thickened. Anticipation coiled like a living thing among the recruits.

Then, a figure moved.

Principal Stuart di Milla stepped forward, casual and unhurried.

He wore the same simple attire – black pants, white shirt, and that floating black trench coat that rippled behind him like a living shadow.

His eyes remained closed.

From a distance, he looked like any refined scholar.

But Morca – and a handful of the more observant recruits – noticed something critical:

He wasn’t touching the platform.

Stuart hovered a hair’s breadth above it, weightless. As if even gravity itself dared not impose upon him.

The Principal opened his eyes.

No fanfare. No grand pressure.

Yet the hall froze.

Those eyes – calm, brown, almost unremarkable – stripped away all pretense. Every soul present felt as if they stood naked before a god.

When he spoke, his voice was soft, yet it carried through every corner of the hall.

"You have walked through death and chaos. Good."

He paused, gaze sweeping the room without blinking once.

"But survival... is not success."

The words fell heavy, like iron hammers pounding against the hearts of the recruits.

"You are not students of Eden Domineer Academy yet."

Confusion rippled.

"You are candidates."

A brutal truth.

"And until you evolve into true storm-bringers, EDA will not acknowledge you."

Another pause, letting the gravity of his words sink deep into their marrow.

Then came the announcement.

"In accordance with the Monument’s recommendation," he said, his voice sharpening into cold steel, "Candidate Jack Voidspace, Neo Laura, and Morca Sherman – you are hereby recognized as the top three recruits of this year’s trial evaluations."

Applause erupted.

Jack Voidspace, in his signature flowing white attire and drifting blindfold, walked forward with unhurried grace.

Beside him, Neo Laura followed – clad in black battle pants, black sleeves, and a red-trimmed cloak that swirled elegantly around her. Her black-and-crimson hair, coupled with her half-silver mask, drew many admiring – and wary – glances.

She paused briefly, her eyes locking with Morca’s.

The two exchanged a silent, wordless spark – not of hostility, nor rivalry, but something... unique.

A spark of acknowledgment. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

’She’s dangerous,’ Morca thought quietly, shifting his gaze away. ’But she’s... look different, somehow.’

Neo Laura smirked softly under her mask.

Morca, dressed today in navy pants, white shirt, and a dark knee-length coat, followed silently after.

Together, the three champions ascended the steel walkway, stepping onto the platform.

More applause. More whispers.

But as pride flickered in their hearts–

Stuart spoke again.

"In survival, rankings are illusions."

The applause died mid-sound, snatched from the air.

"Victory today means nothing tomorrow. Should you become complacent, you will be forgotten. Should you falter, your path will end. Should you slacken..." a glint flashed in Stuart’s eyes, "...you will be replaced."

The recruits stiffened.

Even Jack, Neo Laura, and Morca felt it – the weight behind those words.

Morca’s heart tightened slightly.

Not from fear.

But from excitement.

Pressure meant growth.

He could feel it already – the game was no longer about being talented. It was about surviving the real battle that was about to unfold.

And somewhere deep inside, a faint, fierce smile touched Morca’s lips.

---

The Principal’s final words faded.

The golden light returned to its soft glow.

And just like that, Stuart di Milla vanished – as if he had never been there.

For a heartbeat, silence reigned.

Then, another presence filled the void.

Vice Principal Evans Tamar stepped forward, his aura erupting like a thunderclap. The hall stiffened once more — no one dared move, not even the champions standing tall upon the platform.

Evans’ scarred gaze swept the assembly, pinning them down like insects under a predator’s eye.

"Now," he said, his voice cold and firm, "we begin the evaluation... and the assignment of your classes."