The Villain's Survival Instruction Manual-Chapter 14: Banquet[3]

The night sky was filled with countless stars, and if you looked at the academy from the sky, you’d think it was another sky filled with stars at how much light it emitted because of the decorations for the banquet.

Cassian, Sharron and Eric entered the Grand Hall. Now the students were sitting on the long tables, even the seats of the thirteen great families were occupied.

Eric went to the third year student table and sat besides Roland who had saved him a seat.

Cassian and Sharron went and sat at the table for the first years, besides Cassian was one of his classmates.

A girl with long purple hair, tied in a ponytail. He looked at her, longer than he had intended.

She turned her head towards him. "Is there something on my head?" She asked flatly.

"No, I apologize. It’s just that I thought I’ve seen someone with hair like yours before." Cassian replied.

Way to go man, fucking up other things is one thing and staring at women is arguably worse. He inwardly cursed himself.

From among the professors, Professor Hawthorne got up and went to the podium.

"Distinguished guests, and my students. I welcome you all to this year’s first year banquet.

As you all know, I’m Professor Edmund Hawthorne, I teach History of the Divine and each and everyone of you have taken my class.

And that is the reason I’ve come here to start things off.

Before we start with the traditional events at the banquet, I would like to call our Headmaster Octavia Greymarch to share a few words with you all."

He finished and waited for the Headmaster to come there. She was wearing a ceremonial uniform as well, close to what the students wore.

But she had the coat buttons open, revealing the white buttoned-up undershirt. Her long black hair was flowing freely as she walked towards the podium.

Professor Hawthorne left and she just stood there for a minute, looking at the students sitting in front of her, both old and new.

"Esteemed nobles of the realm, honored commanders, distinguished faculty and to our students, the future edge of this empire.

As much as I don’t like speeches, it is customary, at gatherings such as this, to celebrate achievement. To toast excellence and to applaud promise."

She paused and continued to look at the students before her.

"But an academy such as ours does not exist to produce comfort. We are not a finishing school for decorated heirs. We exist to temper steel. To mold you into capable leaders.

Beyond these walls, the eastern border is in turmoil, the west riddled by famine and drought.

Trade routes are unstable. Old powers stir in places polite society prefers not to name as cult activity increases day by day.

Stability, as history repeatedly reminds us, is not a permanent condition."

Her gaze drifts briefly, and deliberately, toward certain tables among the Thirteen Great Families..

"Lineage is often mistaken for legitimacy and at times influence is often mistaken for virtue. History, however, keeps a far stricter ledger." She exhaled softly.

"Here, titles are irrelevant, lineage is irrelevant and talent is merely the beginning. What matters is discipline and the capacity to stand when the world tilts... and the clarity to recognize who is pushing the world towards ruin."

Then she smiled slightly, from the corner of her eyes she could see Duke Severin and Count Corvin smiling as well. It was a simple play by them to target some of the Thirteen.

"This term, though has just started, has tested many of you. It will test you further. Some will rise, while some will fracture and some may discover that the foundations they trusted were never as solid as they believed." Her eyes then settle on Cassian only for a split second.

"The empire does not need prodigies. It needs survivors who can discern truth from performance... and strength from inheritance."

She lifted her glass, and everyone present in the hall followed.

"To the coming trials and to the burdens you will inherit...willingly or otherwise.

And to those perceptive enough to see what is already unfolding.

Enjoy the evening."

***

An hour passes by, they eat and some professors announce certain stuff but nothing too important.

The Grand Hall is cleared of the long tables and smaller round tables are set up with drinks on top.

Every student was at least eighteen, so there was no issue if they drank. Professor Hawthorne once again makes his way to the podium this time for something else.

"I think it is time I introduce this year’s Student Council. As you know, the Student Council is a regulatory body made up of students and they make the communication between the pleas of the students and the faculty possible.

This year’s Student Council President is someone we all know and cherish. I ask Luna Ironveil to make her way here as the President of the Student Council."

At the declaration of Luna being the Student Council President, the hall erupted in applause. Everyone knew her, and everyone liked her. Unlike her siblings who also were Student Council Presidents during their time, she was the most different. Though her kindness was not to be mistaken for stupidity.

"Next we have the Vice-President of the Student Council, it is again a senior you all know, Sinclair is the Vice-President.

Moving on, the General Secretary is none other than Eric Thalassar and the Operation Head is your favorite Roland Viremont."

The hall was in uproar, four of the top seniors all were a part of the Student Council. This would be a great year considering the feats they’ve shown in the last two years being students of the Academy.

Professor Hawthorne walked back to where he sat and left the rest to Luna. She got up on the podium and looked at the students.

"Thank you Professor Hawthorne for the heartfelt introductions. I, as you all know, am Luna Ironveil, the President of the Student Council. One thing I have to say is to maintain discipline and you won’t have to deal with me.

Now I would like to introduce the three new recruits for the Student Council, each was picked up by the Headmaster. Cassian Morrigan, Sharron Thalassar and lastly Cassie Orwyn."

Cassian looked at the purple haired woman beside him and clapped alongside the rest of the students. She was Cassie Orwyn, the daughter of the Duke of Orwyn.

***

[Chapter 14 - Banquet(3)]