The Genius Villain Dies Tomorrow

CLAP—!

The sound of two hands coming together echoed through the hall, catching every student, including Rian, off guard.

Suddenly, the sky light overhead that allowed bright sunlight through turned a whimsical violet shade. Then, like the sky itself had been overwritten, various stars materialized out of thin air.

The students below stared at the strange phenomenon in awe, only for the stars to slowly combine together into the shape of a woman, descending from above.

The wide brim of her pointed hat concealed parts of her face, while her long brown hair caught the wind. Her robe was similarly a purplish tint, a classic witch’s robe that was almost the same as Nadine’s.

Though what made it different...was the fact that the woman wearing it filled it out way more than Nadine’s childish look could. Combined with the corset and garter straps that she wore, many students abruptly averted their eyes at the sheer...boldness of it all.

She landed on the stage elegantly, definitely due to the fact that she had pulled this trick out more than once before.

"Good afternoon, my adorable little prospects!"

Her fuchsia-colored eyes scanned the hall enthusiastically, all while her voice was effortlessly carried across it for all to hear.

"Welcome to Eidelgard Academy!"

Rian clocked her instantly, as she was one of the most influential figures within the story, and a recurring quest-giver.

Selene Vesper, the Witch of the Stars.

She was the current Headmaster of Eidelgard Academy, an early-stage 7-Star Mage, as well as the kingdom’s one and only authority on divination magic via constellation readings.

Though, Rian, like the rest of the students, found their eyes captivated by something else—her long ears, the distinct trait of a single race:

The elves.

"Some of you may recognize me," Selene continued. "For those who don’t, my name is Selene Vesper. You may address me as Headmaster, Professor Vesper, or ’that gorgeous lady’ if you want to earn some extra brownie points."

Yet when nobody responded, she simply cleared her throat and moved on. "I see that most of you are already standing underneath a banner."

"Good!" she simply clapped her hands once more. "Those of you who came from Eidelgard Prep would know what the procedure already looks like?"

A few of the people under the Unicorn House’s banner smiled smugly, nodding their heads. But Selene didn’t even bother looking at them.

"For those who don’t know, ordinarily, you would’ve been on your way to take a written exam as well as be sorted into a House around this time."

"However...that will not be the case this year."

The atmosphere turned on its head instantly. Those who were smug prior suddenly started becoming uneasy because of the change.

"What does she mean?"

"What the hell? I spent two years studying for the written examination!"

"Then how are our Houses going to be decided?"

Questions spread throughout the gathered students, growing louder with each pasing second.

Selene merely watched the confusion with an amused smile. With a casual wave of her hand, the violet stars covering the sky light began moving again.

"Settle down. Excessive worrying causes wrinkles, and most of you are far too young to be ruining your faces already."

After a moment, the hall slowly became quiet before the Headmaster spoke once more. "Every year, before Eidelgard Academy begins its new term, I perform a reading of the stars. Nothing particularly elaborate, just enough to determine what the coming year might have in store for us."

Selene glanced toward the false night sky above them. "Usually, I find one or two noteworthy stars among the incoming students. Perhaps three, during an exceptional year."

As she spoke, various points of light lit up throughout the violet sky. Most shone faintly, while others gradually changed into a brilliant golden color.

"This year, however, I’ve found ten."

With a single snap of her fingers, the stars which were dim before, began glowing brighter than ever.

Countless bright stars covered the false night sky, illuminating the hall all at once. And amongst them, ten golden stars distinguished itself from the rest.

"An auspicious omen."

The golden lights moved toward one another, forming a constellation resembling an enormous crown above Selene’s head.

"Prodigious mages, future knights, brilliant scholars, gifted artificers, and perhaps even a hero or two," her eyes swept across the prospective students. "More exceptional destinies have gathered within this hall than Eidelgard Academy has witnessed in generations."

Some students straightened proudly, evidently assuming that they were part of the ten mentioned. Rian, however, stared at the golden constellation with a frown.

The original novel had eventually referred to this group of students as the Golden Generation. Rian had always assumed that it was a flattering name given to them after Orion and his companions became famous.

’But...has it always been ten?’

"The stars have named you the Golden Class," she declared proudly. "Should you live up to that promise, perhaps history will remember you as the Golden Generation."

"Yet..."

Her expression suddenly turned cold. Several stars above dwindled while some of them flickered out entirely, sending the hall into darkness.

"The brightest lights always cast the longest shadows," Selene frowned. "Which is why this upcoming examination is intended to find out who these stars are."

The darkness above receded, allowing natural sunlight to bloom through the sky light once more. Naturally, from what the Headmaster said, students began glancing at each other.

Some appeared curious. Others regarded their neighbors as potential rivals. The most arrogant had already begun smiling as though Selene had personally confirmed their greatness.

Yet the next sentence had sent those who were confident back down to the ground instantly. "There will be one single practical examination. If you fail, then there will be no second attempt."

Four enormous images appeared behind Selene.

One showed a forest filled with trees large enough to conceal entire buildings. Another depicted a frozen mountain engulfed in a raging snowstorm. The third revealed a scorched canyon split by rivers of molten rock.

And finally...the last image displayed a lifeless wasteland covered in gray mist.

"You will form groups of four," Selene explained. "Once registered, each group will receive a transportation crystal linked to one of the Academy’s designated examination regions."

The images shifted, revealing fortified base camps surrounded by layers of magical barriers.

"Multiple groups will operate from each base camp. You may cooperate with one another, compete against one another, or ignore everyone outside your own party. How you proceed will be entirely your decision."

A black monster core materialized above her palm.

"Your objective is simple: hunt the monsters inhabiting your assigned region and retrieve their cores."

The core rotated slowly, catching and reflecting the sunlight from above.

"Each group must return with at least ten verified cores before the examination concludes. Ten will earn you a passing score. Anything beyond that will improve your ranking."

"Now, you will have ten minutes to form groups," the Headmaster said calmly. "Pick wisely, because this group will ultimately decide one thing—"

"The fate of your entry into Eidelgard Academy."

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