Ethereal Paradigm: Arcadia of Darkness 12 Grudge on Opening Ceremonies

-Lozol

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As we arrived at the venue, we began forming lines by class as instructed by the university staff. It was such a rare sight to see youngsters from different origin gather in one space, of which most were made up of southeast Asians and Westerners. Everyone was quit well-disciplined as I can see. They were in complete uniform, with shirts tucked under our black khaki pants and their neckties were perfectly fastened in place and their shoes? Well, have you seen a first-class luxury car yet? They are as shiny as that.

Oh hell no... this crowd. It's making me nauseous. Still, I think it would be very unauthentic if I am to throw up in here. I mean, just look at this lavish place. It looks like a five-star luxury suite or something... I'm even reluctant on stepping the soles of my shoes in the glossy and unblemished floor tiles.

Yet, I just can't stop piling several negative criticisms against opening ceremonies. I mean, who wouldn't? From the start of everyone's scholastic career to their latest, I think everyone would hate that, at least not the principal, nor the student body representative who are the ones who will take the longest time spouting which is said to be "words of gratitude" or "warm words of welcome" which is in fact, nothing but political nonsense with an "inspiring" quote at every end, of which they thought can be life-changing...and yet again, no it is not.

And the question that boggles me the most is the existence of such ceremonies itself. What's so great and special about starting another year in sleepless nights and lifestyle deprivation anyway? Its actually, better for us to put on sackcloth and weep rather than clapping our hands-on lengthy speeches while faking a cheerful smile right from the start of another academic turmoil. Yet, judging by the current structure of society, the top brass is always correct no matter how vague their decision is. The same goes for educational institutions.

Not yonder, school staff, and preceptors began to reveal themselves on the back of the students' disciplined lines of classes, and personas in black elegant suite began to show up on stage, interrupting the students from their first-day friend-making session. As the staff is about to commence the event, apparent silence then began to befall on the whole gymnasium and a lady began speaking on the microphone...

"As interesting as it gets, I know the hype you are experiencing at the moment, as we feel the same, but that can wait, and to officially open the first school year in the world's first international city, please welcome the AU principal, headmaster Aldixiel Radars". A man in his 30s with silver hair and glasses then stood from the committee sitting comfortably on stage, that was the institution's principal, Aldixiel Radars. His first emergence was met with an astounding ovation from the pool of students. Damn. It never occurred to me once that a principal could probably be this fine and young, he was also rather personable! Well, nobody can't blame me, for thinking that way! Since almost all headmasters in fiction and non-fiction are always portrayed to be a stout old man or an old lady who is both in their 60's. Yet, having a principal as noble-like gives not only me a different kind of vibe, but to my fellow schoolmates as well, especially on the freshmen.

And here it starts, the seemingly unending speech of inspirational cliches. "Ehh, Good morning everyone. I would like first, to congratulate you all, for your admission being accepted in the world's finest and newest intercontinental university...." and so the speech continued henceforth that fortunately made us all sleepy at some point, but some, of course, would do their best to stay awake and eventually finds something better to do or to listen at the least. And this girl, lined beside me has this vigorous aura to do just that.

"Hey, never mind that boring speech. Do you know who will be representing the students?" Asked a girl left to me as if she already is a mutual acquaintance.

"No... I'm sorry, I have no idea here."

"Oh."

"Hey, hey. I think I know who it might be. While eavesdropping is a crime, it would not hurt to hear it accidentally you know?" whispered a thin and rather tall fine lad right after me. I never thought that he could button in conversations just like that, as his face showed that he was a silent type. yet, there was no judging, by outward appearance.

"So what did you hear?"

The two continued talking to unravel the conspiracy as to who would represent the second years. I don't care if they would like to have a little chitchat in the middle of the headmaster's speech, but as far as it concerns me, why am I being the center of a message relay here? They are both pinpointing their murmurs in me, although I never recalled agreeing to be a part of the conversation. This can get me to trouble. Yet, I hesitated to give them even the most implicit of warnings, as these two are probably in the same class, and there is no destroying of their candor first impression on me.

"I heard just an hour ago right at the faculty room that the representatives are all stellar in academics."

"Well, that is to be expected," I thought, while I acted a little uninterested and while taking sudden glimpses on the staff at the side to see if trouble is indeed coming.

"That girl, they said is the daughter of an economic image in Germany. I also heard of a beauty and brain thing, which made people from her previous university call her the 'Prima Donna' Sick right? But I did not catch clearly as to what the name of the girl could be, hmmmm.. was it? Oh, seemed I can't get a hunch after all"

Prima Donna? Isn't that the name used by the traditionalists' generation to call the main female character of an opera? If people did give her a sobriquet such as that, she would be hellish and legendary I think.

Yet, upon hearing the word 'beauty', my mind suddenly went on reminiscing something that is of significance...

Wait, now that I remember it, where is the noble girl that I met earlier? I looked around but she was nowhere to be found. I expected that she will be easily seen even in this kind of crowd, as she is of course "lofty" in all stature. If she is to be compared to anyone random from this crowd, it would be like putting to contrast the discrepancies of a financial guru and a mere company employee.

Wait don't tell me...

Now that I think of it, she is a student, based on how she presented herself in the sunrise-tainted classroom. Not to mention that the definition matches perfectly well. Now, I'm quite sure...that she is the Student representative that my two classmates have been talking about.

"Well, Prima Donna or not, we are gonna find out!" the girl who suggested the subject said, ending the duo conversation.

"R-right" the lad she has been talking to respond. The two then began to lend a worn-out ear to the ones talking in front, facing head-on, with eyes in wanton for sleep.

I was uninterested at this point, as knowing who will be the representative can't help me maneuver into an academic year unscathed, but one thing I was relieved about, was that their chitchat did not give us trouble and the staff at the back did not seem to notice either. Well, I can also sense that they, too, have been having a rough time listening to speeches, as their faces from afar say so.

Now back to the Romanesque girl I met. There is also no denying the possibility that she was only a fragment of my imagination because there is no such principle that explains how a mere human can be in par with Lacrimos a goddess' demeanor, and also I was medically evaluated to have Dementia, remember?... but, the scene that is about to be laid upon me is to prove me wrong, and that the word" imagination" was eventually too crude to be used.

Chapter end