The principal of Delan Hero Academy received them.
Though most of the group—save for Jetri—were slightly out of sorts, they hadn’t neglected the main task.
"Principal," Jetri said cheerfully, "we’ve cleared our schedules today. You can arrange everything as you see fit."
"Very well," replied the aged mage who headed the Brave Academy, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Back then, I knew Vya and the others would go far... but I never imagined *you*, Jetri, would become a Sage."
"*What* do you mean ‘never imagined’—" Jetri croaked hoarsely.
"Hmph. Old age clouds judgment. I still remember you selling ‘exam cheat sheets’ on campus back in the day, and then—"
"*Cough!* *Cough!* Principal White!" Jetri interrupted desperately.
"Alright, alright," the old principal chuckled. "Shall we get straight to it? Some of the youngsters might struggle to choose their paths otherwise."
This time, Jetri didn’t decide alone. He glanced at Vya.
Most often, Jetri wasn’t the one making final calls. He’d debate options with Vya for days, voice his own stubborn opinions, or even dig his heels in.
But when facing outsiders, their squad spoke as one voice.
"Whatever you arrange is fine," Vya replied gracefully, her smile perfectly poised.
Her mind was elsewhere entirely.
"Then shall we prepare to begin?"
"Agreed."
The old principal rose. "Follow me, then—four distinguished alumni."
He led them backstage to a makeshift lecture hall.
"Makeshift" was generous—magecraft had refined every detail. To Jetri, it looked nothing like a structure hastily built weeks prior.
He could even sense the ice magic arrays embedded throughout the venue.
*Fifth-Circle Magic: Blizzard.*
The activation efficiency was low—likely just for cooling.
But they were *everywhere*. One every ten meters or so.
And the entire venue spanned nearly 20,000 square meters.
Jetri sighed inwardly at the Brave Academy’s staggering wealth.
Students already filled the hall. After a brief word with Jetri’s group, old Principal White strode onstage—today’s impromptu host.
"Students! I know you’d rather not see this wrinkled old face right now. But we can’t just throw the Valiant Hero and his squad straight into the spotlight, can we?"
"Without further ado—today’s star: the Sword Hero, Vya Pendragon!"
From backstage, Jetri heard the crisp, bold love confessions of female students. He snorted. *Only at times like this does Vya get on my nerves.*
He admitted it—he was slightly envious.
Vya lacked neither eloquence nor stage fright. Her speech was witty yet profound.
After answering dozens of questions—until they morphed into thinly veiled marriage proposals—she gracefully concluded her segment.
Principal White then introduced Victoria.
Another wave of cheers erupted, louder this time—ear-splitting screams from the male students.
Though often airheaded in private, Victoria was every inch the poised princess in public.
Her Q&A session mirrored Vya’s—but now the suitors were boys.
Unlike the bold girls, the male students grew shy. No matter how fervent they’d been while seated, they turned into flustered teenagers the moment they stood.
Jetri smirked coldly backstage.
*Heh. Too many virgins.*
*...Oh wait. I am too. Never mind.*
Lilith’s fame didn’t match Victoria’s or Vya’s, but as an Elf princess and daughter of Delan’s Archduke, she’d had countless admirers since her student days.
Yet after her speech, not a single boy dared speak up. Instead, *girls* boldly confessed to *her*, leaving Lilith utterly bewildered.
"And now," Principal White announced, "our fourth Radiant Star Squad member: Richard Jetri, outstanding graduate of our Mage Division! Even as a freshman—just a mage apprentice—he made sure I knew his name."
"During Jetri’s studies, he showed no signs of being a traditional magic prodigy. It was his... *other* remarkable qualities that stuck with me."
Jetri’s expression grew increasingly odd backstage.
He wasn’t offended by the teasing—he just wondered if Principal White had had one too many potions today.
"Let’s welcome Richard Jetri to share a few words!"
Jetri sighed and walked onstage.
*So this is the view from up here.*
He waved casually at the students, then shot the principal a helpless look.
A microphone stood at the podium.
"Good afternoon, everyone. Nice weather today."
His tone was relaxed. Almost... careless.
"Some of you might agree—yes, it’s pleasant. Others might think, ‘This weather’s the same every day.’"
"Nine years ago, I thought the same. Ordinary clouds. Ordinary sun. Ordinary blue sky. Nothing special."
"Eight years ago? Same thought."
"Seven. Six. Same."
"But five years ago," Jetri continued matter-of-factly, his face devoid of smiles or frowns, "I stepped out of this academy’s gates."
"You see, before graduation, I was just scraping by—well, you probably don’t know that. The principal certainly wouldn’t tell you."
"Side note: That’s *why* he knew me so early. Freshman year. I sold ‘exam cheat sheets’—fake ones. Got reported. Ended up writing a confession letter in his office."
"So you can imagine what kind of graduate I was: a half-baked mage."
"Then suddenly—I’m told to slay the Demon King." Jetri paused. "Picture this: You get home today, and some stranger in robes sits in your living room saying, ‘Go kill the Demon King.’"
"Unimaginable. Truly."
He didn’t wait for laughter or reactions. He just kept talking.
Jetri rambled on until he finally fell silent. The students stared back, utterly numb.
His story had been *too* relatable.
Just imagining it made their souls ache.
As Jetri turned to leave, a clear voice called out:
"Senior Jetri!"
For a split second, he dared to hope he still had charm.
The underclassman stood up and asked: "Is it true you and the Hero are both single?"
"...Yes," Jetri replied flatly.
*Another one asking about Vya,* he sighed inwardly.
But his answer triggered the same ear-splitting screams from the girls that the boys had made earlier.
Jetri froze, stunned.
*They’re not celebrating Vya’s single status...*
*Then what—?*
Backstage, he wore a dazed expression.
Lilith and Victoria exchanged knowing, complicated glances.
Vya remained silent.
