Chapter 199: Revan Soren
"Anel’s a student here too?" Gara murmured in surprise.
"You know her?" Yuvika asked. "From what I’ve heard, the one chosen to speak at the ceremony is always the top student of their year."
"That explains the portrait of her in the lobby earlier," Orman chimed in.
"Makes sense," Gara nodded thoughtfully.
On stage, Anel gracefully wrapped up her speech.
"And now, I’d like to invite the representative of this year’s new students— Revan Soren!"
A murmur swept through the rows of first-years. Whoever got called up to the podium was, without a doubt, the strongest among them.
"Well," Gara whispered to Madha, "I guess we don’t have to wonder who it is anymore."
He remembered what his godfather had told him—
If he ever needed to meet Agus Soren, the academy’s vice headmaster, he’d have to go through his grandson.
And now, that grandson stood right before him.
On the podium stood a young man with neatly styled jet-black hair, a sharp nose, defined jawline, pale skin, and naturally pink lips that were almost crimson.
His eyes were pitch-black, veiled by a faint red sheen— and most striking of all were his long fangs, glinting whenever he spoke.
"He doesn’t even look human. He’s way too handsome," Orman muttered in awe.
"He’s not human, though," Yuvika replied casually.
"Oh. Right." Orman scratched his neck awkwardly.
Gara had to admit, the vampire on stage was indeed striking— but then again, he had two handsome men right beside him, each with their own kind of charm.
His gaze drifted toward the row of professors, curious if any of them resembled the vampire boy or shared similar traits. But none of them did.
Instead, his eyes met Langga’s— who gave him a faint, crooked smile.
What’s with that devil’s grin? Gara frowned, an uneasy feeling creeping into his chest. The devil professor looked like he was targeting him for something.
From that point on, Gara couldn’t focus. The ceremony continued, but his thoughts kept circling back to that unsettling smile.
Eventually, the professors and upper-year students were dismissed, leaving behind only the first-years, staff members, and several seniors who seemed to be part of the orientation committee.
Mrs. Anna stepped onto the stage. "I’ll now read out your class placements. When your name is called, please line up by the door. A senior will guide you to your classroom."
The hall buzzed with murmurs from the two hundred new students. Class placement had begun!
"There are six classes in each year," Yuvika explained suddenly, turning into their walking encyclopedia. "Class S is the elite class, while Class E is the lowest. Each class holds a maximum of forty students. That’s why only two hundred were accepted through the entrance exam."
"So... forty students got in without taking the test, and they’re all in Class S?" Orman asked.
Yuvika shook her head. "No. The number of students who enter without the test isn’t fixed each year, but it’s never more than ten. Because class S only has ten students, and they’re the best of the best.
Gara and Madha are guaranteed a spot. Fian might make it too, depending on how many got in without the test."
Orman nodded thoughtfully. Gara and Madha nodded as well— good to know.
Their conversation died down as Mrs. Anna began calling out names one by one.
Among their group, Kevio was the first to go. He was placed in Class E, the lowest class.
Next came Yuvika and Orman, both assigned to Class B. Fortunately, they were together.
"We’ll meet again after this!" Yuvika waved dramatically, her face full of exaggerated sadness, as if they were parting forever.
Gara chuckled and waved back.
After Class B came Class A. When the last name for Class A was called, only ten students remained in the hall.
Gara, Madha, and Fian still hadn’t been called.
Among the remaining seven were two familiar faces, Revan Soren and Andine Karina.
"You ten, please line up and follow the senior over there," Mrs. Anna said, not bothering to read their names individually as she had for the other classes.
"Over here, everyone!" Anel called out cheerfully, waving them over.
Gara, Madha, and Fian rose from their seats.
A lively beastkin girl sitting nearby greeted them with a bright smile.
"Hi! My name’s Vania Shereen— pureblood tigerfolk. What about you guys? And... what are you exactly?" She scanned Gara and Madha from head to toe, her curious eyes sharp and inquisitive.
"I’m Gara, that’s Madha, and he’s Fian," Gara replied politely.
"Don’t tell me you’re humans. No way, right?" Vania chuckled like her words were the funniest joke in the world.
Gara and Madha exchanged glances before Madha frowned and answered, "We are humans."
The tigress girl’s friendly smile quickly turned into a condescending look. "Humans? Those weaklings? Tch."
Before walking away, she glanced at Fian and sneered, "Why would an elf like you hang out with such weak humans?"
Fian’s expression darkened. "Get lost," he snapped.
"Looks like spending too much time with humans made you just as dumb as they are," Vania scoffed before striding off.
"That girl’s brain is broken," Madha muttered flatly.
"Racism exists even in another world, huh?" Gara shook his head, eyes flicking to the ’–20’ floating above her head.
Vania jogged off toward another student, a calm-looking girl.
"Hi, Lysa Fenris! I’m Vania Shereen. You’ve heard of the Shereen family, right? The tiger clan?" Vania said with her usual confidence.
But to her surprise, Lysa only gave her a cold glance before walking away, openly ignoring her.
"Bitc—" Vania stopped herself from cursing out loud, grumbling under her breath instead, "If she weren’t the only daughter of Alpha Fenris, I wouldn’t have bothered saying hi. Tch!"
"I’m Vania Shereen, cousin of Alya Shereen— Professor Langga’s fiancée!" she announced loudly, making sure everyone nearby could hear.
One short boy’s ears twitched at her words. He approached her eagerly.
"I’ve heard great things about the Shereen family! And now you’re connected to Professor Langga himself?"
...