As Jarron had promised, the rest of the week was filled with theory lessons to introduce the students to the world and art of summoning, which was not as simple as many first thought. It was more than just having the affinity for summoning, summoning a familiar, and becoming famous all over the empire.
It took a lot of hard work, dedication, patience, and will to go from a person with a stronger or rarer-than-average pet to a real summoner.
After all, without the right know-how, experience, and control over their familiars, summoners were walking time bombs. Familiars were usually more docile and friendly than their wild counterparts. Usually.
But even the kindest man has a breaking point, much less familiars raised for combat.
To secure the students' future and the continued welfare of the empire and its citizens, the Academy's teachings were strict.
On the flip side, as long as one lasted at least two out of the four years, they could be set for life if they wanted. The additional two years were for those who loved summoning or wanted more than a simple life in a countryside mansion.
'I mean, a countryside mansion with a bunch of servants doing all the work doesn't sound too bad to me.'
Zach bobbed his head along with the long-haired principal's speech and introduction to the Academy and life as a summoner in the Empire. Retiring early at least sounded a lot better to Zach than working so hard his hair turned white before wrinkles appeared around his eyes like what had happened to the principal.
The principal wasn't the only one suffering from hardship, either. Several of the instructors, who were lined up behind him or in the seats in the grand hall, looked tired with bags under their eyes or messy hair.
'If this is what they look like during important events, how bad is it usually?'
The only clear exception was a tall person with glossy, short purple hair, shiny cheeks, and a radiant smile. They looked like they got at least eight hours of sleep every night and ate three rounded meals every day while also getting proper exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction.
"I feel like I will have a few more white-haired compatriots if I continue talking, so I will end my speech here and instead welcome the freshman representative to the stage. Please give Zacharia Evandiel, our first-year S-rank summoner, a warm applause."
Zach looked at the principal with his mouth agape for a second or two before looking at Jarron, who Zach was confident he just heard swear even across the distance between the rows of seats and the stage behind the principal.
The principal, as astute as he was, caught both Zach's confused expression and Jarron's cursing. He quickly put together the pieces. He didn't even need to ask to know that Jarron had forgotten to inform Zach.
When the principal looked at him, Jarron felt like he could hear the promise of a stern scolding even when the former didn't say anything. The principal then turned to Zach with a hopeful gaze.
Zach met the principal's eyes. He glanced from side to side before directing his gaze at his hand, which was positioned so that only the principal would see it. He rubbed his thumb against his fingers real quick.
The principal nodded.
Zach got up and made his way to the podium under the gaze and dying waves of applause. He waved to the crowd as he took to the stage.
He placed both hands on the stand and looked at the crowd.
"I'll begin with a greeting. Hello, fellow freshmen, seniors, instructors, janitors, familiars, faculty members, and dust bunnies. It's a pleasure. And by that, I mean it is your pleasure. You all have the great fortune of attending, teaching, or working in this great academy at the same time as me. Be honored.
My presence alone will be enough for all of you to go down in history.
"I don't have a humble background. I don't have a humble familiar. I don't have any reason to be humble. I'm not going to pretend to be something I'm not. But I'm not delusional. I'll live up to it.
I won't stop at being the S-rank freshman representative. This…"
Zach looked out at the crowd of hundreds of people, all of whom were looking at him with bright, piercing eyes. Even the familiars inside the hall, including Yanael, looked at him like he was the only thing in the world.
"...and all of you, are just stepping stones."
As his words rang into the calm amphitheater, Zach took his hands off the podium stand and stepped back.
At the same time, in the ceiling high above, the sole chandelier affected by a rare termite fond of metal, specifically the metal in the chains holding up the chandeliers, had enough.
The chandelier's weight was too much for the hollow chain, with a silent creak, the chain crumbled and the hollow shell tore, allowing the chandelier to drop and descend through the air like a sparkling, glowing gift of instant death to whoever was lucky enough to receive it.
The design, architecture, and acoustics of the amphitheater had lined up to place the sole affected chandelier right above the center of the stage, where Zach had stepped back after finishing his speech.
Since everyone was looking at Zach, no one saw the chandelier. Everyone who looked at Zach did so because they couldn't quite believe what they had just heard.
However, there were at least two people who had no trouble believing Zach could or would say such a thing. Nora was a servant and not affiliated with the Academy in any way. She wasn't in the hall.
The other was Yanael.
She had gotten to learn Zach well since the summoning. It wasn't just that she knew him well. As a maid, it was her duty to remain composed, especially during important events.
That was why she was the first to see and only to react to the change in lighting from the plummeting chandelier. She dashed forward.