NOVPUB"It’s about to start."
On the road near the square in front of the central building of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, two figures approached, chatting about something. Their voices occasionally rang out in the quiet of the winter night.
Their attire was different from the faculty or students, carrying an air that didn’t belong to this place.
In the darkness, their shadows were twisted and strange upon the earth.
"I wonder why Rocky McCarthy is participating in today’s entrance exam at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy."
The visitor in the deep gray coat, holding a map of the academy and admiring the old buildings, headed straight to his destination.
"He was originally a family tutor of a border viscount family, so it’s normal for him to act in line with this cover."
The other shadow chuckled as he said this.
All these newcomers were exceptionally good. As secret agents of the Church infiltrating the Protoss Empire, they had yet to publicly reveal their identities as Priests of Nirvana.
Among them, there was one new face that both of the two Grand Priests residing in the Herram branch of the Nirvana Branch were concerned about lately.
Rocky McCarthy.
Unlike the other excellent qualifier, Sikder, it’s clear that Rocky’s break from the Church of the Goddess of Destiny is distinct.
There were originally three Grand Priests in the Temple of the Knights of Nirvana.
Now there were only two left.
If they had been in charge of the examination a week ago, they might have ended up like Grand Priest Caius.
So they completed the visitor procedures and came to the area of the Protoss Royal Magic Academy after work this Wednesday.
Ordinary social visitors could only stay in the school for a limited time without a special application and needed to follow very strict restrictions.
Just learning about Rocky McCarthy’s performance would be enough.
They slowly approached the central building of the academy, stopping there.
The only unexpected thing was when they were about to arrive, they saw on the wide square in front of the central building of the academy, whether it was the stone steps leading to the square or the benches on the sides, everywhere was filled with the figures of students.
Student expressions varied. Some were exceptionally excited, occupying the best viewing spots early and constantly chatting with their companions who came with them, while some were there with a playful and jocular attitude.
Of course, some students didn’t think much of it. They watched all this with a nearly disdainful attitude, perhaps thinking that such activity was too childish and didn’t fit their interests.
Even so, they still stayed on the road, perhaps out of curiosity, or not wanting to miss a moment of this academy, or simply because a crowd tends to attract more people.
Time ticked away, and as seven o’clock approached, the square became increasingly noisy.
"Some people asked the top ten, but they didn’t say anything and just left with very bad expressions."
"Not everyone. They said that Duchess Cloris looked normal, so it might not be a bad thing."
It was difficult to infer what had happened today.
Finally, as the clock struck seven, no matter the anticipation, curiosity, mockery, or disdain, all emotions were temporarily suspended. All eyes of the students were focused on the large screen, waiting for the images about to be projected.
Suddenly, the expressions of the students became confused.
"?"
"??"
The usual shots of classrooms during the broadcast showed no students.
The silence was terrifying and filled with a strange sense. The stats on the side of the screen showed that no students took the last period’s exam.
The number of students who participated in the exam inexplicably decreased by half, and those who were still in the exam area uniformly chose to run to the rest area and not participate in the exam.
Due to this, the teachers ended their exam day in advance and took a leave of absence.
"Where are the people?"
"What’s going on?"
The students on the square looked at each other. This unexpected change made them feel a bit uneasy and their formerly excited smiles gradually froze on their faces.
It even made their heartbeats a bit uncomfortable.
The camera switched to a certain classroom, and a sound was finally heard.
It was the sound of loud voices, as if in a large auditorium, someone was standing on the stage delivering a speech.
The teachers seated on the stage seemed unable to resist clapping enthusiastically or responding to his call because of what he had said earlier.
Standing in the center of the vast auditorium, the tall dome reflecting his majestic figure, he paused in his speech, waiting for everyone to release their excitement.
He stood on a high podium meant for him alone, with a magnificent stone mural gate behind him, leading straight to heaven. The lights in the auditorium turned into rays of first light, shining on him.
He raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.
Soon, the only sounds in the auditorium were faint coughs and rustling noises.
"When we act, we must ensure we move forward, we can’t back down."
His voice seemed to carry a unique power and talent for emotional communication that could penetrate the soul, stirring resonance. As his words rang out again, people in the hall were drawn into a deep trance by his voice.
"...Now, some ask me when I will be satisfied. No, we are not satisfied now, we will not be satisfied in the future, unless justice and fairness rage like the waves of a great river, coming in a rolling tide."
His voice became more sonorous and determined, raising his clenched fist,
"I have a dream today, I dream of a day when the valleys shall rise, the mountains shall descend, the rough paths become plains, and the holy light dawns, illuminating the world."
"Long live McCarthy!"
"Long live McCarthy!"
All the teachers on screen stood up and shouted enthusiastically.
It seemed as if an invisible force had been ignited in people’s hearts. The light on their faces grew even brighter and more fervent, as if they had transformed into warriors with a shared goal and faith, ready to fight for their dreams.
Outside the frame,
On the square in front of the Central Building,
Everything fell silent.
The night sky suddenly went quiet.
The lower grade students had their mouths agape, completely unaware of what was happening.
The expressions of the higher grade students turned into a crowd of various emotions.
Even the Grand Priest of the Nirvana Branch was stunned.
"...Is this a religious ceremony?"
The Grand Priest’s murmur was heard by a nearby lower grade student.
"You’re asking me? I’m just a student. I can’t evaluate it. Maybe professionals from the Rebirth Church could shed some light."
The lower grade student shook his head and said.
The Grand Priest: "..."
"Indeed."
The Grand Priest nodded.
They were too embarrassed to admit they were from the Rebirth Church.
They couldn’t evaluate it either.
Thank goodness this guy is only Fourth-Order. If he was Eighth-Order, I dare not imagine what kind of abomination he would become...
The upper-grade students, standing on the square with their brains nearly at cellular decay, didn’t know the specifics, but they finally recognized the reality.
This guy named Rocky McCarthy was not hunted down by anyone.
Those nearly half disappeared students... they must have fallen to his hands!
His current bounty must have reached an unknown amount.
Even the teachers are completely under his control.
Although this school is directly affiliated with the Empire’s Education Department and has no headmaster,
From now on, there will only be one absolute ruler...
-----------------
Let’s put a meme of Hyperion here~
