Lanqi Is Delivering a Speech

"It's about to begin." On the path leading toward the plaza in front of the central building of the Protos Royal Magic Academy, two figures drew near, conversing in low tones, their voices occasionally breaking the stillness of the winter night. They dressed differently from the instructors or students, carrying an aura that did not belong here. Under the darkness, their shadows stretched across the ground, twisted and eerie. "I wonder why that Luoqi McCarthy took part in the Protos Royal Magic Academy's entrance evaluation today." Holding a map of the academy, the visitor in the dark gray overcoat admired the academy's antiquated architecture as they headed straight for their destination. "He was originally a private tutor for a border viscount's family. It's only natural for him to take care of business under that cover identity," the other figure said with a chuckle. This batch of newcomers was exceptionally outstanding. Planted in the Protos Empire as church sleeper agents, their identities as clerics of Extinction had not yet been made public. Among them was a recent newcomer whom both archbishops of the Extinction Branch stationed in the Imperial Capital Herrom found particularly intriguing. Luoqi McCarthy. Unlike the other exceptionally outstanding candidate, Side, one could be absolutely certain of his complete disassociation from the Church of the Goddess of Fate. Originally, there had been three archbishops in the Temple of the Knights of Extinction. Now, only two remained. Had the two of them overseen that evaluation a week ago, their fates might have matched Archbishop Caius's. So they completed the visitor registration and, after finishing work this Wednesday, came to the grounds of the Protos Royal Magic Academy. General visitors from society could stay on campus only for a limited time unless granted special permission, and they had to adhere to very strict restrictions. Just to observe and learn from Luoqi McCarthy's performance, it was plenty of time. They made their way to the academy's central building and halted their steps. The only unexpected sight was that as they approached, they saw students everywhere across the vast plaza before the central building—along the stone staircases leading down, on the benches lining the edges. The students wore varied expressions. Some seemed exceptionally excited, having claimed the best viewing spots early and talking incessantly with the companions they had come with, while others wore playful, mocking grins. Of course, some students were indifferent, watching with near-disdain, likely finding such an event too childish to suit their tastes. Yet even so, they remained along the pathways—perhaps to satisfy their curiosity, perhaps simply unwilling to miss a single moment at the academy, or perhaps because whenever a crowd formed, it inevitably drew even more people without needing any reason. Time ticked by second by second, and as seven o'clock drew near, the plaza grew increasingly noisy. "Someone tried asking the Ten Seats, but they left looking awful without saying a word." "Not all of them. I heard Lady Cloris looked perfectly normal, so it might not be a bad thing." It made it impossible to deduce what had happened today. Finally, as the hour hand pointed to seven o'clock, all emotions—anticipation, curiosity, mockery, or disdain—were momentarily suspended. The students' gazes converged upon the massive screen, awaiting the broadcast about to air. Immediately afterward, looks of utter confusion washed over their faces. "?" "??" As the broadcast cycled through the classrooms as usual, there was not a single examinee in sight. It was deathly silent, saturated with an eerie stillness. And the results on the data sidebar indicated that not a single student had participated in the evaluation for the final period. The total number of students taking the evaluation had mysteriously been cut in half, while the remaining students in the evaluation area had all chosen to flee to the rest area rather than participate. The instructors had consequently taken time off, bringing this Monthly Evaluation Day to an early close. "Where is everyone?" "What's going on?" The students in the plaza looked at each other in bewilderment. This bizarre turn of events gave them a vaguely ominous feeling, and the expectant smiles gradually froze on their faces. It even made their hearts beat with uneasy flutterings. When the camera switched to a certain lecture hall, sound finally emerged. A clamor of voices swelled. Inside a grand auditorium, someone stood before the podium, delivering a speech. The instructors in the seats seemed so stirred by what he had just said that they could not help but applaud enthusiastically and shout in response. Standing in the center of the vast auditorium, his dignified figure mirrored beneath the soaring dome, he paused his speech, waiting for the audience to vent their emotions. He stood on an elevated platform that belonged to him alone. Behind him was a majestic stone mural portal, like a gateway straight to the heavens. The lights of the auditorium transformed into straight beams of dawn, bathing his figure. He raised a hand, gesturing for quiet. Soon, the auditorium fell so quiet that only slight coughs and the rustling of movement could be heard. "When we act, we must ensure we march forward; we cannot turn back." His voice seemed imbued with a unique power and a gift for emotional resonance, piercing straight to the soul. As his words rang out once more, the people in the hall were drawn in by his voice, captivated as though in a deep reverie. "...Now someone asks me: 'When will you be satisfied?' No, we are not satisfied now, nor will we be satisfied in the future, until justice and righteousness roll down like surging waters, a mighty river flooding across the land!" His voice grew resolute and powerful as he raised a clenched fist. "I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the glory of the Holy Light shall be revealed, shining over all mankind!" "Long live McCarthy!" "Long live McCarthy!" On the screen, all the instructors stood, pumping their fists and chanting at the top of their lungs. It was as though an invisible power had been ignited in their hearts. The glow on their faces shone brighter and more fervent than ever, as if they had transformed into warriors sharing a common purpose and faith, ready to fight to make their dream a reality. And off-screen. On the plaza before the central building. Silence fell. Even the night sky suddenly went mute. The lower-year students dropped their jaws, entirely unable to comprehend what had happened. The upper-year students displayed an entire spectrum of stunned expressions. Even the archbishops of the Extinction Branch froze in shock. "...Is this some sort of religious ritual?" The archbishop's muttering was overheard by a nearby lower-year student. "You're asking me? I'm just a student, I can't judge. Maybe the professionals from the Resurrection Church could offer some insights," the lower-year student said, shaking their head. The archbishop: "..." "Indeed," the archbishop nodded. They were too embarrassed to admit they were from the Resurrection Church. Nor could they judge it. Thank goodness this fellow was only fourth-tier. If he were eighth-tier, one could hardly imagine what kind of evil god he would become... The upper-year students standing in the plaza, their minds practically going numb, finally came to terms with reality, even if they didn't know the exact process. This fellow named Luoqi McCarthy hadn't been hunted by anyone at all. Nearly half the students had vanished—and it was almost certainly his doing! His current bounty had likely soared into uncharted territory. And even the instructors had fallen completely under his sway. Though this academy was directly under the Imperial Department of Education and had never had the post of headmaster, from now on, there would probably be only one absolute ruler...