Druids and the freshers party

"Good morning, everyone. Before you all leave for your next classes, I'd like to make an announcement. My name is Elisabeth Heartwell. A fourth year student and the student council president." Lisa said as she stood on the stage behind the podium.

She was wearing the uniform with the blue jacket, with four silver stripes on her shoulders and a golden star pin on her chest. Showcasing her role as the fourth year student of Zenith and the president of student council. Her long black hair tied in a high ponytail. Behind her two other students were standing, also a part of student council.

Currently all the first year students were gathered in a large hall. As a combined class about the history of Emergence and the world before and after it, had just finished. The class was done by the grade two professor Valentine Whitman, A druid from the forest of Woodlands and Avalon Springs.

The colony of druids had been contacted with the World Association for centuries now. magic

Any normal Druid can live for a century without a problem, and if they're stronger, then they might live for several. But since the number of druids in Arcadia is much lower compared to other races, and the rate of their population growth had been in a steady decline ever since they first appeared, they agreed to make a pact with the World Association for protection against everything, any war, monsters or the dungeons. In return for this protection, they agreed to share their knowledge with the world.

Lisa, who was standing in the front continued her speech "Whenever a new batch of students enters the academy, there's a welcoming ceremony, organized by all the other senior students. You may know it as the Freshers Party or the first celebration."

Her words eliciting excited squeals from everyone in class, as murmurs and chatter about it started going around in the whole class. This event is what every new student has been looking forward to since they joined the academy three weeks ago.

"You might've seen the preparations for it happening around the auditorium and the event hall, and I'm here to announce the dates for it."

"The celebration will be held 10 days from today. It'll last for two days.

The first one is when you're the kings and are free to do everything you want. Second day is where your seniors join the celebrations too."

"Before you start fretting over it, or start spreading rumors or stories you might've heard about it, let me clarify, there'll be no bullying, no disrespects, or ragging. No one is going to force you to do anything you don't want to or don't like. This event is all just fun and games for everyone to enjoy themselves and be comfortable at the academy. So don't listen to anyone saying it otherwise." Lisa said addressing the issue of rumors which always scare many freshers every new year. Some seniors just spread them for fun, and make fun of the nervous faces of the newbies.

The boy with a face covered by tattoos and piercings, standing behind Lisa, came forward and continued her speech. His name was Gildart Mitchell, a ranker. His family is a part of mage tower and his father is the vice-chairman of their second main branch. "The purpose for this party is purely to increase the connections between everyone, and make the environment harmonious for every student at this academy."

"You will get to meet all your seniors, professors and other staff working at the academy. Some guests from the World Association and the other academies would also be joining us." The other guy, with a simple look without any accessories or extravagance, came forward and continued the speech. His name was Mohan Das, another ranker, but from a commoner family.

"As it is an academy only event, some rules and proper etiquette must be followed. The details about everything would be posted on the announcement board, and would also be shared to you on your personal devices linked at the academy database. Further on, if you have any questions, doubts or suggestions - you can check the academy forum and ask them on the announcement page. We will review them all, and get back to you."

Once they were done, Lisa took the charge again as she spoke about the rules for this event.

"Since this will be your first event after joining the Zenith, I hope you'll follow the rules and won't make our work harder. Do know that breaking these rules might get you a penalty of your Merit Points or even a suspension, depending on the situation. So do read everything carefully and not make any mistakes, for both our sakes."

"The day before the celebration, the classes would be canceled. So you can make your preparations, get your partners or go shopping - you can do whatever you want."

"I hope _ "

Lisa was speaking when Rio's words cut her off.

"What if someone doesn't want to join this 'event' of yours?"

His tone still the same monotonous with a touch of emptiness , which he used for talking with everyone except the few people around him. Gildart frowned seeing Rio stopping their speech in front of everyone, as it was just disrespectful. While Mohan just looked at him and nodded his head. But Rio just ignored their existence, like he didn't even notice them.

Rio's question stunned everyone in the class, as who would want to skip something so important. Not only the chance to meet all those seniors they saw on records, or professors who are famous all over the world - it was even a dream for many.

But it was also a good question for some stufents. As no matter what anyone says, the rumors of ragging are really everywhere. Even though the academy opposes it, and the staff prohibits it, but if as the sky collapsed above them.

:09

At least that's what it was supposed to look like, but Amelia could only see weird lines and doodles. the seniors ask for anything, can any of them really refuse.

Plus not everyone liked to take part in parties, some didn't like the crowd and wanted to train instead of wasting time playing games. Lisa looked at Rio who was still looking at her, waiting for an answer, and replied "As I said, this event is held for the freshman, so you can do whatever you want. If you don't want to attend this event, you can skip it."

"You can stay in your dorms, but you can't leave the floating islands. So don't ask for leaves, or permission to visit your families." The professor standing by the side also replied, stopping the thoughts of some people who wanted to go their homes at every other holiday.

Their words made some silent introvert students breathe a sigh of relief. If it's like this, they don't have to force themselves to stay somewhere they don't feel comfortable at. After all, instead of forcing themselves on trying to mingle or meet new faces or get into any trouble, it's better to just stay in their rooms and sleep, or train to get stronger. Once they're powerful enough, would there even be a need to do something they don't like.

"But I do hope everyone can join this event. A change of scenery and a happy environment might make you feel more comfortable. Who knows, you might make new friends and _" Lisa started speaking again while looking at Rio, who started getting busy doodling on the table instead of focusing on her speech.

'Friends huh, the same people who could use you as a bait and stab you in the back.' Rio thought as he heard her words.

Amelia looked at the table where Rio was making a drawing of a few monsters fighting against a man, as the sky collapsed above them.

At least that's what it was supposed to look like, but Amelia could only see weird lines and doodles. Resembling the designs she used to make when she was five years old.

"What a bad drawing, stop doodling and dirtying the table." She said as she waved her hand and wiped out everything.

"Was it that bad?" Rio asked, as he looked at her expression.

"It was the worst drawing I ever saw. If you can even call that scribbling stuff a drawing." Amelia said, while cleaning her hands of the left out ink.

"..."

[Special offer - Low grade painting skill experience card for the blind beginners]

[10000 points]

'Fuck you system' Rio cursed the system and muted it again, for the crime of making fun of him, while putting away the marker pen in his hand.

'Was it really that bad though, I thought it was alright.' Rio said again as he closed his eyes and dozed off to sleep.

Cause once this was done, he had go meet his therapist again for another session. That guy increased his sessions again, after he learned he was there when the Warzy attacked.

'I should just turn him into my puppet or something. System you got something like that?'