The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

　After a while, Dark gave the two little goblins the order to return and then turned off the "monitoring tablet".

　—The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin!

　Tonight's sorting ceremony is also a welcome ceremony for the exchange students to St. Marian College.

　They were officially enrolled only after the Sorting Ceremony concluded. The students of St. Marian Academy already knew of the arrival of the Holy Son and Holy Maiden, but not everyone had seen them in person.

　As the students discussed what kind of people the Holy Son and Holy Daughter were, they slowly gathered towards the main hall on the first floor.

　Regardless of the reason for the event, students always have a special enthusiasm for "banquets".

　Both the sumptuous food and the ensuing "ball" are things to look forward to.

　Moreover, tonight's banquet is full of talking points.

　With some reluctance, Dak put down his work, straightened his clothes, and left the dormitory.

　Then he went to the common room on the first floor, ready to go to the auditorium with the second-year boys.

　The boys quickly gathered together, chatting and laughing as they walked out of the tower.

　Before long, everyone entered the auditorium and sat down at their respective long tables according to their grade and college.

　The auditorium had clearly been decorated, and under the bright lights it appeared magnificent.

　A piano in the corner of the stage played its own music, and a sacred hymn floated in the air.

　Thousands of golden candlesticks floated in mid-air, and the long table was filled with golden plates and silver goblets.

　After the students were mostly seated, the professors of St. Mary's College filed in from behind the stage and took their seats in the faculty section.

　Even though it was just a welcome party for exchange students.

　However, since it involves a "sorting ceremony", it naturally exudes a sense of "solemnity".

　St. Maryann College truly demonstrated its sincerity in this "exchange and learning activity".

　As Dark sat between Diana and Rose, he couldn't help but think of the three, Werther and his companions, who were far away.

　The three set off yesterday afternoon, and judging by Feilong's speed, they should have arrived at the Holy Church Mystic Academy this morning. It's unclear whether their exchange student group had a smooth journey.

　Did the students at the Holy Mystic Ritual College treat them with the same warmth as they did here?

　"It should be fine, after all, Viter is the son of a hero. Even students of the Holy Mystic Academy wouldn't disrespect a hero."

　As Dak was thinking this, he saw Archbishop Caleb Norris walking in from behind the stage, following closely behind the professors, along with four exchange students.

　"Principal Arte hasn't arrived yet."

　Dark instinctively looked for Principal Arte. But he couldn't find the principal, or even Professor Sylph.

　"Dark, what are you looking for?" Diana asked, leaning closer.

　Dark said, "I wonder if Principal Art will also be late at this crucial moment."

　"Probably not," Diana said uncertainly. "Hopefully," Dark laughed twice and then stopped paying attention. In fact, Principal Arte's presence or absence wouldn't affect tonight's banquet.

　Since the fairy was there as a substitute, no one would know she wasn't there. However, something unexpected still happened. The one who ultimately stepped onto the stage wasn't Cynthia Saint Artha, but Professor Sarah Sylph!

　Principal Arte was not only late, but she also didn't use a stand-in. Dark watched as Professor Sylph slowly walked out from behind the stage after the opening ceremony, and a sense of unease arose in his heart.

　Where is Principal Arte?

　[Only two days left! Please vote now before they expire, sob sob.]

Chapter 885 We, the people of St. Mary's, are warm and hospitable (4k)

　As Tingyuan watched Professor Hill walk to the center of the stage, his doubts gradually increased.

　According to the schedule, the person who should be taking the stage now is Principal Cynthia Saint Arte, who has already returned from abroad.

　Despite the long journey, given Principal Art's nature, once she arrived at the academy, she would never miss such an event.

　"Could it be that they encountered some unexpected situation on the way?" Dark couldn't help but wonder.

　However, when he spoke with Professor Sylph in her office this morning, everything seemed normal, and Professor Sylph did not reveal anything unusual.

　This means that if there is any emergency, it will most likely happen during the daytime today.

　"What on earth happened...?"

　Dak looked at the stage, trying to make sense of the two small figures on the stage where Bouff was teaching.

　But Professor Sylph remained as serious as ever, her expression perfectly defensive.

　Without revealing any flaws.

　In fact, the news of Principal Arte's return to school today was not disclosed to the public at all. Therefore, her taking the stage in place of the principal did not arouse any suspicion from others.

　Professor Sylph began speaking as soon as she took the stage, showing no intention of replacing her.

　"Principal Arte is actually late!" Diana covered her mouth, somewhat surprised.

　Dark quickly replied, "She might be unable to make it. Professor Sylph is sufficient to host a welcome party for exchange students."

　Diana's eyes darted around, and she quickly changed the subject, saying, "I wonder which college the exchange students will be assigned to?"

　This topic is clearly of greater interest to the students.

　Principal Arte was speaking on the stage, and the students below tried to keep their voices down, but they were still whispering among themselves.

　A few impolite students were still pointing and whispering about the exchange students. As for Archbishop Caleb Norris, who had led the exchange students in, he was already seated in the faculty section—beside him sat the amiable Professor Steven Harvey.

　"Although I hate it, that 'Holy Child' will probably be assigned to our academy, right?"

　Sitting across the long table, Duolong turned to the side and muttered something under his breath.

　Another boy next to him raised his hand and shook it, saying, "Isn't it just perfect that the senior next to him was assigned to another college?"

　Pistan said, "What's there to be afraid of? The House of Nobles is our territory. We can do whatever we want with it."

　Doron, however, said with concern, "But he's made contact with President Edwin." Pistan said, "President Edwin, surely he wouldn't side with outsiders?" Doron whispered, "But he'll uphold justice."

　“Fair,” Pistan frowned. “But we just want to have a friendly exchange with him. Once he’s assigned to the House of Nobles, we’ll be classmates, what’s wrong with sparring with each other?”

　Doron glanced in Dark's direction and said, "That's true." Pistan added, "Besides, we're paying for the exchange! Evan Pearson just arrived and must be short on credits. We'll pay 100 credits for each exchange; he might actually enjoy it."

　The boys were talking quietly, quite excited.

　Dark would glance at them occasionally, but he spent most of his time watching the stage.

　After delivering her formulaic speech, Professor Sylph turned to Archbishop Caleb Norris and said, "Next, let us invite Mr. Caleb Norris, the honorary principal of the Holy Mystic Academy, to give a speech."

　Although Caleb Norris is the chief archbishop of the Holy Church, he leads the team in his capacity as honorary principal.

　As he stepped onto the stage, he naturally exuded a pure and holy aura, instantly winning the favor of those who saw him.

　Caleb Norris was naturally adept at this kind of "speech segment." He put on a kind and approachable face and spoke slowly in a gentle tone, making people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze. They couldn't help but be attracted to him—they didn't even remember what he said specifically, but just felt that he spoke very well.

　"I sincerely hope that this month-long exchange and learning will mark the beginning of diplomatic relations between our two colleges."

　Caleb Norris uttered a final remark before gracefully departing. Professor Sylph returned to the stage and addressed the students: "May our friendship endure. Now, let's begin the Sorting Ceremony. First, on behalf of the students and professors of St. Marian College, I warmly welcome our four exchange students."

　As soon as she finished speaking, she raised her hand and clapped.

　The students in the audience hadn't been clapping at first, but seeing Professor Sylph clapping repeatedly, they all had no choice but to raise their hands.

　"Papapa!"

　The auditorium was instantly filled with a warm and friendly atmosphere.

　At Caleb Norris's prompting, the four exchange students took turns walking onto the stage.

　As the applause gradually subsided, the exchange students, divided into two groups, stood on either side of Professor Sylph behind her.

　Professor Sylph said, "I think everyone here already knows the identities of the four exchange students. The two standing to my left are Evan Pearson, a second-year student, and Tommy Smith, a fifth-year student. The two standing to my right are Audrey Jeanne and Jesse Louisa, both first-year students."

　She turned slightly, gesturing for the four behind her to step forward, and then addressed them: "Tommy Smith and Jesse Louisa came as 'Guardian Knights' of Evan Pearson and Audrey Joan. But now that you are here, you are students of St. Mary's Academy. For the next month, I hope you will consider yourselves students, interacting and learning from our senior students. So, who will begin the Sorting Ceremony?"

　The three women, excluding Audrey Joan of Arc, couldn't help but exchange glances. Then, Evan Pearson's "Guardian Knight"—Tommy Smith—stepped forward and said, "Professor Sylph, let me go first."

　Professor Sylph nodded slightly and said, "May I briefly introduce myself?" "Of course, esteemed professor," Tommy Smith replied, placing his hand on his abdomen in a slight bow before straightening up. "I am Tommy Smith, a fifth-year student at the Holy Knight Academy of the Holy Mystic Academy. I was chosen by the 'Holy Son' in my fourth year and have been honored to become his guardian knight. Even after graduation, I hope to join the 'Holy Son's' guardian ranks and continue to protect him."

　As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of boos erupted from the audience.

　But when he looked up sharply, he couldn't find the source of the "hissing" at all.

　The students below the stage were also startled by the sudden boos and looked around frantically.

　Of course, they all came up empty-handed.

　"It seems someone is quite offended by this Guardian Knight's remarks." Dark frowned slightly, then asked Doron across from him, "Doron, do you know Smith?"

　Doron instinctively replied, "Among the nobles of the capital, there seems to be a Smith."

　Dark guessed, "Could it be that Smith?" Doron said, "The Smith family is quite large; it's hard to say." Dark continued, "The Holy Church's Mystic Academy has always had a donation-based admission system. So every year, a certain number of nobles are admitted. Of course, I'm not saying Tommy Smith got in through that method. But the probability of him being from a noble family is high, and now he's publicly stating he wants to join the Holy Church after graduation… Is he going to give up his noble inheritance?"

　Doron said, "He might be an illegitimate son. But in any case, this kind of behavior is certainly not pleasing."

　Dark nodded. "Then it's normal for him to be disliked." Doron suddenly frowned and said, "But wouldn't that mean he might also be assigned to the House of Nobles if he were assigned to the same class as Evan Pearson?"

　Near...

　on the stage.

　After Tommy Smith finished his introduction, Professor Sylph reached out and a wisp of breeze fell from her palm, transforming into a magic card with a crown, lance, grimoire, and the Tarot card "The Fool" on the back, while the front was blank.

　Tommy Smith squinted and asked, "Professor Sylph, is this the Sorting Card?"

　The St. Mary's College Sorting Card has long been famous.

　Although students who graduate from St. Marian Academy cannot use most of the functions of the Sorting Card outside the academy, they still use it as a magic card to summon "familiars".

　At the same time, the Sorting Card also serves as a student credential for St. Marian College, symbolizing a sense of identity.

　Professor Sylph nodded and said, "This is your Sorting Card. It will assign you the most suitable college based on your own characteristics."

　Tommy Smith took the Sorting Card and examined it carefully.

　Professor Sylph said, "Place the Sorting Card over your left palm, infuse it with magic, and think about what you like, what you want, or your dreams, aspirations, etc. The Sorting Card will guide you."

　Tommy Smith naturally closed his eyes, channeled his magic, and began to think quietly.

　As expected of a fifth-grader, Tommy Smith quickly infused his thoughts into the equation.

　To outsiders, it appeared as if he had just closed his eyes when the college admission card in his palm suddenly emitted a blinding white light.

　“Hold up your sorting cards and show your results,” Professor Sylph said quickly.

　Tommy Smith then suddenly raised the Sorting Card in his hand. "Bang!"

　A burst of light, like fireworks, shot out from that college admission card.

　The points of light converged in the air, forming a gigantic knight's lance! The Sorting Card shouted, "Tommy Smith, Knights' School!"

　"It's the Knights Academy, actually?"

　Dak was slightly surprised.

　The people sitting opposite him, including Duolong, visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

　Although they all knew that "Holy Son" Evan Pearson's strength was probably no weaker than Tommy Smith's, they still felt extra apprehension towards Tommy Smith because he was an older student.

　This is probably the unavoidable psychological pressure that comes with being a "student".

　Now that Tommy Smith has been unexpectedly assigned to the House of Knights, at least they won't have to worry about being hindered by Tommy Smith in the classrooms and towers—provided, of course, that Evan Pearson is indeed assigned to the House of Nobles!

　Thinking of this, Duolong and the others immediately looked towards the stage.

　"Well done, Smith, you will definitely become the best paladin!"

　The sound rang out, and Tommy Smith turned his head sharply. But what he saw was Jesse Louise, the "guardian knight" of "Saint" Audrey Joan of Arc.

　As for the "Holy Son" to whom he had offered his loyalty, he made no mention of it. "I'm sorry, Holy Son," Tommy Smith murmured, then stepped back to Evan Pearson's side.

　Before they arrived, they had made predictions about the Sorting Houses and all believed that Evan Pearson would most likely be assigned to the House of Lords.

　Tommy Smith has now been assigned to the Knights House, almost certainly destined to be separated from them.

　He apologized for it.

　However, Evan Pearson didn't care where he was assigned. "Professor Sylph, am I next?" Evan Pearson said, taking half a step forward.

　Professor Sylph said, "Please introduce yourself briefly."

　Evan Pearson then addressed the students below, speaking with a cool yet elegant tone: "I am Evan Pearson, the current 'Holy Son' of the Holy Church, a second-year student at the Holy Church's Mystic Academy, Holy Son's Department."