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

　The melody played by four different instruments subtly conveyed a sense of solemnity, and the candlesticks floating above the four ornate long tables lit up one after another, replacing the light of the magic lamp.

　The entire hall dimmed instantly, but gained a touch of magic.

　The students' chatter subsided instantly.

　"duang!"

　The clock struck seven o'clock sharp, its sound echoing throughout the castle.

　In the faculty section, professors dressed in formal attire took their seats one after another.

　On the other side of the stage, the freshmen, led by Professor Sylph, had already entered.

　The first ten or so people in the front row lifted the curtain and entered, their eyes wide with excitement as they stared at the hall where thousands of people had gathered.

　The college selection ceremony has begun!

　……

　[2-in-1 4000+]

Chapter 542 Dividing the Army into Four Groups and Dominating the Academy (4k)

　殿堂之中飘扬的歌声突然变得连绵而悠长，从喇叭形状的乐器之中吐出了神圣的赞歌。104;116;116;112;58;47;47;119;119;119;46;50;99;121;120;115;119;46;99;111;109;47;

　As the familiar song began, the students instinctively looked up at the stage.

　As if waiting specifically for this moment, the black curtain, as soft and silky as velvet, slowly parted under the gaze of all eyes.

　The most beautiful and noble lady of St. Marian Academy—Principal Cynthia St. Art—stepped onto the stage from behind the parted curtain.

　The nine fairies surrounding her flew forward, transforming into flowers and fireflies, rendering the entire stage dreamlike and beautiful.

　Thousands of candles floating in mid-air rose and fell like waves in sync with the melody of the song.

　The candlelight reflected off the golden plates and silver goblets, refracting a mesmerizing rainbow of colors, creating a dreamlike scene.

　Welcome to St. Marian Academy!

　The repeated welcome messages made every senior student feel as if they had returned to the beginning of their school year.

　The upperclassmen were lost in their memories, while the freshmen were filled with joy and trepidation.

　Victoria and Phoenix stood one after the other among the new students, their eyes filled with excitement...and curiosity.

　They are like cats mixed in with a pack of tiger cubs, with similar physiques and stripes, but completely different individuals in essence.

　Fortunately, they have never felt inferior about their identity as magical elves, so they are not afraid of being exposed.

　Hey, do you remember us?

　The sudden sound from behind her ear startled Victoria.

　She turned around abruptly and saw the twins in snow-white dresses staring at her and Phoenix with their big, round eyes.

　Victoria immediately widened her eyes and stared back at them. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember who these two were.

　"It's a princess!"

　Phoenix whispered something in Victoria's ear.

　This reminder made Victoria realize that she had seen them at Dak's birthday party.

　Then she smiled shyly and asked, "Are you also freshmen this year?"

　“Of course!” Anna, who was at the front of the line, said proudly, “After the Sorting Ceremony, we’ll be classmates!”

　Angie rolled her eyes and asked, "So? Which college do you want to be assigned to?"

　Victoria scratched her head and said, "Although I want to go to the House of Nobles, I guess I'll stick with the House of Knights."

　Phoenix will most likely be assigned to the Knights Academy, and of course she wants to be there.

　Angie asked in surprise, "Why the Knights Academy? I heard that people at the Knights Academy are all muscle-bound, and smart people like us should go to the Magic Academy."

　Anna immediately seized the opportunity to sneer, "You think you can get into the Magic Academy? Just stay here in the Noble Academy with your older sister. Don't worry, I, as the older sister, will fulfill Father's requests. You, as the younger sister, just need to lie back and wait. I'll feed you—ah! You stepped on me!"

　Angie raised her eyebrows, looked away, and pretended that she hadn't done anything.

　But such a blatant attempt to cover up the truth could not be fooled. Anna instantly raised her foot and stomped back—then "thud" as she stepped onto the floor.

　The crisp sound of footsteps immediately caught Professor Sylph's attention.

　Professor Sylph turned around abruptly, her cold face and stern gaze silencing the whispering children.

　……

　"I know you've all been looking forward to the college orientation ceremony for a long time. Now, let's move on and invite the first freshman whose name we call to come up to the stage."

　Principal Art always managed to end the conversation before the students got bored.

　She smiled, raised her wand, and with a gentle tap, an ancient scroll rolled into a cylinder appeared out of thin air.

　The scroll hung in mid-air and unfurled automatically, its surface densely covered with the names of the new students.

　Principal Arte raised his wand again and tapped it lightly. A tear appeared in the middle of the scroll, and the tear quickly wriggled and turned into a mouth.

　Then, from that mouth, came an extremely shrill voice: "Hannah Abbott!"

　"It's my turn! It's my turn! It's calling me!"

　A little girl with a rosy complexion and two flaxen braids among the new students looked around anxiously, as if trying to confirm that there was no one with the same name.

　"Hannah April!"

　"I'm coming!"

　Hannah was startled and quickly ran out of the line, lifting her skirt as she ran onto the stage.

　Headmaster Arte noticed the little girl's nervousness and gently touched the red shoes at her feet, imbuing them with magic.

　Then, with each step she took, a glowing butterfly would fly out from under her feet.

　After a few steps, she was surrounded by butterflies.

　Hannah's eyes widened instantly. She reached out and touched the beautiful butterfly, and the cool sensation quickly calmed her down.

　“Aibo, come here.”

　Principal Arte beckoned to her, her gaze gentle.

　Hannah stood beside her, her back straight, her hands pressed tightly against her sides.

　Principal Art smiled slightly and asked, "Do you know which four colleges are in the academy?"

　Hannah nodded vigorously: "I know!"

　Principal Arte asked, "You have great courage to speak up what you know."

　"Yes!"

　Hannah strained to make a sound; she felt she had never been so brave before.

　"There are four colleges in the academy: the College of Nobles, the College of Knights, the College of Magic, and the College of Fools!"

　"The symbol of nobility is the noble crown, and only students with pure noble blood can be assigned to the House of Nobles."

　"The symbol of the Knights Academy is the knight's lance, and students assigned to the Knights Academy all have a brave heart."

　"The symbol of the Magic Academy is the magic book that records knowledge. Only students with a strong thirst for knowledge can gain the favor of the Magic Academy."

　"The symbol of the House of Fools is the 'Fool' from the Tarot card. Students assigned to the House of Fools are like unpolished gems, possessing the greatest potential."

　Hannah spoke at an unprecedented speed, recounting everything she knew in one breath.

　Principal Arte looked approving: "Well said, both the Knight Academy and the Magic Academy are very suitable for you."

　"Yes, really?"

　Hannah seemed unusually happy.

　"definitely."

　Principal Arte immediately clapped his hands.

　Of the nine little fairies surrounding her, one flew toward Hannah.

　Hannah took a magic card from the pixie's paw, and upon turning it over, noticed the back of the card, which featured a crown, a lance, a magic book, and the tarot card "The Fool."

　Principal Art said, "I assume you already know how to activate your Sorting Card?"

　Hannah nodded slightly and, as she knew, placed the Sorting Card in her left palm. Then, she covered it with her right hand, closed her eyes, and tried her best to infuse her thoughts into the Sorting Card.

　This unfinished sorting card absorbed the magic of thought and gradually began to glow.

　When Hannah opened her eyes, her Sorting Card had been automatically replenished.

　On the face of that college sorting card, a black magic book, symbolizing the Magic Academy, was clearly visible!

　"Hannah April, Magic Academy!"

　……

　"Oh oh oh!"

　Hannah's courage and wisdom left a very good impression on the students in grades two through six in the audience.

　Both the Magic Academy and the Knight Academy welcomed her warmly.

　As the Sorting Card was replenished, fireworks automatically released from the card condensed in the air to form the shape of a magic book.

　The students of the Magic Academy immediately cheered.

　The entire branching ceremony began with this and proceeded quickly and orderly.

　The atmosphere at the scene gradually became more and more exciting.

　The addition of each promising new student can elicit a wave of cheers.

　The number of empty seats at the ends of the four long tables gradually decreased.

　Phoenix Dimon!

　Finally, the name of the Phoenix Maiden was uttered from the scroll.

　"It's finally our turn."

　Dak immediately perked up.

　The appearance of the familiar surname caused a stir among students in grades two through six.

　Only a very small number of people knew beforehand that Jon and Joey of the Dimon family had received an invitation to the academy, so they weren't so surprised—wait, not Jon and Joey?

　The students, who were already quite astonished, stared wide-eyed as the long-haired girl stepped onto the stage.

　Despite having fiery red hair, Phoenix Dimon had an icy expression, radiating an aura that kept strangers at bay.

　After she received a Sorting Card from the elf's beak, she immediately infused it with magic, smoothly activating the circuitry within the Sorting Card.

　Immediately afterwards, the Sorting Card was automatically replenished, and a lance naturally appeared on the card.

　"Phoenix Dimon, Knights Academy!"

　Before the students could engage in a heated discussion, Phoenix had already stepped down from the stage. Then, guided by the prefect of the Knights' House, he walked towards the long table belonging to the Knights' House.

　Almost as soon as she appeared at the front of the long table, a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted in the Knights' Academy area!

　Everyone knows that the Dimon family is at the height of its power in the kingdom. And students with the surname Dimon should, by all accounts, be assigned to the House of Nobles.

　This unexpected result greatly excited the Knights' Academy.

　As soon as Phoenix sat down, his classmates began to chat with him very enthusiastically.

　The second-grade students, who were closest to the first-grade students, frequently turned to look at her, filled with curiosity.

　But Phoenix doesn't seem to want to talk to anyone?

　……

　Dark watched Phoenix's retreating figure with some concern, feeling that her interpersonal relationships were going to become a mess.

　"We can only hope that Victoria will also be assigned to the Knights Academy..."

　When Victoria is mentioned, her name is loudly proclaimed.

　The students, who had just been surprised by Phoenix's surname, were now even more astonished.