The Animagus: From Hunter to Monster-Chapter 44: It’s quite strange

The atmosphere in the hall was filled with surprise and excitement from the student who has their sitting positions at various dinner tables. The air also reeked of anticipation as every student wanted to know what had resulted to the sudden celebration.

Buji and Kira both settled on the seats, arranged in according row of one of the dinner tables. Their attention shifted back to the stage, which consisted of vibrant decorations and then, at one side, a few of the academy’s instructors sat in an imposing line formation.

"What are they doing here?" Buji asked, leaning toward Kira with his brow furrowed as if not wanting anyone to hear his question.

"I saw, but if I were you, I wouldn’t ask," Kira smirked and gave a light shrug. Turning to Buji, she added. "I wouldn’t ask that question since there might be a celebration. Who wouldn’t grab that opportunity as well?"

"That’s right. Maybe a celebration," Buji speculated, scanning the hall once more. "Or something else entirely. Whatever it was, we will find out soon."

Their attention was attracted to the voice of a young man on the stage. The moderator of the occasion, and a familiar person to Buji. The young man was Instructor Hay.

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He cleared his throat and smiled confidently. Then, he began.

"Oh, yeah. It would be improper if we start without introducing ourselves," the man on the stage said.

The hall settled, and Instructor Hay gestured toward the instructors with a bow.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said with a wide grin on his face. "Let’s welcome our distinguished instructors, who are in this academy to guide and inspire us."

One by one, the instructors introduced themselves. They mentioned their names and their ranks. One of the instructors had to mention his talent and even the skills he had acquired, and Buji thought it was simply pride.

As each of them spoke, they carried an air of authority and a reputation that preceded them.

’Is this how students felt around them?’

The room was silent for the moment they introduced themselves. Most of the students who already had instructors assigned to them murmured recognition from the crowd whenever their instructor spoke. Fewer students made utterances when the last person stood out for introduction.

Instructor Hay adjusted his glasses with his usual relaxing but commanding demeanor.

"I guess I won’t have to be making much of an introduction of myself. You all already know me, and see me often," he said and adjusted his knotted tie. "But for the sake of hmmm, let me be official."

"I am Instructor Haylian. Of course, you can call me Instructor Hay for short. Some of you might not have seen my work as an Instructor, except this nasty job I do as a moderator."

"Of course, I am an Instructor. A sole Instructor yet to be assigned a student in the meantime," he said, bending his head as if in seek of pity.

"Well, well. It’s an honor to stand before you all. Since we’ve welcomed our Instructors into our midst, let’s get to what we have in stock. Tonight it’s just a celebration."

As Instructor Hay mentioned the celebration, the hall erupted in cheers from the students.

"The Hunter’s Association has a team selection division and this division has recognized some of our students who have potential and talent. And of course."

"You all, we all, hold the future of this world. If not, I would have ascribed the glory to these selected students," Instructor Hay gazed at his book and grinned.

He paused for a while to let his words sink in before continuing.

"Tonight, twenty-four students who have shown exceptional promise during their raids were used to form three teams. If you do the Math well, you will realize it is eight members for each team."

"Amazingly, two of our students from the first years made it to one of these teams. And I want to urge those who were not selected, that yours can come later maybe in your second year, or your third year. As the case may be."

"But for our distinguished students, we will call them out now."

Buji’s heart raced. His name could possibly be among, or rather not among. It was not the first time something of the sort happened to him where he was informed of being chosen for a task, but on the D-day for the task, he was disappointed.

That would just mean a lot to some students. Even though he was not sure many students were aware of what had happened in the hospital, he was still coherent with the fact there had been a group waiting down at the hospital then.

Hay’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

"The three teams that were formed are the Radiant Team, Valor Team, and Debut Team. For the first team, Radiant Team…"

One by one, he announced the names of the members of each team.

"Zayden… Mobe…"

"…"

"..."

As the students being called shot out from the crowd to the platform where Instructor Hay stood, waiting, they were followed by applause and cheers. It seemed people had expected those being called to be selected, they knew themselves better.

"…the last team. The Debut team."

The hall fell silent, but erupted with cheers and murmurs as soon as the first name was called.

"Emra Zin…"

With her normal confidence, she shot out from the crowd and advanced to the stage where members of the two teams that had been called stood according to their team names.

Murmurs from jealous students followed behind her as she made her way forward.

"How come she was selected?"

"She didn’t go for any raid."

"It’s possible she received payment."

"She is the daughter of the head of the Zin family. What do you expect?"

The statements came from the students, but they could do nothing about it. They were only going to shout out their anger and keep calm again. Simple.

Instructor Hay continued calling the names until he called Kira’s name. The fact that her name was called surprised no one, she was meant to. She flashed a confident grin to Buji and turned to walk to the front with purposeful strides.

"That’s her way, kinda proud at times," Buji commented on seeing Kira’s steps.

When Kira approached the stage, she was meant to stand aside, but closer to her team. The Debut team. Instructor Hay raised his head up and glanced at the crowd before putting them down again.

He concentrated his focus on the paper in his hand before him and stated without losing his attention on the book. "You know, a saddening disappointment had become a blessing."

Raising his head up, he announced.

"The last person in the team is…"

Buji saw that every student in the hall glanced at each other in expectation of who will be called. It only meant that except the selected students, other students weren’t aware of those that were selected.

In his case, it was rare for people to suspect him even though they knew he had performed a feat in his last raid by surviving alone. They thought the association might want nothing to do with a hunter without talent.

But they all were wrong.

"The last but not the least is… Buji Yinyin!"

There was meant to be jeers of encouragement and cheers from the students, just like it had done for others but there wasn’t. They knew Buji was somewhat exceptional, but they didn’t expect him to be chosen.

"Yes. I understand the expression dears. It’s quite strange," Buji muttered to himself and advanced to the stage.