The Exalted Prince Lives Again-Chapter 45: Orientation [3]

William’s jaw dropped.

His head flung towards the stage at mach speed, his gaze fixed on the person approaching from below.

The first thing they noticed was her hair, darker than any night, as if they absorbed all the lights in it, open without any restraints.

Her eyes were next, red like blood, and her skin was pale like a corpse.

Her face was marginally pretty, but the makeup was absolutely atrocious.

Her lipstick made it look like she just sucked someone’s blood, and her overall physiqie was slender.

"Tell me, Lucien, does she look like a girl to you?" William asked, shifting his sitting position. freēwēbnovel.com

Lucien could tell that she was trying to smile, but it only made her look creepier.

"I... don’t have an answer for you." Lucien dodged the question.

For a moment, the entire audience was silent.

But William felt bad for her.

Clap! Clap!

His clapping attracted everyone’s attention, and all kinds of gazes fell on him.

’This guy.’ Lucien face-palmed internally, but he couldn’t leave him alone.

Clap! Clap!

Lucien also joined in, and as more and more people realized what was happening, they started joining in.

Soon enough, the entire auditorium was filled with thunderous, yet awkward applause.

Mirae, with the same creepy smile, bowed like Michael and backed away, standing right next to him.

"Heh!" Lucien chuckled, "Didn’t take you for such a good guy, lad."

He patted his shoulders, but William shrugged him away.

He felt bad, sure, but when everyone’s gaze fell on him, even he became super awkward.

’I wanna crawl in a hole and disappear.’ William’s head was down, not letting anyone see his expression.

He could hear a few people chuckling, whispering, and staring at him.

But the staff and high-ranking students remained expressionless.

"Now that we are done with the introductions, allow me to remind all of you what it means to be a student of the Lumen Academy." Edric’s voice pulled all attention from William.

"The academy does not exist to pamper nobles, heirs, or rescue commoners. No.

"Lumen only exists for one reason: To create Exalts that are worthy of leading humanity’s resistance against spirits."

The sheer passion in Edric’s voice made everyone go silent.

"Here, strength, intelligence, talent, and your ranks are everything. You will be ranked based on your performance.

"Your resources, access, and even housing privileges are tied to your ranks. So, good luck."

William leaned in, and spoke, "Damn, even your bed gets better with rank."

Edric continued, "Slack off, and you fall behind. And failure here means expulsion. No appeals."

Whispers erupted once again.

Edric let them for a few seconds before smirking, "Of course, you are not prisoners. You can leave whenever you want, but keep in mind that once gone, you never get accepted back."

Edric straightened his back, moving a bit back, and said, "That’s all. Thank you."

Edric left the podium, and the Dean came back.

"Please exit from the audit door 2 on your left. A group of workers will hand you keys to your assigned dorms."

The heavy door at the rear of the auditorium creaked open.

One by one, people who were closest to the door started leaving.

"Let’s leave," Lucien said as their row started to get empty.

William nodded, still half-dead from the embarrassment.

Lucien’s eyes traced back, as if looking for someone.

’I have yet to see Selene here.’

From the very beginning, his eyes had been scanning for her a lot, but he hadn’t seen her once.

He even wondered if the information about her being in this academy was true or not.

"Lucien, let’s go." William dragged him forward with him.

"Alright."

’Let’s see what this Academy holds for me now.’

...

"Name?" The worker asked, scribbling something in a notebook.

"Lucien Callastre." The pen stopped.

The worker looked up for a second and nodded.

He opened the drawer of his table and took out a white card with the academy’s logo printed on it in silver.

He took out a bulky machine that looked like a card reader, but it really wasn’t.

He inserted the card inside and typed in a few words.

"Place your right thumb over this screen."

Lucien complied.

Beep!

"Here," He took out the card and handed it to him, "Don’t lose the card, or there will be a hefty fine. It also works as your compass inside the Academy Campus."

Lucien nodded, took the card, and analyzed it.

[Elite Dormitory, Room W-2. ← 780m]

He moved from the line, giving space to others behind him, and started walking.

He noticed the arrow was pointing left, so, exiting the room, he took a left, and the arrow immediately became straight, and the distance shortened.

Passing through the lush greenery and massive academic buildings, he walked as the card directed him.

Finally, he reached a twelve-story apartment building, with fences and gates all around.

There was even a guard post next to the main gate, which consisted of two heavy, iron doors.

"Scan it there." The burly guard inside the post said, pointing towards a scanner right next to his post.

Lucien followed and scanned it on a small machine, and,

Click!

The smaller gate right next to the main, big one, opened with a click.

He moved closer, and as if it sensed him arriving, it opened on its own.

He passed through a well-maintained garden, with an entire fountain in the middle, and entered the main building.

The foyer was like a luxurious hotel lobby, decorated with paintings, art pieces, and chandeliers, with marble tiles that were cleaner than William’s forehead.

He noticed a few unfamiliar students moving around, giving him subtle glances here and there, but minding their business most of the time.

Ignoring, he reached the elevator and pressed his mind.

Ding!

The door opened, and Lucien stepped inside.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Someone’s running footsteps echoed.

Lucien turned around, only to witness that same black-haired, golden-eyed pretty lady.

She was running towards him, so he held the elevator a moment, until she arrived.

’So she made it into the Top-10, huh?’

Lucien already had a strong feeling that she would make it, since her strength stood out so much.

"Tha-nk- Huff! Thank-Y-ou."

She was out of breath so quickly, and he never saw it in the test he was in.

Meaning she was a sorcerer.

"You are welcome." Lucien nodded.

That’s when she noticed who he was, and immediately went silent.

A pompous, rich, spoiled brat.

Ching!

The elevator’s door closed, and Lucien pressed the button for his assigned floor.

"Lucien Callastre." As basic manners implied, he introduced himself as a formality, since they were going to be neighbors now, "Nice to meet you."

The girl clicked her tongue.

This wasn’t normal for commoners like her, though.

But since the other party had initiated an introduction, she was now compelled to it as well.

"Nice to meet you, too, Your Highness." She nodded.

"I am Florence Duret."