***
The Graduation Ceremony of the Continental Academy
Among the countless nations on the continent, the graduation ceremony of the academy, known for gathering and educating elite talents, was unparalleled in scale.
The ceremony did not conclude in a single day but extended over an entire week.
During this week, the academy invited renowned figures from across the continent to deliver speeches, one each day.
The demand for an invitation to witness these speeches at the graduation ceremony of the Continental Academy was overwhelming.
Even Emperor Marchain Leopardo of the Lutinas Empire had delivered a speech here during his time as Crown Prince. Swordmaster Seffield Emblem had also once given a graduation speech.
“Who will come this year?”
“I hope it’s Duke Jade Gray. Since his grandson is graduating at the top of the class, wouldn’t he come?”
“Would he really miss his grandson graduating as valedictorian?”
This year, as Enoch Gray was graduating from the Continental Academy, the expectation of Duke Gray’s visit heightened people’s anticipation. Amidst this, exciting news spread.
“Cherrya Emblem is coming to give a graduation speech!”
“Gasp! Really? When?”
“On the final day of the ceremony!!!!”
“Wowwwww!!”
Cherrya Emblem—currently the most renowned personality on the continent, Commander of the Emblem Knights, and a prodigy who had awakened sword energy at a young age.
Her bright and bold personality, paired with her fiery sense of justice, captivated people of all ages and genders.
Although she seemed simple at first glance, her serious and composed demeanor during critical moments earned her the admiration of many. Her charisma captured hearts effortlessly.
People often joked that when Cherrya Emblem smiled with her teeth showing, her brilliance outshone their future.
“So, Emblem and Gray will be at the same place?”
“This is the first time in five years!”
It was a rare opportunity for fans of both Emblem and Gray from other countries to see the heroes of Lutinas in person.
Ever since the Lowes Mountain Range incident five years ago, Gray had retreated, while Emblem had become more active.
That was the last time the two knight orders had worked together, making this reunion seem like a one-time miracle.
As the competition between Cherrya Emblem and Enoch Gray entered a truce, people’s yearning turned into fervent anticipation.
“Now that Enoch Gray is graduating, he’ll become the Commander of the Gray Knights, and the real competition between Emblem and Gray will officially begin here at the Continental Academy.”
A fierce scramble began for invitations to the Continental Academy’s graduation ceremony.
Underhanded tactics and schemes abounded, and when those failed, people turned to the black market to obtain tickets to observe the ceremony from afar, all in the hope of seeing Cherrya Emblem and Enoch Gray together.
“Sir Gray, I know you’ve declined to read the graduation declaration, but judging by the atmosphere, if you do it, it will create the scene everyone is hoping for.”
Olivia Balmore clasped her hands tightly, forcing a smile as she looked at Enoch Gray. He had been leaning against the library bookshelf, turning the pages of a book, seemingly oblivious to her presence.
“Could you reconsider, just once?”
“…….…”
As sunlight streamed through the window, Olivia found her cheeks involuntarily reddening while watching Enoch read.
His silver hair, with a faint bluish hue, shimmered as if sprinkled with stardust. Though neatly trimmed to just cover his ears, the breeze from the window slightly tousled it.
When Enoch first enrolled in the academy, there was still a hint of boyish youth on his face.
Now, however, he exuded the poise and maturity characteristic of an adult. Perhaps it was this transformation that made him feel so distant.
While she used to approach him freely in his younger days, now it felt as if an invisible wall had risen between them, making even a casual word difficult to exchange.
“If you don’t read the graduation declaration, many people will be deeply disappointed.”
Still, Olivia couldn’t give up. As vice president of the student council, she had made a promise to the people—to have Enoch Gray deliver the graduation declaration.
Although it was the most critical agenda item during the student council meeting, no one had dared to ask him and had ultimately given up.
Anyone who met Enoch Gray’s cold, icy-blue eyes would find themselves frozen in place.
“Those who went to great lengths to get invitations or buy scalped tickets will feel let down. This will tarnish not just their efforts but also the honor of both the Emblem and Gray names.”
“…Sigh.”
Enoch Gray let out a faint sigh and closed his book with a decisive thud.
Olivia flinched at the sound, her body trembling slightly. As he blinked slowly and looked directly at her, Olivia felt her body stiffen despite her determination.
His otherworldly appearance, almost like a sculpture of a deity, was as breathtaking as ever, making it hard to get used to.
“I’m not one to mince words, Miss Balmore.”
Enoch’s voice was soft and polite. Yet, it wasn’t without reason that everyone said Enoch Gray possessed an unapproachable aura.
Of course, there were countless individuals at the academy who were obsessed with him and followed him around, bewitched by that very inaccessibility.
However, Olivia knew the side of Enoch Gray that emerged when that invisible wall around him crumbled.
It was precisely because she had glimpsed that side of him that the stark difference now felt all the more painful, making her realize how utterly indifferent Enoch Gray was toward her.
“It’s not me who will disappoint many people, Miss Balmore. You’re the one who loudly proclaimed, as if it had all been prearranged, that Cherrya would deliver the graduation speech and Enoch Gray would recite the graduation declaration.”
“…That’s…”
Olivia’s face flushed bright red. It was true that she had boasted to everyone that she was the only one capable of convincing Enoch Gray.
The eager eyes of those who believed in her because they were from the same Lutinas Empire and had interacted in their youth had made her puff up her chest with confidence without thinking it through.
Olivia loved attention and would use any means necessary to grab the spotlight. It was simply how she was born.
This opportunity was too good to pass up.
If Enoch Gray accepted Olivia’s request, she could prove to everyone that she had the influence to move both the Emblem and Gray factions.
“It might have been more persuasive if you had simply asked for my help, saying you were in a bind.”
“…The only person in this world who could speak to you like that is Cherrya.”
At Enoch’s words, Olivia thought of her infuriating friend Cherrya. Surely, Cherrya would have bluntly said, ‘Hey, give the graduation speech. Refusal is not an option.
But Olivia lacked both the shamelessness and boldness to speak to Enoch Gray in such a manner.
“I apologize for my rudeness. I suppose I’m so accustomed to speaking this way that I overlooked the possibility it might offend you.”
“Ah, to hear an apology from a lady. If my grandfather heard of this, he would be furious, declaring I am unfit to be a knight.”
“….…!”
“I will honor Miss Olivia’s request for the sake of Cherrya’s reputation. Now, please return to the student council room.”
As Enoch spoke, Olivia, who had been biting her lips and hanging her head, suddenly lifted her gaze. Before she knew it, Enoch, who had been standing before her just moments ago, was already walking away in the distance.
“Wow, I actually did it.”
Olivia pulled out a letter hidden in the sleeve of her dress.
[You’re asking how to make Enoch Gray accept your request? It’s not difficult at all.]
Cherrya’s golden advice had proven invaluable.
