(Inside the orientation hall, the Imperial Academy)
A while later, once everyone had settled down in the room, a man wearing a long ceremonial hat with a neatly trimmed beard walked onto the stage and took the podium, as the conversations echoing throughout the orientation hall gradually began dying down.
The man waited patiently until the last few whispers disappeared before adjusting the position of the small Aether amplifier attached beside the podium.
"A very fine afternoon to you, young noble aspirants."
He began, as his amplified voice travelled effortlessly throughout the enormous hall.
"I am the Vice-Principal of this institute. My name is Chadwick, and it is my pleasure to welcome every one of you to the Imperial Academy."
Several students politely applauded, although Chadwick merely raised one hand before the applause could properly spread.
"Now, before your educational journey begins, allow me to make something extremely clear."
His expression became considerably more serious.
"Regardless of how comfortable a life you lived outside these Academy walls, how ancient your family name might be, how wealthy your parents are, or how many servants normally follow you around wiping your arse, inside here, every single one of you begins as a student possessing equal privileges and opportunities."
Several quiet laughs escaped throughout the hall.
"Nobody sitting here is above another as of this moment."
Chadwick continued, as he threw a vague glance towards Riven and Gary sitting in the front row, before quickly averting his gaze.
"However, do not mistake equality of opportunity for equality of outcome, because from this moment onwards, you may rise considerably higher than those sitting beside you entirely through your own merits."
His gaze slowly swept across the orientation hall.
"This institution is fundamentally designed to separate the cream of the crop from those unfit to rule, and over the next three years, we intend to discover exactly which category each of you belongs within."
He declared as the smile on Riven’s face widened slightly.
"The Imperial Academy was founded approximately three hundred and fifty years ago, shortly after the unification of the Valdrak Empire, because our First Emperor recognized a simple problem."
Chadwick paused.
"Inheriting land does not make someone capable of governing it."
A few expressions within the noble section immediately tightened.
"A foolish ruler can destroy within ten years what his ancestors spent centuries building. An incompetent commander can lose ten thousand soldiers before lunchtime, while an ignorant administrator can create famine within fertile territory merely because he does not understand taxation, logistics or agriculture."
Chadwick placed both hands against the podium.
"Therefore, the Imperial Academy was created to ensure that those permitted to inherit noble authority possess the minimum competence required to exercise it."
His eyes briefly travelled towards the students wearing military uniforms farther behind.
"And for those among you born without noble blood, this institution provides something considerably more valuable."
"Opportunity."
Several military recruits immediately straightened.
"Graduate from this Academy, distinguish yourself through Imperial service and your birth will no longer determine the highest position you may achieve."
Mary listened particularly carefully from somewhere near the rear of the hall.
"However, whether noble or commoner, none of you should make the mistake of assuming that graduation merely requires sitting through three years of lectures, memorizing several textbooks and correctly answering enough examination questions."
A faint smile appeared beneath Chadwick’s beard.
"If that were sufficient to produce competent rulers, we could replace half the Empire’s nobility with librarians."
He joked, trying to lighten the mood as his words caused many to break into nervous laughter.
"Our philosophy here is different..... We believe education must combine theory with consequence."
He explained, as the large wall behind him suddenly illuminated as an enormous Aether projection appeared across its surface, displaying four differently marked territories.
"Beginning today, every student within your year will belong to one of four Houses."
Four names appeared across the projection.
HOUSE ARGENT.
HOUSE SABLE.
HOUSE VIRIDIAN.
HOUSE AUREATE.
"Argent. Sable. Viridian. Aureate.
Or Silver, Black, Green and Gold in common tongue."
Chadwick announced.
"These Houses will become your entire identity."
The projection changed.
Four enormous residential compounds appeared, each occupying a different portion of the Academy.
"Every House possesses its own dormitory fortress, dining facilities, treasury, storage areas, training facilities and communal spaces.
And for the duration of your education, consider these territories your homes."
Chadwick explained, as Riven nodded in understanding, since Lucius had already briefed him about the same.
"Your House will study together, compete together, prosper together and, if you prove incompetent enough, suffer together."
That final word drew several curious expressions.
"Later this afternoon, every incoming student will undergo an Aether Appraisal before participating in the annual House Draft."
The projection changed once more, displaying the outline of a human body surrounded by several measurements.
"Your current Ascension Rank, elemental affinity, affinity strength and Soul Vessel quality will be assessed, after which representatives from the four Houses will select students one at a time."
That immediately caused whispers to spread throughout the hall.
"A draft?"
"Seriously?"
"Do we choose where we go?"
Chadwick allowed the questions to continue for several seconds.
"No."
He eventually answered.
The room quietened.
"You do not choose your House."
Several students looked considerably less pleased upon hearing that.
"House representatives will choose you."
Chadwick explained.
"The House that finished first during the previous academic year receives the opening selection, followed by second, third and fourth place, after which the selection order reverses for the following round."
A snake-like pattern appeared across the projection.
"First, second, third, fourth. Then fourth, third, second, first. The pattern continues until every incoming student has been assigned."
Riven’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Immediately, his thoughts shifted towards the House representatives who would presumably be selecting them.
Elemental affinity clearly mattered.
Current strength mattered.
But if the Houses were truly expected to compete against one another, then selecting the strongest individual available might not always be the smartest choice.
A talented healer could potentially be worth more than another fighter.
Someone skilled in Forging could become equally valuable.
And underlying political relationships from outside the academy could undoubtedly complicate matters even further.
’Interesting...’
Riven thought, as he could already imagine the chaos that could ensue.