Quest of Automata King

A Luxurious Ceremony

Everyone enchanted by the display that Oliver shown, after the fireworks stopped, the hall is filled with celebratory clapping again. Especially from the first year students that astonished by how he use magic to assemble that machine in short amount of time.

“Magic Technology,” said Oliver with a big smile. “A magnificent field that combine nature, and technology. Able to transform magic, and keeping it inside a small device that can be used by everyone else. They brought joy and advancement, not only for people who are able to use magic, but also for the commoners.”

“After the war, this place is left desolated. Many of the mages did not want to rebuild this palace, and let the history die, crawled by time. But among thousand of those magicians, I decide to take the action upon myself.”

“I see my past in the ruin of this palace, but I also see the future. One future, where everyone can feel benefit of having magic around them. The future where every potential could be explored, and we could find a briliant mind from the nobles and commoners alike. That’s why i rebuild Grand Magusica.”

He stopped for a moment to stare at those students before him. Making it feels like he weave an interpersonal connection between each of them.

“The city outside will always ready to provide you all the materials you need. Either for making potion, alchemy, and even for combat training. Magusica will be the first city that focusing themselves for education and technology advancement.”

Once again, everyone show their respect to the headmaster by clapping. Some of them are also standing up, and cheers loudly for the headmaster.

Oliver smile and waving, but he make a gestures to tone them down because haven’t finished his speech yet.

“There is one other thing that worth to be discussed. Ten years have passed since our war with Devil Kingdom Beruka, and world have never been the same after that. We have entered a new era of globalization which make it very common to see people of different race far from their home.”

“I may sound against to what the majority of society thinks, but why did among those people, one race is still being treated as a second class?”

Another paused of his speech, Oliver is starring at them, asking that question personally for everyone.

“That Is why I decide that now will be different! City that highly regarded as the beginning of all advancement didn’t need nonsensical hatred toward certain races! If we wanted to progress, we have to give an equal oportunity for everyone, no matter who they are. Therefore, i personally invited our special guest among the first year.”

Mui could not believed the next thing that he would say. Coming to this school, entering a giant palace, and now being a center of attention among the masses.

“Mui-Ken-Ikhu! Please step forward to the podium!”

Instead of clap and cheers that can be heard everytime Headmaster speak, everyone is quiet. Some of them are murmuring and whisper to one another.

“Devil? Really?”

“So that rumor is true?”

“What is that horn-head doing here?”

Mui’s pace goes slower, he can hear those whisper and those judgmental eyes, especially from his fellow first year, who looked at him like some freaks. But eventually, he manages to reach the podium.

Oliver is standing in front of him, but Mui feels like he can not lift his head any further.

“What’s wrong child?” asked Oliver with a friendly tone.

“No sir...I...” Mui could not find any words that could reflect the situation inside his heart. He feels like shadowy figure could strike at any time just by being among them.

“Don’t be afraid. You are in good hands now, and I’ll be your guardian until the end of your school years,” said Oliver, he placed his right hand to Mui’s shoulder, trying to calm him down.

Before Mui could speak anything, Oliver turn his body so he would face every other students that are present in this room. Mui could feel a judgmental stare from all of them.

“Mui-Ken-Ikhu, he is the orphan from one of the most poor district from Beruka. I seen him from one of my trip to that region, where everyone still clinging of their old way of live. Mui have never received any other formal education of his entire life, making this is the first time that he knows about school.”

Whenever Oliver speak, Mui could feel sweat dripping down from his forehead. He does not remember when or where did he ever seen him. Maybe he does not remember, or Oliver only seeing him from some other place that he did not notice?

Whatever that is, Mui could not shake any of the judgemental feeling that come from everyone.

“He is new, and he have never going outside of his town. I hope that every other seniors and fellow classmates, to help our new friend to the wonderfull world of education,” said Oliver. And for the last time, everyone is clapping their hands again.

But this time, amount of people that celebrate headmaster’s decision feels so barren compared to the previous reaction. Some of the seniors is quiet, and some are even glaring at Mui, clearly shown their hostile aura. One of them is Challender, his big and tall body is very noticeable, even among the crowd of first years.

“So that is the deal with that dirty Devil. Damn it that horn-head, he stole everyone else’s spotlight!” said Challender angrily. Beside him stand a boy with the same age, and same build as him. It could be said that both of them look like a splitting image of each other, but with different face and character.

Julius Xavon have a black short hair and musculat body. His gaze is sharp, and his face is as steady as a coral. Contrary to the Challender’s showoff and cocky behaviour, Julius is far more quiet and reserve. However, one could feel an intimidating aura, only by standing face-to face with him.

“Oliver Is also a commoner. At some point, i could understand him,” said Julius calmly.

“You said that, but aren’t you the one who wanted to kill that Devil the most aren’t you?” laugh Challender silently, he don’t want to cause a ruckus and get punishment. At least not in front of headmaster.

Julius smirk, he did not agree with Challender’s word, but he isn’t deny it either.

“He Is just some lucky brat that Oliver found in a trash pile. Whatever he is worth or not attending the same schools with the nobles is let by his ability to decide,” said Julius.

On the other hand, Emmellia is starring at Mui. It’s all clear to her, that Devil is really did invited by the headmaster himself. However, Emmellia did not feel any magic power coming from him, let alone any bloodline or any ability that differentiate him to any other people.

 “I feel bad for him,” said Emmellia quietly.

“What’s wrong Your Highness?” one of her female friend reply to her statement, probably found that Emmellia is taking notice at the Devil that standing on the podium.

“It’s nothing, I just feel bad for Mui. He’s the first Devil that ever attending Grand Magusica, and he is the only one of his kind. Aren’t you feel bad for him, Belle?” asked Emmellia.

“Hmmh, you’re right Your Highness, but I still don’t understand what the Headmaster see in that boy. For me, he just another skinny kid in a den full of wolves,” said her friend. That answer leave a small smile upon Emmellia.

“You always have things with words Belle,” said Emmellia, “Oh, but please don’t call me ‘Your Highness’ at school, I don’t want to attract too much attention,” she continues.

“Alright then, Miss Emmellia.”

Emmellia letting out a sigh. She let one of her friend and attendant, Belle, to call her like that for the whole years of academy. For the last time, he looked to that boy, Mui-Ken-Ikhu, a common name used by Devils and their excotic languange.

Instinctively, she recalls to that incident in the station. If that boy face trouble at the very beginning of his journey, what will happened in the next four years?

Emmellia can only imagine, and hope for the best for everyone in this academy.

***

The speech end, and Mui is let go to the first year students again. They are splitted into two groups, and then requested to sit at the provided table.

Mui look all over the seat, looking for available chair, but everytime he tried to sit, every other students starring at him with a sharp gaze. Sometime, they are also said that ‘this seat is has been taken, when there are clearly have no one to waiting for.

But not until he hear a waving that comes from a familiar voice.

“Over here!”

Mui turn to the source of that voice, and realize that it is come from Karas. Quickly, he walked toward him.

“I know something like this will happen eventualy, so I have save a chair for you.” Said that beastman.

Mui smile and his eye is teared a bit. He feels moved by his deed, despise they just meet this past hours.

“Thank you,” said Mui, accepting his kindness. He hope at some point, people in school would treat him like what he did.

“Now everyone, please enjoy the dinner.”

As Oliver said that, suddenly the ceilings of the hall is opened. And from there, a capsule brought by steel frame with propellers are hovering down toward the table. The steel frames released their content, and the capsule dropped into the table.

Because it is flat on the surface, the capsule managed to not roll over when they placed on the table, some of those propelled steel are also placing spoon, fork, and plate in front of all of the students. Preparing them for dinner.

The capsule then opened, showing the content of meat, chicken, soup, and even drinks. Everything is in perfect shape, and nothing is scattered around nor messed up. Everyone is impressed by how accurate that machine could be. Even Mui for a moment almost forget about his worry.

For now, everyone in that room is filling their hungry belly to the brim, and preparing for their days tomorow.