BXBX NOVEL Chapter 362 Greet Your Mentors!
The distinguished judges went down on the elevated platform to meet the students who were now standing stiffly in suspense.
There were only six judges and there were eight who were trying out for the audition. Deputy Chairman also did not say if they would all be given a slot as representatives and so, if there will only be one badge per judge, then that must mean that two of them would be left out.
The judges, however, wished to no longer prolong the agony of the students who obviously gave their all during the selection activity.
The first one who handed out his badge was actually Randel, quietly pinning the shiny badge on the right side of Max's chest.
"Congratulations," Randel uttered calmly as he looked at Max whose eyes widened and his body trembled in shock upon seeing the shiny badge affixed to his chest.
"T-thank you, Sire!" He uttered with a shaky voice as he tried hard not to cry at the moment.
After awarding, Randel led Max to another position in front of the stage to allow the other judges to pin the badge.
Soon, Queen Lucia awarded Haley a badge, while Queen Tehila gave Raya one too.
Princess Evelyn also awarded Marie a badge while Arielle also awarded the two painters Anna and Raphael, much to their surprise.
Finally, it was Eli's turn to award the badge, and since Princess Consort Arielle had given two badges, everyone thought that Eli would give the remaining two a badge too.
Although everyone's speculation was right, Eli did not forget to talk to Desmond first prior to awarding the badge.
"Desmond, in my eyes, I have determined that you deserve to receive this badge. However… I must ask you, do you want this badge?" She asked looking straight into Desmond's eyes who was looking at the badge hesitantly.
Among the eight students, he was the only one who had chosen the theme of rest and contentment in his performance. Everyone, even Lainie showed their drive to fight their current situation and defy what was pinning them down.
But it was only Desmond, who from the start had already said that he was not ready to carry the burden of being the representative of the school who did not show the same drive as the other seven.
Yes, he indeed participated and has performed with exemplary results. Eli could not fault him in anything as she could also see that he gave a great effort in his performance… but not his best.
Clearly, Desmond held back, for some reason.
As one who would go out of her way to teach them, Eli wanted to know what was in Desmond's heart. What makes him hesitate, what would be his biggest roadblock.
Desmond flinched the moment he heard Eli's question.
He lifted his gaze up and met Eli's calm yet scrutinizing gaze. In his vision, Eli's eyes were dark brown yet he could feel like her eyes were like two pairs of obsidian gems staring right into his soul exposing everything within him.
Desmond subconsciously gulped. He found himself unable to endure Eli's intimidating stare and so his eyes looked at his friends who were standing in front of him with the judges on their side, looking at him with worry.
Raya was especially anxious as he saw his brother get scrutinized by the judges.
"I-i… I want to try… changing myself." Desmond clutched his right hand which was shaking at the moment. Although Eli might not have explained the context of her question, he already knew what she meant.
He closed his eyes and flashes of images that he didn't want to remember appeared in his mind. "I want the badge Great Inventor… please give me the chance." He bit his lip tensely clearly trying to wake himself up in the nightmare as he uttered the words.
"Very well. You do not need to beg, because you deserve it in the first place." Eli looked at Desmond's sorry figure and immediately answered aloud for everyone to hear.
"There is no need to beg for what is actually yours. It's just a matter of wanting it or not."
Desmond looked down at his chest, there hung a golden badge with intricate details that symbolizes his status as the official representative of the Empire.
His mind was still filled with negative thoughts but the glimmer of the badge seemed to become a beacon of light.
"Congratulations." Eli patted his shoulders and smiled at him reassuringly.
She then led him and Lainie to the line of the other candidates and judges. As the awarding was complete, the fourteen people were now facing everyone watching the entire hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen. I present to you, the eight representatives who will be competing for us under the Fine Arts and Music category events during the Grand Tournament!" Bramwell looked at everyone and announced the results.
Upon the announcement, there is great and overwhelming applause in the entire hall. They all stood up and praised the eight students with sincere intentions.
Eli looked around and was pleased because the students in the Farauld Magic Institute, or at least the ones who were present at the moment were sensible and supportive.
Even though most of them were nobles that might have prejudice towards the eight students who were of low status, she had not received any reports of objection during the course of the selection of the moment.
She also thought that maybe, involving the Imperial Family in the selection had also set a good standard on how the students should treat the eight people.
With that, Eli determined that it is now time to strengthen the status of the eight students and the prestige of the institute as well. She cast a glance at the five judges then to Grandpa Reuben and Uncle Bramwell.
The two elders nodded in understanding upon meeting her gaze, with that, Grandmaster Reuben stood up and took the floor. Seeing the headmaster stand up, everyone became silent and settled down.
"Alright. Now that we have already selected the representatives, the next step is to equip and train them for the more tedious competition that is yet to come in just roughly four months. With that, we have invited the most distinguished people in the Empire to become their mentors until the tournament."
Upon hearing Grandmaster Reuben, the audience engages in another wave of discussion. They all knew that the institute had failed to get a permanent teacher to keep teaching under the department, but now the Headmaster actually announced that they have gotten teachers once again.
Who could these teachers be?
The answer was given right away as Grandmaster Reuben immediately continued his announcement. He looked at the eight students who were standing alongside the judges who had awarded their badges and continued.
"Student representatives, the ones standing with you who have been awarded the badges were actually the great people who agreed to become your mentors during the course of the training. Once again let me introduce to you the distinguished judges and mentors from this point forward!"
"First one, to teach Student Haley. Known for her prowess in playing the Cello which was acclaimed during her prime years, none other than the First Queen of the Empire, Queen Lucia de Seirende!"
"Next, to teach Student Raya. During her youth, she was acclaimed as the most famous bard of all time who was well versed in multiple instruments, poetry, singing, and storytelling. Now she was one of the mother figures alongside the first queen who looked after our empire, the Second Queen, Tehila De Seirende!"
"To teach Student Marie was considered the rose of the high society, reigning as the noblest lady in her youth, talented and intelligent, married to our dear Highness Second Prince, Princess Consort Evelyn!"
"To teach our two painting students, Anna and Raphael, was someone who has grown with the love of fine arts in her blood as the former princess of the Vanderford Empire, the heart of culture and fine arts, now happily wedded to our beloved First Prince, Princess Consort Arielle!"
"Second to the last, teaching our sculpting student Max, was none other than the only disciple of our Empire's Grandmaster Andvari of the Forgeworn clan. He was also a strong mage at the peak of S Class and is one of the master craftsmen of the Forgeworn Group of Companies, Randel Forgeworn!"
"Finally, teaching two different musical disciplines for students Desmond and Lainie. She was known to be the brain behind the latest and groundbreaking inventions that had already helped countless households in and outside the Empire. Apart from her inventions, she has a strong prowess in music which will now be revealed to everyone…
Our very own Research Counselor, the Great Inventor, Eli!"
"Woah… what a surprising turn of events!"
Everyone who was listening to the introduction almost dropped their jaws on the floor. They were not expecting this to happen.
Grandmaster Reuben finally closed his announcement with a teasing look toward the dumbfounded students,
"Student Representatives, come and greet your respective mentors!"