The welcome speech
As Garion entered the Great Hall, he could not help feeling overwhelmed. Everything since he arrived on that island had been like an insane dream and he barely was able to think.
The room was crowded already, but even as people came into it, the hall never got fuller. Somehow he knew that would never happen.
Above the crowd, on the underside of the ceiling was a spiral going outwards. There was one very small gem in it near the center, and people were speculating about it.
The hall was laid out as a pentagon with a stage at one side and doors leading to the rest of the buildings on the other 4 walls. Thinking for a moment Garion realized that the stage was on the area close to the offices. There probably was a door there, just not for everyone to use.
After a few minutes the lights dimmed and the door closed. The light focused on the stage and an attractive young lady stepped out onto the stage. She looked to be around 18, white skin, black hair, and eyes that defied description. She was also wearing a skimpy outfit.
She grabbed the microphone, grasping it in a way that implied she was used to grasping male organs that way and said “Hello everyone! I hope we . . .get along . . very well” The seductive quality in her voice had most people on edge and enthralled, until another woman who looked just like the first one came one the stage yelling out “Gallen! I’ll get you for this!”
This one was wearing more conservative clothing and was not acting seductive at all.
The first one laughed and fled, changing her form a bit just as she left.
Wait! . . . Gallen? Garion could not help say quietly “But Gallen . . is . . .a guy. “
A nearby robot heard that was replied quietly “I do not understand genders well, that that was defiantly a female.”
”Not when I met him just a little while go. I think he’s gender fluid.”
The woman on stage calmed herself and addressed the crowd. “I am called Felinia, the owner, founder and Headmistress of this school. And for those who I can see thinking of making a joke about being a ‘headmistress’, I will have no problems tearing your heads off if you offer me them. All your heads!
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“That imposter you just saw is my deputy, and co-founder, Gallen. HIS authority here is second only to mine. Yes, Gallen is a guy. Well, at least he was originally one, and still is most of the time, I think. I consider it best not to ask too much about his supposedly private life. I would not be surprised if he uses a time machine while swapping genders to have some fun.”
Garion’s eyes widened and he muttered “This place is crazy!”
Felinia continued, “But back to the planned welcome speech!
“Welcome all to Holy University. Here I will give each of you a chance to become a kind of Deity! A chance and training to help make the most of it! Some come here seeking power, other to follow causes. Some came here to survive, and others by chance. Some even came here hoping to be able to finally die. Others came because they were forced to, and some have no idea how they ended up here at all. All these reasons and more led you here, but I see you all as students.
“I came up with the idea for this after seeing the lack of training given to celestials in who were the effective gods in some areas, and realized they needed to learn. I became her mentor. I have seen the destruction brought about by attempts to Ascend, but to the worlds around it and to people trying for it. This makes things safer for everyone.
“I have spoken to lost and wandering souls bared from afterlives because of lack of faith due to many reasons, including having no reason to believe. Using this school, the training area and the worlds, I hope to let such souls find rest.
“I have seen wars caused by too many people claiming godhood thought for Domains and followers, and in such few ever truly win. Here the can seek newer areas to convert from.”
She smiled a bit now “Of course, I’ll be getting a portion of the belief generated power.”
There was knowing chuckling at that.
“I am required to be neutral, so there will be no bias in my judgments regarding Good, Evil, Order, Chaos, Trekkies or Warsies. Although I do admit I will probably call people out on grounds of stupidity and not making reasonable efforts...
“I will do my reasonable best to prepare you for the real world, not the world of purely academia. This means not all of you will survive. One student as already learnt that when he disobeyed his group’s guides instruction.”
She pointed to the ceiling “That tiny crystal represents all his power. I hear his death was very painful.”
She paused for everyone to let that sink in.
“I am will try to make this place realistic for you, and that means danger. If you wish to follow other, safer, paths, it can be done.
“However, if you take the lesions given to heart, think about what we teach and strive your hardest, you may achieve greatness and even killing you won’t keep you down for long!”
There was cheering at that.
Garion was worried. This woman knew how to work a crowd, but what was her ultimate aim?
Felinia addressed the crowd again “Do any of you have relevant questions?”