“Okay, everyone! Let’s get back on track shall we!” Senia addressed the students who were still recovering after the loud noise. However, not many people heard her as their ears were ringing.

And to the students that were closest to the stage, the sound shook them to their very core.

Most of the students had already figured out where the sound came from.

It must have been a spell cast by Senia.

Some students felt a bit resentful that she would go so far just to quiet them down, but they would never express that resentment.

Senia waited a few seconds for the students to recover.

“Remember, here at Edelweiss you all come here as. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. Here at Edelweiss, what sets you apart is your ability to use magic!” Senia had meant what she had said. Although the kids still might try to butter up the kids from the great families, it didn’t matter if their performance was awful. So no matter who you were, your standing at Edelweiss would be determined by your ability.

“Okay! Now that that’s out of the way. Let’s see… where were we?” Senia paused for a moment as if trying to recall what she was going to do before the commotion caused by the appearance of Art.

Of course, she hadn’t forgotten. Senia was just trying to create suspension for her next words.

“Ahh right! The Sorting Ceremony!”

At her words, the students buzzed.

They all knew about the sorting ceremony.

It was a famous tradition that all first-year students went through upon arrival at Edelweiss.

“Now, without further ado, please welcome your Heads of House!” Senia directed the student’s gaze to the side of the stage.

Walking in from a side door on the stage were four people; three men and one woman.

The students clapped as they made their way in. Some of the students even recognized them. Although not as well known as Senia, these people have been spotlighted a few times on the pages of Wizards Weekly.

Each of them took their place on the stage in line with one of the tables.

Art recognized one of them. Standing in line with the blue table, it was the purple-haired man from earlier, except this time it looked like he had a bit more life in him.

“These are your Heads of House. They are the leaders of each house, and can help you on your journey exploring magic!” Senia exclaimed as she drew hype for the Heads of House.

As if on cue, the man in front of the red table stepped forward.

“I’m the director of the Emperor House, Magnus Starke! In the Emperor House, we value power, strength, and pride! At the Emperor House, we always strive to be the greatest.” The man named Magnus, bellowed as he introduced his house.

He had short dark red hair and a full beard with light blue eyes. Magnus appeared to be in his late thirties and had a sturdy, muscular physique that could be seen through his clothes.

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The woman in front of the yellow table stepped forward.

“I’m the commander of the Knight House, Maria Valentia! Here at the Knight House, we value loyalty, honor, and courage!” The woman smiled as she greeted the students.

Maria was an attractive woman, that appeared to be in her late twenties. She had long pink hair tied up into a ponytail, and eyes that matched her hair. She looked like a kind person.

The man in front of the blue table stepped forward.

“I am the keeper of the Sage House, Julius Arcan. At the Sage House, we value wisdom, greed, and truth.” Julius talked about his house with much less enthusiasm than the other two.

Julius had shaggy purple hair and red eyes. He looked to be in his early thirties. Julius appeared to be very frail and looked like he would keel over and die any minute.

Lastly, the man in front of the black table stepped forward.

“I am the guardian of the Fool House, Gerard Attollo. The Fool House was created to guide those who do not have their ‘why’ yet. So, to those who get placed in the Fool House do not be disillusioned. Just because you haven’t found your purpose for learning magic yet does not make you less than your peers. None of that matters, because you will eventually get there, and that is the way of the Black Turtle!”

Gerard Attollo was an old man, much older than the other three. Although old, Gerard had long brown hair and a full beard. His blue eyes seemed to hold a lifetime of experiences.

The purpose of the Fool House was unique. Many twelve-year-old kids wouldn’t have a goal in life. Sure they dreamed of going to Edelweiss, but now that dream was fulfilled. So what now? Many students already knew the answer, but others didn’t. Those are the ones that go to the Fool House.

After the introductions were finished, Senia spoke up again.

“And now to help us assign you to your perfect house,” pausing, Senia clapped twice and shouted, “Muninn!”

Suddenly, the space above her distorted.

From the distortion emerged a raven as black as night.

It flapped its wings and hovered next to Senia.

“Is it that time again Senia?” The raven spoke to Senia nonchalantly.

“Yes Muninn, I’m going to have to ask you for help once again.” Senia pressed her hands together as if pleading to the bird.

“It’s alright girl, it’s my job after all,” Muninn spoke matter-of-factly.

Senia knew this, but she still asked. After all, the raven was much older than her.

“Great! Let’s get started!” Senia’s cheer went up to eleven as she couldn’t wait.

Waving her hand, gray light shone and metal stairs emerged that led up to the stage.

“When your name is called please come up to the stage and reach your hand out to Muninn!”

The real show had finally begun. It was time to see what house everyone was assigned to.

“Now let’s see…” Senia looked down at the podium.

“Lisa Anthos!” Senia called out the first name on the list.

A green-haired girl stood up from the blue table.

She walked to the stage under the gaze of all the students.

‘I wouldn’t want to be the first one to go, seems stressful.’ Art thanked his ancestors in his mind that his family name started with an ‘S’.

But it didn’t seem to affect the girl, as she walked confidently up the stairs leading to the stage made by Senia.

Arriving at the stage Lisa reached her hand out to Muninn. She looked towards Senia as if asking if what she was doing was correct.

“Yes just like that. Now just wait a moment.” Senia reassured the girl that she was doing it properly.

And as if to confirm, Muninn spoke.

“A strong desire to prove yourself. You would fit in well in the Emperor House.” Muninn spoke as if he knew all about her and assigned her to the Emperor House.

After Muninn’s verdict, Senia pressed her finger against Lisa’s black tie and a white light shined for a second before dying.

“Now Lisa sweety, head over to the red table.” Senia lightly directed Lisa off the stage so they could continue.

Turning around, it was revealed that her tie had turned red. The color of the Emperor House.

Lisa walked off the stage and made her way to be the first permanent resident of the Emperor House.

Moving on, Senia called the next name.