“Today, we celebrate the achievements of the students who have persevered for the past eight years. They have studied, learned, and improved themselves, not just as alchemists, but also as well-rounded learners. They have expanded their understanding of the world, and in doing so, have reached a new step in their lives. First of all, I would like to applaud them for their efforts. It isn’t easy to persevere for eight years and grow.” The headmaster clapped for us a few times, and after an awkward pause, the parents started to join in. The headmaster let it continue for a few moments, before he resumed his speech.

“From here, the paths these children take will be different. Some will attend a university, and some will join the workforce. Some may even take a completely different path. Regardless, we should be proud of their unwavering efforts…” the headmaster of the academy said.

The headmaster had only been speaking for a few minutes, but I already found myself zoning out.

I usually didn’t have too much trouble paying attention in class, but the headmaster’s speeches had a powerful soporific effect. And unlike Mr. Delmont’s classes, the headmaster’s speeches usually contained zero meaningful content. It was fancy sounding fluff. While some of the parents in the audience looked like they were eating it up, it wasn’t my thing.

I felt my eyelids grow heavier, and I felt myself process less and less information...

said Anise.

I jolted awake, and tried to discreetly wipe at the corner of my mouth.

There was no drool there.

I said.

she said.

I winced. I said.

asked Sallia.

I perked up. Sallia was awake!

I said.

said Sallia.

I said, trying not to chuckle.

I started broadcasting the principal’s speech so that Sallia could watch along with us.

After a few minutes Sallia sent me a wave of amusement. Then, Sallia’s mental voice became thoughtful.

I asked. I tried to imagine Sallia taking a class on paying attention to boring speeches... and failed. Somehow, the image of Sallia challenging the teacher to a practice duel came to mind instead.

said Sallia. I blinked in surprise, and realized that I had attached some of my disbelief to the word 'really.'

I said.

I could practically feel Sallia roll her eyes at me.

said Sallia.

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I said. I started listening to the headmaster's speech and tried to think of 'counterarguments.'

Counterargument one was that most of his speech had almost no content...

I sighed, and settled into a rhythm as I picked apart sentence after sentence. It wasn't perfect... I still felt myself drifting off from time to time. But it did help.

I said, as the headmaster's long speech finally started to wrap up.

she said.

As I spoke with Sallia, the headmaster finally moved on to the next part of his speech.

“We now call upon the students of the academy to come and receive their awards,” said the headmaster. “First… Aliya Madraeya, the aspiring engineer.”

A tall, blonde girl made her way to the front of the room. The principal shook her hand, before handing her a small diploma.

Then, the headmaster continued calling names. Anise was the seventh student called.

“Anise, the aspiring witch,” said the headmaster. His eyes crinkled into smile lines as Anise made her way to the stage.

Felix, Anise’s parents, Old Mo, and I cheered wildly as she stepped onto the stage. As she kept moving, I realized that she was walking a bit fast. Her hands shook with nervousness as she shook hands with the headmaster. When he handed her the certificate, she snatched it from his hands. Then, she started speedwalking back towards us.

I said, trying to send a wave of both amusement and exasperation at her.

She slowed down a little, but still looked a bit nervous as she made her way back towards us.

asked Sallia.

said Anise.

Instead of sitting between her parents, she flopped next to me and stretched out her arms for a hug. I pulled her into a hug and patted her back a few times.

“Well done, Anise,” I whispered. “Your part in the ceremony is over. You graduated from a school! How do you feel?”

“Hmm…" Anise spent a few moments thinking. Finally, she smiled. "I had fun here.". Then, she swapped to using her communication bracelet to talk instead. she said, as she eyed Iselde and Vance from across the room.

I ruffled her head. I said. Anise nodded.

While we chatted, several more students collected their diplomas. Until finally, it was my turn.

“Miria, the aspiring healer. Please come up,” said the headmaster. I made my way up the stage. I turned back to the crowd for a moment, and smiled as I saw my friends smiling at me and clapping in their seats. I saw Old Mo give me a grin, before giving me a thumbs up. My mother also gave me a smile, and while it looked a little strained, there was genuine happiness in her grin. I waved at all of them. It might be a bit unorthodox... but it wasn't like the school could punish me for it anyway!

Then, I shook the headmaster's hand, took my certificate, and made my way back to my seat.

Soon afterwards, the headmaster got to Iselde. “Iselde, aspiring alchemist.” Unlike some of the other students, Iselde hadn’t really done much to earn the attention of others in school. 'Aspiring alchemist' was a bit of a generic description for students who hadn't distinguished themselves. The three of us cheered all the harder for her to make up for it as she took her diploma. Iselde stopped by my seat to get a hug afterwards. I grinned.

Right after Iselde, Vance got called up.

“Vance, the aspiring fencer and healer,” said the headmaster.

Vance also got his certificate and a quick hug.

And then finally, it was Felix’s turn. Interestingly enough, he was the last student to be called.

“And finally, Felix, one of the most promising alchemists this academy has taught in the past decade,” said the headmaster. Unlike most of the other statements he had made over the night, he sounded quite animated this time. He even winked at Felix as he walked up to the stage, which was totally unlike the prim, proper, dreary headmaster I was used to. “By now, instead of just graduating from an alchemy prep school, you could probably graduate from some universities. Well done, young man. You've worked hard for this. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish in the future.”

Felix grinned.

“Count on it,” he said.

Felix returned to his seat, where I gave him his celebratory hug. And then, at last, the ceremony was over.

“Come on. I made some chocolate cake for you,” said Old Mo, grinning. “It should be ready by the time we get back to my bakery. It'll be a great treat to round off the day. Well done!”

I smiled, and hugged Old Mo.

“Thanks, Old Mo,” I said. “I appreciate you coming today. It means a lot to me.”

“Anytime, Miria,” he said.

Then we all started making our way out of the auditorium for the last time.

Our education at prep alchemy school was over.