The arena had been completely emptied of sand and set up with a semi-circle of seats on one end of the arena, separated into three sections for each Familia. On the other end was a platform with seats containing the administration of the school sitting in them. One of the seats was empty, with each of the other Familia’s head sitting on either side of it. The entirety of the arena’s seating was filled to the brim with adults, the only time of the year that this sight could be seen.
Georgio Valentini stood and approached a podium on the platform to greet the crowd. “Welcome, proud parents and family members of our excellent students! We are so glad you could all make it to celebrate the graduation of our seniors this year. Despite being the head of the Valentini Familia, I believe I can speak for my fellow Familia heads in saying that we have had an exceptional set of students this year.
“Our academy has harsh traditions that we have followed since conception believing it was the best way to help the children prosecuted for their abilities when the phenomenon happened all those centuries ago. Some of those traditions became more violent after a short amount of time as our Familias grew and changed. I’m pleased to announce that after some events from this year, bringing to light the errors of our traditions, we are going to be making some changes to certain traditions before the beginning of the next school year.
“You, our seniors, have been tasked the last few months with giving suggestions and helping to reform our policies. I am so proud of the progress and growth you all have contributed to our school. And I don’t say that only because my daughter is among you!”
There was laughter spread through the arena at his comment, and then he stepped aside to wave up Milo Thomas.
Standing at the podium, Milo cleared his throat and laid down a stack of papers in front of him. “Normally each Familia is given their diploma by their head, but circumstances this year has made that a little impossible. As such, we will be starting with the Kazegami Familia with myself announcing names and Georgio will hand the diplomas out. I will then do the same for his Familia, and then we will switch and he will call the names for my Familia.”
The proceedings went without any problems, and soon the crowds were released and the newly released seniors were able to celebrate and show off to their friends and family. Among these, Gianna and Souma approached the two remaining Familia heads, who were joined by Samantha and Kaguya after a moment.
“Where’s Thea?” Souma asked Samantha, looking all around as though he could see her in the mass of people.
“She said she’d rather avoid the ceremony,” Samantha told him after letting him search for a while, and then chuckled when his shoulders slumped. “She and Emmett are helping my mom prepare a feast with Mrs. Valentini back at the manor. They were both excited to have a joint celebration, and are apparently getting along really well right now.”
“That’s terrifying,” Georgio commented with a shudder, turning to Milo. “Your lady is frightening if she’s got mine being friendly. I swear that woman has a tongue like fire!”
“That’s only with you, Papa,” Gianna laughed. “Mama is actually really friendly, you just get in trouble too much to see it.”
Georgio gave his daughter a sheepish grin before nodding. “Yes, I suppose that is true.”
“But it is true that my wife is frightening,” Milo agreed with a grin. “She is fierce like a tiger but still gentle as a lily. I never know which side of her will come out, and it makes life interesting.”
Samantha shook her head and pulled Kaguya into her arms. “My father sees my mother through rose colored glasses, the same you do with me,” she whispered.
Kaguya smirked. “You are the one looking through rose colored glasses, I see only fields of green when I look at you.”