Chapter 115 - Are you sure that was supposed to be inspirational?

One of the Landscryed floated over to our group and emitted a small, metallic voice. I initially thought that the majimonster was talking, but I heard the binder's voice at the same time coming from him directly. Hopefully, I can learn this voice transmission trick in the future.

"Please follow me to your assigned seating area. Thank you". With a collective shrug, the four of us followed the Landscryed to a row of stone benches.

[Huh. Guess those dwarves weren't lying about their crafts lasting centuries], Voxea commented.

[What's a dwarf]?

[Don't worry about it].

We sat at the benches for a solid five minutes just talking about inconsequential things until all of a sudden, the building began to darken. I didn't notice, but the room was being lit up by the Landscryed and Astroracle. As the monsters dimmed their internal glow, another began to focus its light onto the center of a stage that was placed at the front of the main hall.

"We will now be introducing your teachers for this upcoming year", a voice out of nowhere announced and echoed through the hall.

As we stared onward, music began to fill the hall sounding both grand and welcoming. Several figures suddenly appeared on stage one after the other accompanied by flashes of colorful light, along with the voice announcing their names and occupation. It was an impressive sight to behold sure, but I was temporarily blinded by the act. Evidently, my friends also weren't too happy about it either.

"Ok that was impressive but why though?", Bori said as he rubbed his eyes.

"Show of power?", Savina guessed.

"Because they're show-offs", Albina replied.

"At least it wasn't loud", I added.

[And you just foreshadowed your ears beings messed up], Voxea commented.

"Finally, please give a warm welcome to the Academy Headmaster, Malrena Artemisia".

After that announcement was made, a final bright flash occured and the woman from earlier appeared front and center of the stage, her sharp owl-like gaze staring down at us. After a few moments, she cleared her throat and-

"GOOD AFTERNOON INCOMING STUDENTS"

spoke in a a very loud aether infused voice that caused my ears to ring.

[Told you].

"Ahem. Pardon me, it's been awhile since I had to use that trick", the headmaster said at a much more tolerable level of loudness after clearing her throat a bit.

"Now then, welcome incoming students to the Imperial Binder Academy", she said with a smile that had this weird mix of welcoming and predatory.

[Why do I feel like she's somehow measuring me up even though I'm inside a drajule]?

"During your attendance at the academy, you're ability will be identified, measured and strengthened. You and your majimonsters will experience exponential growth and develop brand new skills that will help you greatly in the future...if you survive".

[Well that's ominous].

"Keep this in mind, students. As binders you represent three things for the Empire: a hammer, a shield and a lantern", the headmaster said in a serious tone. Looking at my friends, I could see I wasn't he only one confused at her turn of phrase.

"As shields, you must be strong enough to protect your fellow binders, your homes and those who are unable to fight back against the majimonsters. As their rage and fury pour down on you like lightning and hellfire, you must be able to withstand it all. As hammers, you must be ready to smash the enemies of the Empire into oblivion, be they monster, beast or bandit. The weight of your blows reflect the might of the Empire. Finally, as lanterns, you must lead the way into the this new age. You must spread the teaching of the binding arts, illuminate our lost history and discover how the aether has changed our world for better or for worst. But to become these tools of progress and protection, you must be melted down, forged and reforged a thousand times over. The academy shall serve as your forge, but it's up to you whether you end up a pristine work...or scrap metal. I do hope you all prove to be stern enough. May your fangs never break".

After finishing her speech, a bright flash occured and the headmaster and staff all disappeared. As the room brighten once more, a voice announced that dinner would be served in a two hours and that we should use this time to settle into our dorms.

[Was...was that supposed to be inspirational]?