Rebirth-Transcending All Beings

Chapter 84: Orientation

"MY TITLE IS THE KING OF BLOWFISH!"

Dozens of heads tilted slightly. Mouths parted in utter shock and disbelief. Somewhere in the back, somebody snorted and then immediately choked it down.

The stillness was absolute, to the point where it pinned them silent. The echo of his voice rang in the audience’s head.

Not once. Not twice. Hundreds of times.

They didn’t immediately register his words. After the candidates introductions from Li Yuxin and Zhao Huan, the entire assembly seemed to collectively glitch.

Vergil, who remained on the podium was also a part of this. His cheeks reddened, his mind spiralling into chaos.

Why! Why! Why! Why! Why! Why! Why! Why! Why!? Why can’t I keep this mouth shut!

In the middle rows, Elena covered her mouth with both hands, a small muffled squeak escaped her lips as her restraints made way.

Eleanor in contrast, remained unmoving. Her eyes narrowed on his figure. She didn’t look surprised but amused by his actions.

She stared him down, with an expression that implied one thing.

You are an absolute idiot.

At the podium. Yixin tilted his head in confusion. "Blowfish?" He whispered to Zhao Huan.

Zhao Huan’s face had reddened, his cheeks puffing as he interpreted what he actually meant. He fought down the urge to break into hysterics before leaning closer to Yuxin and whispered the many implications.

Yuxin blinked twice. His stoic face twitched at the meaning. He clamped a fist over his mouth, turning away from Vergil.

After a few moments, he returned to normal. But the principal remained unmoving.

Almost.

The corner of his lips twitched, betraying the facade of his composed face. But he said nothing.

The silence lasted only a few more seconds.

And then it shattered.

Laughter erupted like a dam overflowing. Students — both nobles and commoners doubled over, hands slapping their thighs and shaking uncontrollably.

Even the more elite-looking ones, struggled to maintain their aloof expressions.

A girl near the front gasped and wheezed. "Did he say Blowfish!?"

"Who is this guy?!"

"Is it some kind of dual cultivation style?"

Another voice shouted, "KING of Blowfish! Show us your technique!"

Vergil stood frozen. Face flushed. Hands clenched. Sweat was pouring down his face. The confidence that had led to this moment was now replaced with a dawning horror that would never leave him.

Why did I say that!? What the hell even is a king of Blowfish!?

The system chimed in, utterly unhelpful.

[You used my nickname.] Is whispered.

[That... was glorious. Unexpected. Iconic.]

[But really, you did not have to take it seriously. It was a joke!]

I want to scream.

Zhao Huan, despite his best efforts, finally cracked. He leaned on the podium, laughing — tapping Vergil’s trembling shoulders, his voice hoarse with suppressed joy.

"Man, it’s been a while since I had such a good laugh. But you’re a legend now."

Yixin managed to recover just enough to speak with a tremored voice. "I get the joke... but it’s... lewd?"

Vergil looked at them both, dead and confused inside.

’I don’t get it.’

[.... It’s better if you didn’t know.]

Should’ve just fainted. At least then I wouldn’t have to see this mess.

Meanwhile, in the middle rows, Elena was crying from laughter. "Did you see his face, Eleanor. My, Vergil has gotten more vocal."

Eleanor exhaled slowly. "He made it seem like a divine word from God."

Elena wiped her teary eyes. "I can’t breathe. God, how do you expect people to take you seriously after that?"

As the lights began to go out, the principal made his move, stepping out of the shadows and taking a stand at the podium.

Vergil moved back, averting his gaze from the crowd as the principal took a deep breath.

"Thank you students," his voice effortlessly returning order to the disturbed chamber. "It seems we’ve already found the... unique ones of this year’s entrants."

A few giggles still lingered, then Principal Aldric had a soft, almost imperceptible smile.

"Every class has its bold ones. Some roar like lions. Others, well... apparently inflate like blowfish."

His words triggered another round of muffled chuckles. People have long since known the principal’s personality.

Strict and upstanding when it comes to upholding the rules, but is a rather humorous person anywhere else.

He raised a hand and the room quieted down to a halt once more, though the energy had changed completely. No longer feeling cold and dominated by fear. There was a warmth that lingered, a shared memory of a single applicant.

"But remember," Aldric continued. "This academy is not just for the stoic and the solemn. Courage comes in many forms."

"The courage to fight. The courage to endure. Even the courage to humiliate oneself in front of thousands." He glanced towards Vergil, who sank a bit lower. "And rise again."

The crowd stilled as Aldric continued his speech. "I’m not saying this to mock you, but to remind you all that individuality is not a weakness."

"But a weapon in the coming chaos, the battlefield doesn’t reward uniformity. It rewards those who can adapt. Who can surprise?"

He glanced across the hall, his gaze as sharp as a blade. ’Those who can strike from an angle no one saw coming are the ones who survive."

Vergil blinked for a moment, the room blurred, but he had only one thought about the principal.

This man was worthy of respect and he had his approval.

The principal turned away, hesitant for the three to rejoin the crowd. "Take your seats please. We will now move on to the theory exams, and try not to give yourselves any more titles unless it’s earned."

More laughter followed. Lighter. Playful. The tension had fully dissolved.

The three made their way up the ways, some of the students reached out to pat Vergil’s back or whisper in his ear.

"King of Blowfish, I’ll remember it."

"You’ve got guts man, don’t get disqualified."

"Legend. Absolute legend."

Zhao Huan grinned as they walked. "You’ve made a name for yourself on your first day."

"I want to die," Vergil spoke with a downtrodden face.

Yuxib looked in contemplation. "What techniques do you use?

"Yuxin, let’s not talk about that," Zhao said as he put his arm around his neck.

"Please stop," Vergil muttered, but nobody cared.

Back in the crowd, Eleanor and Elena watched him move.

"He turned his first impression into a comedy routine." Eleanor sighed.

Elina grinned. "Quite absurd. Maybe it’s his strategy."

However, Eleanor didn’t answer. Because deep down, she had a sinking suspicion. Maybe Vergil wasn’t joking.

What am I even thinking?

"Now, as I was saying," Principal Kaelthorn resumed. His voice smoothly retaking controll of the assembly.

Vergil’s face was slightly red as he moved to sit beside an empty seat next to Elena and Eleanor. Elena smirked at him while Eleanor only offered a glance.

The principal waited a beat.

"This is a new beginning," he said, gaze sweeping across the room. "But make no mistake. Your entry into this academy doesn’t mark the start of vomfrot, but the beginning."

"Of pressure, purpose and peril. You are not here because you are special, but because you are capable of becoming something special."

"If you survive." He added.

A heavy, electric stillness pressed against the dome.

"The first stage of your assessment begins immediately after this assembly. It’s a theory examination comprised of combat rules, monster biology, energy systems, strategic fieldwork and political dynamics."

"These are not just academic subjects, we teach just for fun. It’s the foundation for your career."

Some students murmured, likely wondering how much they had truly studied for this exam. Others sat upright, unbothered and indifferent to the whispers.

"When this assembly concludes, proceed to the west wing, our instructors will guide you to where classrooms have been prepared for your examination."

"You will be given two hours. Any form of cheating will be met with immediate expulsion."

He let the words settle before continuing.

"After the theory exam, the instructors will take you directly to one of the many training grounds. That is where the second stage. the Practical Examination. Will begin."

Vergil’s eyes narrowed slightly. ’So that’s how it is.’

’You won’t be assessed by how strong you are, but by how well you survive, how you adapt, and how you respond under pressure."

A soft murmur swept the room again.

"This academy does not need perfect students. We need hunters."

Kaelthorn’s voice dropped an octave. "If you are not ready, this academy will not hesitate to remind you what it means to fall behind."

With a flick of his hand, the stones in the ceiling shifted, lighting up the room.

"You will be shown to your classrooms by the instructors. Proceed in an orderly fashion and don’t dilly-dally. And it just so happens that the entrance to the practical will close after thirty minutes."

"If you miss it, don’t bother returning." Principal Aldric stepped back from the podium, giving a final look to the gathered applicants.

"That is all for the orientation." He breathed.

"Let the exams begin."