Although the Empire Academy didn’t have a specific festival, the end-of-term ceremony served as a substitute.

On the day of the ceremony marking the end of a semester, students, usually bound by strict rules, had the freedom to relax and enjoy themselves.

Verified merchants were allowed into the Academy to sell food, while theater troupes and orchestras were brought in to provide entertainment.

Additionally, each department displayed the results of their semester's work, adding to the attractions.

The Military Studies Department, for instance, hosted an open martial arts tournament, drawing the largest crowd, while the Magic Studies Department captivated audiences with demonstrations of newly developed spells by current students.

And even the often-overlooked Arts Department could bask in attention rivaling that of the Military or Magic Departments.

The Fine Arts Department exhibited their paintings, the Music Department held concerts, and there were various sculptures and displays, attracting many visitors.

Naturally, it wasn’t just the departments that eagerly awaited this ceremony.

Clubs within the Academy also anticipated the end-of-term event, as it was one of the rare occasions where they could showcase their work. Consequently, every club made sure to participate in the ceremony.

Among the club exhibitions, however, one particularly caught the attention of students and visitors alike this year:

It was none other than the Manga Club’s “Animation Exhibition.”

“They’re confident they’ll show us something beyond our imagination today.”

“Well, with Professor Rupert as their advisor, they’ll definitely have something worth watching.”

“What? It’s already full?”

Interest in the Manga Club, which now included the Academy’s famed freshman quartet, was at an all-time high, especially with Rupert, now hailed as the Empire’s top artist, at the helm.

Rumors had spread that the Manga Club had prepared something extraordinary for the ceremony, so even though there was still quite some time before it started, the auditorium allocated for their exhibition was already packed with people.

Not only students but also visitors from outside had come, causing complaints to echo throughout the crowd.

“Hmph! This had better be worth it.”

At first, people were curious, but now, having to wait in the crowd, some were regretting their decision and getting annoyed.

Though they considered leaving, the thought of all the trouble they had gone through just to get inside made them determined to see it through. However, if the exhibition turned out to be disappointing, they were prepared to criticize it for days.

So they waited in the crowded auditorium, anxiously anticipating the exhibition.

Finally, someone stepped onto the stage, and all eyes turned toward them.

“Thank you for taking the time to visit our Manga Club’s end-of-term exhibition.”

A young man with blond hair and glasses.

As Professor Rupert, the Manga Club’s advisor, greeted the audience, scattered applause grew into a resounding cheer.

“Wow!!! This is my first time seeing Rupert in person!”

“His latest work is just amazing! He’s a genius!!!”

“What on earth is he going to show us this time?”

Interest in Rupert, who had created everything from picture books to manga and now even manga magazines, was at an all-time high.

People had come to expect that whatever he created would be entertaining, a sentiment now firmly embedded in everyone’s minds.

Even the students who initially hadn’t recognized Rupert’s talent were now eager to attend his lectures. His status had soared in just one semester.

“But he’s probably just going to show a new manga, so why did they use the auditorium?”

“That’s true. I just hope they don’t start passing around copies because they’re short on prints.”

“I’m a bit nervous since it’s all student work. Though Rupert must’ve helped…”

People in the audience were curious.

Since it was the Manga Club’s exhibition, they expected a new manga release. Perhaps it would be a magazine format similar to the popular Manafia, showcasing student-made short stories.

But why the auditorium? They couldn’t quite see the point.

Yet, before they could dwell on these questions, Rupert stepped back as the Manga Club members took the stage one by one, greeting the audience.

All eyes turned to the four students who stood out from the rest.

Once the introductions were over, Rupert spoke again.

“We’re thrilled to offer you a new experience today, one that we hope will make your visit memorable.”

With a snap of his fingers,

The magical lights illuminating the auditorium went out, plunging the room into darkness.

“What’s going on?”

“Why’d they turn off the lights?”

“Hey, watch your step!”

As the sudden darkness caused a murmur of confusion, Rupert calmed the audience.

“Please, everyone, look straight ahead.”

His voice, amplified by magic, resonated through the auditorium, silencing the crowd as they directed their attention forward.

After a brief moment of silence, a soft whirring sound filled the room.

The crowd scanned the area, searching for the source, when suddenly a white cloth descended onto the stage.

Then, upbeat music began to play from speakers hidden throughout the auditorium, sparking more murmurs.

But the commotion quickly subsided.

Because before their eyes, a moving image—a full-blown animation—began to play.

When people witness something truly awe-inspiring, they tend to respond not with applause or cheers but with silence.

As the audience watched The Sylvania Music Band, the first-ever animation shown in this world, only the sound of their breaths could be heard.

They were aware that what they saw was merely moving pictures, yet their eyes remained fixed on the white cloth illuminated by the projector.

On that screen, a horse hummed and sang, while a dog climbed atop it to play the cymbals.

The viewers knew, rationally, that they were simply looking at drawings.

Yet the fluid movement, the talking, the singing—it all felt so lifelike that it stirred within them a sense of wonder.

Finally, after ten minutes, The Sylvania Music Band drew to a close.

It ended with a horse, a dog, a cat, and a rooster joining forces to drive off intruders from their sanctuary, finding peace and safety at last.

But even when the lights came back on, silence blanketed the auditorium.

Seeing the unresponsive crowd, the Manga Club members began to feel a bit uneasy.

‘Could it be that they didn’t like it?’

‘We thought we did a good job…’

‘Maybe my script was the problem…’

Negative thoughts raced through their minds until—

Clap!

A single clap rang out from the audience.

Clap clap clap!!!

The applause grew louder and louder, until the entire auditorium was filled with thunderous clapping and cheers.

“That was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced!”

“It wasn’t just the animation! The music was perfect, and the story was so full of life!”

“Is it really over already? I can hardly believe it.”

Ten minutes might seem like a short time, yet it’s surprisingly long.

Most people would struggle to fill ten minutes in front of an audience.

So to keep an audience entertained for ten full minutes is no easy feat.

But today, the Manga Club’s animation did more than fill time; in just ten minutes, they gave the audience an unforgettable experience.

“Do you see this, Adrian?”

“…Yes, Prince Edric.”

Adrian, who had written the script for The Sylvania Music Band, was transfixed by the sight before him when the third prince spoke to him.

“I knew you could do it, Adrian.”

“No, it’s thanks to the members who drew and composed the music…”

“While the other members’ contributions are important, I think it’s your compelling story that has people cheering like this.”

Even as they spoke, Adrian’s gaze remained fixed on the audience.

Normally, he’d have seized the opportunity to chat with the prince, but right now, he couldn’t look away from the cheering crowd.

The animation that had brought his story, one he had written for fun, to life, was now drawing applause and admiration from everyone.

It wasn’t fear or nervousness that made his heart race.

It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced since he was a child.

The same thrill he’d felt when reading about heroes in books now made his heart pound with excitement.

“Thank you, Prince Edric, for your advice back then.”

“No, it was probably a bit presumptuous.”

“Not at all. I think… I’ll never forget what I saw today.”

During the first semester, Adrian had often felt like quitting.

He had joined the club to connect with key figures in the Empire, but it had taken up much more of his time than he’d anticipated, leaving him frustrated.

But now, all those struggles and complaints seemed insignificant.

All he could see was the crowd, and their cheers filled his eyes and heart.

Adrian thought about how he wanted to witness more scenes like this as he continued to watch the captivated audience in the auditorium.