Creak.
The sound of the wheelchair moving, then stopping, rang out.
Lily pushed Iver to the front of the lectern. He raised his head and glanced at the crowd before him with interest.
The students were all looking at him.
Some were astonished, some excited, some curious, some frowning, and some expressionless.
Some had only just woken up and had no idea what was happening. Others were speaking animatedly to those beside them, explaining something.
But without a doubt—
Even the sleepiest students, those with the least interest in class, had at least looked up at Iver, who had caused such a commotion.
Iver stood at the center of everyone's attention, looking at them with a smile.
Facing their scrutiny and curiosity, he felt not the slightest bit nervous. Instead, he was brimming with excitement, as if restless sparks were flowing through his veins. His back slowly tensed without him realizing it, as though a girl's fingers had lightly brushed across it.
It was only then that Iver realized for the first time—and had his first chance to realize—that he was actually so suited to occasions where he stood "before a large audience."
He lifted his face and revealed a radiant smile.
He reached out and switched on the loudspeaker. The newly activated device let out a sharp buzzing noise.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Iver Moriarty.
"You may already know me... from other people, or from the newspapers. Or perhaps you don't know me—but that doesn't matter. From now on, I'll be your classmate in the same academy, the same major, and even the same class."
Iver's gentle voice, carrying a slight echo, spread throughout the tiered classroom. "As you can see, my health isn't very good. I've been studying at home since the start of the term. And the person