Several days later, the atrium of Magical Congress headquarters had been redecorated, and the chairman's inauguration ceremony was resumed. The explosions, bloodstains, and deaths from not long ago seemed as though they had never happened.
But the atmosphere was no longer joyful or enthusiastic. A cautious calm filled the air, tinged with lingering shock and unease.
The guests attending the ceremony all wore grave expressions, as if they were attending a funeral. Some glanced around anxiously, seemingly ready to deal with any unexpected developments at any moment.
At the same time, many familiar faces from before had vanished completely. There were also many people who had only just qualified to attend, their expressions visibly awkward and their clothes noticeably shabbier.
Klinch Barrett stood solemnly at the repaired podium, wearing a simple, well-fitted chairman's robe, the badge pinned to his chest gleaming brightly.
His speech was magically amplified, then transmitted across the country and even the world through the Streaming Mirror—
"Over the past few weeks, we have endured an unprecedented trial together. The reputation and foundations of the Magical Congress have both suffered immense damage. But fortunately, as the darkness was exposed, the strength of integrity and resilience never went out..."
The White Bridge Inn was as full of guests as ever. Wizards held beers or ate breakfast, but all eyes were fixed on the enlarged Streaming Mirror.
Barrett's voice echoed through the entire hall:
"As the interim coordinator, entrusted and elected by the public and my colleagues in Congress, I will shoulder the responsibility of leading Congress through this difficult period..."
The guests conversed in low voices:
"This is a little too steady... The new chairman doesn't seem to have much drive!"
"Isn't being proper and steady better than anything else?" A female witch wearing glasses sighed as