Gojo was directed to a giant hall inside the building which was teeming with students interacting with one another. Some were seated and some stood around and chatted with other students while complementing on their outfits. 

As Gojo watched the scene before him, a male student who was rushing in because he was late, bumped into Gojo and almost made him trip.

The student immediately turned and apologized.

Male Student: I'm so sorry. I was rushing in and I didn't look at where I was going. 

Gojo: It's fine. We all make mistakes.

Gojo took a good look at him and the first thing he noticed was that they were almost the same height and he had brown hair and wore a nervous look along with his required attire for the event.

Male Student: By the way, I like the way you dressed. It's so cool.

Gojo: You think so?

Male Student: Yeah. How did you come up with the idea for the hoodie?

Gojo: Oh… I didn't really come up with anything. I have a friend who's crazy about fashion and she recommended this style. 

Male Student: Wow. She does have good taste. 

Gojo nodded his head, fairly surprised with himself that he was able to have a conversation with someone outside of his circle of people. 

Male Student: So, you got a name?

Gojo: Yeah, it's…

The speakers around the hall made a high beeping sound before it stopped and then everyone's eyes turned to the stage where a young woman was already there holding a microphone in her hand.

Speaker: Good morning everyone. We'd like to ask each and everyone of you to take your seat. The ceremony is about to begin.

As Gojo took his seat next to his new friend, he looked around and noticed that the press were also here to cover the events and some of them had begun to take photos. 

The murmurs in the hall slowly died down as Senji Noda stood at the center of the stage. Just his presence alone made the room fall silent. 

Tall, calm, and carrying the quiet confidence of someone who had changed the world with ink and paper, Senji looked out at the hundreds of students seated before him. Some leaned forward in excitement, while others sat stiff. 

Senji cleared his throat and placed both hands on the podium.

Senji: Good morning everyone. I’m sure many of you already know who I am… but today, I’m not standing here as a legend. I’m standing here as someone who was where you are now.

A few students straightened in their chairs.

Senji: You all came here because you believe you have something to say with your art. A story only you can tell. That belief is precious, but it is also fragile.

He paused, letting that sink in.

Senji: Most people don't know this, but talent alone is not enough. Passion alone is not enough. And dreams alone are not enough. Hard work and discipline play a huge factor and this school exists to turn those things into discipline.

The hall was silent as the students all took in the words quietly.

Senji: If you’re here to be famous, you’ll fail. If you’re here to be admired, you’ll fail. If you’re here because you think you’re special…

He allowed himself a small, knowing smile.

Senji: …then this place will prove you wrong very quickly.

A ripple of nervous laughter passed through the crowd.

Senji: But if you’re here because you love stories, and because you love the art of making art, then I welcome you. You’re in the right place and I hope you take advantage of everything you learn here. Thank you. 

He stepped away from the podium to warm applause from all the students. 

Gojo found himself clapping too, even though his hands felt stiff. Something about Senji’s words hit deeper than he expected and it got him all the more excited as he sat on his seat. 

Then the applause faded and what followed afterwards were a multitude of mangaka and writers coming in to give their own speeches and advising the students on their priorities while they were at the academy. 

This went on for about an hour and after which, a different presence took the stage.

Damian Edwards.

Damian’s aura felt different from everyone else that had climbed the stage. His suit was perfectly pressed and his expression was unreadable as usual. He stood tall behind the podium, eyes scanning the room like he was measuring everyone at once.

And then when he spoke, his voice was cold and clear.

Damian Edwards: You’re not here to be comfortable.

The hall stiffened up.

Damian: You’re not here to make friends. You’re not here to find yourself. You’re here to be forged. Think of this place as a blacksmith’s workshop and you are the raw materials and the school system as the tools that will sharpen you into useful vessels. 

Gojo felt his stomach tighten.

Damian: Mugen Manga Works did not create this school for mediocrity. We created it to produce the next generation of professionals. Artists who can survive deadlines, their editors, criticism and rejection.

He leaned slightly forward.

Damian: And I promise you this, most of you won’t.

A wave of shock ran through the students.

Damian: If you can’t meet our standards, you will leave. If you can’t improve, you will leave. If you think effort is enough, you will leave. 

He straightened his posture.

Damian: Because this place is not a playground and it has no time to deal with people who aren't worth it. 

Gojo swallowed and male Student next to him did the same thing.

Then Damian’s eyes hardened even more.

Damian: And there is one more rule. One that will define how you move and learn here. 

He paused for dramatic effect. 

Damian: From today onward, you are forbidden from using your real names on this campus.

The room exploded into whispers.

Gojo blinked.

Gojo: Forbidden…?

Damian: You are not students here. You are creators. And who you were before you stepped foot into this school, doesn't matter at all. 

He lifted a hand.

Damian: From now on, you will introduce yourselves only by your pen names. The name you choose as a manga artist and the one we told you to put when you submitted that prompt all those months ago. 

The whispers turned into gasps. Some students looked excited while others looked terrified and shocked by this new development. 

Gojo felt his chest tighten as Damian’s gaze moved slowly across the hall.

Damian: Here… only your work speaks and that should be the only thing that matters. Thank you. 

He stepped away from the podium and the students were too stunned to speak. There was a bit of silence which was then suddenly broken by a male student who suddenly stood to his feet and clapped his hands.

This caused a chain reaction and the rest of the students followed. 

The woman with the microphone returned to the stage, smiling brightly almost too brightly for the tension in the room at that moment. 

Speaker: Thank you, Mr. Edwards. Now, everyone please take a deep breath.

A few nervous laughs slipped out.

Speaker: We’ll be taking a 15-minute break. After that, you’ll be guided on a tour of the campus and assigned to your classes. Use the break to introduce yourselves… with your pen names, of course! Thank you!