The morning sun spilled golden light over the capital as thousands of students gathered in the grand plaza of the Royal Academy. The atmosphere buzzed with tension, excitement, and uncertainty. It was the day of the official ranking announcement.
A voice boomed across the plaza through a magical broadcast crystal, "Attention students! The results of the awakening examinations are now public. All students ranked within the top 25 will be admitted to the Elite Class. Students ranked 26 to 1000 shall be placed in the Special Class. Those ranked below 1000 shall undergo General Class training."
Another voice followed, deeper and more serious. It was Teacher Vairon. "This isn't merely about status. Your ranking will decide your future in this academy. Excellence will bring rewards. Laziness will not be tolerated."
Kain stood silently in the crowd, his heart steady despite the rush of cheers and groans around him. The ranking board shimmered into view above the plaza — names and numbers etched in golden light.
> 1. Elmore Aurelios – Royal Family
2. Elira Aurelios – Royal Family
3. Anna Morgan – Morgan Family
8. Kai Dawn – Dawn Family
24. …Kain (No Family Name)
6. Dael Stren – Steel Merchant Family
Kain stared at his name. Twenty-fourth. He had made it.
Barely.
Cheers erupted around him, but Kain felt a different weight. The voice of Inventor echoed in his mind, soft but clear:
"They like you."
Before he could think more, he heard a sneer behind him.
"You're the one who doesn't even have a mark, yet somehow crawled into the elite class?"
Kain turned to see a boy dressed in fine, dark robes with golden trim. His hair was neatly combed back, his eyes sharp and arrogant.
"Who are you?" Kain asked calmly.
"Alec Renwar. Fifth son of the Renwar Duke Family. I ranked 27th — because of that ambush, they say. And somehow you got 24th. Hah."
A few students nearby turned to watch. Tension filled the air.
"You think a commoner without even a divine mark belongs here?" Alec's voice was loud, biting. "I trained for years. I had tutors. Swordmasters. What did you have?"
Kain didn't flinch. "I fought like my life depended on it," he said quietly.
Alec's eyes narrowed. "Let's see how well that works against someone trained."
Before anyone could stop it, Alec lunged with a wooden sword pulled from the academy's supply rack. Kain stepped aside just in time — the swing slicing through air.
A teacher appeared in an instant.
"Enough!" shouted a powerful voice. It was Vairon.
Alec stopped. Kain stood his ground.
Teacher Vairon walked toward them slowly, eyes locked on Alec.
"You're dismissed from the plaza, Alec. Top 25 or not, we don't tolerate personal duels without approval."
"But he—!" Alec started, but Vairon's stare shut him up.
Then Vairon turned to Kain. "Good control. You didn't retaliate, and that is worth more than any attack."
Kain bowed his head slightly. Alec left, face red with frustration.
That conflict would not end today.
---
Inside the Academy
Later that day, all top 25 students were gathered in a separate chamber — the entrance to the Elite Class section.
There were powerful mana flows carved into the walls, inscriptions in ancient languages, and glowing sigils that flickered gently.
Kain looked around in awe. "So this is the academy's advancement…" he murmured.
He adjusted the magic-threaded uniform the academy had provided and held the steel sword — standard issue for those without personal weapons.
Kai stepped beside him. "This place is better than I thought," he said, then looked at Kain. "You really surprised everyone. Twenty-fourth… without a mark."
Kain smiled faintly. "Guess I did."
"You know," Kai continued, "the Royal Princess Elira ranked 2nd… and Anna Morgan is 3rd. I barely got 8th." He sighed. "But it's fine. We're all elite now."
A new voice spoke up from the front of the room.
"You all did well, but the real trials begin now."
Everyone turned to see a tall boy with piercing blue eyes and silver-white hair. His uniform bore the royal crest.
Elmore Aurelios.
"The academy expects more than talent," Elmore continued, his voice calm but commanding. "You'll have to earn your place here every day."
Some students looked annoyed at his tone, but Kai whispered to Kain, "That's Elmore. He acts cold, but they say he saved a whole group during the ambush."
---
Later That Day – Teacher's Briefing
In the faculty hall, several teachers gathered to discuss the situation.
"They struck again," said a teacher, pointing at a map. "Another organization-led ambush in Toran, a city nearly as developed as the capital."
"They're spreading," said Vairon grimly. "Their motives may be masked by false equality. But their actions speak of chaos."
"And what of the students?"
"Anna used her Ice Empress blessing to freeze an entire goblin path. Kai activated his Hunter Eye, and Kain—" Vairon paused.
"—Kain held his ground with pure will. I saw him unlock a blessing during the fight. 'Iron Will,' it's called. He doesn't even know how strong he might be."
---
Ending Scene
As the Elite Class students began settling in their quarters, Kain sat on his bed. He stared out the window at the distant mountain range beyond the capital walls.
The Inventor's words still echoed in his mind.
"They like you."
And Kain realized something.
He wasn't alone anymore.
He was in the Elite Class now.
Kain is not used to it but he think the world want him to go and achieve something he don't know
And the world had finally started to notice him.