The next day dawned with the kingdom buzzing. Newspapers were being distributed, every citizen eager to see the list of top students who would be granted ranks after graduation. The list, printed in bold headlines, was a source of pride for some, anxiety for others, and a quiet spark of determination for many more.
Here's the list of top 60 students who will have ranks after the academy.
Top 60 Students:
1. Rethrus
2. Aethra
3. Leo
4. Jasper Langly
5. Ezra Starling (The prince)
6. Julian Langly
7. Jack
8. Haldrin
9. Philliam Fitzroy ( Brother of General William)
10. Marcos Valtoria ( Grand son of General Marco)
11. Aric Valeric
12. Cassian Valeric
13. Jeshur Oakwood
14. Elizabeth
15. Cassia Starfall
16. Lumine
17. Talia Everwood
18. Suryu
19. Ianthe Peregrine
20. Rowan Azurewing
21. Thaluc Clemson
22. Celeste
23. Gareth Bale
24. Finn
25. Geoffrey
26. Aiko
27. Terra
28. Aldric Scruise
29. Theo
30. Osric Orion
31. Sorah Elarion
32. Sofia Veraila
33. Beatrice Montgomery
34. Morgana Bielmor
35. Eliza
36. Silas
37. Rhyne Dorian
38. Hans
39. Rina
40. Radulf Fritz
41. Rowena Collinor
42. Cedric Benson
43. Ruth Maelstrom
44. Rhys Goldfeather
45. Ziren Balthazar
46. Jinne
47. Sandro Dorian
48. Iris Brightleaf
49. Kiean Rhiannon
50. Elaira Calypso
51. Rhys Brynhild
52. Harley Irion
53. Gideon Xandros
54. Zander Valinor
55. Iris Brightleaf
56. Kieran Rhiannon
57. Elara Quillian
58. Fiona Valorie
59. Soren Kieran
60. Linnet Elian
The news spread like wildfire, igniting a storm of emotions throughout the kingdom. Expectations were shattered. The top students were not just from the usual prestigious houses. In fact, the top two slots were occupied by orphans.
Rethrus, the mediocre student, the one who had always kept to himself in his past life, found himself thrust into the limelight.
He couldn't believe he was number one, not even with his enormous powers.
He'd always been content with his quiet life of learning, of blending into the background. But now, the spotlight was upon him back in his past life. He couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed, even a little out of place. His mind raced, trying to determine the appropriate reaction.
" A loud laugh, like Jack's? Too showy. A stoic face? A bit too edgy."
He settled on a smile, a polite nod, and a quiet thank you. He would learn, adapt, and find his footing in this unfamiliar world of acclaim.
But the news wasn't just shocking for Rethrus.
Aethra, the prodigy, the boy who'd always dominated when Rethrus left Xavier's class, felt a cold pang of disappointment. He couldn't believe that he'd been relegated to second place, especially behind a student without his demon yet. The whispers in the hallway only intensified his unease:
"He doesn't even have his demon yet," one student murmured.
"How did he manage to beat the light user and the prince?'"
Aethra was used to being the best, the brightest, the most powerful.
The doubts were a new feeling, a sharp sting that pierced through his carefully constructed ego.
He sought refuge in the bathroom, the quiet solitude of the hallway allowing him to confront the crushing blow of the news.
"I bet that Leo guy would be par with the top one if he uses magic," he overheard.
The words struck him like a blow, leaving him breathless and bewildered. He couldn't understand how someone who didn't use magic could possibly surpass him, a mage with years of experience. The frustration, the anger, the self-doubt, all swirled within him like a tempest.
As he sat alone in the bathroom, his mind drifted to his past, to those moments when he was younger, when he was the star, the prodigy, the one destined for greatness.
"You're a genius, Aethra," his mentor, Xavier, had said. "You're brimming with Mana!"
The memories, once so sweet, now felt like a bitter reminder of his current predicament.
He'd been the top student, the one everyone admired, the one everyone expected to be the best. He was no longer that boy, and the realization was painful, deeply unsettling.
"Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision. A single tear traced a path down his cheek, leaving a glistening trail behind. He clutched his hands into fists, his nails digging into his palms. The echo of his own stifled sobs resonated through the silence.
"They called me the genius, the one destined for greatness. Yet, I'm second," he thought, his voice a mere whisper.
"Why is Rethrus the top? He doesn't even have his demon yet. I was always learning so fast, mastering every spell, and he was always just a step ahead. Did Mr. Xavier lie to me? Did they use me so they could hide him? When I won the race, I thought I would win or at least be even with him, but I was wrong."
His thoughts, like a torrent of emotions, crashed over him, leaving him breathless, bewildered, and deeply hurt.
He was the light, the one everyone believed would be the brightest. But Rethrus, he was shrouded in shadow, a mystery. And now, the shadow was eclipsing the light.
The light, stuck in the darkness's shadow.
As he stepped back out into the hallway, he saw Rylan walking towards him, a janitor's cart laden with cleaning supplies.
Rylan's eyes met his, then quickly averted. Something shifted within Aethra.
A new determination sparked in his eyes. The light may have dimmed, but it hadn't gone out. He was still second, and he would remain second. He would show everyone, he would prove himself. He would not be eclipsed.
Rethrus's lips curled into a sneer, his eyes narrowing in disdain. He scanned the list, his gaze lingering on the names of the elite, the offspring of powerful families, their names etched in gold.
" Why would these rich ass kids wanna join the war?' he thought.
He couldn't believe it, the audacity of these privileged souls. They lived their lives in luxury while others fought for their existence. 'They could just stay home and live happily ever after, and we could handle the fighting
The hallway buzzed with a mix of hushed whispers and excited chatter. The scent of old books and polished wood filled the air. The worn stone floor echoed with the sounds of footsteps, creating a symphony of anticipation.
As Rethrus walked through the throng of students, he couldn't help but feel a surge of power. He passed by a group of girls, their eyes wide with awe and a hint of fear. A group of boys exchanged glances, a mixture of envy and resentment evident in their expressions. One of them, with a sneer, muttered, "Who does he think he is?"
He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this powerful. He'd always been content to blend in, to observe, to learn. But now, he was the center of attention, and it was exhilarating. He was the strongest, the most capable, and for the first time in his life, he felt truly in control.
"Oh my goodness! I'm famous!" he thought with a mix of amusement and disbelief. "So this is the feeling of being popular in high school. I just played chess back then, so even at the events, no one really watched us. Yet here I am, the strongest."
The feeling of invincibility washed over him, a dangerous, intoxicating sensation. " I'm so strong that if I kicked someone's ass here, no one would dare to hit back."
He envisioned himself defeat his opponents in a flash, the power at his fingertips. This was the feeling of being a bully, the feeling of superiority.
" I need to be careful," he reminded himself. "My arrogance would eat me alive if I'm not careful."
He pushed open the massive oak doors of the library, his entrance met with a wave of stunned silence.
"It's the number one," whispers rippled through the room.
"It's the number one! Ackk!" A group of girls gasped.
Rethrus merely nodded, a small smirk playing on his lips. He plucked a worn leather-bound book from the shelf, a volume on ancient history and mythology.
He walked to the librarian's desk, where the librarian was frozen in place, eyes wide with surprise. He placed the book on the desk.
"Thank you!" Rethrus said with a polite nod.
"Wow"
he thought as he continued on his way back to his room.
"So this is why everyone wants to join the war. It's kind of nice, actually. The sixty students have their own rooms. Talk about inequality."
Rethrus, lying on his bed, couldn't believe this was happening to him. The soft, plush mattress beneath him felt like a dream, a far cry from the shared dormitory he used to call home. He smiled, then suddenly laughed, a joyous sound that echoed through the room.
"HAHAHHAAHAH!"
He couldn't help but chuckle.
"AHHAHAHAHHA! God might love me so much for this," he thought.
He reached into his sling bag, pulling out a leather-bound book.
"The Tale of the Green Poet."
"Huh, a new book to read," he thought, a sense of contentment washing over him.
"Damnit, the absence of a cellphone really makes me a bookish guy. I hated reading back then. Huh, I might even try to learn new instruments."
The room was spacious and comfortable, with a large window overlooking the academy grounds. Everything about it spoke of privilege and luxury, a stark contrast to the shared rooms he'd endured in the past.
"The dining hall was a cavernous space, echoing with the clatter of plates and the murmur of conversation. The air was heavy with the aroma of roasting meats, fresh bread, and simmering stews.
Rethrus and his friends , sat at a long, ornate table, a sea of unfamiliar faces. Aethra sat beside Rethrus, chatting casually, a faint smile playing on his lips. Jack, as usual, was already engaged in a boisterous conversation, his laughter echoing through the hall.
Lumine, sitting next to Rethrus, tilted her head, her eyes curious.
"What's in your bag, Rethrus?" she asked, her voice soft.
"Uhm, it's a book," Rethrus replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Wow, you're really smart if you're reading all that," Lumine said, her eyes wide with admiration.
"Ahahaha, thank you," Rethrus laughed.
"Of course, having no cellphone here, books are one of the oldest entertainment that exists in every time."
He looked around at the other students, their faces etched with a mix of curiosity and awe. They were all strangers, thrown together by their shared ranking.
As the food was served, Rethrus noticed a familiar face amongst the servers: Rylan, the red-haired boy from the hallway. Rylan's hands trembled slightly as he poured the soup, his eyes avoiding their gazes.
"Spear king!" A student shouted, a mocking tone in his voice.
The others at the table joined in, their laughter echoing through the hall.
"Serve us here too," Kieran Rhiannon, the blonde-haired noble brat, demanded, his arrogant tone dripping with entitlement.
Rethrus saw Kieran's cruel smirk, He wanted to say something, to stand up for Rylan. But then he heard a voice from their table.
"He deserves it," Aethra stated calmly.
"He should have just kept to himself," Leo added, his expression stoic.
Rethrus hesitated, then sat back down.
" I know people like him." Rethrus thought, as he continued to eat.
" There's this guy who claimed to be the Champion of basketball on our flag ceremony, some were happy for him and some laughed at him. At the end, he led the team to a championship and became MVP. And he left a mark on all of us, showing how brave he was. Now that guy is probably going through the same thing. I'm pretty sure he can turn it around."
"Maybe that's the price for what he did," Jestus added, his voice laced with a hint of malice.
Jack, a boisterous young man with a penchant for mischief, roared with laughter, his voice echoing through the dining hall.
"Shouting about his dreams, AHHAHAHAHHA!" he yelled, and the others at his table joined in, their laughter a chorus of mockery.
Collei, sitting at a different table, flinched as he overheard the taunts directed at Rylan. He's a quiet, shy boy, one who had always been overlooked. He would never retaliate, never speak up for himself. He wished he could say something, but fear held his tongue.
Elizabeth, one of the top students, watched the scene with a weary expression.
"Guys, give that guy a break," she said, her voice a soft reprimand. "He's doing his best."
The teasing subsided, Jack and his group quieting down as they always did when Elizabeth spoke.
"So, tomorrow is the start of classes, and we have our own kind of uniform," Jack said, his voice brimming with pride.
"Where does the kingdom get all this money for this?" Haldrin asked, a puzzled expression on his face.
"You don't know?" Celeste, a girl with sharp eyes and a quick wit, asked.
"About what?" Most of the students at the table turned to her, their curiosity piqued.
"Hayst, listen, Our kingdom is so rich, In fact, most kingdoms are rich," Terra said calmly, "So where does the kingdom get money from?"
"I think the kingdom owned a larger mine for Mana Crystal, which is very valuable in every country," Elizabeth explained.
"Ahh, that's why," some of the students muttered, their eyes widening in understanding.
"What else?" one of them asked, eager to learn more.
"The production of food is very rapid since magic can boost it," Aiko, another of the top students, added.
"Ahh," the students responded, impressed by her knowledge.
"Where did you know all of this?" Hans asked, looking at Elizabeth with admiration.
"It's one of the classes of Mr. Xavier," the girls exclaimed.
"Ahhhh," the boys responded.
Rethrus listened to the conversation, a wry smile playing on his lips. "I'm pretty sure I fell asleep when that happened," he thought. He couldn't help but smile. He'd always had a hard time paying attention in class, especially when it came to things that didn't seem immediately relevant to his own goals. But now, he realized, even the most mundane information could hold value, especially in a world where power and wealth were intertwined with knowledge.