Chapter 55: Exam Rankings
Third Person POV: Academy Grounds
"Congratulations on completing the exam, Cadets."
Headmistress Helena stepped forward with a gentle and elegant pace. I looked up, watching her.
I tapped my foot on the floor briefly, then said to Abel, "It seems my role here is complete, so I'll be leaving first, alright?"
Abel smiled faintly, nodding briefly. Although I didn't need her permission, I did it out of courtesy anyway.
I offered a small smile, turned around, and began to walk.
"See you later," I said as I walked.
I pulled my white coat out of my storage space and put it on while walking, letting it flutter in the breeze. In my eyes, it looked ordinary. But to others.
"His protagonist aura is so strong…" someone muttered.
"I think so too…" said another.
A girl sighed softly, "I wish I could find a prince as handsome as him…"
Slap!
"Ouch! What was that for!?"
"Don't get your hopes up! There can't possibly be anyone else like him."
Arriving at the edge of the grounds, I turned back for the last time and waved casually.
Abel waved back. Not just her, but Kyle, Mia, and Lia also waved back at me.
Meanwhile, someone watched from afar in silence. That was Inara Astria, Leonhard's younger sister and the Emperor's daughter.
Abel's POV:
As soon as Ren walked away, the academy grounds were filled with hushed whispers of admiration that grew increasingly difficult to control. The after-battle aura still hung in the air like static electricity.
As for me, I stared blankly at where Ren was last seen, my eyes listless. I blinked once, then looked forward.
Headmistress Helena stood in the middle of the crowd, her dress shimmering in the sunlight.
She gently tapped the short crystal staff in her hand, creating a soft chime that immediately silenced all noise.
"Attention, Cadets."
Everyone fell silent.
Helena raised her gaze. A large blue hologram formed above the courtyard, displaying the title Practical Exam Rankings – This Year.
The students' breath was instantly held.
The Headmistress spoke in a calm tone that radiated full authority:
"Your battle… was more than satisfactory. Even the professors were shocked. Therefore, the rankings will be displayed based on total points, not just victory or defeat."
I sighed softly.
'Logical. Even if I'm not rank one, my points aren't small.'
Behind me, I could feel the intense stares of dozens of students—some out of admiration, some envy, some curiosity.
But I didn't turn around.
Helena tapped her staff one more time. The hologram slowly changed, revealing names that began to rise in rank one by one.
"Alright," she said, "here are the results."
Silence. Absolute silence.
Names at the bottom began to appear… then rose… rose… getting closer to the top…
Until finally—large glowing letters formed the top five rankings.
5. Inara Astria—900 points
4. Maira Paradiss—1,020 points
Maira just stared ahead as if it was obvious.
3. Abel Montain—1,100 points
Seeing it, I just smiled thinly, and said softly. "Not bad…"
But when my gaze shifted downward, my vision immediately blurred. I clenched my fists tightly.
2. Noah Raven—1,250 points
The crowd exploded.
Some students screamed in anger, some in awe, others immediately looked at Lia.
"The Hero lost…??"
"That's crazy…"
"Then who is number one?"
I bit my lip, 'He's not the hero you think he is! He's a traitor!'
Helena smiled faintly before announcing the last one.
1. Lia Elamin – 1,310 points
The crowd froze. Several people gaped. Lia herself covered her mouth, disbelieving. Helena looked at the small girl gently.
"Congratulations. You demonstrated extraordinary technique control and managed to acquire the bell from the strongest second-year student."
Lia was like a broken robot—nodding, shaking her head, nodding again. Her mind was filled with future scenarios.
Will the future change? Did I make it that way? She no longer knew.
I stared at the back of the girl named Lia with mixed feelings—jealousy, sadness, and a little empathy because she lived and became strong through her own efforts.
Lia's gaze met mine. Immediately, her face paled slightly. Perhaps because of what I had said earlier.
But I wasn't going to apologize; it was her fault for trying to touch my Ren's hand. The headmistress's voice sounded again.
"You may now take a break. Your class assignments will be sent tomorrow, and you can view them on the device in your rooms."
Hearing this, I smoothed out a slightly wrinkled part of my clothing. Then I started walking with a light step.
However, that lightness was brief. A voice called out to me: Noah. He was walking quickly towards me while waving.
"Abel, wait for me!"
Seeing him, my eyes dimmed slightly. Then I kept walking, leaving him to chase after me. My hand was slightly clenched.
Hmm? Why am I angry? I'm angry because he is the person who killed me.
Ren's POV:
I walked down the school corridor with a relaxed stride, hands in my pockets. I passed several people on the way.
The academy corridor felt quieter than usual. The light crystals embedded in the walls reflected my body's shadow, stretching on the glossy white marble floor.
Every time I passed someone, they spontaneously moved aside.
Some bowed their heads.
Some stared with respect.
Some were so stunned they forgot to breathe.
No one called out to me. No one was brave enough. I wasn't just the Vice Student Council President; I was also the girls' idol.
The guys hate me? Yes, that was clear. They hated me because I was too handsome. Even though I didn't intend to have a face like this—
[Liar.]
And honestly… I preferred it that way.
"Ren!"
Hmph.
I briefly halted my steps. That voice wasn't just anyone calling. Light footsteps quickly approached.
Amy.
She ran towards me, her pink hair tied in two braids, swaying softly as she ran. She arrived beside me a second later.
"Hey, Amy."
Amy took a small breath, then said with slight concern. "Are you alright?"
I tilted my head while starting to walk again, then said softly, "What do you think?"
"…You look fine… I guess?"
"Well, if you know that, why ask?" I replied in a playful tone.
Amy puffed out her cheeks. "I was just worrying about you, idiot! So, a guy should be more sensitive! Humph!!"
Amy walked, occasionally stamping her foot in the corridor. I chuckled, leaning forward.
"Oh…? So I'm not sensitive enough, is that it?" I looked at her from the side.
"Exactly!" Amy replied, pouting.
I smiled amusedly, then said in a gentle tone. "If you say so... how is it that I know you like me?"
Hearing that, Amy immediately stumbled forward, shocked. Then she looked at me with trembling eyes.
"W-what do you mean!?" Amy snapped, stammering.
I grinned widely, my eyes half-closed. "Just kidding! Hahaha!"
Then I quickened my pace. Every time I stepped, the sound echoed in the quiet corridor. Amy was still frozen in place.
She stared at the back of my head with a blushing face. A few seconds later, she turned away and muttered.
"Idiot…"
.
.
.
I turned several corners through the corridor and arrived at a ten-story dormitory building. I continued walking towards the elevator to go up.
Pressing number ten on the elevator, the door closed and started ascending. In this dormitory, every floor has 11 rooms except the tenth floor. And of course, my dormitory is on the top floor.
There are only five rooms there: my room, Leon's room, Amy's room, Evelyn's, and Nara's.
Ding!
The elevator door opened, and I continued walking. A few moments later, I stood in front of my room door, which was carved with Rune lines.
The door was tall and thick. I took out my ID card and placed it in front of a security scanner on the door.
The door slowly opened, the runes on its surface glowing pale blue as if recognizing me.
As soon as the door fully opened, the soft mint scent, a special aroma I installed myself, immediately greeted me.
My room was spacious, with a bookshelf on the left side, a crystal work desk near the window, and a large bed that was perfectly clean.
I stepped inside silently.
Click.
The door closed automatically behind me.
I sighed, took off my coat, and tossed it onto a chair. I let out a small sigh.
"Hah… what a busy day!" I said to myself, jumping onto the soft seat, lying down.
"Noll, show me the completion of my mission against the demon now."
Yes, before I arrived at the Academy, I fought a demon. That was a secret mission given to me by Headmistress Helena.
Ding!
A screen appeared in front of me. The background of the screen was stars and galaxies—cosmic, in short.