บท 12: TOP OF THE RANKINGS

"Why aren't you paying the pillars of the Academy respect, Kaelen?" Sylvester suddenly asked with a grim look on his face.

Kaelen met Sylvester's gaze with unwavering eyes, his voice steady as he spoke. "Headmaster Sylvester, I hold the values of the academy in the highest regard. However, I believe that true respect and allegiance are demonstrated through actions, not mere gestures. The trials I faced in the Rift Sanctuary, the challenges I overcame, and the lessons I learned—those are my true bow to the pillars."

Sylvester's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, the hall was silent, the tension palpable. "You think yourself above tradition, Kaelen?"

"No, Headmaster Sylvester," Kaelen replied, his tone respectful yet firm. "I believe in the importance of tradition. But I also believe that adherence to tradition should not overshadow the essence of what it stands for. My refusal to bow was not an act of defiance, but a statement that my loyalty and respect for the academy are embodied in my actions and my commitment to its principles."

"Interesting, very interesting" General Cao suddenly spoke up in a pleased tone as he fixed his gaze on Kaelen. And not a moment longer, he asked in a convincing tone.

"Kid, how would you like to be my personal disciple?"

"What!!!?"

Apart from Kaelen who had a blank look on his face, the rest instantly exclaimed in unison with a look of disbelief on their faces. But Cao didn't seem to care what the others reactions were as his gaze was fixed on Kaelen.

"Cao, are you out of your mind? Why would you take such a person as your personal disciple?" Carmilia suddenly asked with a dissatisfied look on her face. But Cao didn't even spare her a glance as he answered.

"That's because he is the best suited person to inherit my battle techniques"

"Huh?"

"What!?"

"Ok, this guy has really lost his mind"

As soon as Carmilia and the remaining two heard what he said, they all had the same expression of confusion on their faces while they made different comments. But the students attention weren't on the three of them.

Instead, their attention is on both Cao and Kaelen while they kept dazed look on their faces.

'I didn't think my bold move will give me such a high reward' Kaelen thought as a wry smile suddenly appeared on his face.

"Umm.... Am I permitted to say something General Cao?" With timid voice, Sylvester suddenly spoke up with a drop of sweat coming down the left side of his face.

"And what would you like to say?" Cao asked with a straight look on his face. But when Sylvester saw this face, he involuntarily shuddered.

"I suggest that.... You see the rankings for this examination before you decide on wether you want to make him your disciple"

"Yes!"

"That's true!"

"Haha, and I thought he will get away with such a reward scot free"

The moment Sylvester made that statement, all the students began to talk with various expression on their faces.

'Bastards' Morris thought with a darkened look on his face as he observed the students around him. But for Kaelen, he remained calm as he looked directly at Cao.

'Huh? Is he hinting me to refuse?' Noticing Kaelen's gaze, Cao thought with a confused look on his face. But he quickly cast that thought away as he answered Sylvester while he thought.

'Sorry kid, but I can't be partial'

"Well feel free to do so"

When Sylvester heard him, his eyes immediately glowed as he immediately spoke up.

"Ok General, thank you for your understanding"

After that, Sylvester immediately stepped forward and immediately announced while he gave Kaelen a quick glance.

"At this moment, we will now see Rankings of this year Pace Setter Academy internal students entrance examination"

"The Rankings will be based on the number of ferocious beast you managed to kill will in the Rift Sanctuary" Sylvester said further before he suddenly swinged his hand.

The moment Sylvester swung his hand, the ground beneath them rumbled. Conversation ceased as everyone turned toward the center of the hall. With a loud, grinding noise, a massive stone slab began to rise from the floor, pushing aside debris and dust. The slab, intricately carved with ancient runes and symbols, continued to ascend until it stood proudly in the center of the hall.

The students watched in awe as the slab's surface shimmered, the runes glowing with an ethereal light. Slowly, names and rankings began to etch themselves into the stone, the letters forming as if guided by an invisible hand. A hush fell over the hall, broken only by the collective intake of breath as the rankings became clear.

The moment the names on the slab became clear, all the students except Kaelen quickly scurried towards the slab hoping to see their name etched on it.

"Shit! There are only ten names here!!"

"That means the rankings was only for the ten best people who took the examination!?"

"That doesn't matter for me, I actually placed 5th" a girl amongst the students suddenly exclaimed with an excited look on her face.

This girl has velvet-colored hair, rich and deep, cascaded down her back in loose waves that seemed to catch the light, giving it a soft, lustrous sheen. Her hair framed a face full of youthful energy and hope, with a smooth complexion that glowed with an inner warmth.

Her eyes were a striking contrast to her hair—black as night, yet sparkling with an undeniable brightness. They were wide and expressive, always alight with curiosity and a zest for life. Her gaze was unwaveringly positive, as if she could see the silver lining in any cloud and the potential in every situation.

Her smile was radiant and infectious, a beacon of positivity that could lift the spirits of those around her. It was the kind of smile that reached her eyes, making them crinkle at the corners in a way that spoke of genuine joy and kindness.

Dressed in the Pacesetter Academy uniform, she managed to infuse it with her own sense of style and cheerfulness. The black and blue colors of the uniform complemented her hair and eyes, adding to her unique charm. She wore a simple but elegant hair clip, perhaps a gift or a memento, that added a personal touch to her appearance.

Her demeanor was open and friendly, always ready to lend a hand or offer an encouraging word. She had a lightness to her step, a bounce that seemed to reflect her inner optimism and enthusiasm. Whether she was engaged in conversation, studying, or participating in academy activities, she exuded a sense of hope and positivity that was both comforting and inspiring to those around her.

"Bahh!! You call that an achievement? I placed 4th you dimwit" But not long after the girl began to jubilate, a harsh voice suddenly suddenly sounded out from her left which prompted her to look towards that direction.

Who she saw was a boy who looked like a brute that stood tall and imposing, his muscular frame filling out the Pacesetter Academy uniform to its limits. The black and blue colors of the uniform seemed to struggle against the breadth of his shoulders and the girth of his arms, each movement causing the fabric to strain slightly.

His face was rugged, with a square jawline and a slightly crooked nose that hinted at past brawls. His brow was heavy and furrowed, giving him a perpetual look of intensity. His eyes, deep-set and dark, carried a fierce, unyielding gaze that could make even the bravest of students hesitate. Beneath his thick, often untamed eyebrows, his eyes glinted with a mixture of determination and a hint of challenge, as if daring anyone to cross his path.

His hair was a dark, unruly mop, cut short but still managing to look wild. The rough stubble on his face added to his intimidating appearance, making him seem older than his years. His hands, large and calloused, looked like they were made for heavy labor or combat, and the way he clenched them showed his readiness to defend himself or his friends at any moment.

Despite the brute-like exterior, there was a certain discipline in the way he wore his uniform. His tie was always knotted correctly, and his shirt tucked in, though the top button was often left undone, giving him a slightly rebellious air. The black and blue blazer, though snug, was always neatly worn, showing a begrudging respect for the academy's rules.

Even in stillness, he exuded a raw, powerful energy, like a coiled spring ready to snap into action. His presence was undeniable, and while he might have appeared intimidating at first glance, those who took the time to look deeper often saw hints of loyalty and a fierce sense of protection for those he cared about. His brute-like exterior was a formidable shield, but within the halls of Pacesetter Academy, he was a warrior in both spirit and appearance.

"What did you just call me?" The girl quickly asked the boy with a grim look on her face. But the boy didn't seem to care as he said slowly.

"Dim... Wit"

"You..." The girl muttered in fury before the girl next to her suddenly began to tap her continuously with a look of disbelief on her face.

"What is it Bailey?" Getting annoyed by the tapping, the girl quickly asked the other girl who is tapping her in annoyance. But the second girl didn't seem to mind as she stuttered while she pointed at the slab.

"Look... Who... Came first"

"Huh?" The girl said in confusion as she looked towards where the other girl is pointing. As soon as she did that, what she saw gave her a huge shock and a feeling of disbelief.

At the top of the slab, etched in bold, glowing letters, was a name that caught not only the girl but everyone's attention: Kaelen