Rebirth-Transcending All Beings

Chapter 94: Rankings [2]

"Number 3... Li Yuxin."

The voices of the crowd grew silent. No whispers of his reputation. Only curious glances and murmurs of confusion.

His name. Unknown to most. It hadn’t made waves. At least not yet.

From the centre-left seating area, he rose.

He walked with poised confidence. His long jet-black hair swaying behind him — moving to collect his uniform from the princial.

As he passed others on his way, they began to remember that name.

"The Azure Dragon." Someone muttered. Recalling what he said when he introduced himself the previous day. At the time, most took it for a joke like the King of Blowfish.

But now?

No one laughed.

The principal unmoved as ever, handed him the uniform with a brief nod and Yuxin accepted in silence, blowing before returning to his place.

He said nothing.

And that silence spoke louder than any threat.

As he walked back, another name was called.

"Number 4... Aerith Valcryia."

Students from Thaelon perked up. Murmurs of recognition spread across the crowd.

Aerith stood, stretching briefly before making his way down. His crimson-red hair and amber eyes flicked through the crowd. Amused but unbothered.

The principal handed him the uniform, but before he could ask if he had anything to say — he already stood at the podium, facing the crowd with a half smile.

"If your ranked, above me, don’t get too comfortable." He said with a rich and taunting voice that carried a hint of charm.

He tossed a wink toward the audience before stepping down. A few applauded, some laughed and others thought he was arrogant.

"He’s a bit weird," Vergil said with disgust.

Before the mood could settle, another name was called.

"Number 5... Veltharia Aelthorne."

The atmosphere changed. Unlike Aerith, Veltharia’s rise was quiet. Nobody made a sound as she stood. Her dark blue eyes and light blue hair with silver undertones floated gently behind her.

She didn’t wear what the academy gave, but wore a robe covered in drawings of constellations that signified her affinity.

A spatial mage.

She ascended the stage with unwavering grace, accepting the uniform with a nod.

"Do you have anything to say?’

She paused, ascending the podium to get a better look at the audience, her eyes fixating on the boy with crimson hair.

She pointed at him. "I’ll be taking your rank."

And with that, she walked back, passing Aerith along the way, eyes meeting. He made a face but she didnt respond.

"Can’t believe she’s mad," Aerith chuckled.

"Number 6... Auvren Malek."

A tall figure responded, from the corner of the hall. He walked with a calm and predatory stride. Wrapped in a black coat etched in silver lining. His dark olive skin contrasted his snow white hair.

"Isn’t he that mercenary?" An applicant whispered.

"I believe so. He was famous in Soldara." Another spoke.

He made his down — his emerald green eyes locking on the principal, as he silently took his uniform.

Anything you’d like to share with your fellow candidates?"

Auvren paused, before speaking with a slow, hypnotic voice. "Nice to meet everyone."

He descended without another word, returning to his seat.

"Number 7... Lysara Caelum."

Another figure rose from the centre row. Tallm athletic. With a presence like the edge of a blade. Her silver hair streaked with violet and fierce golden eyes — scanning the crowd like a tactician rather than a fighter.

"She’s the girl who fought three rank 2 Aura users at once..."

"Another from Soldara ..."

She reached the stage and saluted, taking her uniform before standing on the podium..

"To those above me. let’s fight one day," she said with a respectful tone. "To those below. Aim higher."

With a simple bow and returned to her seat.

"Number 8... Yuna Lunaris."

The room paused this time. Unlike the Azure Dragon who introduced himself the day before. Nobody had heard the name.

From one of the furthest back row, a figure stood up. Moving like a passing breeze. Quiet, gliding forward.

If there was one thing that stood out. It was that she was the most beautiful person Vergil had ever seen. Long cream coloured hair, cascading down her back like silk spun from starlight.

Her eyes, pale violet and distant, fixated on no one. Simply. She walked. Untouched by the noise or curiosity that surrounded her.

Heels in a showcase. It can be admired but impossible to wear.

"Who is she? Someone whispered.

When she reached the stage, the principal handed her the uniform without a word, he looked at her longer than the others.

’It seems that clan has produced another monster.’ He gave a silent nod.

She shook her head, bowing deeply before returning to her seat. The Principal sighed, continuing in as kept reading out names.

The Principal continued, his voice cutting through the chatter like a blade. As he kept reading out names. Until a certain name was called out.

"Rank 867... Zhao Huan."

The name drew a few stares. A few whispers.

"Wasn’t he with the Azure Dragon?"

"I remember him from yesterday."

Zhao Huan didn’t flinch, rising calmly, to take his uniform. Unlike the first eight, the principal didn’t give them the chance to speak.

Perhaps because it would take too much time or it was a privilege for the top to motivate the rest.

Anyhow, more names were called out

"Rank 1345... Arin Vos."

"Rank 1450... Mirella Kain."

"Rank 1588... Drevon Kale."

"Rank 1841... Ray."

"It’s your turn." Ray smirked.

Ray stood, stretching his bones. "Finally, worth the wait." He gave a firm nod, making his way forward.

"Rank 1902... Kael Thornmere."

Kael stood with a grin. "My turn, guys."

"Rank 2010... Elle Vayne."

Elle rose in silence, not speaking a word to Vergil.

"Rank 2450... Elina Velcraft."

Vergil leaned back in his seat, eyes narrowing on the principal.

[They’re not saying your name.]

"Rank 2500..."

Vergil’s name had still not appeared and the final name had been called out. Rank 2500 was where it ended.

He leaned back. Smirked faded. Disappointment painted his face.

He clicked his tongue before exhaling. ’Was I overconfident?’

The principal raised his hand, once more. "Normally," Aldric began "we only accept 2500 students."

The murmurs stopped instantly.

"However this year, there’s been a change."

People blinked. Even some instructors narrowed their eyes.

"Today... we accept 2501 students."

That statement alone sent another ripple through the hall.

"What?"

"Who?"

Aldric stood on the podium once more, clearing his throat.

"And now," he said, with a grin on his face. "I hereby announce the person who ranked 2501..."

He pointed to the very back row.

"The King of Blowfish... stand up and take your uniform."

At first silence. Then laughter.

"Wait, what?"

"Did he really pass?"

"That can’t be his name right, must be a joke."

Not everyone laughed. Over half the students hadn’t been averted.

A few students who ranked lower, sighed deeply that they were accepted. Others wiped their eyes, holding in tears. Others stared at the floor, refusing to accept the result.

The laughter died out when they noticed someone stand up.

It was Vergil.

Slick brown hair, with a few strands loose, he rose from his seat, pacing down the stairs towards the stage.

His hands remained tucked into his pockets. He was confident. People would even say he acted cocky. As if he ranked first.

A few students chuckled. Until they saw his face.

A cocky grin formed on his face.

The hall fell silent again.

"...Is he serious?"

"He’s last and he’s acting like that."

"one day embrassed, the next cocky."

"...What the hell, he wasn’t like this last time?"

Vergil made his way to Aldric who watched as he approached. Without any formalities, he took the uniform from the principals arms with a casual swipe.

’This clown,’ Aldric twitched, lips curling. He sighed. "Alright. Alright. Any words, King of Blowfish?"

Vergil turned, making his way to the podium. He stood confidently, a small grin forming on his face.

"Today marks my first step," he said, voice ringing through the form. "And since I ranked dead last. I’ll accept the title King of Blowfish."

Students murmured, a few laughed.

Then Vergil’s expression turned cold. "But make no mistake, by the end of this year—"

"I’ll be in the top ten."

The hall froze. All noise died. Vergil walked off the stage, his new uniform clenched in his arms.

In the crowd, several of the highest-ranked students watched in silence.

’How cocky, but not bad.’ Kieran narrowed his eyes. ’Let’s see if your strength catches to your mouth.’

Vaelric scoffed lightly. "Top ten? Dream big, I guess."

Yuxin leaned forward watching him move up the stairs. "Interesting."

Aerith tilted his head, as he applauded the performance. ’Now thats some heat.’

Velthaira barely glanced his way. "Bold," she muttered.

Rank 6 muttered under his breath. "Another loudmouth."

Rank 7 smirked. "I like him."

Yuna remained silent.

The principal watched this unfold before his eyes. He did bot show emotion. He was neutral on the outside. But inside?

He was ecstatic. Excited.

’This year will be one of the most interesting.’