The survivors stood in tense silence as Ardyn Vale surveyed them, a crystal tablet in his hand glowing faintly.
"The rankings have been determined based on the number and quality of beast cores collected, as well as performance in battle," he announced.
Nervous energy crackled through the air. Many candidates shifted anxiously on their feet, clutching at their clothes, fists clenched, breaths held.
One by one, names began to be called, starting from the lower ranks. Those who barely survived and scraped together a few cores were listed first.
"Rank 10—Kael Veylan."
Kael let out a shaky breath of relief, flashing Eryon and Ryn a tired but triumphant smile. He had made it.
Eryon felt a knot tighten in his stomach. His name hadn't been called yet.
"Rank 9—Selene Marrow," Ardyn continued.
A lean girl with short black hair stepped forward, trembling with barely suppressed excitement.
"Rank 8—Davin Crest."
A burly boy from a neighboring village pumped his fist, drawing some envious glares.
"Rank 7—Lysa Thorn."
A serious-looking girl with braided hair and fierce green eyes stepped up proudly.
"Rank 6—Ryn Veylor."
Ryn stood a little straighter, pride flashing across his bruised face as he exchanged a firm nod with Eryon.
Still, Eryon's name had not been called. His chest tightened further.
"Rank 5—Mira Voss."
"Rank 4—Taron Flint."
Each name felt like a hammer blow. Eryon clenched his fists, wondering if he had failed somehow—if his struggles and victories had not been enough.
"Rank 3—Brann Stonefist."
The massive boy grunted in satisfaction, flexing his thick arms and casting a confident glance around the field.
Ardyn's voice grew sharper as he read the final result.
"And… in a rare occurrence, for Rank 1, we have a tie."
The entire gathering stirred with shock. Murmurs erupted.
"Alice Dawnmere and Eryon Solaris."
Eryon blinked, stunned.
Beside him, Kael and Ryn's jaws dropped.
Across the field, Alice's eyes narrowed slightly. For the first time, a flicker of something sharper—irritation, perhaps—crossed her face. She looked at Eryon with a cool, assessing gaze, as if re-evaluating a puzzle she thought she had already solved.
Ardyn allowed a small pause to let the announcement settle.
Internally, however, the examiner was deeply intrigued.
Impressive, he thought. A boy with no background, no elite training, no noble bloodline, matching Alice Dawnmere—a girl who has been groomed for excellence since birth.
His mind briefly flashed back to the strange reaction Eryon had caused during the elemental affinity test.
Perhaps... this boy hides something even greater.
The rankings were complete. Only the top ten would be formally inducted into the Capital City Academy. The others would be assigned to lesser training halls or sent home.
For Eryon, Kael, and Ryn, the path forward was clear.