Chapter 17: Ranking & Distribution Ceremony
Elyreina stepped out of the Grandmaster's chamber, her heart heavy. The air outside felt oppressively thick, filled with hushed whispers and wary glances. She had barely processed the events of the battle, let alone the sight of Lyrian's collapsed form.
The hallway stretched before her, illuminated by floating orbs of mana light. A sense of unease lingered, but she had no time to dwell on it—the Ranking and Distribution Ceremony was about to begin.
She took a deep breath and entered the grand hall.
A hush fell over the chamber as the massive mana display flickered, revealing the top ten ranks in shimmering letters. Students, nobles, and scholars watched intently, eager to see how the trial's survivors had fared.
"This year, we recognize ten of the finest contenders," an instructor announced, his voice echoing through the vast hall. "The results are as follows."
Seraphina. A figure of grace and lethal precision. She showed near-flawless technique and an almost inhuman calm during the trials. Many believe her to be the most formidable combatant of her generation.
Zarek Stormcrest. The proud heir of House Stormcrest. Renowned for his fierce aggression and raw power, he despises his second-place finish and vows to surpass anyone who stands in his way.
Elyreina. Highly skilled, agile, and unexpectedly strategic. Though not from a famous background, she rose through the ranks on sheer determination. Some suspect hidden depths to her abilities.
Kael. A towering warrior who relies on brute force coupled with surprising tactical awareness. His massive warhammer was a terror on the field.
Selene Ashthorne. Bearing the name of House Ashthorne, she is a swift battle mage specializing in stealth and rapid assaults. Known for her silent demeanor and deadly precision.
Darius. A balanced fighter who merges swordsmanship with focused spellcasting. He outsmarted many stronger foes with careful planning.
Alistair. An elemental specialist adept at wind-based magic, using gusts to enhance speed and control the battlefield. Arrogant yet undeniably skilled.
Veyna. An up-and-coming artificer, she uses enchanted gear and rune-based traps to outwit enemies. Often underestimated until it's too late.
Reynard. Though younger, his strategic mind and controlled fighting style earned him a place in the top ten. He feels overshadowed by the older competitors but refuses to give up.
??? This position had been meant for Lyrian. Everyone knew it. His performance had been cut short by an unforeseen catastrophe, and now, someone else would take his place.
Whispers spread through the crowd. Some muttered that Lyrian would have placed far higher had he not collapsed. Others weren't so sure.
Though no single house ruled the world outright, these seven noble families were pillars of influence, each possessing a unique magical specialty or martial tradition that shaped their legacy.
House Stormcrest. Special ability: storm-infused weaponry. Focus: elite warriors, harnessing thunderous strikes and powerful mana-augmented combat. Current heir: Zarek Stormcrest.
House Ashthorne. Special ability: shadow-laced magic. Focus: stealth combat, silent assassinations, and quick magical strikes. Notable scion: Selene Ashthorne.
House Frostgarde. Special ability: ice and glacial magic. Focus: defensive and offensive control of the battlefield through frost-based spells. Rumored to have ties to the northern icefields.
House Aurelia. Special ability: radiant or solar magic. Focus: healing, buffing allies, and overwhelming enemies with bursts of concentrated light. Often considered the moral compass among the houses.
House Duskveil. Special ability: twilight illusions and dream-weaving. Focus: mental manipulation, illusions, and subtle magic to disorient foes. Cautiously respected for their esoteric methods.
House Nightbloom. Special ability: poisoned flora and venomous enchantments. Focus: using toxins, enchanted vines, and plant-based magic to ensnare and debilitate enemies. Their lands are said to be lush but deadly.
House Solrath. Special ability: lava- or magma-based sorcery. Focus: high-intensity destructive spells, forging unbreakable weapons in molten furnaces. Renowned for their unstoppable siege warfare.
Zarek glared at Seraphina from across the hall, his rage simmering beneath a mask of indifference. He believed second place was beneath him.
Elyreina accepted her position quietly but felt the weight of onlookers' expectations pressing down on her. She couldn't help but wonder—if Lyrian hadn't collapsed, where would he have placed?
Selene stood at the edge of the hall, her sharp gaze sweeping over the others. The Ashthorne heir rarely spoke, but her presence was undeniable.
Reynard clenched his fists. Ninth place. Lower than the elites, but still among the top. He refused to let himself be left behind.
The observers and representatives of the Seven Houses murmured among themselves. Some openly questioned Lyrian's condition, debating whether he would recover or remain a mystery lost to time.
And far away, in a hidden chamber, Lyrian clung to life—locked in a battle no one else could see.