The room was silent, every student holding their breath in anticipation.
One by one the top 10 students were called forward their names echoing through the grand hall.
"Tenth place… Orion Ironveil."
A hulking figure stepped forward drawing gasps from the crowd.
Orion Ironveil was built like a tank his muscular frame making it hard to believe he was only 18.
His brown skin glowed under the chandelier lights and his short black hair and sharp brown eyes gave him quite a fierce look.
He carried himself with the confidence of someone who could crush boulders with his bare hands.
As he walked to the stage the floor seemed to tremble slightly under his weight. Orion had earth affinity and wielded warhammer .
Lucian smiled warmly as Orion approached.
"Orion Ironveil, your strength and resilience have earned you a place among the elites. Congratulations."
He handed Orion a badge—a gleaming silver emblem shaped like a shield, with intricate engravings of mountains symbolizing earth and endurance.
The badge shimmered faintly, a mark of prestige that would set him apart from the rest.
"Ninth place… Kyle Valemont."
Kyle froze for a moment he was surprised to hear his name.
He hadn't expected to make it into the top 10—his goal had been to reach top 20.
But as he stood and made his way to the stage, he could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on him.
Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire.
"Valemont? Is he related to the Gale Witch?"
"No way, the Gale Witch has a brother?"
"He must be talented if he's in the top 10."
Kyle ignored the murmurs, keeping his expression neutral as he reached the stage.
Lucian's golden eyes met his and the principal gave him a knowing smile.
"Kyle Valemont your resourcefulness and determination have not gone unnoticed. Congratulations."
He handed Kyle a badge—a silver emblem shaped like a lightning bolt. The badge glowed faintly, a symbol of his lightning affinity and his place among the academy's best.
"Eighth place… Lyra Silverwind."
A graceful figure stepped forward, her green hair cascading down her back like a waterfall and her ruby eyes glowing with a quiet intensity.
Lyra Silverwind was a half-elf, a rarity at Solvayne Magic Academy.
Her pointed ears and ethereal beauty made her stand out even more.
As an archer with nature and wind affinities she was a deviant—a rare talent. She moved with the elegance of a forest breeze her presence calming yet commanding.
"Lyra Silverwind" Lucian said, his voice filled with admiration.
"Your precision and connection to nature are truly remarkable. Congratulations." He handed her a badge shaped like a leaf intertwined with a gust of wind, its silver surface glinting softly.
"Seventh place… Sylvie Wavecrest."
A shy girl with blue hair and yellow eyes stepped forward, her round glasses slipping slightly down her nose.
Sylvie Wavecrest was a pure mage with water affinity her gentle demeanor belying the immense power she wielded.
She adjusted her glasses nervously as she approached the stage her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the attention.
"Sylvie Wavecrest," Lucian said kindly his tone reassuring.
"Your mastery of water magic is exceptional. Congratulations." He handed her a badge shaped like a droplet its surface shimmering like the surface of a calm lake.
"Sixth place… Reo Dustbane."
Reo Dustbane strode forward with his usual confidence his brown hair tied back in a ponytail and his green eyes gleaming with excitement.
As a battle maniac with wind affinity, Reo had made a name for himself during the exam with his relentless energy and spear skills.
"Reo Dustbane" Lucian said with a chuckle.
"Your passion and skill are unmatched. Congratulations." He handed Reo a badge shaped like a swirling gust of wind its edges sharp and dynamic.
"Fifth place… Luna Starfrost."
Luna Starfrost stepped forward her short white hair catching the light like freshly fallen snow.
Her black eyes sparkled with mischief and her bubbly personality shone through even in this formal setting.
As a high-ranking noble from the Argent Empire and a master of ice magic, Luna was a force to be reckoned with.
"Luna Starfrost" Lucian said, his smile warm.
"Your talent and hardwork have earned you this honor. Congratulations." He handed her a badge shaped like a snowflake its intricate design glistening like ice.
"Fourth place… Serena Blackthorne."
Serena Blackthorne walked forward with an air of quiet confidence, her black hair with bangs framing her sharp amethyst eyes.
As the daughter of a duke from the Luminara Empire and an awakener with lightning affinity, and her skills with glaives are both elegant and deadly.
"Serena Blackthorne" Lucian said, his tone respectful.
"Your skill and grace are truly remarkable. Congratulations." He handed her a badge shaped like a lightning bolt, its surface crackling faintly with energy.
"Third place… Eleanora D'Argent."
Princess Eleanora stepped forward, her presence commanding the room.
Her long blonde hair and blood-red eyes made her look like a figure from a fairy tale.
As a deviant with light and darkness affinities, Eleanora was both enigmatic and powerful. She moved with the poise of royalty, her every step deliberate and graceful.
"Eleanora D'Argent" Lucian said, his voice filled with admiration.
"Your brilliance and strength have earned you this honor. Congratulations." He handed her a badge shaped like a radiant sun intertwined with a crescent moon, its design as elegant as she was.
"Second place… Cassian Emberfall."
Cassian Emberfall walked forward, his red hair and green eyes giving him a particularly handome look..
As a deviant with fire and earth affinities, Cassian was a formidable rival to Cedric in the novel.
His confidence was palpable and his sharp gaze seemed to challenge anyone who dared to meet it.
"Cassian Emberfall" Lucian said, his tone firm but approving.
"Your determination and power have earned you this place. Congratulations."
He handed Cassian a badge shaped like a blazing flame surrounded by stone, its design bold and striking.
"First place… Cedric Valtieri."
Cedric Valtieri stepped forward, his golden hair and piercing blue eyes making him look like a hero straight out of fantasy.
As the son of a duke from the Argent Empire and a prodigy blessed by Solmora, Cedric was the embodiment of excellence.
He moved with the confidence of someone who knew his worth yet there was a humility in his demeanor that made him even more admirable.
"Cedric Valtieri" Lucian said, his voice filled with pride.
"Your talent, leadership and unwavering spirit have earned you the top spot. Congratulations." He handed Cedric a badge shaped like a radiant sun, its golden surface glowing with a divine light.
As the top 10 students stood on stage, their badges gleaming proudly on their chests, Lucian addressed the crowd once more.
"These badges are not just symbols of rank—they are a testament to your hard work, talent, and potential. Wear them with pride as you are the future of Solvayne Magic Academy and the entire Aevorath"
The room erupted in applause, the air was buzzed with energy as the top 10 students basked in the recognition.
For Kyle, it was a moment of quiet triumph.
He had proven himself not just as the brother of the Gale Witch, but as a force to be reckoned with in his own.
****