"Because there are a thousand names we need to announce, we’ll be doing so in batches. This is to ensure the event proceeds smoothly and doesn’t drag on for the next several hours."
The MC reached for his pocket and took out his phone.
"For everything to flow smoothly, those who are likely to be announced for the rankings will receive a notification on their phone. They are to stand up and head to the stage at once with everyone else who has been called. In the meantime, as they make their way up, I’ll be announcing their achievements. We’ll proceed in batches of fifty. After that, everyone will receive their official ranking, and we’ll move on to the next batch."
The instructions were straightforward.
There was nothing anyone could complain about. In fact, I was glad things were set up this way. The thought of attending an event that lasted for hours, with every single individual giving their own speech, felt nauseating.
"Shall we start?"
The MC smiled at the cameras, and the lights dimmed.
An attendant stepped onto the stage shortly after, handing the MC a golden envelope. For some reason, the atmosphere turned tense, all eyes fixed on the MC. Looking around me, I could see everyone else wearing the same strained expression.
This was especially true for the Section Chief.
He kept casting glances in Clara’s direction. Thinking about the piece of information that I had learned, I knew that she was the Guild’s greatest hope in achieving a ranking. If she received a ranking, then it was likely that she would be promoted to King-Grade.
Shifting my attention towards Kyle, I mumbled, "I wonder if he’s got a chance too."
"Hm?"
Overhearing my thoughts, Kyle turned around.
He then pointed at himself.
Me?
I shrugged.
’Why not?’
"Impossible."
Kyle shook his head.
"My achievements are not nearly enough."
He sounded rather confident.
Well, fine.
I turned my attention back towards the MC as he finally began speaking.
"For our first Paragon of the year, taking the 1000th rank, we have Randy Cavalier from the Iron Bound Guild."
A wave of applause followed immediately as a tall man in a gray suit stood up. His face gleamed with joy the moment his name was called, and brushing back his slick hair, he walked toward the stage with confident strides.
"With an average clearance rate earning a solid B grade, more than one hundred and fifty successful gate clearances, and notable contributions to the recent Malovia operation, Cavalier has secured his place among this year’s distinguished honorees. Making his first appearance in the rankings at just twenty-six years of age, his future shines with remarkable promise. Please join us in congratulating Cavalier."
The claps grew louder as Cavalier finally reached the stage, where the MC handed him a shiny metal card. From where I sat, I couldn’t see exactly what it read, but it was most likely official confirmation of his ranking.
But not everyone seemed happy.
The Section Chief’s expression was rather strained, his hands gripping the armrest incredibly tight.
For a moment, it almost felt as though the chair was creaking.
"Next up, we have another new entrant."
Holding onto the card, the MC smiled.
And at the same time he did—
Ding!
I heard a sudden notification.
The area around us froze at once as all heads slowly turned.
"The fuck?"
Holding onto her phone and staring at the message, Zoey slowly lifted her head. Before she even had the time to properly process the situation, the MC spoke.
"At rank nine hundred and ninety-nine, we recognize Zoey Terline of the Severed Stars Guild. Through undeniable talent, she has ascended to the Fifth Order, and her decisive contributions during the Malovia incident have not gone unnoticed. Yes, many of you may already sense the pattern emerging tonight. This year, service rendered in Malovia carries considerable weight in the ranking measurement. Please join us in applauding Zoey Terline."
Still stunned, Zoey slowly stood up.
"That’s... me, right? I’m not imagining things, am I?"
"You’re not."
The Section Chief spoke up, his expression oddly tame as he loosened his grip over the armrest. Was he happy, or was he angry?
I couldn’t tell.
"You should hurry. Everyone is looking. "
"Ah, uh... yes."
At the Section Chief’s behest, Zoey snapped out of it and immediately walked toward the main stage. The round of applause was just as loud as before, with many congratulating her along the way, but judging by her expression, I didn’t think Zoey even registered the situation.
She looked completely out of it.
But that wasn’t the end of the surprises.
"...And at rank nine hundred and seventieth, we recognize another distinguished member of the Severed Stars Guild. Like his colleague, Zoey Terline, his accomplishments at the Malovia Gate were impossible to overlook."
Ding!
Kyle’s phone rang a moment later as he stared at it in a daze.
In the end, he walked toward the stage in much the same fashion as Zoey. When he received his card and stood beside her, the two looked at each other with the same dumbfounded expressions.
Is this real?
I leaned back in my seat, glancing at the remaining members of the Guild. There was one person in particular I was paying attention to.
Catherine...
Although her expression looked normal, happy even. I could feel it deep within me. She was seething. The way she looked at her sister and the way she gripped the armrest of her chair were the biggest giveaways.
Looking away before she could explode at me, a new name was called up.
"...This isn’t her first time in the rankings, but it is the highest she’s ever been ranked. Usually, dropping out and then coming back in, we have another member of the Severed Stars Guild."
Pausing, the MC muttered, "They seem to be on fire this year."
Ding!
Clara stood up without even looking at her phone.
The applause was far more subdued this time, everyone’s gaze shifting between her and Kyle and Zoey on the stage. Although they sat at the lowest rank, the Severed Stars Guild now had three Paragons. That was an achievement that nobody could ignore.
I could feel the way people look at us change slightly.
No, it was more like... they were giving us a second look. Something nobody had bothered doing since the start, aside from staring at me out of sheer interest.
"This will be it for the first batch. Let’s have a round of applause for everyone. In just a few moments, I’ll be announcing the next batch. For those standing on the stage, please return to your seats."
A loud round of applause followed as everyone walked back to their seat.
Clara, Zoey, and Kyle returned a moment later, and as they sat down, none of the three said a word.
Until—
"This isn’t fake, right...?"
Zoey spoke, her eyes wandering to the card in her hand.
Kyle shook his head.
"It’s... not."
"We really ranked, right?"
"Yeah, we did."
"How did we even make it? Realistically, it shouldn’t be possible."
Zoey covered her mouth, the weight of the situation finally dawning on her.
Taking a deep breath, Kyle put his card away.
"They already said it, no? It’s because of our contributions in Malovia."
"Yeah, but if we’re talking about contributions..."
Then, as if something clicked in her mind, she turned to look at me, her eyes widening slightly.
She wasn’t the only one. I could feel numerous gazes turn in my direction.
Feeling all their gazes, I merely shook my head.
’Impossible.’
There’s just no way...