Chapter 47: Rank 150
Tomorrow, the rankings would be posted and every first-year cadet life at Wyrmwood Academy was about to change again.
The first monthly examination for all first-year cadets was always a written one, designed to test their strategic minds before they dove into the real chaos world of the academy.
After the rankings are updated, the curriculum would shift and the Riders would start learning how to mount and fly dragons, mastering aerial maneuvers and combat from the skies. While Magic users would perfect their spells for battlefield synergy.
And in combined classes, both riders and magic users would train together, Riders calling out targets and using their dragons above while Magic users wove shields, healed wounds mid-flight, or linked minds for seamless communication during wars.
It was the academy’s way of forging weapons out of the kids, one grueling lesson at a time.
Reynold sighed again as he shifted on his bed, staring at the ceiling. These first monthly written exams were set by the top professors from each of the four academies, testing not just their knowledge but also their vocal articulation and sharp thinking processes, like how would you command a squad, outmaneuver an enemy, or turn a losing battle into victory when put as the leader.
Pass the exam and you become the academy’s hot gossip and attention.
After the rankings were released, any cadet who climbed the top lists but was not among the ten names selected for the Quadrant Tournament could issue a challenge. The challenge are some times brutal and it is public.
Riders challenged Riders from the five picked spots, magic users challenge on magic users from their five. Win, and you take their slot. Lose, and you go back embarrassed and humiliated.
Reynold sighed as he rolled on his bed again. This week was going to be a damn long one. He had purposely answered wrongly some answers on his sheet.
His plan is to fail, rank low in the rankings, and fade from the gossip topic. Let the attention turn to someone else.
With three dragons bonded to him and being a Two, he could hunt down the truth about his parents without needing the academy rank to get him into a war zone posting. Besides, it was just the first exam. It did not define everything.
Next morning.
Reynold woke early, dropping to the floor for his early morning push-ups.
He did hundred quick ones to shake off the stiffness. It had been a while since he had done the push-ups. After the push up, he walked in to the bathroom for a cool bath, letting the water wash away the night’s doubts, then put on his all black first-year cadet uniform. It was time to go face the ranking board.
By the time he arrived, the hall was already packed, just as he had predicted. First-year Riders and magic users gathered around the big electric board that look like a mirror.
The hall was buzzing with chatter.
"Dammit! Briar Coldwater’s at the top. He is ranked first," one Rider grumbled, crossing his arms.
Another snorted. "What do you expect? His father is like the third to the Viceroy. He must have got that same steel spine and war IQ from his father. Probably like father like son."
Another voice sounded in the hall. "I can not believe these! Look, Silla Horn took second? When they called his name for the Quadrant Tournament, I thought, ’What the hell can a commoner bring?’ Turns out he is a damn genius at war strategies."
"Yeah, the exam’s all about that," someone else chimed in. "Testing if you can lead a charge or get your squad slaughtered. Silla must have answered his questions like a real pro soldier."
The crowd murmured in agreement. "Kael’s in the top twenty. You think he is buying his way up, huh?"
"Nah! Kael is smart. Look Mara is right behind him."
"Jax her boyfriend too. He is at fifteen. Look, Seraphina made it to the top 20. She is climbing fast. She probably aced the illusion tactics section."
A voice called out, "Silas! Look, Gwyn made the top fifteen!"
Silas glanced over, scoffing. "She made the Quadrant list already. They get special training sessions. Of course her rank’s would rise. Benefits of being in that list.."
Then, suddenly: "What about the Starweaver boy? What is his rank?"
The crowd’s attention snapped back to the board as eyes started scanning fast.
They were all curious about the boy with three dragons and who is also a Two, and a storm powers no one has seen in ages. Maybe he had killer war IQ too.
Someone shouted, "How is it possible? His name is not even in the top fifty! What went wrong?"
"May be the professors screwed up, left him out by mistake."
Someone suddenly laugh out. "No mistake. The boy is just not that bright. Check lower."
Eyes shifted again as fingers were pointing. "There! Number 150. dead last almost. Dammit! The starweaver boy is a big joke!"
Another loud Laughter erupted. This one was mocking. "Three dragons and storm magic, but he can’t strategize his way out of a paper bag? Trash!"
"Guess being the Flame’s ’special human’ doesn’t come with brains. What a waste."
"Flame’s pet flops hard.. Maybe he should stick to fetching her fire treats."
"Or he is too busy kissing up to his flame girlfriend and he forgot to study. ’Oh, Flame, bond with me more!’"
The insults were flying like arrows, the crowd were busy feeding off each other. "Weirdo thinks he’s hot stuff, but ranks like a loser. Bet he cries lightning tears now."
"Glitch of nature, alright, he is now glitching right into the bottom ranks!"
Silas, the magic user has a smug smile and his arms were folded as he leaned against a wall. He had not forgotten how Reynold had jumped in to defend Gwyn, humiliating him in the public. Payback was sweet, even if it came like this.
The other rich kids who were jealous of Reynold had smirks on their faces.
Kael’s smirk was the widest, his eyes was gleaming with satisfaction. "The boy with three dragons and storm caller magic? Turns out he’s got the worst war IQ... Trash! Trash!"
A few faces in the crowd had a pity look. They shook their heads like they felt bad for Reynold.
The discussion suddenly shifted as a loud voice sounded, "Hell yeah, I made it to the top twenty! Now I am challenging for a Quadrant spot. It is time to boot someone off that list and show what real strategy looks like!"
Another voice shouted with pride in the voice, "I have been waiting for this! Professor Telas messed up not picking me. Now I am going to call out the weakest Rider on that roster tomorrow. Watch me take their place!"
Others voice joined the chat. "Count me in. I am definitely challenging a magic user slot. My spell weaves crushed the exam. I will crush them in the arena too!"
"Top ten here. I am gonna challenge and dominate. No more sitting on the sidelines!"
Reynold shook his head from the corner he was standin. He unfolded his arms as he turned toward the cafeteria.
The rankings are out, now the challenges will start tomorrow.. No doubt the duels would be a bloody spectacles.
Reynold sighed. He had done it.. Fail the monthly exam and now he is out of the hot gossip topics.
Just then, a tap on his shoulder made him stopped. He turned. It was Gwyn, her eyes had a mischievous smile.
"Hi," she said, a small smile tugging her lips.
Reynold grinned back. A genuine smile for the first time this morning. "Hi." He gave her a light shove on the arm. "Top fifteen, huh? Not bad, bookworm."
"Yeah," she laughed softly, shoving him back. "Still surprised myself. But someone did not even made it to the top fifty..."
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, that someone is me, I guess."
Gwyn tilted her head, her expression shifting to serious concern. "What happened? The Reynold I know got scooped into this academy without the first trial, shattered and set new records in the second, third, and fourth trial. That doesn’t look like someone who could fail a war IQ exam to me." She paused, exhaling. "Seriously! what went wrong?"
Reynold shrugged, his voice casual like he did not care. "Nothing. That was the plan. Lay low, tank the exam, let the spotlight swing to the top rank and challengers. The gossip and attention was starting to get to me. Better they chew on someone else."
Gwyn shook her head, her eyes widening in disbelief, a mix of exasperation and amusement was showing on her face. "You are full of surprises, Starweaver. One day you are summoning storms, the next you are sabotaging your own rank. Just... don’t vanish completely, okay? We could use a glitch like you around."
"You heard about the glitch stuff too." He shook his head not believing how word travel faster in this academy.."Deal. Now, breakfast? I’m starving."