Silence lingered for only a heartbeat.
Then the laughter began.
"F-Rank?"
A noble boy in the front row snorted.
"How the hell did someone with an F-rank even pass the entrance exam?"
Another joined in.
"Maybe he bribed someone."
"I’ve seen village kids with better talent."
The whispers spread through the Grand Hall.
Noah ignored them.
He had expected this.
In the original novel, talent determined status.
An F-rank was practically a death sentence inside the academy’s social hierarchy.
The examiner cleared his throat.
"...Next."
Noah stepped off the platform without another word.
Eric immediately leaned over.
"You okay?"
Noah shrugged.
"Could’ve been worse."
"Worse?"
"They could’ve made it an E."
Eric stared.
Then burst out laughing.
"You’ve got issues."
"I’ve been told."
The ceremony continued.
One student after another received their rankings.
A-Ranks.
B-Ranks.
Occasionally another S-Rank.
The nobles applauded their own.
The commoners cheered whenever one of theirs scored well.
By the end...
The atmosphere had settled.
Then Headmaster Leonhardt stepped forward once more.
"Congratulations."
"You now possess your first rankings."
He raised a finger.
"They mean absolutely nothing."
The hall fell silent.
"Talent is merely the starting line."
"I have buried countless geniuses."
"I have watched ordinary men become legends."
His gaze swept across the students.
"Never mistake potential for achievement."
Noah noticed several nobles looking uncomfortable.
Good.
Someone needed to humble them.
The Headmaster continued.
"Your rankings determine only one thing."
"Dormitory assignments."
A giant projection appeared above the hall.
Names began appearing one after another.
Phoenix Dormitory
Reserved for S and SS talents.
Griffin Dormitory
Reserved for A-ranks.
Wolf Dormitory
Reserved for B-ranks.
Bear Dormitory
Reserved for C-ranks.
Raven Dormitory
Reserved for D through F-ranks.
Eric groaned.
"I’m in Wolf."
Noah looked at the projection.
A moment later...
His own name appeared.
Noah Blackwood
Raven Dormitory
Room 117
"Looks like we’re neighbors instead of roommates."
Eric scratched the back of his head.
"That sucks."
"It’ll be fine."
Noah actually preferred it.
Less attention.
Less suspicion.
Exactly what he needed.
Or so he thought.
A slow clap echoed through the hall.
Cassian Valerius.
He walked toward Noah with several noble students following behind him.
His polished boots stopped a few feet away.
"So..."
Cassian smiled politely.
"You’re Noah Blackwood."
Noah sighed internally.
"Here we go."
"Can I help you?"
Cassian looked him up and down.
"I was curious."
"About?"
"How someone with F-rank talent managed to survive the entrance trial."
His followers chuckled.
One of them folded his arms.
"Probably got lucky."
Another smirked.
"Or hid until it ended."
Noah looked at Cassian.
"So..."
"You came all the way over here..."
"...to ask that?"
Cassian blinked.
"...Yes."
Noah nodded thoughtfully.
"I expected something more interesting."
Several nearby students struggled not to laugh.
Cassian’s smile stiffened.
"I don’t think you understand your position."
"I understand it perfectly."
"I’m F-rank."
"I’m standing."
"You’re standing."
"So far we’re equal."
Eric coughed to hide a laugh.
Cassian’s eyes narrowed.
"I’ll remember that."
"I’m sure you will."
The noble turned sharply and walked away.
His entourage hurried after him.
Eric stared at Noah.
"...You just picked a fight with one of the strongest freshmen."
"I didn’t pick it."
"He brought it to me."
"...Fair point."
As the students began leaving the Grand Hall...
A young woman approached Noah.
She wore the academy uniform with a silver armband identifying her as a second-year.
She had chestnut-brown hair tied into a ponytail and warm amber eyes.
Unlike everyone else...
She wasn’t looking down on him.
"You must be Noah."
He nodded.
"Senior Instructor Elena asked me to give you this."
She handed him a small black envelope sealed with crimson wax.
No name.
No insignia.
Just a wax seal shaped like...
A broken crown.
Noah’s heartbeat quickened.
"Who gave this to her?"
The senior student shook her head.
"I don’t know."
"She only said..."
Her expression turned slightly puzzled.
"...’Make sure he opens it when he’s alone.’"
Without another word, she walked away.
Noah slipped the envelope into his coat.
The System remained completely silent.
And somehow...
That worried him even more.