The arena was quiet.
Too quiet.
The shattered stone from earlier battles still littered the ground, dust hanging faintly in the air. The golem had already been sealed away, but the pressure it left behind hadn't faded.
Elden stood at the center.
The eighteen students lined up before him—some standing straight, others visibly exhausted, a few unable to hide their unease.
This was it.
Raze kept his hands in his pockets, gaze calm,
Beside him, Mia stood stiffly.
Leon rolled his shoulders once, confident but alert.
Tamao's fists were clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
No one spoke.
Elden adjusted his glasses.
"The results are finalized."
A subtle shift ran through the line.
Some students straightened instinctively.
Others swallowed.
Elden didn't raise his voice.
He didn't need to.
"These rankings," he said, "mark where you stand now."
His eyes swept across them—slow, precise.
"They are not promises. They are not limits."
A pause.
"They are lines."
Raze felt it then.
Not excitement.
Not fear.
Division.
From this moment on,
Elden lifted his hand.
"I will begin."
Elden didn't announce any names yet.
Instead, he lowered his hand.
"Before I call out ranks," he said, "you need to understand what those ranks mean."
A faint symbol flickered in the air behind him—five horizontal marks, stacked one above another.
"Rankings in this academy are divided into five tiers."
His finger pointed to the lowest mark.
"D-Tier."
His voice was flat.
"Those who cannot survive real combat. If placed on the battlefield alone, they die."
A few students stiffened.
Elden's finger moved up.
"C-Tier."
"Those who barely survive. They react late, rely on luck, and crumble the moment conditions change."
Another step upward.
"B-Tier."
"Those with clear potential. They can fight, adapt, and improve—but are still unstable."
Several students straightened unconsciously.
Elden's finger rose again.
"A-Tier."
His tone sharpened slightly.
"A balance of power and control. Strong foundations. High growth potential. These are the heroes kingdoms rely on."
The final mark hovered above the rest.
"S-Tier."
Silence.
"That is the highest tier," Elden said. "Those who stand above normal standards. Those who can change the flow of battle alone."
He looked at the line of students.
Then he shook his head—slowly.
"There is no one in your class who qualifies for S-Tier."
A heavy weight settled in the air.
"But," Elden continued, eyes narrowing, "do not misunderstand."
His gaze swept the group again.
"Some students in this academy have achieved S-Tier."
A pause.
"And now you know exactly how far ahead they are."
Raze exhaled quietly.
So that's the ceiling… for now.
Elden raised his hand once more.
"Now," he said calmly, "I will begin assigning your ranks."
Elden didn't hesitate.
"D-Tier."
His voice echoed across the arena.
"Seven students."
Names were called one after another.
Each name landed like a verdict.
Some students stiffened in shock.
One lowered his head the moment his name was spoken.
Another clenched his fists, knuckles whitening, refusing to show his frustration.
Seven.
The weakest line had been drawn.
Elden moved on immediately.
"C-Tier."
"Six students."
More names followed.
The reactions were quieter this time—relief mixed with bitterness.
"At least it's not D…"
"I should've done better…"
Elden didn't acknowledge the murmurs.
"B-Tier."
The tension sharpened.
"This tier includes three students."
He spoke the names clearly.
"Tamao."
"Rina."
"Aeron."
Tamao's breath hitched.
Her gaze dropped to the ground.
Around her, whispers spread.
"B-Tier?"
"With her mana score?"
"Shouldn't she be lower after that mistake?"
Tamao clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms, saying nothing.
Raze watched quietly.
Potential alone isn't enough, huh.
Elden raised his head.
"A-Tier."
The air tightened instantly.
"There are four students in this tier."
He paused—just long enough to let the weight settle.
"Suzu."
"Leon."
"Mia."
"…Raze."
A ripple went through the line.
Eyes widened.
Some students turned to look.
Mia stood frozen for a moment, disbelief flashing across her face.
Leon exhaled once, a faint smile touching his lips.
Suzu swallowed, hands trembling slightly.
Raze remained still.
Unsurprised.
Elden lowered his hand.
"These are your current standings," he said calmly.
"Remember them."
His gaze hardened.
"Because from this moment on—"
"Everything changes."
Elden lowered his hand.
"That is all for today," he said. "Return to your classrooms."
A breath the students didn't realize they were holding finally escaped.
Some looked relieved.
Others looked frustrated.
A few still looked shaken.
Raze slipped his hands back into his pockets and turned without a word.
As they began leaving the arena, the atmosphere remained heavy—like something unfinished had been deliberately left hanging.
The walk back was quiet.
No one spoke about ranks.
No one laughed.
The classroom doors slid open one by one, and the students filed in, taking their seats.
Elden entered last.
He closed the door.
The sound echoed.
"Now," he said calmly, turning toward the class,
"about the ranking system—"
Raze leaned back slightly in his seat.
So it starts now…
The room fell silent.