Time passed, and examinees were called one by one onto a raised platform. The list kept updating, but only the lower part of the top ten changed. The upper ranks remained mostly untouched, and the first place was unshaken.
Slowly, the crowd would thin out, but only for a few minutes before new examinees filled the space.
Alex noticed someone he had seen before—a boy about his height, with black hair, black eyes, and a regal build. The boy climbed the stairs with his hands in his pockets, wearing an aloof and arrogant expression. He slowly approached one of the empty crystals.
He was the one with the man who had previously blocked their path as they were about to reach the desk. He had entered through the entrance gate before them.
The old man had called his name, and Alex tried to remember what it was. He had paid more attention to people's levels than their names, so he could not recall it at first, but that did not last long.
The boy nonchalantly placed his hand on the crystal, his face expressionless. Everyone knew their own level, but some were tense and anxious to reveal it to others. He was different. It looked as if he wanted to proclaim to the world, 'This is my level. See how mighty I am, and bow before me, you peasants.'
Slowly, the crystal glowed, and a message appeared.
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Level: 38
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Someone hurriedly ran to update the list. Finally, the top three changed—the previous second place dropped to third, and he became the new second-place holder.
Alex focused his gaze on the list as the name was updated. Eldric Sealborne was now in second place with level 38, while the first place remained untouched.
Alex glanced sideways at Thalia Veilcaster, who was clenching her fist tightly. Her eyes were glued to Eldric as he stepped down from the raised platform, his hands still in his pockets.
There was a murmur around the area, and Alex overheard familiar talk. Most people discussed Eldric being from a grand ducal house, sharing the Sealborne surname. Alex had already guessed who he was from the name, and the man who confronted his father was likely the current grand duke of the Sealborne house.
Suddenly, he heard a name that was all too familiar. He looked toward the raised platform and slowly made his way to the stairs, pushing through many students as he had been at the back of the crowd. He was the one who had been called.
The crowd buzzed as they all focused on Alex, who was sliding through the crowd. Heated conversations reached Alex's ears, and he struggled to handle the uproar, especially since so much of it was about him and his name. People were talking about his story of healing his mother, but unpleasant rumors were now spreading as well.
Someone whispered, "Isn't he the one who brought his mother back from the dead?"
Another replied with a hint of arrogance, "Yes, he's the one, but isn't it all fake? Just a story made up to hide his bastard status."
The old man looked at the crowd and called out, "Silence."
Finally, the noise died down until it was so quiet that Alex could barely hear anything.
Alex found himself frozen before the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest as he felt every eye on him. He took slow, steady breaths and barely managed to climb the stairs. The gazes only grew more intense as he approached the vacant crystal.
The old man's eyes lit up with interest, a glint suggesting he was as excited as the others. Alex glanced at the other examinees; their gazes were filled with admiration, as if they were looking at a hero. He did not know what that feeling meant, only that their hopes would soon be crushed. As he continued to look around, he noticed that some faces showed malice, hatred, or jealousy, while a few remained emotionless.
All the examinees who had been called up and were about to place their hands on their designated crystals stopped midway to look his way. Even the people guarding the crystals turned to watch him.
The man guarding the crystal in front of Alex told him to place his hand on the crystal.
He clenched his fist and took a few slow breaths, feeling awkward under everyone's gaze. Nonetheless, he slowly lifted his right hand and guided it toward the crystal.
As soon as his hand touched the crystal, it lit up. Everyone held their breath, waiting to see the true level of the hero they had heard so many tales about, expecting him to take first place.
But something completely unexpected happened.
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Level: 1
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There was absolute pin-drop silence. The sound of breathing filled the area.
The examinees were shocked, their mouths open and jaws nearly touching the ground as they stared at Alex. Even those about to reveal their own levels were stunned beyond belief. Everyone was familiar with the name Alex Drakethorne—there were few who did not know of him.
The man guarding the crystal rubbed his eyes and checked the level again, then looked at Alex, who wore an awkward smile.
The old man did the same, rubbing his eyes multiple times before hurrying over to the crystal and saying, "Place your hand again."
Alex looked at the old man, wanting to insist that the crystal was correct and that he truly was level one. But before he could say a word, the old man took his hand and placed it on the crystal.
Again, the crystal glowed, and a window appeared, displaying the level.
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Level: 1
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A male examinee who was half an inch shorter than Alex spoke up. "Can you pinch my cheeks? Am I dreaming or what? Does he really have level one?"
The female examinee standing beside him, wearing the same stunned expression, pinched his cheeks and said, "You are not dreaming. He really is level one."
The crowd buzzed with noise once more, this time with heated conversations and new conspiracies as bad rumors spread even more rapidly.
Alex found himself staring at the old man who was analyzing him. His legs felt weak, the noise hurt his ears, and the rumors were paralyzing. His lips pressed tightly together. He wanted to run away and hide; he had never expected this reaction from the others. He knew they would be shocked, but instead, they seemed happy, even smiling as they called him a bastard child and claimed the story was just a cover to hide him away in the house.
The old man opened his mouth several times before finally managing to ask, "Who are you?"
***
Author's Note: I apologize for not publishing a chapter yesterday. I was experiencing lower back pain, which made it difficult for me to write. I have also launched a new story, so please check it out and let me know if you have any suggestions.
Thank you for reading. I hope you have a wonderful day!
***
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