The applause for Danny had barely begun to fade when Victoria Blackwood's voice rang out once more, calm and resonant.
"The student who secured the third rank… is Mike Carter."
The Grand Convocation Hall fell into a stunned silence for a split second before exploding into even greater chaos.
Whispers turned into outright bewildered murmurs. Students looked at each other with wide-eyed disbelief, many openly exchanging shocked glances as if asking the same silent question — 'What the hell is happening?'
First Alexander Hale.
Then Daniel Morrison.
And now… Mike Carter?
The trio that many had once dismissed as average or scholarship kids had completely swept the top three ranks. It felt surreal. Almost impossible.
Mike stood up slowly, a bright, cheerful grin spreading across his face. He looked around at the sea of stunned expressions... envy, confusion, and reluctant awe directed straight at him.
