Morning arrived, and with it, the end of the dungeon test.
The academy courtyard was filled with students and instructors. Groups stood together as the final results were about to be announced.
A large board had been placed in the center, and an instructor stood beside it, holding a list.
All groups will now be ranked based on the total points collected during the dungeon test.
Excitement and nervous whispers spread through the crowd.
The instructor began announcing the rankings.
Fifth place…
Hayan group with 370 points.
A small round of applause echoed.
Fourth place…
Daren's group with 385 points.
The crowd nodded. These results were expected.
Third place…
The group led by Princess Elena and Amelia with 576 points.
Many students were impressed.
That's quite high…
They really did well.
The instructor continued.
Second place…
Ketlos's group with 580 points.
Ketlos crossed his arms confidently as many people looked at him with admiration.
Only a few points separated them from third place.
But then—
The instructor paused.
Everyone waited silently.
Before announcing the first place… I will reveal the points.
He looked at the crowd.
Fifth place collected 370 points.
Fourth place collected 385 points.
Third place collected 576 points.
Second place collected 580 points.
He then raised his voice.
And the group that secured First Place…
…collected a total of 980 points.
For a moment—
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Then chaos erupted.
WHAT?!
980 points?!
That's impossible!
Everyone began looking around in shock.
The instructor finally spoke again.
First place…
Kairo's group.
All eyes immediately turned toward Kairo and his teammates.
Ketlos froze.
His sisters, Amelia, and Louisa all looked shocked.
How…?
That's almost double the second place…
But the only person who didn't seem surprised—
Was the princess.
She quietly looked at Kairo, as if she had already expected it.
Soon after, Kairo and his teammates were called onto the stage.
The instructor handed Kairo a microphone.
Kairo scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
To be honest… I didn't really do much.
The crowd looked confused.
My teammates did most of the fighting.
He pointed at them.
My job was just collecting items and keeping track of things.
That's why I didn't waste much energy.
Then he smiled.
But if you look at them… their energy is almost completely drained.
That clearly shows how hard they worked.
His teammates looked slightly embarrassed.
One of them finally spoke with hesitation.
…He's telling the truth.
Most of the work was done by us.
Another one nodded.
But from now on… he's officially part of our team.
The crowd murmured again.
We like him.
So if anyone wants to fight him…
He looked at the audience seriously.
Just remember… you'll be fighting our entire group.
That declaration instantly made them famous inside the academy.
Many students began whispering.
That group is insane…
980 points…
Meanwhile—
Ketlos stood in the crowd with an ugly expression.
His fists clenched.
Those Core Formation trash…
I'll kill that bastard Kairo if I ever catch him alone.
His eyes were full of jealousy and hatred.
Later that day.
Inside a quiet area of the academy.
Kairo stood with his four teammates.
Suddenly—
THUD!
Kairo headbutted one of them.
Ouch!
Are you stupid?!
Kairo glared at him.
You were trying to praise me on stage?
If you try something like that again...
I'll eat you alive.
The guy immediately raised his hands.
Sorry! Sorry!
But inside—
He was secretly laughing.
Kairo looked at him suspiciously.
…Did this idiot lose his mind?
Then Kairo suddenly became serious.
Listen carefully.
All of you…
From now on, you are my Four Pillars.
After me, you will hold the highest positions.
The four of them froze for a moment.
Then their faces lit up with excitement.
Really?!
One of them quickly asked,
Then… are we also your right-hand men?
Kairo shook his head immediately.
No.
There will never be a right-hand for me.
You four are my pillars.
No one will be above you…
…except me.
And no one can give you orders.
Only I can.
The four of them felt extremely honored.
Their loyalty toward Kairo instantly deepened.
Meanwhile…
Inside the Royal Palace.
A royal butler hurriedly approached the king.
Your Majesty.
The dungeon test results have been announced.
The king looked up calmly.
And?
The group led by Kairo has secured first place.
The king nodded slightly.
But…
The butler hesitated.
They achieved it with an abnormal score…
980 points.
The king's eyes narrowed slightly.
…I knew it.
That family has been hiding something.
At the same time…
Far away in a grand mansion.
Kairo's grandfather also received the news.
He slowly stroked his beard.
…980 points.
That boy is definitely hiding something from us.
But even he couldn't confirm the truth.
And somewhere within the academy—
The mysterious young man known as Kairo quietly smiled.
His plans had only just begun.