The air felt heavier than usual.
No one was relaxed anymore.
"…We're actually being ranked…"
"…This is real…"
"…I'm not ready…"
Darius stood at the front, still and unreadable.
"…Today you will be evaluated."
A pause.
"…No holding back."
The crystal pillar stood at the center.
One by one, students stepped forward.
Weak results.
"…Low F…"
"…Still Low…"
"…I'm done…"
The emotional boys gathered together.
"…If I fail again, I'm disappearing…"
"…Where?"
"…Anywhere with peace…"
Rex stepped forward.
BOOM—!!
"…Late F-Rank."
"…Nice!"
Mina followed.
THUD—!!
"…Mid F-Rank."
Aeris stepped forward.
Silence dropped.
BOOM—!!
Cold energy burst outward.
"…Mid E-Rank."
No surprise. Only pressure.
Then—
"…Ren Qin."
The atmosphere shifted.
"…JOKER TEACHER—!"
"…DON'T EMBARRASS US—!"
Ren paused. Looked at them.
"…That's a lot of trust."
A pause.
"…Good."
He stepped forward.
Flames ignited, controlled and sharp.
BOOM—!!
"…Late F-Rank!"
Before it fully settled, Ren turned and pointed at Aeris.
"…And this victory…"
Silence froze.
"…belongs to you."
The field exploded.
"…HE JUST DECLARED SOMETHING—!"
"…THIS MAN IS INSANE—!"
"…WE'RE DONE—!"
Even Darius' expression cracked slightly.
"…How can someone be this shameless…"
Kai slowly hit his own head.
"…I don't know him."
But his mouth twitched.
Rex turned away. "…We were never together."
Mina covered her face. "…I'm transferring."
Aeris stared at Ren.
"…Ridiculous."
Then coldly—
"…If you're going to speak like that…"
A pause.
"…don't embarrass it with weak results."
Ren blinked once, then smiled.
"…Understood."
"Kai Ryan Korr."
The air tightened.
Kai stepped forward.
BOOM—!!
The crystal shook violently, then stabilized.
"…Late F-Rank…"
"…Output approaching Early E…"
Shock spread instantly.
Kai turned back quietly.
Ren watched him.
"…Still holding back."
"…You're loud."
Tension flickered.
Ren smiled.
"…Don't fall before I get there."
Kai glanced at him.
"…Catch up first."
Aeris spoke once.
"…Stop talking."
Both turned.
Her gaze was calm.
"…If you're going to chase strength…"
A pause.
"…don't embarrass yourselves doing it."
Silence.
Just pressure.
Darius stepped forward.
"…Ranking matches begin."
"…Ren Qin…"
Tension snapped.
"…versus…"
"…Rex."
The field erupted.
"…FIRST MATCH—!"
"…JOKER VS VICE CAPTAIN—!"
"…THIS IS CRAZY—!"
Rex cracked his knuckles.
"…Try not to regret it."
Ren smirked.
"…Try not to disappoint them."
Kai leaned back slightly.
"…Idiot."
But he was watching.
Aeris stood still, fingers lightly resting near the crystal in her pocket.
So who do you think wins this fight ren or rex