The SerumOrb

Academy Rankings

Chapter: Academy rankings

The excited chatter filling the front lawn of the academy ceased as the Captain of the guard made his way up the front walk with his two children in tow. His eldest, Benjamin, walked with a stern face and an air of confidence, feeling nothing but certainty of withholding his spot at the top of the ranking boards. His sister, Iris, on the other hand was not so confident. Her trembling fingers gave away her nervousness, forcing to ball her hands into fists. She kept her gaze fixated on the ground, knowing the other students must have seen her rank by now.

They searched for their names as their father approached the board, ignoring the sidelong glances and whispers from the other students. Benjamin's eyes opened in surprise and Iris froze as their father simply gave a rough grunt before turning to take his leave.

"No way." Benjamin's face scrunched in confusion, "There's no way someone beat me." He whispered. Iris slowly lifted her head to the postings. Benjamin had ranked at the top of his level, as expected, but someone had taken his place as number one in the academy.

"Ten Ashton." Iris read aloud, "She's at the top of my level." Iris pointed out, instantly regretting it.

"You placed last?" Benjamin chastised, "How did you even manage that?"

"Turns out the other students are good at wielding, which beats getting 100% on paper exams." she shrugged angered by his scolding.

"Oh look, the others are here already." Benjamin and Iris turned to the sound of their friends approaching voices.

"I wonder if I finally beat Benny." A freckle faced boy smiled as he looked straight to the top of the board, his face twisting in confusion, "Who's that guy?"

"No way!" a dark haired girl laughed and patted Benjamin on the back, "Congratulations, you've been beat for the first time. And by someone two levels below you."

"You won't be so cheery when you see your class ranks." Her little brother pointed out taking her attention from Benjamin.

"Elemend, Arch, Arch, Sebastian," SHe glared at the two other boys, "You better run, Math, because I'm going to smash your face in." Magia moved to chase after the boy, but stopped when she realize he stood, nearly frozen. She followed his gaze to an unfamiliar short girl, her head cocked to the side.

"Excuse me," Her light voice drifted, "But isn't fighting against the rules?"

"WHat's it to you? WHo are you, exactly?" Magia's anger shifted to the girl who simply raised her arm with an outstretched finger toward the top of the academy rank board.

"Ten Ashton." she stated plainly, "I was entry level a week before the exams." Everyone looked at her in surprise, except magia.

"Liar." she crossed her arms.

"I'm not asking you to believe me." she turned to walk away.

"Wait!" Iris blurted, "How? You barely practiced during training time.: The girl looked over her shoulder at the group.

"Maybe," she started with a tone of condescendance, "If you had spent more time training and less time observing those around you, you would have scored better." Iris's face settled into a hurt frown before the mysterious new student continued, "As you know," she pulled out the book of Wielding Warrior laws and rules that every student was given upon entry, "Any student may train outside of the designated areas if they have the supervision of a Guard or Hunter. You of all people should know that, Elemend. Her mouth cocked into a smirk before she continued on her way, not bothering to look back as Magia yelled unsavory phrases at her. There was something about the girl that had made Benjamin slightly uneasy, and he could see that Matheus was affected in the same way, not taking his eyes off of her until she disappeared.