CHAPTER 69: EX 69. NOBLE?

Rebecca’s voice rang out once more, steady and strong, commanding the full attention of the hall.

"Starting from the fifth rank," she announced, pausing just long enough to let the anticipation build, "this cadet played a crucial role in protecting a group of cadets by using her talent to distract the demon, giving them the precious time they needed to escape."

A ripple of surprise and curiosity spread through the cadets.

"This cadet has shown bravery in the face of adversity. She held her ground when others would have fled. The cadet who has earned fifth place in this year’s Selection Rankings is..."

Rebecca paused.

"...Eleanor Clarke."

The moment the name was spoken, the blurred fifth name on the list shimmered and cleared, revealing Eleanor Clarke for all to see.

The hall erupted in applause. Thunderous and unrestrained.

But none cheered louder than a small cluster near the back, the cadets of the Morningstar Orphanage, those who had grown up alongside her.

"Big Sister Eleanor looks amazing!" one of them squealed, jumping up and down.

"What did you expect from the most talented person of Morningstar?" another chimed in, pride swelling in their voice.

For a moment, the hall wasn’t a hall, it was a celebration. One of their own, a girl from humble beginnings, had made it to the top.

Eleanor stepped forward with quiet poise, her pale blonde hair swaying softly as she moved. Her expression was composed, serene... but inside, her heart was racing like a stampede.

Every step up to the stage made her want to turn and run. But she didn’t. She pushed through.

Rebecca offered her a rare, approving smile.

"Well done, Cadet."

With a graceful motion, she pulled a silver medal edged in blue from seemingly nowhere and placed it gently around Eleanor’s neck.

The cold weight of it settled just above her heart.

Eleanor bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, Vanguard."

She took her place beside Rebecca, her back straight and her face calm.

But her thoughts were anything but.

"Okay, okay, breathe... just pretend everyone’s naked. That’s what people say helps, right? Naked."

Her eyes wandered across the audience... and landed on Eden.

He was looking straight at her, his arms crossed... and then, he gave her a small nod.

A calm, confident one.

And just like that, her heart did a backflip.

Her ears turned a bright shade of red, but thankfully the attention was on Rebecca, who now stepped forward to announce fourth place.

Eleanor stood tall, hiding her turmoil behind a composed face.

But in her chest... pride bloomed.

She had done it.

Rebecca took a breath before speaking again, the light from the stage casting her figure in a commanding glow. Her voice rang out with unwavering clarity:

"The cadet in fourth rank has demonstrated exceptional strategic thinking in a moment of crisis. When faced with a threat that most would deem impossible to survive, this cadet upheld one of the Federation’s core maxims, no soldier is left behind."

A wave of whispers rolled through the hall.

"Rather than abandon his fellow cadets, he took responsibility and led them to safety, even under the gaze of death itself."

She paused, just long enough for the weight of her words to settle, then said:

"This cadet is none other than... Eden Feran."

At her words, the fourth name on the grand list shimmered and cleared, proudly revealing EDEN FERAN.

The hall erupted into applause, this time even louder than before. Cheers, whistles, and claps bounced off the walls like a thunderstorm of celebration.

From the back of the room, one of the cadets Eden had rescued cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted,

"Way to go, Eden!"

Another voice, feminine and bold, pierced through the noise with a teasing cheer,

"We love you, Young Master Feran!"

Eden walked up to the stage, composed, but a slight smile tugged at his lips. His broad shoulders bore the pride of someone who had done something right, and had been seen for it.

Rebecca offered a short nod and a faint smile as she stepped forward and hung a silver medal rimmed in violet around his neck.

"You’ve done well, Cadet Feran," she said.

"Continue to make the Federation proud."

"Yes, ma’am," Eden replied, the medal glinting on his chest.

He walked over and took his place beside Eleanor. She turned her head slightly, her earlier nerves now faded under the comfort of familiarity.

"It really feels good," she said, her voice soft but honest.

Eden looked at her, then at the medal resting over his heart, and nodded with a small smile.

"Yeah," he said, "it does."

But not everyone was celebrating.

Offstage, in the crowd, Leon’s eyes widened slightly, confusion written across his face.

He muttered under his breath,

"What the hell...?"

Leon’s arms folded across his chest as his gaze locked on Eden standing tall on the stage, the medal gleaming against his uniform. His brows furrowed, not in anger, but in disbelief.

But it wasn’t Eden’s rank that shocked him. It was what he had done.

"I didn’t think it was possible for a Feran to be so... noble," Leon thought to himself, his jaw tightening slightly.

The memory of past encounters with the Feran family flickered in his mind. Everything about them had rubbed him the wrong way. They were the kind of nobles he couldn’t stand. Yet... here Eden was. A Feran who risked his life not for glory, not for power, but to protect others.

"Could I have been wrong about them...?" Leon wondered, eyes narrowing slightly.

Then his gaze hardened.

"No," he thought. "Maybe it’s just Eden who’s different. Or maybe he’s the exception."

He shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside.

"It won’t matter. Not now. In due time, I’ll figure everything out."

On stage, Rebecca Sky was about to speak again, her blue eyes scanning the floating list.

She opened her mouth to speak the name in third place, but then suddenly paused.

Her expression shifted.

Not in confusion.

Not in anger.

But something close to... disbelief.

A beat of silence fell over the hall.

The atmosphere changed instantly, cadets began to murmur and glance at one another.

Why had she stopped?

Why the sudden hesitation?

Rebecca’s lips parted slightly, but no words came yet.

The third name on the list hadn’t been announced.

Not yet.

...

A/N: I Really need Inspiration (⁠ ⁠≧⁠Д⁠≦⁠) someone should send me a capsule.