CHAPTER 274: FINAL RANKING

After the trio left the stage with their certificates, Professor Sylpha continued, "Second Category, Dining Hall Manners. This category was determined and evaluated by our dining hall in-charge and staff. From positions one to three... Cadet numbers 10156597, 10156603, and 10156620. You will be awarded one thousand, eight hundred, and five hundred points respectively. Please come to the stage to receive your certificates."

Behind her, the great screen changed and showed new text.

Best Dining Hall Manners of the Term:

Rank 1: Elara Noelle Luminelle (Cadet 10156597)- 1000 Points

Rank 2: Marsha Kirana Tidebringer (Cadet 10156603)- 800 Points

Rank 3: Miyuki Akane Tsukiyo (Cadet 10156620)- 500 Points

These three cadets rose from their seats and walked up to the stage amidst polite applause. Each received a certificate from the Principal, exchanged a formal salute, and posed for a brief photo... the moment captured by one of the academy staff members.

After the cadets left the stage, Professor Sylpha turned back to the podium, her voice carrying clearly through the expectant silence of the hall.

"Now," she said, "it is time to announce the results of The Grand Competition. This ranking represents the culmination of your learning in elemental mastery and combat training. After an intense five-day final round, with over three hundred matches conducted under strict regulations, the standings have been determined based on each cadet’s wins, losses, and draws. Every cadet participated in a round-robin format, earning one point for a win and none for a loss or draw."

She adjusted the papers on the podium, then continued, "I will begin calling the ranks from twenty-five upwards. When your cadet number is announced, please come to the stage according to your rank. Rank twenty-five, Cadet Number 10156637."

Behind her, the massive screen flickered to life once more, revealing the final leaderboard in gleaming silver letters.

Final Ranks of The Grand Competition:

Rank-1: Ignatius Aurelius Emberfall (Cadet 10156618), Win 23, Loss 1, Draw 0, Points 23

Rank-2: Phoebe Juno Solstice (Cadet 10156623), Win 21, Loss 2, Draw 1, Points 21

Rank-3: Marsha Kirana Tidebringer (Cadet 10156603), Win 20, Loss 3, Draw 1, Points 20

Rank-4: Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor (Cadet 10156659), Win 19, Loss 4, Draw 1, Points 19

Rank-5: Barrock Deepdelver Ironhide (Cadet 10156589), Win 18, Loss 5, Draw 1, Points 18

Rank-6: Elara Noelle Luminelle (Cadet 10156597), Win 17, Loss 5, Draw 2, Points 17

Rank-7: Cassian Maximus Steel (Cadet 10156590), Win 16, Loss 6, Draw 2, Points 16

Rank-8: Aurora Silverwood (Cadet 10156591), Win 15, Loss 7, Draw 2, Points 15

Rank-9: Ophelia Blanc (Cadet 10156675), Win 14, Loss 8, Draw 2, Points 14

Rank-10: Raijin Astrape Stormrider (Cadet 10156601), Win 13, Loss 8, Draw 3, Points 13

Rank-11: Rohan Harivamsa (Cadet 10156592), Win 12, Loss 9, Draw 3, Points 12

Rank-12: Genevieve Starling (Cadet 10156593), Win 11, Loss 10, Draw 3, Points 11

Rank-13: Alistair Ironwood (Cadet 10156594), Win 10, Loss 11, Draw 3, Points 10

Rank-14: Izumi Tsuki Kuroda (Cadet 10156595), Win 9, Loss 11, Draw 4, Points 9

Rank-15: Magnus Stone (Cadet 10156596), Win 8, Loss 12, Draw 4, Points 8

Rank-16: Aria Nightwind (Cadet 10156598), Win 7, Loss 13, Draw 4, Points 7

Rank-17: Maíra Arara Neblina (Cadet 10156660), Win 6, Loss 13, Draw 5, Points 6

Rank-18: Rosalind Lorelei Rothchild (Cadet 10156599), Win 5, Loss 14, Draw 5, Points 5

Rank-19: Theron Ambrose Valerius (Cadet 10156600), Win 4, Loss 15, Draw 5, Points 4

Rank-20: Arabella Goldwater (Cadet 10156602), Win 3, Loss 16, Draw 5, Points 3

Rank-21: Joshua Cordillera (Cadet 10156588), Win 2, Loss 16, Draw 6, Points 2

Rank-22: Helena Diana Rosewood (Cadet 10156614), Win 1, Loss 17, Draw 6, Points 1

Rank-23: Alonzo Murdoch Brine (Cadet 10156605), Win 1, Loss 17, Draw 6, Points 1

Rank-24: Saphira Andraste Skydancer (Cadet 10156626), Win 1, Loss 17, Draw 6, Points 1

Rank-25: Mwanga Asani Sunstalker (Cadet 10156637), Win 1, Loss 17, Draw 6, Points 1

Everyone stared up at the great screen as the final list appeared in full view... each cadet’s name, number, wins, losses, draws, and total points gleaming in sharp, glowing letters. A low murmur swept through the hall, rippling from one row to another.

Mwanga Asani Sunstalker, ranked twenty-fifth, rose first and made his way toward the stage. Professor Sylpha continued to announce each cadet in order, her clear, measured voice echoing through the auditorium. One by one, the cadets stood, forming a slow-moving line toward the podium.

After that, Saphira Andraste Skydancer, ranked twenty-fourth, rose from her seat and made her way toward the stage. Followed by Alonzo Murdoch Brine, and Helena Diana Rosewood.

Among Eleanor’s circle, Joshua Cordillera had secured the twenty-first rank, Maíra Arara Neblina the seventeenth, and Izumi Tsuki Kuroda the fourteenth.

Eleanor herself had claimed the fourth rank... just below the podium positions. Phoebe Juno Solstice had taken second place, and Marsha Kirana Tidebringer third, surpassing Eleanor with remarkable strength and control. Phoebe’s reputation as a top contender had been long established; she was well known for her mastery and fierce combat prowess since the Initiation Ceremony. But Marsha’s rise was unexpected. Once a quiet figure, she had shocked everyone by overpowering Ignatius Aurelius Emberfall... the undefeated prodigy and favourite to win. That single victory had shifted the perception of the entire cohort.

Ophelia Blanc, too, had earned distinction, placing ninth and securing her place among the academy’s top ten. Those ten would each receive additional merit points as reward, while the rest would gain points only for their recorded victories.

It had been announced earlier that each victory in the tournament would grant one hundred points, while those who ranked within the top twenty-five would earn additional points according to their final positions and academy honours. The top ten prizes, however, were the most coveted rewards of the entire term... every cadet in the hall knew it.

Just as the crowd began murmuring about potential rewards, Professor Sylpha’s voice drew their attention once more.

"As in previous years," she declared, her tone carrying clearly across the vast hall, "this year’s finalists will receive bonus points from the academy. All twenty-five finalists will be awarded an additional one thousand points, on top of the one hundred points granted for each victory throughout the tournament. Beyond that, the top ten cadets will receive their special rewards. Rank one will receive twenty-five thousand points; rank two, twenty thousand; rank three, fifteen thousand; rank four, twelve thousand; rank five, ten thousand; rank six, nine thousand; rank seven, eight thousand; rank eight, seven thousand; rank nine, six thousand; and rank ten, five thousand points. These will count as your regular academy points. You may exchange them for materials, potions, artefacts, or other valuables permitted by the academy at the end of your term."

She paused briefly before continuing, her voice softening just slightly. "Let me remind you once again... academy points are lifelong. You may keep them for future use, even long after you graduate. As long as your cadet number remains active, your points will be stored under it... until the day you die."

While she explained the distribution of rewards, the finalists had finished receiving their certificates and returned to their seats. The hum of quiet conversation filled the hall again until the Principal raised his gaze to Professor Sylpha.

"Professor Sylpha," he said in his deep, deliberate voice, "tell the cadets about the Tower of Legends."

Professor Sylpha inclined her head respectfully and then turned back to the audience. Her voice rang out with renewed energy. "The finalists are encouraged to challenge the Tower of Legends. There will be a special reward for any cadet who manages to clear the tower during the Primary Term."

She looked across the hall once more, her expression calm yet proud. "Now, with the permission of our Principal, I hereby conclude this ceremony. All hail Lord Yggdrasil!"

"All hail Lord Yggdrasil!" the entire hall thundered back, their voices echoing beneath the vaulted ceiling, closing the ceremony in a single, unified roar.

After the event concluded, the cadets returned to their dormitories. Though weariness tugged at their limbs after the gruelling battles and the long ceremony, Eleanor and her friends still made their way to Maíra’s room to celebrate. After all, with four of them ranking among the top ten, there was every reason for a small victory gathering.

It was Maíra Arara Neblina who had invited everyone. Despite placing lower than the others and feeling disheartened during the first day of the competition, her spirit had rekindled as the rounds progressed. Her steady improvement had been undeniable... her final-day draw with Aurora Silverwood, who ranked eighth, was proof of that growth.

Maíra was genuinely thrilled for her friends. Phoebe Juno Solstice, Marsha Kirana Tidebringer, and Eleanor Elizabeth Raynor had taken the second, third, and fourth ranks respectively... an impressive feat by any standard. She had known from the start that they would end near the top, and so she had prepared snacks and drinks in advance, determined to celebrate their achievements properly.

When Maíra suggested the celebration, no one objected. After a quick wash and change, the group gathered in her room. Jaciara and Kiara joined them as well, their eyes widening in delight at the sight of Maíra’s preparations. Laughter soon filled the air as they shared stories, teasing remarks, and the lingering thrill of competition.

The all-girls celebration stretched on for several hours, a rare moment of warmth and camaraderie after days of relentless combat. It finally came to an end only when the bell for mandatory dinner rang, summoning them all to the dining hall once more.