CHAPTER 29: THE RESULT

Chapter 29 – The Result

---

Ding~

It wasn’t a simple chime. It was a crystalline tone that vibrated through the air like glass struck by sunlight. The world around Michael froze—no, not literally, but everything dulled: the chatter of cadets outside, the faint splash of water from the dormitory baths, even the distant toll of the morning bells.

Before his eyes, a giant translucent screen unfurled. Runes swirled like galaxies across its surface, assembling into neat, glowing lines of text.

Michael exhaled slowly. His eyes narrowed, his silver lashes catching the shimmer.

"Finally... show me what I’ve earned."

The board gleamed.

---

[ QUEST 1: Pass the Entrance Exam ]

1.1 Pass the First Exam

→ Reward: +3 Stats, +500 SP

Complete ✅

1.2 Pass the Second Exam

→ Reward: +3 Stats, +500 SP

Complete ✅

1.3 Pass the Third Exam

→ Reward: +3 Stats, +2 STR, +600 SP

Complete ✅

1.4 Pass the Final Exam

→ Reward: +5 Stats, +3 STR, +2 INT, +900 SP

Complete ✅

---

Michael’s lips twitched.

"Four hurdles, four clears. Neatly packaged. Good."

But the board wasn’t done. It rippled, expanding like a banner in the wind.

---

[ QUEST 2: Be the Best (Result-based Reward) ]

Rank 9th – 5th

→ Reward: +5 Stats, x1 Blue Skill

Rank 4th – 3rd

→ Reward: +10 Stats, x1 Purple Skill

Rank 2nd

→ Reward: +15 Stats, x2 Purple Skills, +5000 SP

Rank 1st

→ Reward: +20 Stats, x1 Purple Skill, x1 Gold Skill, +15,000 SP

Complete ✅

---

Michael’s eyes flared. His heartbeat kicked against his ribs.

"...Now that is what I wanted."

The moment his name hit first place yesterday, he knew this quest would transform. Still, the reality of seeing "Gold Skill" shimmer in letters of molten sunlight sent shivers down his spine.

The System wasn’t done.

---

[ QUEST 3: Admitted to the Academy ]

1.1 Become an official student of the Academy

→ Reward: +10 Stats, +5000 SP

Complete ✅

1.2 Assigned to Class A

→ Reward: +15 Stats, +8000 SP

Complete ✅

---

[ Hidden Quest: Counter Instructor’s Attack 1 time and move him from his stance ]

Reward: +20 Stats

Complete ✅

[ Hidden Quest: Slay the Swallow Shark (D-rank) ]

Reward: Epic Rank Item Ticket

Complete ✅

---

Then came the cascade.

Ding~ Ding~ Ding~

Rewards stacked across the glowing screen until his vision blurred with light.

---

[ CLAIM REWARDS ]

• Free Stats — +79

• STR +5

• INT +2

• 1x Random Purple Rank Skill

• 1x Random Gold Rank Skill

• 1x Epic Rank Item Ticket

---

Michael stared at it all for a long second.

Then he did the only logical thing.

He jumped up like a child seeing candy.

"YES! Hahaha—finally, System, you actually delivered!"

His laugh echoed in the empty room, sharp and triumphant. He clenched his fists and let the sound die down, his expression cooling back into calculation.

"...Now. Let’s allocate."

---

Scene 2 – Distributing Stats

He called his status screen again. Blue light fanned out, neat as crystal panes.

---

[STATUS WINDOW]

Name: Michael Willson

Age: 15

Class: Magic Swordsman

Traits: Mana Manipulation

Rank: E-

Affinity: Ice, Space

STR – 109

STA – 117

AGI – 94

ENC – 79

INT – 107

Mana: 2900 / 2900

Unallocated Stats: 79 + bonuses

SP: 3720

---

Michael rubbed his chin.

"STR first. Always STR. Power means survival."

He dragged thirty points into Strength. The number jumped—109 to 139—then another bonus ticked, nudging it further.

"Good. Stamina next. I can’t swing if I’m dead tired."

+20 into Stamina. The bar thickened like a reservoir filling.

"Endurance... ten points. I’ll need to tank some hits sooner or later."

ENC climbed.

"Agility, another ten. Can’t let Leon outpace me when he gets serious."

The final nine went into Intelligence.

When the last digit settled, the screen pulsed with authority.

---

[UPDATED STATUS]

STR – 144 (+5)

STA – 137

AGI – 104

ENC – 89

INT – 118 (+2)

Mana: 3400 / 3400

Unallocated Stats: 0

SP: 29,720

---

Michael exhaled through his nose, a smirk curling.

"E-rank, nearly E+. At least three stats above 145 and I’ll breach the next threshold."

He flexed his hand, the faint crackle of power running through veins like silver fire.

"I feel... Stronger now"

---

He pulled out the glowing purple card first.

"Alright. Let’s see what fate throws me."

The moment his fingers brushed it, the card dissolved into amethyst motes.

Ding~

[ Random Purple Skill Activated ]

[ Congratulations—Skill Acquired: Aura Slash ]

[ Error: Host has not learned Aura ]

Michael’s brow shot up.

"...Excuse me?"

[ System Auto-Modifying Skill ]

[ Deducting 20,000 SP for optimization... ]

[ Modified Skill Created: Aura Holder (Purple) ]

---

Michael’s jaw dropped.

"WHAT?! My SP! Do you have any idea how long I saved that?!"

The system pulsed innocently.

[ Modification successful. ]

---

[Skill Acquired: Aura Holder]

Rank: Purple (Epic)

Type: Passive

"Steel alone cannot contain a Magic Swordsman’s spirit. With Aura Holder, every drop of mana you command can be reforged into the living edge of your blade."

Core Effects

1.Mana-to-Aura Conversion

You may convert any portion of your current mana pool into combat aura at will (base ratio 1 mana : 1 aura).

Conversion is instantaneous; aura persists for 30 seconds or until expended.

2.Mana–Aura Equilibrium

Your body automatically channels ambient, "natural" mana to replace what was converted, preventing sudden mana-shock and allowing simultaneous spell-casting.

While equilibrium is active, total effective mana regeneration is increased by 10%.

3.Stamina-Driven Growth

For every point of stamina you actively spend in battle or training, 0.05 aura is added to your permanent maximum aura capacity (caps at +30% of base per day).

Overexertion past 70% stamina triggers fatigue; further conversion is locked until stamina recovers to 30% or higher.

Locked Evolutions

4. Aura Overdrive (LOCKED – requires 50 000 SP)

"Pour everything into a single moment." Effects unknown.

5.Aura Resonance (LOCKED – requires 120 000 SP)

"When mana, aura, and spirit pulse as one, worlds tremble." Effects unknown.

---

Michael stared. His anger dissolved into stunned silence. Then—

"...I take it back. I love you."

He grinned, wide and sharp.

"With this... I can wield Aura. A rank swordsmen struggle for years, and I—ha—fifteen years old, and I already have it."

His pulse thundered. Aura meant blade enhancement, spirit-cutting, magic-countering. A direct leap into top-tier combat power.

He barely breathed before pulling out the Gold card.

It didn’t dissolve. Instead, five cards appeared, circling him in golden radiance.

[ Choose one. ]

Michael blinked. "...So, I get to gamble, huh?"

His hand hovered. He closed his eyes. Logic told him left second row. Instinct told him... fourth from the left.

He chose.

The card flared.

Ding~

[ Acquired Gold Skill: Ice Domain ]

---

Michael’s blood chilled. Literally.

Blue frost radiated from the description, the letters themselves breathing cold.

---

[Skill: Ice Domain]

Rank: Gold

Type: Active

• Frostbound Territory – Creates 30m radius domain, terrain freezes, duration 45s.

• Absolute Awareness – Detects all mana-bearers within domain, real-time mapping. Stealth reduced by 25%.

• Debuff – Hostiles suffer –30% STR, slowed movement, stacking True Frost damage.

Cost: 12% mana + 2% every 5s.

Cooldown: 400s.

---

Michael read it twice. Then thrice.

Slowly, his lips parted.

"...A domain skill."

He whispered it like a prayer. Domains were skills only high-tier mages wielded, A-rank minimum. To have one now—

He laughed. The sound cracked the quiet room.

"Ice Domain... combined with Aura... I’m unstoppable."

-– The Rankings Announcement

Bzzt—Bzzt—

Michael’s wristwatch vibrated. A faint glow pulsed beneath the tempered mana-glass surface, like a heartbeat trying to escape.

Then—

DING—!

The sound was sharp and crystalline, echoing through his private chamber as though a temple bell had been struck. Blue lines of mana traced across the air, weaving a holographic scroll that unfurled before his eyes. The glow painted his walls silver, shadows dancing like living things.

Michael leaned back on the chair by his desk, one leg crossed over the other, arms folded. His silver eyes narrowed.

"...Finally."

The notification wasn’t small. It was massive—golden letters stretched in the air like divine scripture, each name flashing as if branded into the world itself.

---

✦ Final Scoreboard ✦

#1 – Michael Willson

Combat: 100/100

Theory: 99/100

Survival: 100/100

Endurance: 100/100

#2 – Leon Lionheart

Combat: 100/100

Theory: 90/100

Survival: 98/100

Endurance: 100/100

#3 – Lyra Braveheart

Combat: 96/100

Theory: 96/100

Survival: 91/100

Endurance: 95/100

#4 – Eric William

Combat: 98/100

Theory: 85/100

Survival: 93/100

Endurance: 97/100

#5 – Selena Veylan

Combat: 85/100

Theory: 97/100

Survival: 88/100

Endurance: 85/100

#6 – Aiden Stromfang

Combat: 97/100

Theory: 70/100

Survival: 88/100

Endurance: 86/100

#7 – Elara Moonshade

Combat: 90/100

Theory: 74/100

Survival: 70/100

Endurance: 80/100

#8 – Aurelia Miller

Combat: 80/100

Theory: 98/100

Survival: 77/100

Endurance: 71/100

#9 – Maria Frostheart

Combat: 75/100

Theory: 74/100

Survival: 90/100

Endurance: 80/100

#10 – Zack Sunwood

Combat: 80/100

Theory: 65/100

Survival: 79/100

Endurance: 73/100

---

The glowing screen hummed, projecting faint sound like parchment being flipped by invisible hands. Each line shimmered into existence with a fwip-fwip, leaving a trail of golden motes before fading into stability.

---

Michael’s Perspective

He let out a low chuckle, the corner of his mouth quirking.

"As expected."

His name at the very top glowed brighter than the rest, bathed in a thin aura of light the System had clearly added for emphasis. He could almost imagine nobles choking on their wine seeing his name outshine Leon Lionheart’s.

Michael leaned his chin on his hand, silver eyes glinting with quiet amusement.

"Rank one. Untouchable. And here I thought I’d have to claw for second or third."

He let the silence stretch, the weight of the moment settling into his bones.

But then—his sharp mind clicked.

In the original timeline, Leon was the one to take first. He should have been the one glowing at the top, the one showered with glory and expectations. And yet... here I am. The butterfly effect spreads again.

A thrill ran through him. Victory was sweet, but deviation meant unpredictability. And unpredictability... was both opportunity and danger.

---

The Academy wasn’t quiet. Far from it.

The same golden holograms blazed above the training grounds, in dormitories, even inside the central dining hall. Everywhere cadets stood, their eyes locked on the glowing scoreboard. The announcement system wasn’t just a list—it was a spectacle. Light fell like stars, accompanied by the gong-gong-gong of ceremonial bells echoing across the campus.

Gasps, shouts, and murmurs rose like a tidal wave.

---

Leon Lionheart stood inside his chamber, knuckles clenched so hard the leather of his gloves groaned. His golden eyes narrowed on the glowing "#2" by his name.

"...He surpassed me."

The words were ground out like gravel between his teeth. Not despair, but raw frustration. For Leon, second place was humiliation—not because he had failed, but because Michael had succeeded.

Yet deep in his chest, something else burned hotter: resolve.

Michael Willson... I will surpass you. No matter what.

---

Lyra Braveheart lounged on her bed, legs swinging. The fire-haired girl grinned, her sharp teeth glinting in the holographic light.

"Hooh? Silver-boy actually outpaced Lion-boy? Hah!"

She kicks her feet, sharp teeth flashing in a wolfish grin.

"Oh, this year’s gonna be delicious."

Excitement bubbled in her veins. Rivalries, battles, the thrill of competition—her blood sang at the thought.

---

Selena Veylan sat at her desk, quill frozen mid-word as the notification appeared. The pale-haired girl’s emerald eyes widened, reflecting the glowing scoreboard.

"...Fifth place..."

Her lips pressed together. Fifth was respectable, even enviable. But the name at the top overshadowed everything else.

"Michael..." she whispered, fingers tightening around the quill. A mix of admiration, curiosity, and a strange ache stirred inside her chest.

---

Aiden Stromfang barked out a laugh so loud the boys in the common hall flinched.

"HAHAHA! Damn, that’s my guy! First place!"

He slammed his fist into his palm, grinning ear to ear.

"Now I really wanna fight him."

---

Elara Moonshade leaned against the shadow of her window, silent. Her dark hair veiled her sharp violet eyes, but her lips curled in something unreadable.

"...Number one, huh?"

She didn’t scoff, didn’t frown. But her heart beat faster than usual. Observation—that was her nature. And Michael Willson was becoming more interesting to observe by the second.

---

Aurelia Miller adjusted her glasses, eyes sharp behind the lenses as she studied the board.

"...Perfect scores in combat, survival, and endurance. Theory only one mark short."

She tapped her desk lightly.

"Suspiciously perfect."

A calculating light burned in her gaze.

---

Maria Frostheart froze in place, her breath fogging. Ninth place. Her name glowed far below Michael’s, the difference like sky and earth. Her nails dug into her palm, blood trickling down her pale fingers.

"...No... He shouldn’t be..."

Cold fury crackled around her, frost spreading across the floor.

---

Zack Sunwood leaned back on his bunk, whistling low.

"Well damn... guess I scraped into the top ten after all."

He smirked, but his eyes lingered on the shining "#1."

"Michael, huh? He’s either insane or a monster. Maybe both."

-----

The campus buzzed. Every name on the board became gossip fodder. But one name, the brightest, the first—Michael Willson—shone above all else.

---

Michael watched the hologram fade into transparency, the light scattering into motes. The silence that followed was almost eerie, broken only by the faint hum of mana dissipating.

Then—

Ding~

Another notification appeared.

[ As Top Scorer of the Entrance Examination, Michael Willson is required to deliver the First-Year Representative Speech. ]

[ Time: 9:00 AM tomorrow at the Academy’s Grand Ceremony. ]

Michael blinked once. Then twice.

"...Speech?"

The word slipped from his mouth, flat and incredulous.

His memory churned. In the game, no such event existed. But in the novel... yes, he remembered. The scene was vivid—Leon Lionheart, standing tall, giving an impassioned speech as the First-Year Representative. It was a critical character moment, setting the tone for his growth.

And now...

Michael laughed bitterly.

"...So that’s it. Another shift."

He pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling.

"I was supposed to stay behind the curtain, not stand in front of the entire Academy."

The System didn’t respond. It didn’t need to. The truth was obvious: the story was no longer following its rails.

---

Bzzt—

The watch glowed again.

[ Notification: Top 10 cadets are hereby granted residence in the Supreme Hall. ]

Details spilled out: luxurious suites, private training facilities, advanced mana circulation chambers.

Michael read it, lips quirking.

"Well... at least one reward makes sense."

But the satisfaction didn’t last. His gaze darkened, the reflection of his own name glowing back at him in the mana-glass of his watch.

"...The story keeps changing."

He whispered it like a curse, silver eyes narrowing to slits.