The leaderboard flickered to life in midair — a vertical blade of brilliant light cutting through the vaulted dome of Hero Academy's central hall like a divine judgment. Sixty names rotated slowly across its surface, each tagged with power type, cumulative rank score, and real-time popularity metrics from the Hero Association's open feed. Faces glowed in the reflected shine, eyes locked upward, breath baited.
When "Rook Vale" appeared in the #3 slot, the room didn't erupt.
It froze.
Like someone had unplugged sound from the world.
Then — whispers. A low tide of gasps, scattered laughter, and disbelieving scoffs echoed through the student body like sparks jumping wires.
Someone in the back muttered, "No way."Another, louder: "Who even is that guy?"
Nico, standing to Hernan's left, howled like he'd just hit a jackpot. "Bro! You actually — I mean — you beat the dragon twins! You're ranked above a literal fire breather!"
Hernan smiled. Just enough.
