"Since there were many student casualties, the academy decided that training would be conducted for Class E and below to quickly improve their skills."
Virelle was explaining the upcoming changes at the academy, as everyone was surprised to have been promoted to Class C.
"This is the first time in this academy's history that something like this has happened. There was only one month left before the first class would be dismissed, but with so many students dead, they decided to give some extra training. Still, if they don't pass the training, they'll be expelled. Now, do you understand why this is happening?"
Looking at the confused students, she began.
"Because it didn't just happen at this academy, it happened across the entire continent. Mages who had just entered or were already inside were caught off guard by the difficulty, and many of them died, which lowered the military power of every kingdom. So, the king of each region summoned all academies and ordered increased training for the students."
Watching from afar, Enrico sighed. 'I knew something would happen to cause a change, but this is good... it might bring out strong people I didn't meet in the original story, especially now that Chalés and Tolen are dead, and Kevin gave up...'
He shook his head to stop thinking about it, rested his hand on his chin, and looked at Valença 'I'm glad she stayed... losing her would've been horrible.'
"Professor, excuse me, but why are we being promoted to a higher class and not receiving the same training as the lower ones?"
The one who asked was Sílvia, who had raised her hand. Her eyes looked very tired.Virelle looked at Sílvia.
"Because you proved, by surviving that dungeon, that you're strong enough for this."
Kai quickly raised his hand.
"So we'll meet the other two from Class C?"
"No, they also moved up a class because three people from Class B died in their dungeon. To complete the class, the academy allowed three students to be promoted. And since there are only two left from the previous group..."
She now looked more serious at everyone.
"That also means there's one spot available among you. I'd say to send the strongest, but to me, none of you are ready to go just yet. So, what will you do?"
"I'm not ready to go yet, so I'll stay in Class C"
Enrico was the first to respond.
"Me too."
Immediately after Enrico, Serenya, Elian, and Caelan replied together, and Virelle nodded, satisfied with the four.
"I'd rather stay because I have some personal matters to resolve, and I don't think I'm strong enough yet, of course."
Valença glanced at Enrico, who pretended to ignore her.
"I won't go either. I think I'll grow stronger by staying in Class C."
Kai answered with a smile while thinking, 'Besides, Enrico seems to know a lot about my father, and I feel like I'll get stronger with him.'
"I'm definitely the weakest here. I don't even have an arm, and I'll only be able to get an artificial one if I make some money. So, I'd rather increase my power in the best way possible."
Liam raised his shoulder, showing that everything from his elbow down was missing.
Kai and Valença's responses slightly surprised her, and Liam's was expected. She then looked at Sílvia, who seemed to think for a moment and then raised her head.
"I'll go."
Everyone was surprised, and Virelle frowned.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Sighing, Virelle picked up a paper and handed it to Sílvia.
"Very well. Then sign your name and deliver it to the board. Since your rank is lower than your classmates, you'll be assigned a new one similar to theirs, but your relative position will remain unchanged."
Valença revealed their new ranks:
Rank 90 – Serenya
Rank 91 – Enrico
Rank 92 – Kai
Rank 93 – Valença
Rank 94 – Liam
Rank 95 – Elian
Rank 96 – Caelan
Rank 97 – Sílvia
Enrico looked at the new ranking and could only think how wrong it was.
"The one who should've gone to Class B is Serenya, so be careful. Your rank will stay the same, and they'll underestimate you." As Virelle finished speaking, Sílvia finished signing and was allowed to leave.
"Goodbye, everyone." She gave one last look back and left.
"Is this going to work? This has never happened at the academy before..." Liam asked, slamming his head down on the table.
"This is a test. If she doesn't improve soon, even with all the pressure they're going to put on her, then she'll be placed back into Class C with you. Let's just say this is more of a visit than a permanent placement. It would only be permanent if she were Rank 90."
Enrico started to sweat. 'Then why didn't she warn her? Sílvia must've annoyed Professor Virelle.'
Indeed, she didn't seem to be in a good mood after Sílvia accepted.
"Professor, who will be our new teachers?"
Looking at Kai, Virelle responded as if it were obvious.
"None. It'll be the same ones."
"Why? Academy rules say that unless a lower-class professor defeats—wait... that means..."
Kai began to realize.
"Yes, we defeated the Class C professors in a duel and took over their positions."
The ones who entered and spoke were Sir Drenholm and Borem, both with some injuries, while Virelle stood perfectly clean in front of the board.
'As absurd as always... but I expected nothing less from someone destined to become an eighth-circle mage by the age of 22.'
Finally, Enrico smiled a little and stood up with the other students to congratulate the professors on their victory.
---
"To think that until the end of this month's test, Class C will only have seven students..."
A man dressed in all-white military attire was watching a projection of the classroom.
"It's only temporary. What I didn't like was the idea of sending someone who isn't even Rank 90 to Class B. And worse, she seems to be the weakest. Don't you remember this school's conviction, Director?"
A woman dressed as a knight was the one speaking now, looking toward a seated man.
"She won't last long. That girl's going to be eaten alive by the other students, who won't accept her either."
On another couch, a man who seemed incredibly lazy was lying down. He wore blue mage robes,the man in white looked at him with a blank expression.
"Could you at least act decent in front of the director?"
The woman nodded in agreement, but the man in blue completely ignored both of them, which annoyed them.
"This is my decision. If that girl can withstand this, she'll become strong. And right now, strong students are exactly what we need to remain the top academy."
An old man dressed in a robe stood from his chair, looking at the projection.
"Maybe these kids are even stronger than the previous top two from Class C."
The two nodded, while the third man seemed to have fallen asleep. Annoyed, the other two began kicking him as he covered himself with his hands.
"Wait! Calm down!"
The director looked outside.
'Well... we'll see if that's true in one month, during the rank dispute.'