BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 53:Final First-Year Rankings – Eldoria Academy (After Entrance Duels)

Top 10 – The Strongest First-Years

(Finalists or those who performed exceptionally despite elimination.)

1. Lucian Eldoria (Royal Family – Draconic Heritage, Crown Prince)

Dominated every fight, never truly tested.

2.Kael Veyrin (Veyrin – Arcane Sigilist, Rune Mastery)

Tactical, adaptive, and a rising powerhouse.

3.Mira Valcroft (Commoner – "The Underdog", Balanced Fighter)

Defeated two nobles from the Seven Strongest Families.

4.Selene Duskbane (Duskbane – Eclipse Sight, Strategic Combatant)

Overexerted but highly skilled.

5. Evelyne Grimthorne (Grimthorne – Titan's Resilience, Unbreakable Defense)

Absolute defense, but pushed past her limits.

6. Darius Zephyrion (Zephyrion – Stormcaller, Lightning Mastery)

Fast and relentless, but met an unstoppable opponent.

7. Cassian Duskbane (Duskbane – Tactical Duelist, Rapier Specialist)

Lost to Mira on purpose to avoid fighting Lucian.

8.Leonel Faelwyn (Faelwyn – Beast Tamer, Summoner)

Strong but faced overwhelming odds.

9. Damien Nocturne (Nocturne – Veilcraft Illusionist, Master of Deception)

Illusions failed against Mira.

10.Cedric Voss (Lesser Noble – Fire Magic Swordsman)

Showed promise but was eliminated early.

Mid-Tier First-Years (Ranked 11-40 – Eliminated but showed promise)

11. Rael Varros (Lesser Noble – "The Phantom Duelist", Void Step, Elusive Combatant)

One of the most elusive duelists, known for Void Step.

12.Vance Hollowind (Lesser Noble – "The Gale Blade", Dual Scimitars, Speed Specialist)

Fastest in the year but precision beat speed.

13. Liana Estelle (Commoner – Twin Daggers, Assassin's Style)

Fast and agile but lacked raw power.

14.Rufus Cain (Lesser Noble – Earth Mage, Defensive Specialist)

Focused on defense but lacked offense.

15. Eryk Vallon (Commoner – Dual Wielding Swordsman, Aggressive Fighter)

Reckless but skilled.

16.Lyra Hawthorne (Lesser Noble – Ice Mage, Strong but Slow)

Had potential but struggled against stronger opponents.

17.Gareth "Iron Fang" Dain (Commoner – Brawler, Enhanced Strength)

Relentless but lacked versatility.

18.Magnus Eldrin (Lesser Noble – Heavy Swordsman, Overwhelming Power)

Had the strength but lacked adaptability.

19. Sienna Dorne (Lesser Noble – Lightning Duelist, Quick Reflexes)

Fast and aggressive but met a skilled opponent.

20.Alden Crestwell (Commoner – Sword and Shield Specialist, Resilient)

Tough but outmatched.

Lower-Tier First-Years (Ranked 41-70 – Eliminated Early but Passed)

41-50:

Basil Crowne (Lesser Noble, Pyromancer) – Struggled against stronger magic.

Elliot Marsh (Commoner, Bow Specialist) – Lacked close combat skills.

Ronan Tessier (Commoner, Spear Specialist) – Promising but inexperienced.

Freya Lorne (Lesser Noble, Wind Mage) – Showed potential but outmatched.

51-60:

Edgar Vale (Commoner, Halberd Specialist) – Strong but lacked technique.

Iris Thorne (Commoner, Illusion Magic) – Illusions not effective in combat.

Tobias Kain (Lesser Noble, Ice Swordsman) – Well-trained but too predictable.

61-70:

Orion Vex (Commoner, Fire and Wind Magic) – Struggled against counter-magic.

Nadia Fenwick (Lesser Noble, Water Magic) – Defensive but lacked offense.

Marcus Greaves (Commoner, Battleaxe Fighter) – Power over precision cost him.

Expelled Students (Ranked 71-100 – The Bottom 30)

(These students either performed poorly, forfeited, or were expelled due to misconduct.)

Cedric Rathmore – Expelled for disgraceful conduct during his match.

Others were weak combatants or refused to fight.

Why the Entrance Duels Mattered

The entrance duels of Eldoria Academy were more than just an initiation—they were a trial by combat, a declaration of status, and a harsh reality check for every first-year. The academy prided itself on producing the future champions, warlords, and leaders of the empire. With students hailing from both noble bloodlines and common heritage, the duels were the great equalizer, proving that lineage alone was not enough to survive in a world dictated by strength and skill.

Why Were the Duels Important?

Establishing the Power Hierarchy

The duels set the initial rankings within the academy, determining training privileges, mentorships, and even future opportunities within noble factions.

Those who performed well gained access to elite resources, better instructors, and exclusive techniques.

A Lesson in Reality

Every year, some students arrived with arrogance, believing their noble birthright or personal training made them untouchable.

The duels shattered illusions—proving that strength came from mastery, not just bloodline.

The Risk of Expulsion

Not every student was fit to remain at Eldoria Academy.

Those who displayed cowardice, poor performance, or misconduct were expelled immediately.

Cedric Rathmore, for instance, was not only weak but also dishonorable—his cowardly actions in the ring led to his swift removal from the academy.

Forging Rivalries and Alliances

Friendships and enmities were born in the heat of battle.

Those who clashed in the arena would either become lifelong rivals or respected allies, shaping the power struggles of the academy's future.

The Aftermath of the Duels

As the dust settled, Lucian Eldoria stood at the pinnacle, but Kael Veyrin, Mira Valcroft, Selene Duskbane, and Evelyne Grimthorne had proven themselves as contenders. The rankings were only the beginning.

For some, the academy was a battlefield. For others, it was the first step toward becoming legends.

And for the weakest… there was no second chance.