BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 54: The Rankings Revealed

The Great Hall of Eldoria Academy buzzed with anticipation. Hundreds of first-year students stood beneath the towering, rune-etched pillars, their gazes locked onto the floating crystal tablets above them.

Their fates had been decided.

The final rankings shimmered into place, each name etched in glowing arcane script for all to see.

The Rankings Announced

Lucian Eldoria – Rank #1

Unsurprising. The prince stood motionless, silver hair catching the glow of the runes, his expression unreadable.

Kael Veyrin – Rank #2

Kael's heart pounded. He had expected to place high, but second? This was both a triumph and a challenge.

Mira Valcroft – Rank #3

Gasps rippled through the hall. A commoner had placed third? Mira herself looked stunned, but the shock quickly faded into quiet determination.

The rankings continued downward, noble names, rising talents, and unlucky contenders filling out the list. Some students clenched their fists in frustration, while others exhaled in relief.

Then, another shift—hall placements appeared next.

The Halls Announced

A deep, commanding voice silenced the murmuring.

"First-years, your rankings determine your placement in the Academy. You will now be assigned to your respective halls."

The floating crystals rearranged into a new projection, listing the four grand halls of Eldoria Academy.

🏛 Apex Hall (Rank #1-20) – The elite, the top talents of the year.

🏛 Vanguard Hall (Rank #21-50) – Strong contenders with the potential to rise.

🏛 Standard Hall (Rank #51-70) – Those who barely passed the entrance duels.

The impact of the placements was immediate.

"I should have been in Apex!"

"Vanguard? No way—I'm stronger than this!"

"I just need to survive and climb up."

Before anyone could speak further, the air changed.

A Presence That Commanded Silence

A sudden weight settled over the Great Hall. A suffocating yet controlled pressure.

From the raised platform at the front of the hall, a man in black and crimson robes stepped forward.

Varian Drakos Eldoria.

Headmaster of Eldoria Academy.

His golden eyes flickered with red, his very presence demanding silence. Even Lucian—normally unreadable—stood at full attention.

Kael stiffened. He had seen powerful mages before, but this… this was something beyond that.

"Some say he rivals the king himself," someone whispered. "Others say he is even stronger."

Varian let the silence hang before he spoke, his voice smooth yet filled with an authority that could bend the will of weaker men.

"Your rankings are not permanent. Strength is not static."

His gaze swept across the room, as if measuring each student's worth in an instant.

"If you believe you deserve a higher place, then take it. Those in Apex Hall—do not grow complacent. Those in Vanguard and Standard—you may challenge those above you for their rank. This academy does not reward stagnation."

Gasps filled the room.

This wasn't just about surviving. Anyone could take another's hall placement—if they were strong enough to seize it.

"Defeat a student in another hall, and their place becomes yours."

A storm of emotions swept through the students. Some smirked with excitement, while others clenched their fists in nervous determination.

The Privileges of Each Hall

Varian's voice carried on, unwavering.

Apex Hall students received private training sessions, access to the Grand Library, and direct mentorship from the academy's finest instructors.

Vanguard Hall had strong resources, but no individual mentorship, meaning students had to prove themselves through duels and trials.

Standard Hall students had limited training, shared dorms, and minimal privileges—unless they could fight their way up.

Varian's golden gaze lingered on Kael for a moment before shifting away.

"Your first classes begin tomorrow. Prepare accordingly."

The pressure lifted, and many students exhaled sharply, realizing they had been holding their breath.

As the first-years turned to leave for their new halls, Kael's mind was already racing.

If rankings could change, then so could fate.

And he had no intention of staying in second place forever.