Reincarnated as an E rank? lets see how far I can go!

The academy's combat arena was packed with students, all gathered for the Hunter Evaluation Battles.

These exams were meant to test our combat growth since the last semester. But in reality, it was just another way to remind low-rankers like me where we belonged.

E-Ranks would only fight other E-Ranks.

D-Ranks with D-Ranks. C-Ranks with C-Ranks.

A clear hierarchy that no one could break.

Except… I already had.

I could feel the stares as I stepped into the ring.

The "miracle" E-Rank who took down a Chieftain.

They didn't believe it.

And I had no intention of proving them right.

—

Match Start – Raul vs. Ayaka

I had assumed my opponent would be another low-tier assassin or tank.

Instead, I found myself standing across from Ayaka Kiryuu.

Her name was well known, even among higher-ranked students.

Ayaka Kiryuu – Rank E Type: Mage, Class: Element (Wind).

She wasn't physically strong, but she didn't need to be.

Wind Mages specialized in speed and control.

The moment our match started, she vanished.

A sharp gust kicked up dust as she reappeared behind me, her palm raised.

"[Wind Strike.]"

A compressed burst of air shot toward my back.

But I had already seen her fight yesterday.

And now, I had her skill.

[Skill Observed: Wind Strike]

[Reproducing Skill… 100%]

[Skill Mastered: Wind Strike]

The moment I copied it, my body instinctively moved.

I twisted to the side, dodging by a hair's width.

Ayaka's silver eyes widened. "What?!"

Her hesitation lasted less than a second.

She stomped the ground, sending another wind blast my way.

I reacted instantly.

"[Wind Strike.]"

I countered her attack with an identical one of my own.

The two wind blasts clashed mid-air, neutralizing each other.

Gasps erupted from the spectators.

Ayaka's expression flickered between confusion and irritation.

She raised her hand again, this time forming a spinning current around her palm—a more advanced technique.

I focused.

[Skill Observed: Wind Spiral]

[Reproducing Skill… 100%]

[Skill Mastered: Wind Spiral]

She thrust her palm forward. "Take this!"

I did the same. "Wind Spiral."

The moment our attacks collided, a powerful shockwave blasted through the arena, sending a gust of wind rippling across the crowd.

The instructor watching the match quickly intervened.

"Match over!"

A system announcement followed.

[Combat Test Result: Draw.]

The audience fell silent.

No E has ever defeated Ayaka

And I had done it on my first try.

—

Aftermath – A Curious Gaze

As I stepped down from the arena, I could feel Ayaka's eyes burning into my back.

"Wait."

I stopped but didn't turn around.

She approached, standing just a step behind me. "How did you do that?"

I didn't answer.

No one had ever seen me use Wind Magic before. It made no sense for me to copy her spells perfectly on my first try.

It was impossible.

Unless…

"You're hiding something, aren't you?" she whispered.

Her silver eyes glowed faintly with mana, analyzing me. She was sharp. Too sharp.

I met her gaze for the first time.

"Luck," I said simply.

Her lips twitched. "Liar."

I turned to leave, but before I could, she stepped forward, lowering her voice.

"This won't be the last time we fight."

There was something different in her tone now.

Not suspicion.

Not irritation.

and no emotion, she was like a emotionless monster.

—