Noah stood in the courtyard, gripping the letter the Academy had handed him. The parchment felt heavier than it should have, as if it carried more than just words, it carried consequences. It made one thing clear, they hadn't just let him back in. They were watching him but he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing yet.
Around him, students whispered in hushed tones, their gazes flickering between him and the spot where Kane's Lightning Drake had been humiliated.
Kane was nowhere to be seen, Noah had humiliated him in front of the Academy, and he doubted if Kane would let that slide. But for now, at least, he didn't have to deal with him.
Their expressions ranged from curiosity to suspicion to outright disbelief. No one had expected him to return, let alone stronger than before.
Noah ignored the stares and started toward the main entrance, only to hear a deep, authoritative voice behind him.
"Noah Green. You're coming with us."
Two men stood at the entrance of the main building, their matching silver robes signifying their status, Academy Officials.
A few students gasped quietly.
Noah sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Well, that didn't take long."
The officials flanked him on either side, their expressions unreadable as they led him through the grand halls of the Academy.
This was it, The Royal Beast Academy, it was not just a school but a battleground for the elite where future generals, rulers, and legendary warriors were made.
And somehow, after everything, he was still part of it. He had dreamed of this place since he was a child. Even as an orphan, scraping by in the lowest district, sleeping in old abandoned buildings when he had no place to stay. Even when food was hard to find, and he had to fight for every scrap he could get. Even when he watched other kids with real families walk past him, laughing, their futures secure. He had clung to the dream of coming here because he believed it was the only way out. The only way he could change his life, and now, against all odds, he had a second chance.
As they walked through the ornate and towering hallways lined with intricate murals of past Beast Lords. Noah glanced at them briefly wondering how many of those "legends" had been just like him once, an outcast, an anomaly and an unwanted threat.
After several turns, the officials finally stopped before an enormous set of golden doors.
One of them knocked once.
A deep voice called from inside. "Enter."
The doors swung open on their own, revealing a massive chamber.
At the center of the room sat five figures, each seated behind an elevated stone platform, their gazes sharp and calculating. The Academy's Higher Council.
Noah stepped inside, already feeling the weight of their scrutiny.
Master Robert Blackwood, the Head of the Academy, sat in the center. His piercing blue eyes bored into Noah, filled with something unreadable. To his left and right sat the other council members, their expressions ranging from curious to indifferent to mildly amused.
Noah had the distinct feeling that some of them wanted him here, while others were just waiting for an excuse to throw him out again.
Blackwood folded his hands together. "Noah Green. Against all expectations, you survived the Wild Trial Grounds and returned. That alone is impressive."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "If you were impressed, why do I feel like I'm on trial?"
A few of the council members smirked.
Blackwood's gaze hardened. "Because you are an exception. And exceptions must be understood. You disappeared into the Trial Grounds alone, and yet you returned stronger than before. You had no tamed beast when you left, and now… there is something different about you."
Noah felt his shoulders tense slightly. They couldn't possibly know, could they?
The Infinite Evolution System was something only he could hear, only he could feel. But still, these people were seasoned Beast Masters. They sensed something was off.
"I bonded with a beast. Isn't that what you wanted?" Noah said casually.
Blackwood studied him for a long moment, then nodded toward one of the council members, a sharp-eyed woman with dark silver hair.
She lifted a single sheet of parchment. "Your rank placement has been decided. Given your unconventional return, you will begin as an Iron Rank student."
Noah blinked. "…Wait. Iron Rank?"
The woman didn't even flinch. "Yes."
A second of silence stretched. Then Noah let out a slow, controlled breath. "And that means…?"
Blackwood gestured toward the far wall. Noah turned and for the first time, he saw the ranking board. His name sat at the very bottom. The ranks were clear:
Platinum Rank – The strongest students, future leaders, and elite noble heirs.
Diamond Rank – Highly skilled, personally trained by top mentors.
Gold Rank – Strong, above-average students, often from noble backgrounds.
Silver Rank – The common class, decent skills but no special privileges.
Iron Rank – The lowest tier. Mostly students who were lucky to even be here.
Noah clicked his tongue, maybe it wasn't perfect or fair, but he was here and that meant he still had a shot. He glanced back at the ranking board, his mind racing 'Alright, at least I made it here. I wasn't born into a powerful family, I wasn't handed opportunities and everything I've got, I fought for and I'm still fighting.'
Noah had nothing to lose. If being an Iron Rank meant being underestimated, then so be it. He had spent his entire life underestimated and look where that got him.
One of the other council members, a man with a graying beard, chuckled. "I assume you're displeased?"
"Oh, not at all,"… The he let out a small chuckle. "Honestly? I don't mind starting at the bottom." It really boosts my confidence."
A few of the council members laughed quietly, but Blackwood's expression didn't change. "You will start at the lowest rank. If you want to prove yourself, do it in battle."
That was all he needed to hear, he gave a lazy shrug. "Sounds fair to me."
Blackwood studied him for another long moment, then finally said, "Dismissed."
Noah exited the chamber, already planning his next move, he had no time to dwell on his rank. He had bigger things to worry about.
As he reached the Academy's main entrance , a large, ornate building with towering columns and a massive beast emblem etched into its doors, he was immediately stopped by a sharp voice.
"Name?"
Noah turned to see a bored-looking official sitting behind a desk, flipping through a stack of documents. The man didn't even look up as he spoke.
"Noah Green," Noah answered.
The official froze mid-motion, his quill hovering above the page. Then, very slowly, he lifted his gaze, eyes narrowing as he took in Noah's appearance. "Noah Green?" he repeated, like he wasn't sure if he had misheard.
Noah sighed. "Yeah. That's me."
The official blinked twice, then muttered, "Well, this is awkward."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "What is?"
The man coughed into his fist. "You were already listed under 'Confirmed Expulsion' yesterday. I even drew a little 'X' next to your name."
Noah glanced at the parchment and, sure enough, there it was, his name, crossed out with a dramatic red 'X'.
"Wow," Noah said dryly. "That's not ominous at all."
The official flipped through the papers, grumbling. "Alright, alright. I suppose I should uncross it, but do you have any idea how annoying that is? Do you know how many forms I'll have to re-file now?"
Noah crossed his arms. "Yeah, I'm really sorry for surviving."
The man sighed and rubbed his temple. "You better be worth the paperwork." He grabbed a fresh sheet and scribbled something down before pushing it toward Noah.
"Welcome back, I guess. Here's your dorm assignment, rank placement, and class schedule."
Noah picked up the paper and scanned it quickly.
The official smirked. "Congratulations. You're officially cannon fodder."
Noah's eye twitched. "I'm sorry, what?"
The man gestured vaguely. "Iron Ranks are sparring targets for the upper ranks. Helps them practice. Builds character. That kind of thing."
Noah stared at him.
The man smiled sympathetically. "You'll probably get beaten up a lot."
Noah let out a long, suffering sigh. "Wonderful."
Before he could dwell on his misfortune, a sharp voice cut through the courtyard, trouble had found him.
"Iron Rank student!"