The moment that would shape the future of every new combat student had finally arrived.
But truthfully, their assessment didn't begin today. It had started a month ago, on the very day of the Awakening and Job Transfer Ceremony. From that point onward, every battle against monsters, every point of experience earned, every drop of sweat poured into grinding for levels—it all led to this defining moment.
This past month was not just a training phase. It was a proving ground.
Were you born with incredible Talent?
Did you make full use of your gifts—or did you push past your limits with effort, determination, and grit?
Some students had blazing Talent levels and promising professions. Others were deemed average or worse. But this past month had offered everyone a chance to rewrite their destiny. No more hiding behind excuses or potential.
This was the time to shine—or to crumble.
"First up, Zach Darnell!"
The order of students being called wasn't based on class, strength, or grades. Instead, it was random, set by the system when they had first enrolled three years earlier.
In this world where game systems blended with reality, school wasn't divided by elite classes or academic rankings. While basic science and cultural education were still taught, those grades accounted for only a fraction of a combat student's evaluation. Real power came from their profession, experience, and adaptability.
That's why even students like Lucas and Mason, who were mid-to-low performers in normal studies, were in Class 1—the top third-year class.
The first student stepped nervously onto the stage. Zach Darnell was from Class 3, and as he walked up to the platform, his legs shook with excitement and anxiety.
A kind-looking staff member from the Ministry of Education gestured to him. "No need to be nervous. Just place your hands on the Sacred Recording Stone."
Zach nodded and stepped forward. His palms touched the cool, crystalline orb. The moment his fingers made contact, the orb began to glow with a gentle light.
Within seconds, the magical device scanned and retrieved his details—profession, Talent level, job ID, and current combat level. His profile data was instantly uploaded to the Ministry's assessment records.
A soft voice echoed from the screen behind the platform:
"Zach Darnell, Combat Class – Archer. Talent Level: C. Current Level: 13."
The words flashed boldly on the big screen.
A mix of cheers and awkward silence followed.
For some students, this would be the proudest moment of their lives.
For others—it would be a public defeat.
This wasn't just an announcement. It was a ranking, a scoreboard where each new entry could knock someone else off the top. The list updated live, sorting every student by their level and performance.
The pressure was real.
If you didn't want to embarrass yourself in front of hundreds of peers and staff, you'd better have leveled up.
This was the Ministry's way of pushing every student to work hard. Even now, you could feel the tension in the air.
Zach walked off with a slight frown. A Level 13 with a C Talent wasn't terrible, but it certainly wasn't exceptional. It was… average.
"Next—Noah Chen!"
The staff wasted no time moving to the next name.
Students came and went one by one. Some results were cheered, some were whispered about, others were completely ignored. The leaderboard shifted constantly, names rising and falling like the tide.
Everyone in the crowd waited with bated breath, wondering how they'd stack up.
Then finally—
"Next, Mason!"
Lucas's ears perked up as his best friend's name echoed across the field.
Mason, grinning like a goofball, ran up to the platform with the eager excitement of a dog chasing a frisbee. His energy was so infectious that a few students chuckled nervously.
He stepped up to the glowing orb and planted both hands on it confidently.
A pause.
And then—the screen lit up like fireworks.
> "Mason, Combat Class – Hammer Warrior. Talent Level: B. Current Level: 15!"
The entire audience gasped.
Mason had just matched the highest known level on the board—and he wasn't even an A-Level Talent.
He immediately rocketed to the top of the leaderboard.
The murmurs were instant.
"Wait, B Talent? But he's at Level 15 already?!"
"Isn't that the same as that A-Talent kid earlier?"
"Holy crap… that's insane!"
This was the dream scenario for anyone with lower Talent. Mason's performance was proof that determination could beat privilege. In a world where your Talent level was seen as your destiny, this was a direct slap in the face to that idea.
Even the old principal smiled, stroking his beard in satisfaction. "Very good. Very good."
Mason stepped off the stage with a bounce in his step, chest puffed out, hands on his hips like a hero returning from a victorious war.
He stood before Lucas with a triumphant grin.
"How's that, bro? Legendary or what?"
Lucas gave him a grin and a hearty thumbs-up.
"Legendary! Champion Mason! MVP of the playground!"
They both laughed. For Mason, this was the best reward he could ask for. Not just because he topped the chart—but because he had done it his way, alongside Lucas.
But not everyone was celebrating.
Leon Graves sat in the crowd, arms crossed, his face growing darker.
He had known Mason had reached Level 15 more than ten days ago, and yet… still no improvement?
"So he stalled? Afraid of over-leveling before applying to college? Weak."
He sneered to himself.
"Let's see how long he stays on top. He's just another guy leeching off Lucas's power anyway. A freeloader. A fluke."
Leon didn't hide the envy in his eyes. He wanted that spotlight. That top rank. That moment of glory.
But no matter how much he silently willed it, his name still wasn't called.
Then it happened.
"Next, Alexis Lane!"
The crowd fell into instant silence, and then erupted again with curiosity and excitement.
Alexis, the ice-cold prodigy, the S-Level Talent with a hidden combat class, was stepping onto the stage.
Every eye was locked onto her as she approached the Sacred Recording Stone.
She placed her hands gently upon it, her expression calm, her posture unshaken.
Then—a flash of blinding white light burst from the crystal orb.
> "Alexis Lane, Hidden Class – Frost Mage. Talent Level: S. Current Level… 18!"
The staff members on stage blinked in disbelief.
"Level 18?!"
The whispers exploded.
"That's never happened before..."
"She passed the standard by a full level?!"
"Is that even possible in one month?!"
Even the Ministry officials murmured among themselves, impressed.
The old principal stepped forward slightly, his eyes shining with surprise and admiration.
"Extraordinary… she's a true genius."
Alexis's name soared to the top of the leaderboard, effortlessly overtaking Mason. But there was no arrogance in her posture. She merely nodded and stepped off the platform, her job done.
A new standard had been set.
And still… Lucas's name had yet to be called.
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