"Oh my God!"
"She really hit Level 18? That's incredible!"
"S-Rank Talent and a hidden combat class… how is that even fair?"
"I'm so jealous right now…"
"With credentials like that, she's totally worthy of being the City Lord's daughter!"
The crowd on the field—students, teachers, and even the Ministry staff—were all abuzz with conversation. Every eye remained glued to Alexis Lane, who had just stunned the school by claiming Level 18.
With her unmatched growth rate and talent, people could already envision her future. Ten years from now, it was likely that this very girl, whom they had watched grow up in front of them, would become one of the elite—a Rank 4 Level 100 expert.
And when that day came, they'd be able to brag to the world.
"Yeah, we were classmates."
"I saw her back in school. We even chatted once."
Just imagining the envious looks on people's faces when they said those words was enough to make them giddy with pride.
But while the school was roaring with excitement, Alexis herself stood calm and poised, clearly used to the spotlight. Her beauty, confidence, and power made her the center of attention, and she carried that role like a crown she was born to wear.
She stood atop the platform, gaze sweeping across the crowd, and stopped when her eyes found Lucas—seated in the crowd with his usual relaxed grin.
'Lucas, did you see that?'
She didn't need to speak. The look in her eyes was filled with meaning.
'Now it's your turn. Let's see if you can keep up.'
It was almost a challenge—smug and daring.
'You rejected my offer to team up not once, not twice, but three times. You chose to drag others along with you. Now that I've surpassed you, will you finally realize what a mistake you made?'
Lucas caught the look—and simply smiled.
Ah, Level 18? That's impressive.
He honestly thought Alexis had done incredibly well. Her S-Rank Talent and hidden class gave her an edge, but it was still clear she had pushed herself hard all month to reach that level. She had optimized every opportunity.
A commendable achievement.
Still… it wasn't enough.
Not when compared to him. Not when the system had essentially handed him a cheat code from day one.
He grinned wider.
Too bad, Alexis. You're good… but not that good.
Alexis felt a flicker of annoyance at the smile he gave her. She couldn't quite explain why—it wasn't smug or mocking—but it wasn't the reaction she'd hoped for. That smile didn't show even a sliver of regret. It was… too calm.
"Hmph! Let's just see what you've got."
She gave a soft snort, turned gracefully, and descended from the stage. Every step she took back to her seat was followed by envious and admiring stares.
Back in the crowd, Leon Graves clenched his fists in frustration.
"It's over. It's really over. My shot at being number one is gone…"
He stared at Alexis's name now sitting at the top of the ranking list. His heart sank.
He had hoped—expected, even—to be the one stealing the spotlight. He had fantasized about standing at the top, with everyone staring in awe, hanging onto his name.
Now?
It was impossible.
"Why? Why did they have to call her before me?!"
If only his name had come up first! Maybe then, just maybe, he could've had his moment before Alexis crushed it. Now it didn't matter. Even if he hit Level 16, no one would care anymore.
Leon forced a smile and nodded stiffly as Alexis walked past his seat, barely acknowledging her.
The assessment continued.
Students stepped onto the stage, placed their hands on the glowing orb, and revealed their stats to the world. The ranking board kept updating, shifting names higher and lower. But at this point, most people weren't even paying attention anymore.
When Leon finally heard his name, it was far too late.
"Next up, Leon Graves!"
He moved toward the platform, face pale, steps dragging. His mind replayed how quickly Alexis had stolen the thunder. And sure enough, the moment his stats popped up, he knew it was over:
> "Leon Graves. Combat Class – Spear Knight. Talent Level: A. Current Level: 16."
Just fourth place.
In the time since Alexis, two more A-Talent students had taken the stage. They had formed a five-man party, grinding monsters together until early morning—and just barely pushed themselves to Level 16. Now they were second and third, just ahead of Leon.
That's the strength of team synergy.
Sure, experience got shared among party members, but working together allowed them to fight stronger monsters faster, gaining better results in less time. Unless you were an S-Rank solo machine, you couldn't compare.
Leon's face turned stormy as he walked off the stage.
No one applauded.
No one cared.
Even his brief moment of recognition had been stolen.
"Ugh, now I've dropped to fifth…"
Mason groaned from the bench, watching his name slide farther down the board.
Lucas chuckled and clapped his friend's back. "Don't be greedy. You reached the top, didn't you? Even if it's only for a moment, that's more than most ever get."
Mason nodded, smiling wryly.
He glanced at Leon—whose face looked like he'd just been slapped—and chuckled again. "Okay, yeah. I guess things could be way worse."
Time continued ticking by. More students were called. The leaderboard grew bloated. The bottom ranks were now so crammed that names were reduced to tiny unreadable fonts.
No one bothered reading them.
Unless you were in the top 50, no one really cared. It was the truth of the world—power drew attention; mediocrity was forgotten.
The rest of the students began whispering to one another about colleges, strategies, future careers. Only those whose names hadn't yet been called still watched anxiously, clinging to hope.
Then suddenly, the announcement everyone had been waiting for—
> "Next up… Lucas!"
The schoolyard froze.
Silence.
As if the world had hit pause.
Everyone knew what that name meant.
Lucas—the other S-Rank. The shadowy genius. Alexis Lane's only real rival.
This was the moment of truth.
Everyone watched him step up with effortless confidence, like a wolf walking calmly into a room full of sheep. His hands didn't tremble. His posture didn't waver.
He reached the Sacred Recording Stone and placed his hands on it.
The staff member beside him glanced at the orb… and his jaw dropped.
> "Lucas, Hidden Class – Shadow Assassin. Talent Level: S. Current Level… Level 20?!"
The entire crowd erupted.
"What?!"
"Level 20?! Is that even possible?!"
"That's a full two levels higher than Alexis!"
Everyone surged forward, eyes wide, mouths open in disbelief.
Even the Ministry staff scrambled to confirm the reading, but the Sacred Recording Stone never lied. It projected Lucas's information onto the big screen, now topped by his name in bold golden font.
He had shattered every record.
Top of the list.
Alexis—once unbeatable—was now in second.
The school playground was in chaos.
"He actually reached Level 20 in just a month?"
"Insane. That's completely unheard of!"
"Forget ten years—this guy might hit Level 100 in five!"
The only one who didn't seem shocked was Lucas himself.
He stepped off the stage, same calm smile on his face, and returned to his seat—where Mason looked like he was about to explode with pride.
In the crowd, Alexis sat frozen, her wide eyes fixed on the scoreboard.
For the first time… she had lost.
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