One by one, the students stepped forward, placing their hands on the crystal. The Awakening Ceremony wasn't just some fancy tradition it was the turning point of every student's life. Each glow of the crystal meant a new future being born, and the tension inside the hall was so thick you could almost choke on it.
The results so far were in the best way possible.
Already, seventeen students had awakened as A-ranks seventeen! That kind of number was rare, the kind of thing that could make an academy's reputation skyrocket. Parents and teachers in the crowd were almost crying with joy. For the guild recruiters watching, it was like striking gold.
Then came the B-ranks a total of two hundred and fifty-six. Being a B rank is a pretty good its dependable, the backbone of any guild.
C-ranks followed, numbering around three hundred. Not as flashy, but still a good foundation. Some of them were already dreaming of becoming raid specialists, support mages, or even making a living in city defense units.
The D-ranks about one hundred and eighty of them stood with complicated expressions. Some were relieved just to awaken. Others looked frustrated, already imagining the uphill climb they'd face but still D ranks are great to raid low level dungeons they can still earn decent money.
Then came the 76 E-ranks,Their faces were a mix of hope and dread. E-rank wasn't glamorous, but at least its still in the combatant category, They could still work at big companies.
And finally…
None. Not a single F-rank so far.
The students whispered among themselves. Even the teachers were a little stunned. F-ranks were usually inevitable in every batch. To have none? It was unheard of.
The Awakening Hall buzzed with energy. The harvest of talent was like a golden field ready to be reaped. And yet, no one realized the moment of greatest shock hadn't even arrived yet.
But still… no S-Ranks.
Then the announcer called the next name.
"Maya Virel."
The crowd stirred. Whispers spread instantly.
"Virel? Wait… is she related to that Kael Virel?"
"The F-rank farmer?"
"Don't tell me it's his sister…"
All eyes turned to the stage.
Maya felt the weight of those stares pressing down on her shoulders. Especially the sharp gazes of Kael's old classmates… and his former teachers, the very ones who once mocked him.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. I won't shame my brother. Not today.
Resolute, she placed her hands on the Awakening Orb.
Shinnggg!
A blinding light burst forth, flooding the hall with brilliance. It wasn't just a glow it was a storm of light so intense people shielded their eyes.
Gasps filled the silence.
"O-Oi… that light… it's so strong! Don't tell me… another S-Rank?!" a teacher shouted, his voice breaking.
The announcer's trembling voice rang out, echoing through the stadium like a thunderclap.
"Name: Maya Virel.
Age: 18. Rank: S.
Class: Five-Star White Mage"
For a moment, no one breathed. The silence was suffocating.
Then chaos.
"Another S-Rank?!"
"Impossible! This school already produced two!"
"A five-star class?! That's… that's supposed to be a legend!"
The stadium roared with disbelief and awe.
Principal Benjamin nearly fainted. His hands clutched his chair so tightly his knuckles turned white. Then his shock twisted into a greedy grin.
"Magnificent… magnificent! Hahaha! Lightning doesn't strike twice it strikes thrice at Valencia University! The heavens themselves favor us!"
Senator Charles clapped him on the back, laughing.
"Principal Benjamin, fortune smiles on you. Your academy will be remembered for centuries."
Benjamin feigned humility, stroking his beard with fake calm.
"Ah… it's nothing but diligence and faith in the youth, Senator. Diligence and faith…"
But his eyes gleamed, already calculating the profits and power this one girl would bring.
A Phoenix Guild scout pushed forward.
"Join us, Maya! Our Guild Master said you'll be Vice Guild Master the moment you enter. We'll provide rare artifacts, your own squad, and a mansion in the capital!"
The crowd gasped. Vice Guild Master? That was an offer unheard of for a new graduate.
But before Maya could respond, another voice thundered across the stadium.
"Don't listen to them!" A representative from Silver Fang cut in, his voice booming with pride. "Silver Fang offers a one-billion-dollar signing bonus, one legendary skillstone, ten unique, fifteen rare, and a yearly salary of 100 million USD! You'll also own 40% of the hunting shares!"
The arena erupted into chaos. Even the most arrogant students had their jaws hanging. That kind of wealth could buy a city.
And then, a voice rang like steel.
The Empress Guild Master rose from her seat. Draped in flowing golden robes, she carried herself like royalty. Her presence silenced even the greedy bickering.
"Child, join us. Empress Guild is an all-women guild. You'll be free from oppression, trained to rule, and protected like family. Name your terms we'll agree."
The crowd roared in disbelief. Empress Guild never bent terms for recruits. Not once in its entire history.
But the madness didn't stop.
Even Blackfang Guild shouted, unwilling to be outdone.
"One billion bonus, leadership of your own elite unit, two unique skillstones, one legendary, and six rare! Thirty percent shares and a yearly salary of 100 million!"
The offers flew like blades, each sharper than the last. The air thickened with greed, ambition, and desperation. Guild Masters bickered, shouting over each other, flashing promises like daggers.
But then....
A new voice cut through the noise.
"clears throat."
Friedrich McCall stood. The Five-Star Swordsman. Ranked 13th in the world. His presence alone pressed down like a mountain, silencing the chaos.
"I know I am not in the United States right now," he said, his voice calm but commanding, "but seeing an S-Rank here is a blessing. Young miss… how about this? Join our Union Guild in America. We'll agree to whatever terms you prefer. I am offering you five legendary skillstones, ten unique,and ten rare skillstones, and a monthly salary of 70 million USD."
The stadium froze.
"Five legendary…?!"
"That's That's insane!"
"Even the richest guilds here couldn't match that!"
Before the shock could settle, a mocking laugh cut through the air.
"Hah! Hoy, foreigner."
The crowd turned. Rowel, Guild Master of White Tiger Guild, stood. He slowly unsheathed his blade, the steel gleaming under the stadium lights. He pointed it directly at Friedrich.
"I know you're a national-level hunter. But don't get cocky and think you can just pick fruits from our garden."
The crowd exploded in whispers.
"Rowel? Is he insane?!"
"He's challenging Friedrich McCall?!"
"He'll die!"
Friedrich's lips curved into a smirk. This kid has guts, he thought.
But everyone in the stadium knew the truth. Rowel might be an S-Rank, but he was only Level 130. Friedrich was Level 480. Both S-Ranks, yes but the gap was like a toddler challenging a grown man clad in steel.
Rowel blurred forward. In an instant, he appeared before Maya, killing intent radiating like a storm. The audience's cheers died, replaced by a suffocating silence.
"Ho?" Rowel leaned close to her, his voice mocking. "So this is the so-called new S-Rank? You look decent. But are you sure she's really S-Rank? Maybe your instruments are broken."
The facilitator quickly raised the tablet, projecting Maya's data on the big screen for all to see.
Name: Maya Virel
Age: 18
Rank: S
Class: Five-Star White mage.
The numbers didn't lie.
Rowel's eyes widened. Then he grinned. "Ohhh. So it's real. Kid, listen " His tone dropped to a low growl. "I don't care if you're that bastard's sister. Join my guild. I'll treat you better than anyone else. Become my Vice Guild Master."
Maya's hands trembled at her sides. The pressure was overwhelming, the eyes of the world on her.
Rowel chuckled, tilting his head.
"Don't be too hasty to answer that foreigner's offer. My guild will be the strongest."
He turned to Friedrich, his gaze sharp, a challenge dripping from his words.
Friedrich smirked back, his eyes narrowing. He could crush Rowel in seconds but he held back. He didn't want to make a scene.
But deep down, every hunter in the stadium knew.
if Friedrich unleashed even a fraction of his power, Rowel would be nothing but a corpse.