Xavier took a deep breath then began his walk up to the altar. Whispers followed him as he moved, eyes roamed over him and people made way for him to pass.
"It's obvious he's gonna get S-rank."
"Yeah, no doubt about that."
"He may even get A-rank"
"Who knows, let's just watch."
Xavier could hear their voices, but he tuned them out, focusing on the crystal ball. Everybody had awakened, and they're ranks were ok. He's own should be the same. There should be no doubt about that. But something was nagging him inside. A feeling he just couldn't place. Why was he so anxious?
"Why do I feel this way?" He whispered to himself. "Why do I feel so anxious?"
He stared at the crystal ball, like he wanted it to tell him the answer, but occasionally, of course, it couldn't. He didn't know how long he had waited, standing and staring straight at the crystal ball before a voice jolted him out.
"Please," the goddess announced. "Please put your hand on the crystal ball."
Xavier stared at her for a moment, then turned back to the crystal ball.
"Well, here it goes." He whispered to himself.
He stretched out his right hand and gently placed it on the crystal ball. Then what happened next shocked everybody.
The crystal ball did glow, but it couldn't actually be called a glow. It was more like a light bulb flickering with low current. The colour was dull gray. Such a terrible colour.
The glow flickered then it vanished, like a lamp being switched off. The glow didn't even last for long. The whole class was silent. The guards who were stationed at the wall, but were watching the proceedings, were silent. The goddess was silent. Xavier was also silent.
"Um," Brian coughed, nervously. "Now I'm serious. Is the crystal ball actually broken?" His classmates nodded at the questions, clearly confused.
The goddess frowned for the first time. "No," She murmured. "That's impossible. It can't be."
The holographic image popped up again. Like moths drawn to the light, everybody's eyes immediately stared at the words displayed.
[F-rank Summoning User]
The silence that followed was terrible. Deathly silence. Silence that you will see in graveyards. That was the silence that was emanating from everyone present.
Dennis stepped forward from the crowd, squinting at the image in shock. "Xavier." He whispered. "He got F-rank." He turned to face his classmates.
"Have I turned blind, or is that really what I'm seeing?" He asked.
"You're seeing very clearly, Dennis." His friend answered.
"Huh," Dennis said, nodding his head mockingly, as if he was sympathising. Then he glanced at his friend then glanced at everyone who was also staring at him. For a minute, there was silence. Then his face squeezed, as did the students '. There was no more explanation.
"GAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!" Burst out from the students, shaking the chamber with laughter. The laughter was huge, loud, and terribly mocking. People collapsed on the ground with laughter, holding their sides while rolling from one place to another.
"Oh, my God!" Dennis hooted. "F-rank. He got F-rank!"
Xavier stared at the image in horror, his face squeezed like he had tasted lemon. How could this have happened? He thought he would at least get a C-rank, and he was going to be satisfied.
"My goodness." The goddess spoke, her hand on her mouth in shock. "It has been centuries since someone has received an F-rank."
That set the students off again. Xavier swallowed saliva before stepping down, his face full of shame. He stepped beside Brian who couldn't even look at him in the eye.
"What a loser." Dennis mocked. "Always acting like he's on top of the world. But now, you're useless and you'll always be."
The students laughed again, mocking Xavier more. Xavier didn't say anything, he stood silent, stony, his jaw set in stone.
Bella was staring at him, her face sad. She felt pity for him, because he was one of the rare boys who helped her, consoled her, and was always kind to her.
Derek, on the other hand, was staring at him, his face had no expression.
"Alright," the goddess announced. "Now that everyone has awakened, you all will be taken to various rooms where you can relax. Maids will be assigned to each of you to help you unwind and rest for the night. Tomorrow, you all will start your training."
"Finally," Brian stretched out. "Let's go. I'm definitely tired of wearing these rags."
The goddess snapped her fingers and magical doors opened behind her. Out stepped bust maids walking to stand beside the goddess. Stunningly beautiful, they wore revealing maid uniforms that left little to the imagination.
The boys stared at them, stupid grins visible on their faces. One boy was even drooling, spit dripping from the corner of his mouth. Even the girls were no exception. They were also staring, but not as much as the girls.
"Now these maids will take you to your rooms and help you to relax." The goddess smiled. "We are truly honoured to have you here, and we are blessed that you are here to save the world."
The maids moved immediately and directed the students out of the room. The students chattered with one another. Brian was long gone, thinking to wrap his hand around a maid's waist. Xavier walked, his face down in despair. He didn't say a word, he only moved to the door and walked out, the door closing behind him. The guards also took their leave, not saying a word. Everyone had left, only the goddess remained.
The goddess walked back to her chair, sat down, and proceeded to drink a cup of wine.
Suddenly, a man appeared out of the air, wearing radiant clothes, his hair spiky with a nose ring inserted in his nose. He had no pupils in his eyes but he could clearly see. A long thin scar ran diagonally on his forehead.
"It seems you're not in a good mood, Serena." The man remarked.
"Of course I'm not in a good mood, Demos." Serena snapped. "You don't know how it feels to talk to insignificant rats who feel they're on top of the world when you can squash them like bugs in a matter of seconds."
"I take you didn't like them, did you?" The man asked.
"Not one bit," Serena answered. "If only I could squash the Chitauris myself. But I can't interfere in the world myself. Stupid cosmic rules."
"What about the F-rank boy?" Demos asked. "What will you do to him?"
"What I did to the other F-ranks," Serena replied. "It's not an issue at all. Plus, I don't like him. He's smart."
"What do you mean?" Demos asked.
"He knew I was disgusted with them. He wasn't fazed by my beauty. He was frowning and staring at me. I think he also knows that the way they came to the castle wasn't because of disease."
"True." Demos laughed. "That disease excuse was so hilarious. These humans are so dumb they couldn't tell it was because of your prejudice against them."
"Humans," Serena spoke. "So easy to manipulate. Especially when it comes to sex. The boys were just lecherously staring at the maids. It was so disgusting."
"Well, you'll just have to bear it," Demos replied.
"Whatever," Serena replied. "I just can't wait to see the F-rank's face tomorrow. It will truly gonna be a highlight."