Chapter 99: The Commoner Rise
The hall was still buzzing from Emily Lionheart's speech when Michael's name was called.
Emily had spoken like a noble queen measured, dignified, offering unity through tradition. Her words had drawn cheers from her loyalists and polite nods from neutral students.
Then Magnus Daven had stormed the stage, fire in his tone, railing against the noble monopoly and demanding change. He had the commoners roaring, fists in the air, chanting his name.
And now?
Michael Wilson.
Not a Lionheart.
Not a Daven.
Not even a known name.
Just the first-year commoner who had shocked the academy by topping the VR Dungeon test.
He could feel hundreds of eyes boring into him as he walked across the wooden platform. The Vice Principal, Sophia Emberheart, watched him with a hawk's gaze from the overseer's seat.
He paused at the podium. The parchment he had scribbled notes on trembled faintly in his grip.