Leaderboards and Departures

The world of the training center flooded back into Aurel's senses as the VR pod opened, the bright lights stinging his eyes, the buzz of distant conversations and machinery echoing in his ears. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, and slowly stepped out of the pod. His body still felt the ghostly ache from the fight, his muscles sore, but there was a quiet satisfaction within him. He had given it everything he had, and his result—Tier 1, Strata 7—was far beyond what he had expected.

As he moved away from the pod, he noticed Emma stepping out of hers, her eyes searching for him almost instinctively. A smile lit up her face when she spotted him, and she walked over, her gait relaxed, her expression one of curiosity and anticipation.

"How did it go?" she asked, her voice casual, though her eyes were sharp, curious.

Aurel gave a small smile, his breath still a little uneven. "I made it to Tier 1, Strata 7," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. 

Emma's eyes widened, her mouth opening slightly in surprise before she quickly composed herself. "Strata 7? For someone with only two genetic locks?" She shook her head, an incredulous smile tugging at her lips. "That's incredible, Aurel. Way beyond what anyone else with your level would manage."

Aurel shrugged, a sheepish grin on his face. "I guess all that training paid off," he said.

Emma nodded slowly, still looking at him as if trying to understand how he'd managed such a feat. "You know, Tier 1, Strata 7 is a solid five strata above what most cultivators with two genetic locks achieve." 

Aurel felt the warmth of her words, the genuine admiration in her eyes, and he nodded, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. "What about you?" he asked, curious.

Emma's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I made it to Tier 2, Strata 4," she said, her smile widening. "It was a tough fight, but I managed to win."

Aurel's eyes widened. "Tier 2, Strata 4?" He knew Emma was strong—much stronger than him—but hearing it was still awe-inspiring. Her power was on an entirely different level, the result of five genetic locks actualized and her natural talent.

"That's amazing," he said, genuine admiration in his voice.

Emma's smile softened, her gaze lingering on him. "Thanks," she said, her voice almost shy. "But honestly, I'm more impressed by you. You've come so far in such a short time. It's... well, it's not something you see every day."

Aurel felt his face heat up, and he looked away, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I just... I want to catch up," he said, his voice quieter. "To people like you, who started ahead."

Emma's gaze softened, and for a moment, she looked like she wanted to say something, but instead, she nodded and gestured for him to follow her. "Come on, let's see the final results on the leaderboard," she said, her tone lightening.

They walked together toward a large screen mounted on the far wall of the training center. The leaderboard was constantly updating, the names of the participants shifting as new data was processed and combat power was recalculated. Emma stepped up to the board first, her eyes scanning the list until she found her name.

Emma Rainhart: Tier 2, Strata 3 (High End)

She smiled, satisfied. Her result was impressive, even among the elite students of Citico. She had placed near the top, her power evident in every test they had taken.

Then Aurel found his own name, his eyes widening slightly at the result.

Aurel Voss: Tier 1, Strata 5

Emma glanced at his name, her eyebrows raising in surprise. "Tier 1, Strata 5? Aurel, that's incredible!" she said, her voice filled with awe. "You're at the top of the leaderboard for anyone with only two genetic locks actualized."

Aurel stared at the result, a grin slowly spreading across his face. He knew that in the grand scheme of things—especially compared to the preawakeners like Emma—Tier 1, Strata 5 wasn't the highest ranking. But for someone with only two genetic locks? It was a sign of just how far he'd come, a testament to his effort, his Adaptability.

Emma looked at him, her eyes softening. "You should be proud of this," she said, her voice gentle. "You're pushing boundaries, Aurel. If you keep this up, you'll catch up to us preawakeners in no time."

Aurel felt a mix of emotions at her words—pride, determination, but also a lingering sense of doubt. "Thanks, Emma," he said, his voice sincere. He looked at her for a moment, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "By the way... why did you stick around for all these tests with me?" he asked, the question slipping out before he could stop himself.

Emma blinked, her cheeks coloring slightly. She looked away, her expression thoughtful. "I don't know," she said after a moment. "I guess... I just wanted to see how far you've come. And, well, it's always nice to have someone to compete with."

Aurel frowned slightly, wondering if that was the whole truth, but then he remembered—Emma had always been kind. Even back in school, she had been someone who treated everyone well, regardless of their strength or background. Perhaps that was all there was to it—just her nature.

He gave her a smile, deciding not to press the matter further. "Well, thanks for everything today, Emma. I appreciate it."

Emma looked at him, her smile warm. "Anytime, Aurel," she said, her eyes lingering on him for a moment before she turned away. "I'll see you around, okay? Keep pushing forward."

Aurel nodded, watching her walk away, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. He turned and made his way out of the training center, his mind still buzzing with the day's events, with everything he had learned and achieved.

The walk home was quiet, the city lights flickering around him, the streets filled with people going about their business. Aurel moved through it all, his thoughts focused, his mind replaying the fights, the numbers on the leaderboard. He had achieved something today—something that proved he could grow, could compete. And yet, he knew it wasn't enough. Not yet.

When he reached his apartment, Aurel unlocked the door, stepping inside. He took a deep breath, letting the tension of the day fall away, his body relaxing. He had made progress, but the journey was far from over.

Meanwhile, in the principal's office of Citico's top academy, the principal sat behind his desk, a notification flashing across his screen. His eyes scanned the report, his eyebrows raising slightly in surprise.

Aurel Voss: Tier 1, Strata 5 - Two Genetic Locks Actualized

The principal leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Aurel Voss, huh?" he muttered, a chuckle escaping his lips. "Just like his parents... Always pushing beyond limits."

He sighed, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Poor kid," he murmured, shaking his head. "Left behind while they chase real power... But perhaps, in the end, he might surpass even them."

The principal's gaze lingered on the screen for a moment longer before he closed the notification, a quiet smile tugging at his lips.

"Let's see just how far you'll go, Aurel."