83

Chapter 83

Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2030, Planet: Grimoire

The people operating the devices called out peoples' names. "Credence, Fellowes, Justinian, and Force."

"Brethes, Geordian, Freudian, Gregerson."

"I thought they were going by surnames?" This was different from what he recalled.

"Hmm, well, I guess they're changing it again." Marlayne consulted the small device she had in her hand. "Right, they're calling on all the highest rankers."

"Talk about putting cats among the pigeons." Grifton chuckled. "They're so screwed if I'm not mistaken."

This was going really screw with those high and mighty families that put such an emphasis on ranking and tiers and the benefits that came with high power rankings. Grifton didn't mind the wait if it meant he could watch them be toppled from their too-easily obtained pedestals.

"We're also enjoying this," Marlayne commented.

"It has been too long in coming," Calico confirmed.

"I just hope this becomes a new standard and no one can reset the previous regulations," Amberlyn observed. "I get the impression that this will allow more commoners a shot at getting better lives in the future."

Mmm, Grifton could see how that would help. On the other hand, it might make life harder for the ones who would rise to the top rather than remain bobbing in the currents with the middle ones who'd survived with meager amounts of mana running through their veins.

Granted, he'd ranked even lower than the median lot, but he'd made up for it with his other skills. Grifton sighed. "This might become somewhat dangerous." When his cousins turned to stare at him. He explained somewhat wearily. "If those families do their best to crush the commoners after the competition."

Grifton rolled back a sleeve and exposed his left forearm as he spoke. There were scars lining the inner area where he'd been barely able to avoid knives aiming for him in the past. "They now go for this area because if and when I do gesture, it is with my left hand and arm." He shrugged with a sigh. "Thus, I have to be extremely cautious now."

Amberly's face darkened. "Hmm, I'll have to figure out new methods of shielding," she murmured. "I, too, have been targeted with similar methods. Now I understand why." Amberlyn shrugged. It seems that no matter what we do," she paused with a frown and sipped some water.

Marlayne rolled her eyes and completed the sentence with a sigh. "We're considered lethally dangerous despite our seeming lack of rank."

Calico shook his head in disgust. "While I've managed to master new forms of magic, it doesn't mean I want to go beyond the support role." He shrugged. "I'm concerned that we're going to get pulled into that territorial war with the Empire Trestle and Kingdom Bellonia because now we're sharing a border with them."

Oh, right. That's what's happening right now. "I've heard that a new republic is being built slowly but surely," Grifton said, mentioning something he thought his cousins might be interested in.

"Oh really?" Calico perked up at the news. "Since when has this been happening?"

"A while ago," Marlayne muttered sourly.

"It doesn't have the greatest of reputations, though." Amberlyn frowned. "I suppose this is being mentioned for a reason?" She eyed Grifton dubiously.

"It is, and that is because of who is doing the majority of the groundwork." Grifton nodded. "I heard that the ones doing the hard part," he swallowed.

Grifton hoped he wasn't mistaken and was telling them something they'd be insulted with instead. "Are all the disaffected magicians rejected by various institutes and the military?"

When his cousin's eyes widened in curiosity and speculation, Grifton shrugged. "If I hear more, I'll keep you updated."

Suddenly, a roar of outrage rose from the crowds all around them.

"This can't be right!"

"All the highest rankers have dropped from advanced and expert tiers!"

"Whoo-hoo! This means the rest of us have a chance to advance!"

"Yay, about damned time!"

"Finally, commoners can get equal treatment."

"No more favoritism for the elite and royalty!"

the shouts took on an ominous feeling.

Gone was the early jubilation with which this competition began.

Grifton glanced around uneasily, as did his cousins. "Hmm, this could go downhill rapidly," he murmured uneasily.

"Bah, we just have to stay out of sight." Calico contended.

"Yep, we just need to remain right where we're at." Marlayne nodded.

"I like staying where it's shady," Amberlyn agreed amiably. This process is going really fast. By my reckoning, they're about to reach the mid-to-lowest tiers in about ten minutes."

Hmm, Grifton settled down. "Well, this will be fun to continue observing." He was allowing his senses to go on alert. That way, he'd know if someone was about to attack out of frustration and vindictiveness.

Oh yeah, this place had definitely become infinitely more dangerous, but when Grifton considered it, it was only natural. He studied the people he was up against even more thoroughly. It wouldn't do to underestimate them one bit. At last, it came time for him and his cousins to go for the ranking.

Much to Grifton's amusement, Amberlyn went first, with Calico following. Then, Grifton lined up with Marlayne for the remaining items. This was the first time he'd actually participated with them at the same time for anything in years. Although Grifton was a bit apprehensive, he decided to enjoy it for its uniqueness. After all, when would be the next time he could do something like this?

Grifton was pleased when they were questioned with an eye toward knowledge of elementals, spirits, and various subjects that went beyond the typical arcana. He knew all of this. It is theoretical and practical regarding how all the elements could be applied.

However, much to everyone's surprise, Amberlyn insisted that Calico go before her. "I need to calm my nerves," she stated flatly.

Grifton cast Amberlyn a puzzled expression. This was unexpected, but maybe she'd a premonition of some kind. Grifton knew he wasn't the only one to have odd dreams occasionally. That might also explain why they hadn't seemed too shocked when he told them about the republic being constructed. If anything, it was more like he'd confirmed something they'd heard elsewhere. Well, whatever, Grifton was curious now to see how everything turned out.

First, Calico went through the process of finding his primary element and then what else he could do. Earth, he'd known about. However, he finally confirmed that his psychic abilities were at a much more advanced level than even Calico realized.

At the end of the session, much to that low-self-esteemed individual, Calico found out he was now in the middle-to-higher tiered expert ranked elementalists. "Wow, I didn't even know that was possible." He was pleased. "Let's see about the others."

Amberlyn was confirmed in her healing and curative abilities, with earth, fire, and thunder being the offensive and combative elementals. She high-fived her sister and brother, as well as Grifton, who gave her a hug.

"I'm not surprised." Grifton was amused to learn that her psychic abilities were compatible with those elements. "You'll be unstoppable in the future."

Not only that, but Amberlyn could turn them into something unholy if pushed beyond her limits. This was frightening to contemplate since Grifton knew she had a nasty temper. Now, Amberly was confirmed to have high-tier and advanced-rank skills.

Amberlyn grimaced. "You think I have some unpleasant skills? Wait until you see what Marlayne can conjure in the future events." The grimace turned into a smirk. "She'll definitely have an edge now."

Wow, that was scary to contemplate. Grifton smiled. "Well, I'll enjoy watching what will come."

Sure enough, when Marlayne was tested, she came in the same as Amberlyn, an advanced high-tier magician. However, she had the rarer light, spirit, and lightning elementals. Also, she was classified as a warrior who could entwine those elementals with whatever weapons she'd mastered.

Now, it was Grifton's turn. He was curious to see if all his hard work would pay off. He was nervous but entered a trance state, allowing him to remain calm when he stepped forward.

Strangely, a hush settled over the arena. He'd literally been dead last in the rankings. It would be his time to shine or crash into ashes as a failed examinee.