The Result of the Test (3)

When Vesto finished his story, Marcus, who was listened it from the beginning, sneered at him and approached Vesto and Ren. Like usual, his two lackeys, Gavin and Hani were following him from behind.

"You should blame your incompetence instead of blaming me using artifact. I'm not violated any rules." Marcus started the conversation.

"Of course not, you bastard. But it was too extravagant using that kind artifact for first-year rank test." Vesto exploded with anger.

"Hah!! You are jealous because you cannot afford that kind of artifacts." Gavin interrupted.

Hani also spoke, agreeing with Gavin. "Yeah, he's right. Just admit your lost, Vesto."

Vesto clenched his fist and held his anger as he stared sharply at both of them. But he couldn't argued back as what they said more or less hold the truth.

Ren observed the argument between them in silence. Then, he turned his attention on Marcus and shot a question. "I don't know you are excel in close combat? Usually mage don't bother to learn martial art."

"As if I'm the same with those ordinary mage. My father ordered me to learn martial arts since I was ten so that I am not relying on my magic power only. In facts, I already mastered three different martial arts." Marcus paused as he realised something. "Why would I tell you that!!" He yelped.

"You are the one who babbled about them. I never forced you." Ren replied.

"You.." That's the only word coming from Marcus's mouth as he couldn't argued on that. He then took a deep breath before telling Ren.

"Mark my words, Milford. I will beat you one day, sooner or later."

"Hah! You sure you can do that when your rank is lower than mine?" A voice was coming from Marcus's behind. As Marcus turned to look, Luna was approaching with a smug.

"As if someone like you, who rely on dirty tricks could be better than our Marcus." It was Gavin who replied to Luna. As he was reminded how he was eliminated by Luna before, his body filled with wrath. He looked at Luna with spite.

Suddenly, the background noise in the arena turned louder as the audience began to chant a particular name in repeat.

"Elena! Elena! Elena!"

Ren looked around and noticed the woman of the hour was already arrived. Elena was coming through one of the entrance with huge stride. She stopped at the place where all of her classmates gathered, but specifically, she stopped and stood exactly in front of Ren.

An unexpected gust of wind gathered near them before changed into a small twister, but still big enough to trap one adult inside. The gushing wind neaby made it difficult for them to see clearly. But, the change in atmosphere was not long as the twister began to dissipate slowly.

They were quite surprised when Professor Arun was coming from that twister as it was dissolved. With a serious face, he stepped on the stage and began his speech.

"Now, I am standing here to announce the official ranking of the first year students for S class this year. Starting with ranked eight, please give a huge applause to Dylan Rafferty." As Dylan's name was called, letters and number began to appear in the air and forming his full name, Dylan Rafferty.

Professor Arun carried on calling name of S class students one by one as the list went on. The list, similar to what Professor Arun announced went as follows;

[1st : Ren Milford]

[2nd : Elena Elsgard]

[3rd : Luna Longbow]

[4th : Marcus Blaze]

[5th : Vesto Aspas]

[6th : Gavin Cobalt]

[7th : Hani Harrison]

[8th : Dylan Rafferty]

The audience was in confusion after Professor Arun finished announcing the ranking. Exclamation sounds began to fill the arena where Ren was being the loudest.

All of his classmates turned to face him at the same time, even Professor Arun also did the same. Ren felt embarrassed with the unexpected attention directed at him.

"Is there any problems, Ren Milford?" Professor Arun asked.

"Ye..yeah." Ren hesitated. "I think there is a mistake here. Elena should have been ranked first, not me. Shouldn't the rank was determined according to the results of the test. She was the winner of that Battle Royale."

"I understand your concern, but as the professors in this academy had discussion before, majority of us agreed that you should be the 1st Rank for first-years. Although Princess Elena was the winner of that Battle Royale, but you already beat her before. So, your surrender was deemed as unnecessary." Professor Arun watched Ren's reaction and continued. "I already told this matter to Princess Elena and president of student council regarding this matter. They don't have any problem to nominate you as 1st Rank."

Ren turned to Elena for confirmation, and the princess nodded firmly. "My pride wouldn't let me when you are the real winner. But, I will snatch from you sooner."

Professors Arun clapped his hand once to shift the audience's attention back to him. "Now, if there is no problem anymore, I would like to end the ceremony right now. All of you, please follow me to the chancellor's office." Professor Arun directed it towards Ren and his classmates there.

Professor Arun walked away to one of the passageway that lead to outside. One by one, the S class students followed him. After that, the spectators on the audience seat began to disperse. But, their mouth still not stopping muttered and discussed the event they witnessed before.

Ren was still standing there, static. He still shocked with the unexpected result. It was not like how he planned. His inner voice was screaming as loud as could right now.

Vesto noticed that Ren was not moving at all. He came back for him and dragged him from his spot.

"Come on, Ren. We don't want professors mad at us because you are not there later."

***

Ren was the last person enter the room, after following Professor Arun and the rest of his classmates. The room was quite big as nine person being inside there still couldn't filled a quarter of its full capacity.

Its interior was really simple, but still exuded elegance on its own way. There were only a few furniture filled the room. Shelves full of books was placed at the left and right side. A small table fenced by a set of sofa was put in the center.

At the end of the room, Ren could saw a huge window covered by white curtain. Near that, he could also see a typical wooden table, which was filled with folders, docents and stationaries on top of it.

An ergonomic chair that was usually paired with that table was also there but it was not empty as there was a man sitting on it and turned his back.

"The students are already here, sir!" Professor Arun spoke.

"Ah, thank you for your help, Professor Arun." The man turned around and got up from his seat.

Vesto gasped in surprise when he saw that man's face. He already knew that man. Not just him, but all of the students in that room already knew him. It was Professor Siegfried, the one that supervised their entrance exam before.

All of the students there making the same face when they saw Professor Siegfried. The face that shown their shockness and confusion. Only Elena and Ren maintained their calm demeanors. Ren was already know Professor Siegfried was the chancellor of this academy from his past life, while Elena, it was not sure whether she knew or she was also surprised by it, but simply not shown on her face.

The former chancellor retired before they enrolled the academy. So, when they entered the academy, Varion was in the midst of finding the replacement for the chancellor position. And, they was also a rumor circulated among the school that Professor Vera, the Vice Chancellor of Varion Academy would succeeded the position.

They did not expected Professor Siegfried was the one appointed as the new chancellor. Professor Siegfried laughed humorously as he observed the reaction of students in front of him as he approached them with slow stride.

He gestured to Professor Arun to leave him alone with the students. Professor Arun heeded the order and left the room.

"I would like to congratulate all of you for your impressive performance during the Rank Test. And, I am sure Professor Arun already told you your new rank." The students nodded. "But I heard someone was not happy with it. May I know, who was the one that was dissatisfied with the results?"

Professor Siegfried was a little bit surprised when Ren raised his hand. He then smiled and asked Ren the reason. "I thought it was Princess Elena or Marcus, but I never expected you were the one. Can you tell me the reason?"

"I don't want to become the member of student council. If I become the 1st Rank, I would forced to join."

"You are insane for not wanting to join student council, man." Marcus interrupted when he heard that. "Every other person want to become a part of it but could not become one. That's because it was not for anyone as the council was only for the top 10 strongest mage in the entire school."

"You are right, but it was not the right time." Ren replied nonchalantly.

"Bah, then let me beat you right here, right now so that I can get your Rank." Marcus pissed.

Professor Siegfried observed their quarrel with smile. "Easy there, young man." He calmed Marcus before turned his attention on Ren in front of him. "Why not accepted it and tried it first. If you can't handle it, you can let Marcus or anyone else beat you and take your Rank later."

He countinued. "Let me tell you why most of professors wanted you to be the 1st Rank. First, your understanding on how magic work is really exceptional. Your Magic Fusion was phenomenal. Even great mage like Firaz cannot do what you did.

Second, you fight like a veteran mage. When you fought with Princess Elena before, you countered all of her spell effortlessly. And most of the professors could not accepted your surrender because technically you are already won. Those are the reason why we choose you as 1st Rank."

Ren contemplated with Professor Siegfried's suggestion. After he thinking it carefully, he faced Professor Siegfried and spoke.

"I will give it a try but under one condition."

"Tell me. I will grant it if it was within my power."

Rem smiled meaningfully.