Shadows in the Rankings
Meanwhile, in the bustling shopping district, a girl with golden hair and eyes—Mion Altis—spoke to Eden, who was walking beside her, glancing at various stalls.
"Seen Ludenberg?"
"I watched him the whole time during today's skill verification."
Eden replied with a face full of wariness.
Mion observed his reaction and casually probed further.
"So, your impressions? Think you can beat him?"
Eden shook his head.
"No."
"Even using all three divine powers?"
"Yeah. No chance. He's a monster. When he struck Gawin first, I couldn't even track him properly."
"Tch."
Mion clicked her tongue briefly. She rubbed her temple as if nursing a headache and said,
"No answer there. I mean, how the hell did he become such a monster? Without divine power, moving like that—it's insane."
"You know who his father is. It'd be weirder if he were weak. Think about it—would Leonard hold back his divine power against us and lose? No way. He'd only be satisfied raising Ludenberg to that level."
To Mion's grumbling, Eden simply stated one fact.
Leonard Lavante. The empire's greatest knight, renowned not just across the vast Solemnute Empire but even in the west's Abaran, the south's Istallin, and the north's Ortara. No knight in Solemnute failed to admire his prowess.
"I know. Ha... This is tough. How long do our families have to live in Lavante's shadow? Father keeps saying we can't keep losing to them, but that's only possible if we can actually try. At this rate, there's no point in our houses allying. Our engagement was to check Lavante in the first place."
"We have to make it work somehow. The silver lining is Ludenberg has no divine power... and isolating him isn't too hard. Talked to Princess Ashytara yet? She's his roommate, right?"
"I did. But..."
"But?"
"She won't even hear me out. You know how much Princess Ashytara dotes on Ludenberg."
"That's rough."
"It is. Anyway, Eden, what're you gonna do?"
"Watch and wait for now. I can't beat him yet... so growing until I can is priority one."
"See any potential?"
"Plenty. He's stronger right now, sure... but divine power's endless. I'll catch up soon enough."
"Got it. Then... we should use Gawin and his crew a bit. Have them keep picking fights with Ludenberg. You focus on your growth. I'm gathering info on sacred relics too—I'll let you know the second I find something."
"Poor guys."
"What about it? They ditched Ludenberg for us—they knew the risks. And I always compensate fairly."
"True, but..."
"Oh, right—and when they provoke him, watch closely. That's how you'll pick up his tricks."
"Got it. Thanks. You're the only one I can count on."
"What're partners for? So win this."
"I'll do my best. Oh, that looks tasty. Wanna grab one?"
"Sure."
With that, the two continued strolling through the shopping district.
Skill verification day two.
Ludenberg Lavante faced another duel, overwhelming his opponent this time without even breaking their sword.
His foe had awakened Celioum's divine power—the god of the skies—granting exceptional speed, yet Ludenberg moved even faster, dominating throughout with sheer velocity.
Day two passed without issue, and once more, Ludenberg trained in the drill hall until dawn.
To grasp the thread.
To reach that perfected motion he'd glimpsed.
Skill verification day three.
Ludenberg's opponent was an unnamed freshman, staring at him with a tense expression.
Ludenberg, clad in armor, met the gaze with serious eyes.
He never let his guard down against anyone, and the result was, predictably, Ludenberg's victory.
And soon after, the skill verification results were announced.
They'd assessed the students' levels and assigned ranks and classrooms accordingly. The notice went up in the dorms.
But the students seemed thrown into chaos.
Murmurs reached Ludenberg's ears.
"What's going on?"
"No idea... My senior said there was no such system before."
Wondering what the fuss was, Ludenberg stepped forward to read the notice.
As he approached, a student spotted him and recoiled in fright; the others followed suit, shunning him.
The crowd parted like the tide, leaving space before him.
Ludenberg ignored it and read the notice.
The Knight Faculty will implement a new ranking system this year.
Ranks consist of four tiers: Innocence, Ador, Frigus, and Abyss.
Ranking order from highest to lowest: Innocence, Ador, Frigus, Abyss.
Students must wear brooches matching their rank colors: white for Innocence, red for Ador, blue for Frigus, black for Abyss.
Address peers according to their rank.
Attend lectures in color-matched classrooms: Innocence in the White Pavilion, Ador in the Red Pavilion, Frigus in the Blue Pavilion, Abyss in the Black Pavilion.
Ranks may be reassigned via midterms and finals. Those remaining in the top rank, Innocence, until finals qualify for the Hall of Glory.
Conversely, those in the lowest rank, Abyss, will be held back immediately.
The notice read as such, followed by class rosters and pavilion locations.
Ludenberg checked his rank.
Innocence.
Gazing at the word beside his name, he felt relief at being in the top rank—yet also puzzlement.
He'd never heard of such a system in Solemnute Adem's Knight Faculty.
Just last year, they'd only ranked students without dividing them.
For now, Ludenberg headed to the White Pavilion, where he'd attend classes.
It was a massive building clad in white, housing lecture halls, drill fields, washrooms, lounges—every facility imaginable.
He made for the sole classroom.
It buzzed with students, among whom Ludenberg spotted several familiar faces.
Most striking was Ashytara Solenute.
When ranks were announced, he'd been certain she'd land in White Pavilion.
Her skill rivaled his own—and with Solem's divine power awakened, even more so.
She sat ramrod straight, eyes fixed ahead.
Not a hint of waver. Her posture embodied her character.
Next was Eden Asta, who'd mocked him and spread rumors.
Dark black hair, sharp-featured handsome face.
To Ludenberg, it all repulsed him.
Naturally, Eden harbored no fondness either.
If he picked a fight, Ludenberg would crush him thoroughly.
Like five years ago.
One concern: five years on, Eden likely wielded divine power freely now.
Victory wasn't guaranteed like before.
He might even lose.
But Ludenberg didn't care.
No one knew until they clashed.
Even capable Gawin had fallen to him.
All he could do was refine himself ceaselessly.
As Ludenberg glared at Eden amid these thoughts, Eden met his gaze—perhaps sensing it—and flashed a sly smile.
It resembled the sneer from five years back, but craftier somehow.
Ludenberg intuited a clash loomed soon.
He withdrew his stare and took an empty seat.
Nearby students spotted him and hastily averted their eyes.
Soon, Professor Hainkel Hereis entered.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Hainkel Hereis, in charge of White Pavilion this year."
"Hello, sir."
The students responded crisply.
Hainkel surveyed them with satisfaction.
"I'll oversee you Innocence ranks' training from here on. But since it's the first day—and you've all tired from three days of verification—today's just Q&A for rest."
At news of a light session, students brightened, raising hands with questions.
Amid trivial queries, Ashytara raised hers.
"Professor, one question."
"Speak, Ashytara."
"I heard Solemnute Adem never had ranks before—just overall rankings. Could you explain?"
"Ah, nearly forgot that. You all saw the Knight Faculty notice?"
"Yes."
"Faculty decided fostering competition via rankings alone was less effective than grouping by level for tailored training. Hence, four ranks and separate classrooms."
"How's it different from before?"
"Instead of broad lectures mismatched to levels, we group similars for precise instruction. It's a trial, so expect kinks."
"Can ranks change?"
Not Ashytara this time—Eden.
"Yes. Midterms could drop an Innocence to Abyss. Ranks shift by individual effort. Clear?"
"Yes. Ah, how were rank names chosen?"
"Symbolic of their colors. Innocence for purity—flawless, fitting your top skill. Ador passion to advance with self-awareness; Frigus cool reason to gauge one's level accurately."
Hainkel elaborated: Abyss for the fallen, desperation fueling escape.
"So Abyss..."
"The desperate claw out on their own. Names inspire fitting attitudes. Thus..."
Pausing, Hainkel drove it home to the Innocence ranks.
"Guard your Innocence relentlessly. You never know when you'll plummet to Abyss."
"Understood."
The buoyant mood sobered instantly.
Ranks could drop anytime.
Hainkel eyed their tense faces.
"Good. That's it for today. Well done."
"Thank you!"
Students packed up and dispersed.
Time before lunch remained, so Ludenberg hurried back to the dorms for training.
Better swing the sword once more than idle.