Chapter 85
Chapter 85
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: The Runoff Vote
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Those called, step forward.”
Amid everyone's pounding hearts, the name of Delaiten's first-year new Sun was finally announced.
“Rain Ludwig, Christa Warden, Kaden.”
The audience began to buzz.
Had the top spot produced a whopping three ties in this final exam?
To explain this result, one would have to list out Rain Ludwig's judging scores.
[10]
[10]
[8]
[8]
[10]
[10]
[10]
[10]
[10]
[9]
He had earned the most 10s, but the artistic tastes inevitably divided opinions, resulting in two 8s and a total of 95 points.
“Rain Ludwig reached the highest score in history!”
“He's tied with Christa Warden!”
“Seven professors gave him 10s...!”
As that score drew gasps from everyone, one girl openly showed her discomfort.
“Th-that, that detestable face... tied with Rain? Rain's magic was way more amazing!”
Kasena Page muttered in disbelief, and Madelia placed a hand on her head.
“The world of magic is always ruthless... Though I'd love to say that, I wonder if we can really call this a tie.”
“...?”
“You'll be chancellor someday too, Kasena, so I'll tell you ahead of time, but midterms and finals have different grading systems.”
If this had been a midterm from the first or second semester... Rain Ludwig would have claimed the top spot. Because.
“Rain got seven 10s—that's like seven out of ten professors giving him bonus points.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. If it had been a midterm, Rain would've been top. By an overwhelming bonus margin. Oh, and don't go blabbing this anywhere.”
What a truly frightening kid with a future ahead.
To surpass Harimun's famed genius Kaden in such a disadvantageous theme, and match wits with the Warden lady...
And if the grading had been different, he would've beaten them both.
“Then what? Even if it's a joint top this time, why's that Kaden guy included?”
“There are no joint tops at Delaiten. Only one Sun per exam.”
With ties in the finals, it would now end in that method—cruel if one called it cruel... Even Elin Ludwig bit her lip.
“Oh dear~ It's going to runoff voting?”
“What's runoff voting, Aunt?”
“It's only used when there's a tie in the finals.”
Runoff voting was a method where the three finalists voted among themselves to decide the top student.
“In this case, only those who achieved the joint top scores can vote...”
Those who placed third in the top race only gained voting rights.
It was meant for the finalists to select a top they could all accept, but most just voted for themselves...
“Something that happens once every twenty years, if that.”
Nora Reden lifted the corners of her mouth in genuine intrigue.
“The most crucial part right now is Kaden★ He's already bitter from dropping out.”
That was why Madelia called it cruel.
Top candidates mostly voted for themselves, so the fallen third's decision determined the Sun.
The assistant, having simply explained the system to the cadets, positioned the three in a triangular formation.
“When I count to three, raise your right hand to indicate the cadet you think worthy of top Sun. Self-votes are allowed, of course.”
Fluffy clouds drifted whitely across the sky. Far too leisurely weather for such a suffocating vote.
“Three.”
The cadets' eyes flickered with strange tension as they glanced at each other. Even the watchers held their breath.
“Two.”
Professor Carolline held her breath, eyes gently closed. Professor Elin tapped her foot impatiently.
“One.”
And in the next instant, all three cadets raised their hands... stunning the breath-holding audience into wide-eyed shock.
“Hm...?”
“Huh...?”
There were four fingers there.
One for Kaden.
Another for Christa Warden.
And the remaining two... pointed to Rain Ludwig.
“Kaden chose Rain Ludwig...?”
“Christa Warden too...?”
“And Rain Ludwig... both of them?”
Receiving the professors' bewildered stares, the assistant hurried to Rain Ludwig.
“Cadet Rain, who did you choose just now?”
She had no choice but to ask.
No, wasn't Rain raising both hands—left toward Kaden, right toward Christa Warden?
Rain Ludwig tilted his head as if wondering what was odd.
“I think both of these two are more suited to be top than me, so I did this... Is that not allowed?”
“Runoff votes allow only one choice. Shall we count your vote for Cadet Christa Warden?”
A bizarre sight where all finalists voted for each other, plus the top cadet's odd behavior... Vice Professor Kyle felt his chest warm.
‘I never dreamed I'd see such heartwarming runoff voting.’
What a golden generation. Not just in skill, but character too... Truly exemplary.
“Alright, it's fine. No matter how Cadet Rain's vote is tallied, the result won't change.”
As Kyle raised the boy's hand, it was magnified largest on the Thousand-Mile Eye for all to see.
“Here and now, the top cadet of the 1388th class first-year first-semester finals has been decided!”
The boy standing there had black hair and red eyes. Once scorned with the derogatory title of "genius (heavenly disaster) young master."
Once, once, once upon a time.
But now, at the center of Dragon Hole Field where all passion and aspiration poured, at the pinnacle of the Magic Capital.
“Rain Ludwig!”
The puzzled silence among the audience shattered, erupting into thunderous applause.
“Waaaaah!”
“Ludwig conquers Delaiten's golden generation for back-to-back tops!”
“Amazing, 1388th class! Even to the final vote! We'll keep cheering!”
Elin Ludwig and Seri Ludwig, briefly doubting their senses, burst into pure smiles and hugged.
“Aunt, Aunt! Brother won! Brother won!”
Brim Ludwig, beaming down at her son while clapping warmly, saw her husband's figure overlap with his back and wiped tears.
‘Kevn, our son has risen to the top again today... Just like you did.’
Professor Carolline's closed eyes, with an empty sigh, flickered with bitterness and pride.
‘Yes, Christa. If this is your choice... As your teacher, I can only cheer.’
Suddenly the center of all attention and cheers, Rain looked at Christa with a dazed expression.
“Hey, why'd you vote for me? You said you'd definitely steal the top spot this time.”
Christa huffed, turning her head haughtily and crossing her arms.
“Don't get cocky. I'll definitely take that dragon bone decoration cord. When I'm convinced I beat you fair and square.”
If she'd won by even a single point in the runoff, she'd have taken top without hesitation.
But this—this wasn't it.
Hadn't the prelims been a clear win for Rain Ludwig? Snatching victory like this didn't suit her.
‘But... it's frustrating.’
Frustrating not to reach the top here.
But more than that, the powerlessness of inwardly believing Rain Ludwig suited top more—it infuriated her to her core.
As she bit her lip until she tasted blood to hold back tears.
“Christa!”
A voice rang out—joyful yet bewildering.
From the stands, a group waved vigorously toward the girl.
Not wearing family-crest attire, no one recognized them, but Christa knew them from the voice alone.
“Dad, Mom... and sisters? What are you doing here?”
Thus, in trembling confusion, she drifted toward them like mesmerized.
“What do you mean what? You know why, you thorny girl!”
“Your big sis came to cheer on her talented little sis herself!”
Excited, their noble speech devolved—a family trait. The round-faced, kindly father smiled gently.
“You did great, Christa. Truly splendid.”
Splendid?
What was splendid.
She hadn't claimed top again, after boasting so loudly upon enrollment... She nearly voiced the tearing pain.
“Truly an outstanding daughter you have, Marquess.”
“Seeing the young lady makes the Warden house's future shine bright.”
“I'm from the Magic Alliance Information Processing Division. If you're open to it...”
Seeing the cheers for Rain instantly shift to her and her family left her speechless.
Her parents surrounded by magic world heavyweights receiving praise—it was a scene she'd never imagined before.
Warden house eldest, Eva Warden, looked proudly at her sister and smirked.
“See? Shoulders back, little sis. You were seriously cool today.”
If she'd known family was coming, if she could've shown them claiming top, it would've been perfect.
She couldn't square her shoulders.
Couldn't lift her head.
But the girl straightened her heavy shoulders and raised her head. Such hardship, such sorrow—she was used to it by now.
- If geniuses travel ten li in a day and rest fifty, we just go ten li without rest. So what if geniuses cross seas on clippers? We paddle rafts after them.
Tiring is natural.
Painful is natural.
Yet she would walk this path to the end. Someday, she would surely catch up.
“Yeah...!”
Hiding tears, feigning cheer in reply—Rain watched her back, then turned to Kaden.
“Why'd you vote for me? Yours looked way cooler no matter how I saw it.”
Kaden pulled out a portable notepad and scribbled.
[I found your magic more impressive, Young Master.]
“Why?”
[Because I could vividly hear your voice in the magic.]
He snapped the notepad shut, flashing a faint smile, then turned toward Harimun Academy and his father.
“Tch...”
Rain scratched his head. He was surely growing closer to Rista per her letter, so it felt good—but nagging too.
Like stepping on promising juniors.
Without him here, Christa would've topped long ago, and that Kaden guy second...
“Cool, all three of you.”
As Lilian Karain clapped with a wry smile, front-seated Datan Karain shot up.
“Such words from your mouth? Cool? You, who sullied the academy's name in defeat!”
He swung his hand wide, fiercely slapping Lilian's cheek.
“With such a weak mindset, how do you plan to reach the top? Pathetic!”
But the old man's hand, unlike before, never reached Lilian's face. She'd snatched his wrist mid-air. Outmatched in strength, Datan's hand trembled.
“No need to worry—I'll reach the top on my own. You just watch.”
“Y-you brat...!”
“But not your way. I'll stand at the top my way.”
Lilian flashed a cold smile, released his hand, stood, and left the stands without looking back.
As Datan raged and pointed, Rivendel's young cadets struggled to hide smiles of vindication.
Meanwhile, leaning on the stands' railing after watching the top decider, Vice President Felix Drake smirked sideways.
“The first-years' momentum is insane. What if they produce a student council president better than you?”
Valensidis, who'd watched beside him, gave an inexplicable smile.
“Guess we'll see.”
Of course, I won't witness that end with my own eyes...
From that day forward, Rain Ludwig's name etched a fierce mark in the magic world as the "Nova."
Just as his father and grandfather had.