The training courtyard was packed.
Nearly every first-year student had gathered there.
A massive stone wall stood at the far end of the courtyard.
Across its surface, glowing runes slowly formed rows of names.
The Ranking Board.
Excited whispers spread through the crowd.
"It's appearing!"
"Move!"
"I can't see!"
Students pushed closer.
Some climbed onto the surrounding training platforms just to get a better view.
— Lysander POV —
Lysander stood near the back of the crowd.
Watching.
Observing.
The board finished forming.
Names appeared in glowing silver letters.
Rank 1
Cassian Dreadmoor
Murmurs immediately erupted.
"Well of course…"
"No surprise there."
"The War Goddess blessing…"
Rank 2
Leon Valerian
More whispers followed.
"Sun blessing…"
"That family is ridiculous."
"Those two are going to clash eventually."
The list continued.
Rank 3
Arion Drakensoul
Rank 4
Valeria Frostborn
Rank 5
Kael Stormhart
Further down the list—
Rank 8
Elara Moonveil
Several mage students nodded approvingly.
"The Star blessing."
"That's expected."
Rank 14
Taro Stormfang
A loud voice suddenly shouted.
"YES!"
— Taro POV —
Taro pumped his fist in the air.
"Top fifteen!"
"Let's go!"
Several nearby students laughed.
"Relax."
"It's just the starting ranking."
Taro grinned.
"Still counts!"
— Lysander POV —
Lysander scanned the board calmly.
The names continued down the wall.
Until finally—
Rank 63
Lysander Vale
Several students nearby noticed the name.
"Wait…"
"That's the blessingless guy."
"How is he ranked that high?"
"Maybe the academy made a mistake."
Lysander ignored them.
Rank 63 was acceptable.
Not too low.
Not too high.
Exactly where he wanted to be.
Suddenly a new voice spoke nearby.
"Well well…"
"Rank sixty-three."
Lysander didn't even need to turn around.
Cassian Dreadmoor stood behind him.
Several noble students followed close behind.
Cassian's golden eyes studied the board.
Then shifted to Lysander.
"I expected you to be lower."
Lysander shrugged slightly.
"So did I."
Cassian smirked faintly.
"Interesting."
"But rankings mean nothing without proof."
He gestured toward the open training arena beside the courtyard.
Already several students were preparing to fight.
Challenges had begun.
A loud instructor's voice echoed across the courtyard.
"Ranking challenges may now begin!"
"Students may challenge anyone within ten ranks above them!"
The courtyard erupted with excitement.
Some students immediately stepped forward.
Weapons drawn.
Mana flaring.
A duel circle formed quickly.
Two students stepped into the arena.
Rank 45 vs Rank 38.
The crowd cheered.
Steel clashed instantly.
Cassian watched the fight briefly.
Then looked back at Lysander.
"You should challenge someone."
"Unless you're planning to hide behind that rank."
Lysander met his gaze calmly.
"I'm just observing."
Cassian chuckled softly.
"Observation is useful."
"But eventually you'll have to fight."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"And when you do…"
"I'll be watching."
Cassian turned and walked away.
His noble followers trailing behind him.
Taro suddenly appeared beside Lysander again.
"Okay…"
"That guy seriously wants to fight you."
Lysander looked toward the arena where the duel continued.
"…Eventually."
"But not today."
Taro frowned.
"Why not?"
Lysander's eyes moved across the courtyard.
Watching every duel carefully.
"Because today…"
"I'm learning."
High above the courtyard—
From the academy tower—
Headmaster Arcturus watched the scene quietly.
Beside him stood another instructor.
"That boy."
The instructor asked,
"The blessingless one?"
The headmaster nodded slowly.
"…Yes."
"Keep an eye on him."
Below, another duel ended.
A student was thrown from the arena.
The instructor announced the result.
"Rank 38 — defeated."
"New Rank 38 — Dorian Kest."
The ranking board shifted.
Names rearranged.
The system had begun.
And it would not stop.