Thud!
Killian fell on the exact spot he had teleported from. He laid there, feeling the stings and rebound of all his strenuous activity.
Trainees were temporarily buffed in health and stamina to aid their training but afterwards, the stress on their bodies would always come back.
He remembered his older sister had stayed in bed for two days after hers.
He let out a small sigh, and reached into his pocket for the healing strips. "At least it is over." He turned to the bat, pulsing gently.
And I have a new buddy.
He forced himself up, but his arm nearly gave out. "I am more exhausted than I thought." He stared at the fridge. "I can't even get up—"
The WLog lit up.
He turned to it with a small frown. "I didn't say 'Status'…" The results were out.
He searched for his name amongst the rankings of trainees. It wasn't there.
He raised his arm weakly and scrolled down. He didn't expect to be at the bottom, but he should definitely be in the ranks. He spotted Evelyn and Juda's name.
[Silent Purge - 28]
[Gear Heart - 20]
He looked at their rewards.
[Rewards: Promotion to D-Rank Lower Wardens!]
He nodded once. That was definitely an upgrade. Wardens were very different from trainees.
Quara was a powerful B-Rank Lower within three years. That had only been done by one person ever before, hence why she's a celebrated prodigy.
She could control C-tiers and B-tiers realms on her own, though she had been heavily advised to form a team to save herself the injuries. She could climb to B-Rank Higher in no time.
A-Rank wardens were on a different level, and worked alone. They could control numerous A-tier and B-tier realms.
S-Rank Wardens were realm-enders.
He reached the bottom of the list, and buried his face in his hands.
So this is it? They didn't add my name because I am an anomaly?
Is that even fair? All that for… nothing?
Ding!
Another notification?
He opened it with a thought.
[Top Scorers List Updated - Top Three]
[1. Grim Warden - 106 points]
[2. The End - 70 points]
[3. Stance Lancer - 60 points]
[Congratulations!]
Rewards: Promotion to C-Rank lower Wardens!]
[Top One Gets Extra Benefits!]
A shock wave pulsed through Killian's body. Damn.
He stared at his name at the top. The hunger and pain racking his body vanished. His eyes watered, then he threw his head back, laughing.
"I actually made it! I made it!"
He left the ground and rushed to his phone. It was already buzzing.
"Kill—"
"I made it! I'm at the top! Did you see my name!"
"That was you!" Quara laughed. "The list is being broadcasted live in the city. Everyone is wondering who is 'Grim Warden'? Congratulations, Kill!"
Killian chuckled at the nickname he had settled on. He fell on his seat kicking his legs. "Top scorer! Me! Yes!"
"Yes!" Quara cheered. "I'm on my way home! Eat and rest, okay!"
"Sure!" He went off. He left the seat and rushed to the fridge, finding strength suddenly to make himself steak and every nice meal.
"You are in a very good mood."
He hummed while cracking eggs, and setting the grill. "Of course! From D-Rank Null to Top Scorer to C-Rank Lower Warden? I should write a book!"
"Hm…"
Killian paused, then smiled softly. "Right. I nearly forgot. You helped a ton with the lessons and everything. Thank you."
"You are welcome, Killian."
Killian resumed his humming and cooking. Even though the omelette wasn't perfect, he remained patient because he was in a good mood.
"Evelyn will call soon. Juda too." He said aloud to himself. "We should all celebrate. Maybe go out to a hotel." He remembered that morning.
He wondered what the look on his father's face would be when he finally returned home. He would finally realise his mistakes.
Even his birth mother, who couldn't look at him while he left for the most important day of his life.
She had given Keith a hug and ushered him into the family's sedan. Killian had taken a bus to school that day. The thought made his smile fade.
Just because I was a Null.
I still had better physical prowess than Keith. I always had. Couldn't they have found a support role for me instead of completely giving up?
His hand clenched on the steel spoon until it bent. He snapped out of his thoughts, staring at the bent spoon.
"Quara will kill me." He joked. "Well, not today. Today's my day."
He continued his cooking.
A few minutes later, he heard his older sister's car park in the yard. He was seated, at the highest seat, with a feast spread on the dining table.
Quara walked in and headed to the dining area.
He smirked, gesturing at the table.
"Join me, sister, as we celebrate yours truly." He spoke like the old kings from the video games he played.
His brows knitted together when she just stood there, staring at the meal with no expression. "Did I cook too much? I got too excited—"
"Did you see Keith during the training?"
Killian's expression darkened. Why did she mention him? He rested his back on his seat. "I didn't see him. What happened to Keith?"
Quara slowly walked to the seat beside him, and fell on it. She groaned loudly. "Our father is crazy really. I can't believe him. He… he must hate all of us."
All of us?
Killian leaned towards her. "What happened to Keith?" he asked again.
There was no way their father stopped him from joining the training. Keith was his golden son. Even his older sister wasn't as favoured as Keith was.
She placed her hand on the table, running fingers through her hair.
"He got promoted to B-Rank Lower because of his exceptional affinity for lightning. The rulers have high hopes for him, but it's a crazy promotion when he lacks experience. He could die."
Killian sank into his seat. B-Rank lower? "That is… stupid. C-Rank Lower is the highest a trainee should be given. We just tried to kill monsters, controlling realms is too much."
Yet that wasn't the only worry that ate at Killian inside.
B-Rank Lower as a packaged promotion? Keith hadn't even broken a sweat for it.
How was that fair?
"Wait," he realised, looking at his sister. "He is at the same rank as you?" The realisation dawned on him.
How could his brother be at the same rank as his older sister who had worked for four years and had titles to her name?
"This is really unfair!"
"Right! Yet the rulers gave it to him!" She flared up. "Father must've kissed their ass so hard!"
Killian cringed, hearing those words from his sister, but he knew she had been pushed to the edge.
Their father had worked her to the bone, yet always mentioned how disappointed he was that she didn't awaken the lightning element. It was obvious he had married his mother because of it.
Now, he abandoned Quara for Keith the moment he awakened.
Killian dropped his head on the table.
His own accomplishment looked like mud compared to being granted a B-Rank Lower because of your inborn talent.
Even with his affinity for the Void being high, he couldn't brag about it because he would be hunted.
"I am sorry that I ruined your mood." Quara sighed, "I just had no one else to rant to. You gained 106 points by your own sweat. That is more impressive."
"She is right."
I know she is, but it still infuriates me.
Keith is truly talented, but if he is cutting corners and courting death, then I can't wallow in this simple promotion.
I need to get stronger.
"Father's expectations are unrealistic. Keith is good, but the experience goes a long way." Killian picked up his spoon.
"Someone has to stop him."