Choking, unbearable silence filled the auditorium.

The piercing gazes of everyone, and I mean everyone, washed upon me.

I saw some people rushing in from the corner of my eyes. They wore white and had masks. They were four, and behind them was a cart. Instinctively, I realized who they were and what they came for.

My eyes darted to the shattered ground, at the brutalized body of a senior, a Ranker… Richard Novo.

‘So they came to take him, uh?’ I reasoned.

It was probably the right call to make, but the very thought made me incredibly annoyed. If they had medical personnel on standby, why had none arrived when Jerry was in such a terrible state?

So, the disparity between Classes was even more than just academics? That had gone too far.

My head was raised, and I shot the judges a disgusted look. Sitting up there, they hadn’t interfered in the matches so far, even when someone was about to die… or maybe they had.

‘Telepathy is a thing… so they must be relaying instructions to Klaus…’

In any case, my job on stage was done. I had taught a mannerless boy the true meaning of power; I had saved and fulfilled the wish of my senior… and I showed everyone just what a brat from the Lower Class could do!

Of course, there were more intricate reasons, but so far… things had worked out well…

I began walking off the stage, but before I took a few steps, a voice boomed across the Hall. It made me smile wryly, because I knew it was coming.

“Jared Leonard, you have violated the rules of the Exchange and interrupted the match between two Elites…”

Of course, the person who spoke was Damien Lawcroft. I cocked my head and gave him a coldhearted smile, completely unfazed by his announcement. The man seemed a bit shaken by my reaction, but I allowed him to finish.

“You will receive a penalty for your actions… one week from now. Be prepared!”

I shrugged my shoulder and casually left the stage.

Usually, a student would be distraught… perhaps even try appealing right there and then. But, I wasn’t a fool who believed that would actually work.

There was a reason neither Klaus nor the judges gave their tacit approval for my actions, even though they basically gave the ‘go ahead’ by conduct. Of course, I was sure they expected me to lose, and on top of that, they would also grant me penalties… ruining my school life!

To their surprise, I emerged victorious. Still, it wasn’t like it was possible to completely avoid the repercussions of my actions. What I did was ‘wrong’, so the authorities were well within their rights to punish me.

“How laughable…”

With this whisper, I climbed off the stage and made my way… not toward my former seat… but in the direction of the exit instead.

‘I’m sick of this!’

********

Everyone watched in silence as Jared Leonard left the hall.

The doors creaked open, and he exited without a word. People were speechless by his brazenness, the audacity by which he conducted himself. However, no one could stop him… not after what they had just experienced.

“H-he beat a Ranker…!”

“That First Year…”

“… Shit! I didn’t know he was that strong!”

It wasn’t expressly stated, but the thoughts of everyone within the hall were fairly obvious.

Richard was carted away in his bloodied state; the previous allure he had was totally nonexistent in his new form. As the other Rankers and Elites watched one of the strongest in such a terrible condition, they couldn’t help but gulp.

Rankers were the most powerful students in Ainzlark Academy, that was common sense!

However, even though they had ranks that separated each from the other, the power gaps between them were not so much that one would be rendered completely helpless when fighting the other.

With the exception of Fabian and Ciara, the other Rankers only had slight gaps in power from one another. That was why it was so surprising to see Richard Novo become a rag-doll in his fight with Jared Leonard!

He was beaten so one-sidedly that even those of higher ranks couldn’t help but shudder. Richard was nothing in the presence of a First Year Lower Class brat! That seemed impossible, but the evidence was burned into their eyes.

It was at this point that it became absolutely clear to everyone that, while Jared did not have the official title yet, he was more than strong enough to be a Ranker!

And it wasn’t just as a member of the lower bench, but… at least the 3rd Seat among the Rankers was rightfully his! No one knew what would happen beyond that point, but it was certain that not even the Martial Artist that occupied the third place could make short work of Richard the way Jared had done.

And he achieved all that… in the mere three months since entering Ainzlark Academy. That broke even the record of Ciara Epilson! Though it wasn’t official, it broke any record in the Academy!

The eyes of the Elites slowly turned in the direction of the genius of the century who was seated among them. They took great care in ensuring no eye contact was made, but their eyes narrowed on Ciara. She had been praised to possess unrivaled talent in Magic, but even she didn’t achieve this when she was a First Year.

The moment the Elites focused on her, they came to regret it.

Out of the girl was oozing an unpleasant feeling that chilled the bone. The way her eyes glared onward made anyone who saw her to shiver in fear. Even those who sat beside her gradually gave space since the murderous aura she emitted was causing them to tremble.

It was clear that the usually cheerful Ciara was upset… but, why? Was it because Jared Leonard broke her record? Was she jealous, or green with envy?

Those were the theories that went on in the hearts of everyone who sat close to her and watched her emotions slightly get out of control. They were all wrong, though…

If only the Elites knew what caused her such displeasure… perhaps they would see a different kind of monster in Ciara.

A

/N

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