Chapter 17: The Class Hierarchy

Scene 1: Rumors and Anticipation

The morning sun cast a golden glow across the grand halls of the Imperial Academy, filling the air with a sense of anticipation. It had been two weeks since Alistair's arrival, and whispers of the upcoming class assignments buzzed through the corridors. Students of all backgrounds exchanged rumors about the academy's hierarchy, speculating on which class they might be placed in.

Alistair listened to the conversations in passing, uninterested in the gossip. His focus remained on his training—he spent each day honing his skills, pushing his limits as he sought to master the blade's fiery powers. His raw strength was formidable, but he knew that taming the black flames would take time.

"Class A is the best, right?" one student murmured to another. "I heard only the top nobles get into that one."

"Not just Class A," another student replied. "They say there's a special class above it—Class S. But it's just a myth... no one's actually seen the list."

Alistair's interest piqued for a moment. A special class? He tucked away the thought and resumed his focus on training. He had no intention of relying on his family name or any supposed rankings—his goal was to forge his own path, free from the shadows of the Agarest legacy.

Scene 2: Relentless Training

Days turned into weeks as Alistair poured himself into his training. Each morning, he rose before dawn, practicing the techniques he had learned from his father's teachings and experimenting with Kurokaji's unique abilities.

The ancient blade responded to his efforts, its black flames flickering more intensely with each strike. Alistair worked on refining the Obsidian Inferno, focusing the flames around his body in a controlled manner, and practiced Void Flame Shift, learning to harness its speed without losing precision.

But mastering the sword was not without challenges. The sword power was immense, and Alistair struggled to maintain balance between its destructive force and his own control. His nights were spent reflecting on his progress, each day bringing him closer to unlocking the sword's true potential.

He trained alone, far from the prying eyes of other students, pushing himself to exhaustion until his hands bled and his breath came in ragged gasps. Yet, beneath the fatigue, there was a sense of satisfaction—Alistair knew he was growing stronger, bit by bit.

Scene 3: The Central Gathering

Two weeks later, the academy's atmosphere reached a fever pitch as students gathered in the central plaza, a vast open space flanked by marble statues and banners bearing the crest of the Imperial Academy. A large wooden board stood at the center, where the much-anticipated class assignments would be posted.

Alistair joined the throng of students, his expression stoic as he observed the excitement around him. Lysandra, Gregor, and Talia waved at him from the crowd, and he offered a curt nod in return. He had grown accustomed to their company over the past weeks, though he remained distant, preferring solitude to camaraderie.

The headmaster's voice echoed through the plaza, calling for silence. Leon Eldric Magnus Aster stood before the gathered students, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. "Today, you will learn your class assignments. These assignments reflect your potential, but know that they are not set in stone. Strength, skill, and dedication can change your fate."

With a wave of his hand, the class lists unfurled across the board, revealing the names of the students and their assigned classes. The crowd surged forward, eager to find their placements. Alistair waited, unbothered by the rush, his eyes scanning the list from a distance.

Scene 4: The Revelation of Class S

As Alistair approached the board, he noticed the clear divisions in the class rankings:

Class D: The majority of students, those with decent skills but limited potential.

Class C: Students with promise, showing the potential for steady growth.

Class B: Noble children and skilled commoners, many from renowned families within the kingdom.

Class A: A select few, comprising heirs of powerful noble houses, prodigies, and those with advanced combat abilities.

But at the very top, a special section caught Alistair's eye: Class S—a designation that had been little more than a rumor until now.

His gaze fixed on the names listed under Class S, and he recognized several of them immediately:

Cedric Vale Kylith, heir to House Kylith, renowned for their mastery of dual-bladed combat.

Princess Seraphina Astraea, daughter of the royal family of the neighboring kingdom of Valoria, known for her unparalleled talent in elemental magic.

Elara Ventara Lys, a fierce swordswoman from the southern deserts, known as the "Stormblade," whose speed in battle is said to rival the wind itself.

Elysia Dawnriver, a water mage from the coastal kingdom of Aeloria, respected for her ability to control the tides and create devastating whirlpools.

Lyra Hawthorne, a sharpshooter from the distant Elven territories, famous for her unmatched archery skills and ability to enchant arrows with powerful elemental magic.

Katherine Bellamont, heir to the Bellamont Duchy, whose skill in combining swordsmanship with advanced healing arts makes her a formidable support fighter.

Irene Yvain Frostwind, a noble from the frigid northern region, wielding ice magic that can freeze even the most agile of foes.

Rowan Duskblade, a mysterious young man from the shadowy realms of the east, rumored to have an affinity for dark magic and unparalleled stealth.

And there, among the names, Alistair found his own: Alistair von Agarest.

Whispers spread through the crowd as students noticed his name in the elite class, their expressions shifting from surprise to envy. Alistair ignored the stares, his mind focused on the implications of being placed in Class S.

Leon's voice rang out again, addressing those whose names had been listed under the special class. "Class S is reserved for those with the highest potential—not just within our kingdom, but across the entire continent. You are the best of the best, and the weight of that responsibility is yours to bear. Your training will be harsher, your challenges more difficult, and your failures less forgiven. But with great risk comes great reward."

Alistair met the headmaster's gaze from across the plaza, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. He understood what this meant—his time in the shadows was over. Now, he would be tested against the finest of his generation, each with their own ambitions and secrets.

As the other students dispersed, Alistair remained by the board, studying the names of those who would be his peers and rivals. He could feel the weight of their expectations, the pressure of being measured against the strongest heirs and prodigies from across the continent.

But Alistair's resolve was unwavering. He had faced greater trials than this before, and he would not falter now.

"Class S, huh?" he muttered to himself, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Let's see what you all are made of."