Let Us Rank Up

Ren sat at the back of Class D. He gripped the edge of the table so hard that his knuckles turned white. His jaw was clenched, and for a moment he was scared it might crack.

This was wrong.

This was all wrong.

He glanced around. The room was filled with laughter, small talk, people introducing themselves like this was some kind of celebration.

Celebration?

Ren's eyes darkened. Were they serious?

With a loud smack, he slammed his palm against the table. The sound cut through the noise, making the people near him jump.

"What the hell is wrong with you all?"

A few heads turned, blinking at him in confusion.

"Why are you acting like this is fine?" Ren's voice was sharp, cutting through the silence.

"Did you not hear what the head of the academy said? We're in Class D. That means we're not getting proper training. We're not here to improve. We're just placeholders. We're nothing to them."

A boy with light brown hair scoffed, leaning back lazily in his chair. "And?" He crossed his arms. "Why are you so mad?"

Ren's glare hardened. "Are you seriously asking me that?" His voice grew colder.

"They threw us in here without even testing us. They didn't care about our strength, our skills, or what we're capable of. They just asked for our names. That's all it took for them to decide we were worthless."

He could still hear it.

That dull, uninterested voice asking for his name. The way, without a second of thought, they shoved him into Class D. Like he didn't even matter.

Shiku stood beside Ren, her arms were crossed, her face was unreadable. But he knew. He knew she was thinking the same thing.

The unfairness of it.

The humiliation.

The sickening truth that to them.

"And yet you're laughing?" Ren's voice cut through the noise as he glared at the so, called misfits. "You're celebrating this?"

The brown haired boy just shrugged. "Why not? No pressure. No life or death missions. No brutal training. We get food, a roof over our heads, and no expectations. Sounds good to me."

Ren's breath hitched.

"Sounds good?" His voice shook with disbelief. "You mean you're fine with being nothing?"

The boy leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.

"Better than pretending we'll ever be something we're not."

Ren clenched his fists.

Just hours ago, they had been upset about being placed in Class D. Now they were acting like they were fine with, not just fine, they were excited. His brows furrowed.

"What changed?" He asked confusingly like he was almost hesitant. "You were all angry before. Now, you're just… okay with it?"

He refused.

He refused to accept this.

Before he could say anything, a chair scraped against the floor.

A tall girl with short silver hair stood up, stretching her arms with a wide grin. "Alright! Since we're all getting to know each other, I'll start!" Her voice was full of energy.

She placed a hand on her hip, standing tall. "I'm Ayame of the Yamigumo Clan! And let me tell you, I am thrilled to be here!"

Ren blinked. What?

Ayame clapped her hands. "Sure, sure, we're in Class D, but who cares? We made it into the academy! Do you know how many people wish they could be here?" She pointed at Ren. "You, grumpy guy, should lighten up. This is a big deal!"

Ren just stared, he was completely baffled.

Before he could respond, another student shot to his feet. This time, a boy with wild, wind-swept hair and an easy grin.

"Hah! If we're doing this, I'm in too!" He pounded a fist against his chest.

"Kaito from the Kazehana Clan! And let me tell you, I am so ready to be here!"

Ayame laughed. "Now that's the energy I like to see!"

Kaito grinned. "Think about it! Academy life! Training! Even if we're in Class D, we get to learn. Who cares about rankings? A true warrior rises no matter where they start!"

Ren's jaw tightened. Were these people even hearing themselves?

Then, another student stood up. This time, it was a girl with deep blue hair tied into a high ponytail. She had a calm air about her, but her golden eyes gleamed with excitement.

"I'm Mei from the Seiryu Clan," she said. Her voice was soft but steady. "And I agree, being here is an opportunity. No matter our class, it's what we make of it."

Ayame raised a fist. "Exactly!"

Kaito pumped his own fist in the air. "Let's show them what Class D can do!"

The room erupted into cheers and laughter, energy buzzing through the air.

Ren?

Ren just sat there, completely lost.

Why were they happy? Why were they excited?

Did they not get it?

Class D wasn't something to celebrate.

He folded his arms, he shut his eyes tight, he could feel the anger boiling inside him. It was like a storm was trapped in his chest, swirling, growing.

Is this it? He thought bitterly. Is this how I get to prove myself to Akane? Is this how I reclaim my destiny? Stuck in Class D, nothing more than a joke?

"Hey, new guy," a voice called out, cutting through his thoughts.

Ren ignored it.

"Oi, introduce yourself," the voice came again, firmer this time.

Still, nothing.

The third time, it was louder. More demanding.

Suddenly, Something inside Ren snapped.

Bang!

His hands slammed onto the desk, shaking the entire room.

Everything went silent. All eyes turned toward him.

He pushed himself to his feet with his gaze burning with frustration.

"Why are you all so happy about being in Class D?" His voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy silence. "Are you blind? This is a dummy class! We're nothing but background characters in this academy. Filler students they don't care about!"

Ayame, Kaito, and Mei blinked, they were caught off guard. Others murmured, some exchanged confused glances.

Ren's fists clenched. His body shook not just from anger, but from something deeper. A feeling that had haunted him for as long as he could remember.

Again.

Again, he was being tossed aside.

His voice rose, raw and unfiltered.

"Instead of acting like this is some big achievement, we should be thinking about how to climb our way up to Class S! That's where the real training happens! That's where real warriors are made!"