The atmosphere in the academy was tense. Whispers filled the halls, excitement and uncertainty mixing together.
Mri leaned against the railing of the upper balcony, arms crossed, listening to the murmurs below.
A major academic event was about to take place.
And not just any event—The Arunachal Pradesh Academy Invitational.
The biggest academy competition in the region, hosted by AP Academy, the reigning powerhouse that had crushed Jengraimukh Academy in the last event. With 50000 students, AP Academy was more than just a school. It was a symbol of dominance.
But to participate, every academy had to choose only five S-Rank students.
The Assembly – The Rankings System
The entire student body gathered in the main courtyard as Principal Basanta Kutum and Miss Ananya Kutum stood before them,and the teachers.
Basanta's eyes scanned the crowd, his usual unreadable expression in place.
Miss Ananya took the lead.
"The time has come for this academy to step onto the grand stage. The Arunachal Pradesh Academy Invitational will test not just strength, but intelligence, teamwork, and strategy. Only the best will represent us."
The crowd was silent, waiting.
She continued, "To determine the five strongest among you, we will use the official Ranking System—a measure of raw talent, combat ability, aura control, and leadership."
Mri listened closely. He had heard about the ranking system before, but this would be the first time it was officially applied to him.
Miss Ananya gestured, and a large digital screen appeared in the air, displaying five rank categories:
1. C-Rank - Beginner-level combatants with basic aura abilities.
2. B-Rank - Skilled students with advanced training.
3. A-Rank - Highly capable fighters who have mastered multiple combat techniques.
4. S-Rank - The elite, possessing immense strength and battle prowess.
5. SS-Rank - The absolute top, nearly unparalleled in skill. (Rarely achieved by students.)
The Testing Method:
Each student would undergo a comprehensive evaluation, aura resonance tests.
The ranking system was not just about raw power but also mental fortitude and adaptability.
Only five S-Rank students would be chosen to represent the academy.
After the Announcement – Reactions & Rising Tension
The moment the assembly ended, the academy buzzed with excitement.
Everyone wanted to be one of the five.
Mri and Ayang exchanged glances. They knew they had the strength, but this was more than just proving themselves.
Nearby, Jasmine smirked, cracking her knuckles. She thrived in challenges like this.
From across the courtyard, a cold gaze locked onto Mri.
Shahid Morang, the feared leader of the Black Wolves gang, smirked. "Tch. Let's see if you're worth the hype."
On the other side, a strong presence made itself known.
Tanuja, the 1st Division Captain of the Revolutionary Stars, stood with arms folded. Unlike Shahid, she wasn't interested in trash talk. She was here to prove her worth.
Mri's Thoughts – The Real Competition Begins
Mri exhaled, watching his future rivals.
The selection wasn't going to be easy.
Strength alone wouldn't be enough.
The tests, the battles, the mind games—everything would decide who deserved to be among the final five.
And he wasn't about to let anyone stand in his way.