Chapter 16: Recognition

Chapter 16: Recognition

The sun lit up the courtyards of the Supreme Magic Academy as a large crowd of students gathered in front of the main bulletin board. Excitement hung in the air — today, the official ranking of monsters defeated in the dungeon practical exam would be revealed.

—They've posted it! —shouted a voice, prompting a wave of students to rush forward.

Ares, heart pounding, stopped a few steps from the board. Liana positioned herself beside him, and shortly after, Agust appeared with his usual confident expression. Trebol, arms crossed a few meters back, observed in silence.

One by one, the names were read aloud:

—19th place, Liana! 161 monsters defeated!

The elf gave a shy smile, receiving a few claps from nearby classmates. Ares gave her a pat on the back.

—Nice work, Liana.

—Thanks. You did your part too, —she said, though she didn't yet know his result.

—4th place, Agust of the Kingdom! 273 monsters!

A wave of applause followed, though some noticed the slight furrow in the prince's brow. He had expected more.

—And now… first place! —announced a professor from the stage with a smile. —With a total of 544 monsters defeated…!

The silence was brief, quickly followed by murmurs and cries of astonishment.

—Isn't that the enhancement magic guy?

—The human raised by elves?

—How did he even surpass Agust?

Ares stood frozen, confused, until Liana gently nudged him forward. The applause began to grow, and though some still looked at him with skepticism, others were starting to see him in a new light.

Agust clenched his fists. His jaw trembled.

—It was nothing but luck, —he muttered to himself. —My magic is superior.

Trebol, still with his arms crossed, watched with a mix of surprise and interest.

Later, in the evaluation room, the new levels were revealed:

—Liana Galewood: Level 56.

—Agust of Aurelis: Level 58.

—Ares Windwalker: Level 46.

Ares felt satisfied. Though still behind his companions' levels, the gap was no longer insurmountable. More importantly: for the first time, he was starting to make a name for himself on his own merit.

And for the first time… Agust looked at him with something other than disdain.

It was the beginning of a change.