Chapter 10: Transfer

On the last part of the third floor of the high school building where the most talented 4th-year students of Mysthic Academy gathered. Their class is in total of 31 students with all of the members of S-rank with 5 students, A-rank with 7 students, and B-rank with 20 students. Therefore, their class is considered to be the 1st section among 5 sections of the 4th-year level.

The ranking of students is an overall ranking. In other words, the 1st to 4th year levels are eligible to enter in E-rank to S-rank depending on their skill. So if you're only a first year in Mysthic Academy, but you've passed the written test, semester's battle/test, then you can attain a higher rank, or if you're really that strong, you could be one of the S-rank students.

The number of students in each rank for this semester is 5 S-rank students, 7 A-rank students, 170 B-rank students, 270 C-rank students, 330 D-rank students, and 510 E-rank students for a total of 1292 students across all year levels. As you can see, there's a large gap between the number of A-rank students to B-rank students due to the difference in the tests they take.

In order to be part of the E-rank level, you must pass the 100-item test with a passing score of 75 (75% passing). This test consists of Magical Disciplines (elemental magic, divination, necromancy, illusion magic, transmutation, abjuration, enchantment, and summoning) and Magical History (history of magic, runes & glyphs, alchemy, and magical ethics). It's 50 items per subject in a total of 100.

In the D-rank level, the test consists of 200 items with a passing score of 150. The test consists of four subjects, which are Creature & Nature (herbology or magical botany, care of magical creatures, beast lore, and druidic studies), Practical Applications (potion brewing, spellcasting, wand or staff crafting, combat magic, and magical item enchanting), Martial Arts (sword play or weapons training, battle tactics, monster hunting, survival and wilderness skill, and dungeon navigation), and Advanced Field (chronomancy, planar travel, and sionics). It's also 50 items per subject, but unlike the E-rank test, the D-rank test is situational.

In the C-rank level, it's not a written exam anymore, but it's a real application of martial arts. However, they're not yet required to use the real weapons, but only the fake ones. They'll have a battle among those students who are taking the same exam to climb up to C-rank, and then the professors will be the ones to determine if they'll pass or not.

In the B-rank level, the students are now allowed the use the real weapon, but they can't use their magic during the battle. In this exam, the battle takes place solely in the academy's gym hall. The professors will watch to see if they can properly fight with a weapon, but they're not allowed to inflict serious damage to their opponent. A simple slash is enough and if they try to stab their opponent, especially on their vital spots, they'll be disqualified.

Meanwhile, in the A-rank level, it was completely different. The students will now take their exam in a forest and team up with a minimum of 2. They can now use their abilities to fight their opponents and inflict serious damage on them. Their main goal for passing this exam is to survive and exit the forest with all of their teammates, If they fail to do that, they can't be A-rank students.

This is why there's a huge gap between the number of B-rank students and A-rank students.

Lastly, in the S-rank level, you don't have any teammates to depend on, you're on yourself, fighting all your opponents. It seemed easy because you only need to protect yourself, but it's still hard, knowing that all the participants are your opponents and they could team up to defeat you. If you're lucky, you can get a teammate, but it's rare for this exam, and having a teammate will surely end in betrayal. The rules are the same as the A-rank exam.

Now, there's a difference between climbing and maintaining a rank. If one student from E-rank take the exam of D-rank and if they pass, they're now a D-rank student, if not, they remain as E-rank. However, if they only want to maintain their rank, they only need to take the same exam, but if they're in E-rank and fail to pass the exam, they can retake it. If they still fail, unfortunately, they'll be kicked out. Therefore, all E-rank students should rank up.

The same rules apply to all the ranks, the difference is that if B-rank to S-rank students fail or cannot attend the examination on the precise date, they need to succeed in a mission, and if they still fail, their ranks will go down.

Basically, if a student wants to remain in their rank, they need to take and pass the exam in their rank, and if they want to climb up they need to take and pass the exam of higher ranks.

Their homeroom professor or their adviser entered the classroom, making the students inside stop their chit-chat and focus on the front. Behind the professor, is their new classmate clad in their white button-up long-sleeve shirt, a plaid tie, a red vest worn over her shirt, and a gray pleated skirt. The official academy uniform for girls.

A small section of her hair on both sides is braided into thin, simple braids that blend into the rest of her brunette hair, and the top part of her hair was slightly pulled back and secured with a white bow.

The professor cleared his throat. "Good morning, everyone. I'm here to introduce your new classmate starting this semester." He glanced at her. "Please introduce yourself."

She smiled at them and bowed her head. "Good morning! I'm Kaia Celine Beaumont. I just transferred to this school yesterday, so I hope to get to know you all."

Levina narrowed her eyes upon noticing her hair. 'That's probably the reason why she took so long to come here.' She thought, propping her chin on her palm.

Some students are wondering why she was put in their section, knowing that they're the star class. Usually, the new students are placed into the last section or second to the last, but they didn't ask her that out of respect for her.

"Now, please take a seat beside Miss Brinley." The professor pointed to the chair beside Hestia, two rows in front of Levina.

Kaia smiled at the professor and slowly steered towards her seat. She was reluctant at first, but she didn't have a choice but to follow her professor's orders. She silently sat on the chair beside Hestia without casting an eye on her.

Hestia, on the other hand, couldn't help to steal a glance at the woman beside her. She wanted to initiate a conversation with her—to ask her how she is, but her past mistake is hindering her from doing so. She knows Kaia is mad at her, so talking to her at this time would be a blunder.

Levina crossed her arms, watching the two. She could feel that something was going on with them. She thought that they'd be close friends from the picture she witnessed, but their actions are antithetical to what she had anticipated.

After their classes, Kaia ran towards Levina. "Hey, Levina!" She called, making the taller woman halt and face her.

"What is it?"

"Aren't you going to tour me around the campus?" she asked excitedly, curving a smile.

Levina scowled. "Didn't I tell you already that I have a lot of things to do? You can ask our other classmates." She spun on her heels and was about to take a step, but Kaia held her arm.

"Come on! Don't be so grumpy! Just tour me around."

Levina glared at her, but the latter didn't fall back. She's still having the same smile as earlier.

"Please? You know, we need to have a close relationship since we're sharing the same dorm room." Kaia walked in front of her, her hand holding Levina's wrist.

"Which part can't you understand that I don't want to?" Levina pulled her wrist from the other.

Kaia sighed. "Why not? You're too focused on studying. Why don't you let yourself to relax and unwind? It's bad for your health to overwork your body."

Levina tried to refuse again, but she was blocked by Kaia again. Eventually, she gave in and agreed to tour her around the academy.

They were walking out of the academy cafeteria after Kaia had treated Levina to a snack. Levina refused at first, but Kaia told her that it was her thankful gift for saving her last time.

"Thank you for accompanying me, Levina." Kaia giggled, taking a sip of her matcha latte.

"No problem. Thank you for this, too," Levina replied, eyeing the ice cream that Kaia bought for her.

Levina stopped walking when Kaia halted out of nowhere. Kaia was staring at something, so she followed her gaze and saw Hestia kissing a girl from the A-rank level, Ashillie Reiga.

Levina immediately shifted her gaze to Kaia, seeing how her expression hardened.

"B*tch!"

***