7. Lowerclassmen Ranking Tournament (3)
And so, though a shift in rankings occurred between the second and third years after the second-year top student was ultimately defeated by his peer once again, it was a level not greatly different from previous years.
From the start, skipping grades beyond one's year was not something accomplished with ordinary talent, so it was only natural.
But in the eyes of the professors, the real show had yet to begin.
Because the first-years had not yet participated in the ranking tournament.
"Has everyone prepared well during this time?"
"Yes!"
At the knight's words, all the first-year students replied in booming voices.
Even during that time, the first-years had trained hard after watching the second-years being pushed back by the third-years, but they had trained even harder since the ranking tournament began.
Knowing their efforts, the knights refrained from excessive training and nagging so that the students could fully devote themselves to the ranking tournament.
Instead, they shared their know-how and helped the first-year students spar as satisfactorily as possible.
While they trained like madmen, the ranking shifts among the second-years completely concluded.
"We'll be parting ways soon. What a shame."
The first-year students looked at Jayden with regretful expressions. Because Jayden was scheduled for a double promotion, they knew they had no choice but to send him off now.
Realistically, doing their best meant advancing to the third year at most.
The ones with a chance of advancing to the fourth year would be Number 13, Number 3, Numbers 1 and 2, and about half of those ranked between second and thirtieth.
"Well…… I won't know until I go."
Jayden said so with a slight chuckle.
But contrary to his words, he was more than confident.
Because the second-year top student had defeated a third-year and skipped a grade.
Though the rank wasn't as high as expected, since the second-year top student had advanced, it was practically a certainty.
Therefore, Number 1, who had been on par with the second-year top student, and Number 2, who possessed similar skill, also had a high probability of doing the same.
The question was the others; it seemed that those around thirtieth place could stand a chance if they performed well.
And the remaining students also seemed fully capable of skipping a grade. Because they had grown so strong training together that the rankings changed in utter chaos every time.
"Whew…… Can I do it?"
"I have to."
"I can do it!"
"Let's do this!"
Everyone finished their final training with nervous expressions and went to bed early.
Starting a few days ago, they had focused on light exercise instead of overexerting themselves to build up stamina, and through consistent stretching, they had brought their bodies to peak condition.
And so, they greeted the next day with emotions half taut with nerves, half fluttering with excitement.
From morning, everyone gathered at the training grounds with faces that clearly showed their excitement.
Though the children had long since grown accustomed to gathering at the training grounds daily, today the grounds felt unfamiliar to the three hundred–some students.
"Today we go to where the second-year academy is to hold the ranking tournament. Do not tremble and fight without regrets, as much as you have all prepared well during this time."
Having said so, the Military Science professor representing the first-years turned around, and soon the professors led the students, seating them several at a time upon wyverns and heading toward where the second-year academy was.
When the three hundred–some students arrived at the second-year academy, students who had already been defeated or held back in the ranking tournament were gathered there.
Seeing not only second-year students but also held-back third-year students gathered at this point, the first-year students began to grow nervous.
"Number 13."
"Yes!"
When he was called first, Jayden tilted his head slightly.
"You're currently ranked first according to the first-year professors' evaluation. Come forward."
"Yes."
At the young professor's words, Jayden stepped forward. Then, a student wearing a third-year badge walked out.
"Third-year, Number 278. Fifteen years old."
"First-year, Number 13. Nine years old."
In response to the third-year student revealing himself, Jayden bowed his head in reply and took his stance. He could have felt intimidated looking at the boy who was much taller and more muscular than himself, but when he thought about it, this student was merely a loser as well.
If it was certain that the second-year top student had skipped a grade, then this opponent wouldn't be so difficult.
"Begin."
With the word to begin, the third-year student quickly thrust a thick iron sword forward.
Taking a textbook charging stance and pushing in, for a moment it felt like a bull was charging.
And so it seemed, because the mana the third-year student was unleashing after raising it to the limit made the surrounding air heavy.
But this level of momentum was child's play compared to the battlefield.
As Jayden instantly sidestepped the charging momentum and counterattacked, the third-year student panicked and hurriedly changed the direction of his sword.
And from that moment, he was desperately blocking Jayden's attacks for about a minute before it simply ended.
"I lost."
"Number 13 wins. Go wait over there."
While Jayden, who had won in an instant, rested in one corner, Number 3 also claimed victory, and Numbers 1 and 2 also managed difficult victories against third-years.
Among the top thirty first-year students, quite a few achieved victory.
The defeated students were not entirely without opportunity either.
As long as the ranking tournament was ongoing, there was always a chance. Since there was an opportunity for a double grade skip until it ended, they gritted their teeth and reviewed their fights, and the other students also strove to somehow end up in the same place as Jayden.
But dreams were only dreams.
Most first-year students could not overcome the wall that was their seniors.
Even though only students defeated in the ranking tournament had gathered, they were still elites.
The first-years had worked hard, but the seniors had worked just as hard, so the ranking tournament began to fall into chaos.
Everyone faced the ranking tournament while doing their utmost for their own circumstances, to skip a grade or to avoid being held back, and after a few days, the picture began to emerge.
"Those going to the third-year academy are confirmed."
Though the ranking tournament hadn't ended yet, they had to move for the students heading to the third year.
Because once the first-years went there, another ranking tournament would begin.
The supervising professor took the confirmed students and headed to the third-year academy due to scheduling concerns. Riding wyverns several at a time, they arrived at the third-year academy quickly.
It was a distance that would take considerable time on foot since they had to move from mountain peak to mountain peak, but by flying they could arrive in no time.
"Wow~ Our juniors are finally here."
As if he had been waiting, a student stepped forward and welcomed Jayden and the first-year students.
Then, a professor stopped that student.
"Enough. Do your provoking once the ranking tournament begins."
At the professor's words, the third-year student backed down willingly. Because needlessly picking a fight in the current situation would only put him at a disadvantage.
Watching that sight, Jayden's eyes began to grow cold.
The sight of the third-year swaggering and smirking for no reason to provoke him brought forth a scene from his previous life.
The nobles who had picked fights at parties to mock him when he had incompletely become the head of House Leonhardt.
He recalled those days when he had endured with effort after hearing the Emperor's warning not to cause unnecessary trouble, because he was not the rightful patriarch.
"You must be tired, so the ranking tournament will proceed in the afternoon."
At the third-year professor's words, the first-year students gathered under the shade of a large tree.
Third-year students snickered as they watched them.
The second-years who had skipped a grade seemed already dispirited, hanging their heads as if the ranking tournament had already ended for them.
Among them was included the student who had been the second-year top student.
"The third-years have poor character."
At Jayden's words, the first-year students' expressions grew heavy. Because it seemed they would be treated similarly.
In reality, the third-year students were gathered, looking down on and mocking the defeated third-years and the promoted second-years.
"Isn't it because of that guy?"
When Number 3 spoke while looking at the third-year who had tried to pick a fight with Jayden earlier, Jayden nodded lightly.
It was clear that the current atmosphere had been created by third-year Number 1.
Though he was off to one side, he was likewise sneering at the scene, and some third-year students were watching his cues.
"What a nuisance."
Number 3 frowned, looking at the third-year student full of mischief. And seeing the third-year wearing a name tag with "1" written on his chest, he scrunched his expression.
Jayden felt the same.
“Don’t lose.”
At Number 3’s words, Jaden’s eyes widened slightly before he let out a short laugh.
The other children, including Number 1 and Number 2, were also looking at Jaden and telling him not to lose.
Seeing those children, Jaden nodded slightly.
An arrogant kid like that needed a stinging taste of the rod.
They were heroes who had despised him in his previous life, so he hadn’t been particularly close to them, but because Jaden had watched their actions up close, he knew very well how to crush guys like that.
‘How did I deal with that type again…….’
Usually, it was one of two things: provoking them gently while defeating them, or crushing them from the very beginning. But he had also seen cases where someone beat them with such exquisite skill that they were simply unable to cry out their surrender.
But that was only possible with overwhelming might.
The difference in might between him and that 3rd-year Number 1 was about even, or rather, it was highly likely the 3rd-year was ahead.
He had to overcome that through experience.
‘Since they said it’s not the 3rd stage…… it’s more than enough to overcome.’
At this point in time, what the 3rd-year was ahead in would be physical ability and the amount of mana due to age.
Besides that, in areas like experience, technique, and solidity of fundamentals, he was superior.
In a way, they were evenly matched, but one thing was certain—he held absolutely no confidence.
No confidence that he would lose…….
“1st-year Number 13. 3rd-year Number 1. Step forward.”
As he stepped forward at the professor’s call, 3rd-year Number 1 looked at Jaden with his signature mischievous smile.
“1st-year Number 13. I’m nine years old.”
“3rd-year Number 1. I’m ten years old.”
“Ready.”
At the professor’s words, Jaden steadied his stance. Seeing his by-the-book posture, 3rd-year Number 1 swaggered as he spoke.
“Don’t be so nervous. I’ll go easy on you.”
Jaden looked quietly at 3rd-year Number 1, who was already provoking him before they had even started, before letting out a short laugh.
“Me? Why?”
As Jaden looked at him like he was absurd and shrugged his shoulders, 3rd-year Number 1’s expression stiffened slightly.
“Junior, you’re being a bit cocky.”
“Stop running your mouth and get ready. The ones who talk too much always have zero skill.”
“What?”
3rd-year Number 1’s expression hardened at Jaden’s words.
The professor listening nearby also widened his eyes. Because this was quite different from the Jaden he had known.
“Looks like a loser brat got to play king for a bit and now can’t see what’s right in front of him.”
“You…….”
Killing intent radiated from 3rd-year Number 1’s body, but Jaden ignored it.
The talent of 3rd-year Number 1, who had failed to promote to the 2nd stage, couldn’t compare to Jaden or Number 3. Still, Number 1 was someone who had been praised as a genius by other students and professors simply for having entered at the youngest age and skipped grades.
Jaden, who had thoroughly scratched that pride of his, smiled, seemingly judging that the provocation had worked well enough.
The professor, who had been watching the two’s battle of pride, finally lowered his arm.
“Begin.”
“Die, you bastard!”
With bloodshot eyes, Number 1 revealed his full power from the very beginning; Jaden deflected the sword strike with a stable posture, then stepped forward and dodged the pressing sword strikes one by one.
“For all that running of your mouth, you’re nothing special.”
As Jaden said that and aimed for an opening to counterattack, Number 1’s expression rapidly stiffened and he fell back.
But in that brief moment, Jaden had already sliced part of his clothes. Twirling his sword, he looked at Number 1 with a relaxed expression.
“You…….”
His pride properly wounded, 3rd-year Number 1 assumed a proper stance.
His excitement from moments ago vanished like a lie as he infused mana into his sword. Then, a heat haze with a slight gleam of light began to form around the blade.
Though it scattered like smoke almost immediately, it was a sight only those who had reached the very end of the 2nd stage could display.
And at the same time, a smile returned to Number 1’s lips.
It was the restoration of confidence born from his superiority in mana and realm.
“I suppose I’ll have to take some time to educate this cocky junior.”
“And you’re flapping your lips again.”
Jaden clicked his tongue and moved first this time. Then Number 1 swung his sword with a confident expression.
It looked sloppy, but Jaden noticed it was actually a trap, so he stepped around, appearing as if he might attack, and bought time.
Since he knew better than anyone that it was power scraped together from the very bottom anyway, the more time he dragged out, the more advantageous it was for him.
Then Number 1 noticed Jaden’s attempt to stall and pressed in aggressively. Because he knew better than anyone that his mana-infused sword gave him the advantage, he swung in a way that Jaden would absolutely have no choice but to block.
In that instant, Jaden’s eyes flashed. Because that strike deliberately aimed at his own sword, the power behind it was not perfectly distributed.
Clang!
“Kuk! You…….”
“Your foundations are shaky.”
Jaden sneered slightly at Number 1, whose balance wavered from his own sword strike, then swung his sword in succession.
It was a sword wrapped in the same blue heat haze, and if their power was similar, Jaden, who was superior technically, had the advantage.
Moreover, since he had already seized the initiative, even the tricky moves that would normally be hard to land all connected, and Number 1 began to be driven into a corner.
“Your lower body is wide open.”
“Aren’t you going to guard your upper body?”
“Your side is exposed.”
“Your movements are too big.”
Striking openings as if in an instructional sparring match, Jaden shattered Number 1, then delivered a clean kick to the staggering, exhausted boy.
Then, the boy who ultimately couldn’t endure the stamina drain flopped spread-eagle onto his back and couldn’t get up.
“Victory for 1st-year Number 13.”
At the professor’s shout, Jaden nodded slightly and approached 3rd-year Number 1.
“Keep your head down and live from now on.”
As Jaden—who had kindly even taught him the mindset to carry forward in life—stepped back, the 3rd-years’ expressions all stiffened at once.
And those expressions soured even further the moment Number 3 came out.
Number 3 also overwhelmingly wiped the floor with 3rd-year Number 2, and the remaining 1st-years, though not in the top ranks, also claimed victories against some of the 3rd-year students and settled in stably.
After this, Jaden received several more sparring requests from 3rd-year Number 1, but each time, Jaden thoroughly crushed him with overwhelming experience.
After 3rd-year Number 1 even lost to Number 3, the 3rd-years’ mentality began to crumble seriously, and perhaps thanks to that, the 2nd-years and 1st-years seized the momentum and were able to settle into ranking positions higher than their original skills would suggest.
“With this, we conclude the Ranking Determination Tournament.”
After the most chaotic Ranking Determination Tournament in the history of the Northeastern Academy had ended, the professors looked at the students with tired expressions.
“Hoo…… The 4th-year professors must be quite tired.”
A professor, upon seeing the haggard appearances of students who had recklessly fired off sparring requests at one another due to the factions formed during the Ranking Determination Tournament, shook his head with an expression that said he wanted these students to move up a year, even a single day sooner.