-chapter 85-
“Step forward, the named cadets.”
Amidst the racing hearts of everyone present, the names of the new stars of the first-year class at were finally announced.
“Rain Ludwig, Krista Warden, Kaiden.”
The audience began to murmur.
Did this final examination yield three top-ranking students?
To elucidate this result, one must enumerate Rain Ludwig’s evaluation scores.
[10]
[10]
[8]
[8]
[10]
[10]
[10]
[10]
[10]
[9]
He received the highest score of 10 in most categories, but due to differing opinions on the artistic aspect, he also scored two 8s, resulting in a total of 95 points.
“Rain Ludwig has reached the highest score in history!”
“He tied with Krista Warden!”
“Seven professors awarded him 10 points…!”
While that score evoked gasps of awe from all, a girl openly exhibited her discomfort.
“That, that, that rat… Are you saying he tied with Rain? Rain’s magic was far superior?!”
As Kasena Page mumbled, seeming unable to believe it, Madelia placed a hand on her head.
“The world of magic is always a harsh one… I want to say this, but can we really say they tied?”
“……?”
“Kasena, since you’ll one day become a chancellor, let me tell you this in advance: midterms and finals have different grading criteria.”
If this had been a midterm exam in the first or second semester… Rain Ludwig would have secured the top position. Why? Because—
“Rain received 7 scores of 10, which means seven out of ten professors awarded him additional points.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Had it been a midterm, Rain would have been first with the overwhelming advantage of extra points. Oh, and don’t repeat this comment anywhere.”
It’s truly worrisome concerning the future.
To surpass Kaiden, renowned as a genius in the world of magic, in such an unfavorable subject… and to be able to compete evenly with Warden’s heir…
And if the grading was different, he could have potentially bested both.
“Then why is Kaiden still included if this time they are tied for first?”
“There are no joint top ranks at . There can only be one star per exam.”
With a tie now confirmed in the finals, it would have to conclude in that cruel manner. Elin Ludwig also bit her lip.
“Oh my~ So this goes to a runoff vote?”
“What’s a runoff vote, Auntie?”
“It’s a method used only when there’s a tie in finals.”
The runoff vote is a method where the three cadets nominated for top student vote among themselves to determine who will be declared as top student.
“In this case, only the cadets who have tied for top will be allowed to vote…”
The third-place down cadet is merely eligible to vote, having fallen short in the search for the top spot.
It was created with the intent for the cadets to designate the one they find most suitable for first place based on mutual agreement, but most of the time, they would end up voting for themselves…
“It’s a rare event that happens once in twenty years.”
Nora Redon raised her eyebrows with genuine interest.
“The most important focus now, however, is Kaiden★ He must feel particularly sore about being eliminated.”
The reason Madelia referred to it as cruel lies precisely here.
Most candidates for the top would vote for themselves, rendering the final decision dependent on the choices of the students who ranked below.
The assistant, who had succinctly explained this method to the cadets, arranged the three students in a triangular formation.
“When I count to three, please raise your right hand to indicate the cadet you believe deserves to be top student. You are allowed to vote for yourself as well.”
Fluffy clouds drifted in the sky, shining brightly. Such a languid day was too calm for a suffocating and competitive vote.
“One.”
The cadets exchanged fleeting glances, a strange tension flowing through their eyes. It left even onlookers holding their breath.
“Two.”
Professor Caroline held her breath and closed her eyes tightly. Professor Elin fidgeted her feet in anxious anticipation.
“Three.”
Then, in the next instant, the three cadets raised their hands simultaneously, surprising the audience waiting breathlessly for the results.
“Hm…?”
“Oh?”
There were four fingers raised.
Among them, one pointed at Kaiden.
Another indicated Krista Warden.
And the remaining two… pointed toward Rain Ludwig.
“Kaiden chose Rain Ludwig…?”
“Krista Warden did the same…?”
“And Rain Ludwig… chose both?!”
Caught off guard by the professors’ astonished expressions, the assistant quickly approached Rain Ludwig.
“Cadet Rain, who did you choose just now?”
It was unavoidable to ask.
For Rain had both hands raised, with his left pointing to Kaiden, and his right to Krista Warden.
Rain Ludwig tilted his head, seemingly bewildered as to why this was strange.
“I believe both of them are suitable to be top student, so I voted this way… Is that not allowed?”
“In a runoff vote, you must choose only one person. Can I consider your vote as that of Krista Warden?”
What a unique sight—a scenario where all the runoff candidates voted for one another, and the peculiar behavior of the candidate for top student…
Deputy Professor Kyle felt a lump in his throat.
“I never expected to witness such a warming scene during a runoff vote.”
This truly was a remarkable generation. Not only their skills but also the character of the individuals… admirable beyond words.
“Alright, that settles it. No matter how Rain’s vote is tallied, the outcome will show no fluctuation here.”
Kyle raised the boy’s hand, and under the watchful eyes of all, that gesture was magnified to the utmost via the school-wide broadcast system.
“Right here, the top cadet of the first semester final examination for the 1388th class has been determined!”
Standing there was a boy possessing black hair and crimson eyes. Once branded as the “heavenly disaster” genius, he had been subjected to all kinds of disdain.
Once, once, once upon a time.
But now, amidst a flood of passion and aspirations, at the zenith of the mystic realm.
“Rain Ludwig!”
The silence rolling in the audience broke as a tempestuous applause erupted, thunderous in nature.
“Wowww!”
“Ludwig has conquered the golden generation at , securing consecutive top rankings!”
“Incredible, class of 1388! Even till the final vote, we’ll continue to support you!”
For a fleeting moment, Elin Ludwig and Seri Ludwig who felt like they were doubting their senses burst into radiant smiles as they embraced one another.
“Aunt! Aunt! Brother won! Brother won!”
Brim Ludwig, looking down at his son with pride, felt tears escape as he saw his husband’s shadow in the form of his son.
“Kebon, our son has ascended to the pinnacle once more today… just like you did.”
Professor Caroline breathed an exhausted sigh, her eyes closing, filled with a bittersweet mix of emotions—satisfaction and a tinge of sorrow.
“That’s right, Krista. If this is your choice… as your teacher, I can’t do anything but support you.”
In that moment, all focus and celebration shifted toward Rain, who, dazed, gazed toward Krista.
“Hey, why did you vote for me? You said you’d definitely take the top spot this time.”
With a huff, Krista turned away abruptly, crossing her arms in defiance.
“Don’t get crazy. Even without saying it, I’ll definitely steal that victory ornament from you. When you’re fully convinced you’ve truly beaten me.”
Had she won this runoff by even a single point, she would have seized the top spot without hesitation.
Yet this… wasn’t that.
Even in the preliminaries, Rain Ludwig’s victory couldn’t quite be viewed as decisive. Pursuing this victory clashed with her temperament.
“But… I’m frustrated.”
The thought of not being able to claim first place stung.
However, more than that, with the recognition that Rain Ludwig was actually more deserving of the spot made her blood boil… painfully.
Just as she was fighting back tears, feeling bitterness in her mouth, someone interrupted her thoughts.
“Krista!”
A strangely welcoming yet confusing voice rang out.
A crowd in the stands waved energetically at the girl.
They didn’t wear family crests, and thus, no one recognized their identities, but Krista recognized them just by their voices.
“Dad, Mom… and my sisters? What are you all doing here?”
In this heart-stirring confusion, she could do nothing but walk toward them in a dazed state.
“What do you mean, what are we doing here? You should know better!”
“This big sister just came to cheer on her talented younger sibling!”
Their excited yet almost unfitting words echoed of their noble upbringing. The round-faced father beamed at her, grinning from ear to ear.
“Well done, Krista! You truly were amazing!”
Amazing?
What’s amazing about it?
I still didn’t manage to keep the top place.
I wanted to say the aching pain tubed through her, but she couldn’t express it.
“You’ve raised a remarkable daughter, Chancellor.”
“Watching her makes me feel as if the future of the Warden family is dazzlingly bright.”
“I’ve come from the Division of Intelligence Processing of the Magic Association. If you don’t mind….”
In an instant, she was rendered speechless as the attention that had been directed at Rain shifted to herself and her family.
Seeing her parents surrounded by figures of stature within the magical community, she felt a situation she had never imagined unfold before her eyes.
The eldest daughter of the Warden family, Eva Warden, looked toward her younger sister with pride and chuckled softly.
“See? Hold your head high, my distinguished little sister. You were really incredible today!”
Had she known this family would be attending, had she delivered the performance worthy of their presence, it would have made everything seem extraordinary.
Her shoulders felt so heavy.
She couldn’t raise her head.
But the girl straightened her shoulders and lifted her gaze. Such struggles, such sorrow, she was already accustomed to.
– When a genius travels ten miles a day, we can catch up by traveling ten miles straight without resting. If the genius sets sail on an impressive ship across the sea, what prevents us from rowing a raft alongside?
It is only natural for it to be arduous.
It is only natural for it to be painful.
Yet even so, she would see this path through to the end. Someday, she would definitely catch up with him.
“Yes…!”
As Rain observed Krista, who spoke with false cheer while hiding her tears, he turned his attention to Kaiden.
“Why did you vote for me? No matter how I see it, what you have created was far more magnificent.”
Then Kaiden whipped out a portable notebook and scribbled something down.
[I found your magic more impressive.]
“Why?”
[Your voice encapsulated in the magic felt alive.]
Then as he snapped the notebook closed, he turned his body slightly toward the direction of Harimun’s academia and his father.
“Ugh….”
Rain scratched his head. He did feel pleased at having grown closer to Krista’s letter, yet something about this remained uneasy.
It seemed like he was stepping over promising juniors’ hindquarters.
Had he not been there, perhaps Krista would have already claimed the top spot, or Kaiden would have placed second… Such thoughts swirled before him.
“All three are incredible.”
While Lillian Karain clapped with a smile, Daedan Karain, who sat in front, abruptly stood up.
“Did those words just come out of your mouth? Incredible? A loser who brought shame to our faction!”
His hand swung through the air, slapping Lillian’s cheek with a sharp crack.
“With that cowardly mindset, how in the world are you planning to reach the top? What a pathetic fool!”
Yet contrary to his previous self, Daedan’s hand failed to touch Lillian’s face this time. She had grabbed his wrist in mid-air.
“Don’t worry, I’ll rise to the peak on my own terms by my own methods.”
Lillian wore an icy smile, released his hand, and rose from her seat, not sparing a glance back at him before departing the audience.
As Daedan fumed and pointed angrily, the young students of Rivendel couldn’t help but chuckle, trying to suppress their smiles.
Meanwhile, leaning against the railing, Felix Drake, vice president, turned to his side with a grin as he observed the runoff vote with interest.
“The momentum of the first-year juniors is incredible. At this rate, won’t we see a student council president who outshines even you?”
Beside him, Valensydis, who watched the match, simply smiled mysteriously.
“We’ll have to wait and see.”
Of course, I wouldn’t be able to witness that myself…
From that day forward, the name Rain Ludwig would carve a mark of brilliance in the world of magic, akin to the moniker of a “new star,” just as his father and grandfather had done before him.
