BXBX NOVEL Chapter 106: Entrance Exams: End
The fact that the bonus stage took a lot out of him made them think that their decision to not participate was a wise choice.
If the Academy Staff were to discover their thought process, they'd probably sneer in disdain due to their ignorance. They would instantly deem these people as fools with no future.
How dare they judge things that are out of their understanding...
Still, even with the Bonus Test not having any real impact on his final results, everybody knows that Cedric passed everything with flying colors. At this point, nobody would deny that he is, in fact, the strongest amongst this batch of participants.
"Your results have already been calculated." Came Orion's sudden announcement which immediately caught their attention.
"As you all know, we will only be receiving 200 Students every year." He continued, "We already lifted the restriction to your System. You should be receiving e-mails that contain your personal results as well as the list of those who made it."
After hearing that, everybody hurriedly summoned their System interface to check their results.
"Oh my gosh!"
"No! No, how could this be!?"
"I got in! Hahaha! Mom, Dad! I made it!"
"Fail! How could I have failed!? I...I passed every test so how!?"
"I am unwilling! I request for a re-evaluation!"
The cacophony of sounds echoed around the field. Everybody was looking at their test results. Some were celebrating because they passed, others could only lament their fate.
**
From: @Starlight_Royal_Academy.gov
To: @Frostwind14 (Isabella Frostwind)
¤ Greetings, Isabella Frostwind, we at the Starlight Royal Academy congratulate you for achieving stellar results in our Entrance Exam (See full details below). We formally welcome you as a student of Batch 3034. We are looking forward to your achievements.
¤ Test Results:
Written Test - 984/1000 [Pass!]
Practical Test - 1st Part (A+), 2nd Part (A+), 3rd Part (A+) [Pass!]
Bonus Test - 5/10
¤ Final Rating: A+
**
Isabella wore an impassive expression as she read her results. Don't get her wrong, she was relieved that she passed but it wasn't surprising at all given how she performed.
Of course, the little uncertainty induced some anxiety in her but in the end, she held full confidence in herself so it wasn't a big deal.
Looking at the list of the students who passed alongside her, she discovered that she sat firmly in the 3rd place. And despite her frigid expression, she was inwardly peeved but also helpless.
Obviously, Garrick and Cedric sat firmly above her. And she's not a fool to ignore this blatant sign.
An Academy of this caliber wouldn't leave any unnecessary details, especially in something tangible like an e-mail. The fact that they ranked every participant meant that it would have an impact on their studies. She's not stupid to not notice this.
Meanwhile, Garrick was also looking at his test results...
**
From: @Starlight_Royal_Academy.gov
To: @Strong_Daddy (Garrick Stoneheart)
¤ Greetings, Garrick Stoneheart, we at the Starlight Royal Academy congratulate you for achieving stellar results in our Entrance Exam (See full details below). We formally welcome you as a student of Batch 3034. We are looking forward to your achievements.
¤ Test Results:
Written Test - 890/1000 [Pass!]
Practical Test - 1st Part (S), 2nd Part (A+), 3rd Part (A+) [Pass!]
Bonus Test - 5/10
¤ Final Rating: S-
**
The S-rating on the Test of Strength was a little surprising but understandable. It was apt for someone like him who awakened a Divine Physique, anything lower than that would be a disappointment.
Still, he knows that he couldn't be this one-dimensional. He must make his other aspects catch up to his strength. He knows that he should be a well-rounded fighter to minimize his weaknesses.
He also discovered that he's in the second place amongst the list of those who passed. Just like Isabella, he too understood the underlying meaning behind his placement, not that he could complain since he had seen how big of a gap there was between him and Cedric.
But that doesn't mean that he's down completely. For a person like him, this serves as great motivation. If Cedric could achieve that level of strength, there's no reason why he couldn't as well.
And finally, there's Cedric...
**
From: @Starlight_Royal_Academy.gov
To: @Cedie_Boy (Cedric Stormrider)
¤ Greetings, Cedric Stormrider, we at the Starlight Royal Academy congratulate you for achieving stellar results in our Entrance Exam (See full details below). We formally welcome you as a student of Batch 3034. We are looking forward to your achievements.
¤ Test Results:
Written Test - 1000/1000 [Pass!]
Practical Test - 1st Part (S), 2nd Part (S+), 3rd Part (SS) [Pass!]
Bonus Test - 10/10
¤ Final Rating: SS
**
"Well..." He muttered while smiling wryly, especially after seeing his name in bold and italics firmly sitting at the top of the list.
Just like the rest, he wasn't surprised at all. The ratings were a little shocking but it made sense.
Typically, he would be fretting over showing too much but at his current level of strength, that's not the case. In truth, he actually hid a lot of his abilities in this test.
The strength level he displayed was already something that the Demons knew even before Humans did. After all, they were already watching him closely. Because of that, he wasn't afraid of showing this much to convince some parties.
Of course, his abilities as a Sage shouldn't be exposed anytime soon. He created 'Derrek' for that purpose after all.
Also, he already knew that they were already planning on assassinating him, it's just a matter of time and place. He didn't want to stress too much about this for now since worrying too much would cause him to stagnate. Besides, he's always on the lookout for any threats in his life anyway so in a sense he's always prepared.
Since the Demons haven't made any movements yet, this means that he isn't that big of a threat to them right now. Or maybe they have other things to attend to. Either way works for him.
Additionally, he also didn't miss the way how he was being subtly protected by the people around him. That trace of sharpness and alertness was very obvious to him and the timing was just right so he knew that they were protecting him.
With them around, the Demons would think twice before making any movement against him.
Still, this didn't stop him from feeling pride swelling up his chest. He did really well. If only his family was here to celebrate with him...
While he was checking his results, some parts of him were still paying attention around him. He could feel varying emotions from the crowd.
He saw people celebrating while others were left in a state of complete despair. Some of these people already tested before yet still didn't pass this time.
The Academy only allows individuals to participate in their Entrance Exams a total of three times, and let's not forget about the age bracket too.
For these participants, who were left in complete shambles after failing, this was their last attempt. There's no next time for them anymore, which made them even more bitter.
He pitied them, really. But he's also not a saint. There's no way that someone like him could request the Academy to pass them in his stead. He was a nobody still, despite his achievements so far.
'Such is life, I suppose. I'm just way luckier compared to them.' Cedric assessed inwardly.
"For those who passed, your Guarantors will be with you in a while. They will bring you your credentials and starter supplies. They will also be the ones who will bring you to our Academy tomorrow."
"If you have any questions, ask them what they know first. Any discrepancies in their information will be filled out once you enter the Academy properly anyway."
"With that all said, I now conclude this year's Starlight Royal Academy Entrance Exams! Once again, congratulations to those who passed, I'm looking forward to your achievements. For those who did not make it, work hard and you may try again next year. If you are amongst those who have used up all their chances, this means that your fate doesn't lie with us.
Seek other opportunities, all is not lost yet so don't lose hope."
"That's all I have to say, you all may vacate the field now."
After that announcement, Orion and his fellow Instructors promptly disappeared. The crowd also moved after that.
It was then that several streaks of light appeared across the sky. One landed right in front of Cedric and he noticed that it was actually the City Lord...who looked somewhat younger and stronger compared to the last time he saw him.
"Good job, Kid. You gave me a lot of face this time around! HAHAHAHAHA!"