After the interview, the announcement boards of the school were updated. A fresh sheet of names fluttered across the school— the list of successful applicants.
As expected, the nobles had dominated the list in the top ranks, but one name stood out like a red flag on a battlefield— Rhys,Rank-1.
As everyone saw the results, there were murmurs all across the corridor. Some thought of it as an error. But by midday, the rumours were confirmed: a commoner had topped the physical and theory exams by scoring perfectly. For the first time in the history of the military school, someone had aced the entrance exam with a perfect score.
A lot of eyes were envious, but Rhys wasn't affected at all. Cause he was busy with something else.
[ Quest Completed ]
[ Congratulations, you have successfully passed the entrance exam ]
[ Calculating reward... ]
[ You have topped the exam, an extra reward will be added.]
[ Class unlock ]
[ Class: Cadet ]
[ Two skill points have been rewarded ]
[ Two extra skill points have been rewarded.]
The class was related to the military ranking, so Rhys didn't bother much with it. He got four skill points, which he added up instantly.
[ Status Window ]
[ Name: Rhys ]
[ Title: The Cursed One ]
[ Age: 13 ]
[ Class: Cadet ]
[ Level: 2 ]
[ HP: 100 ]
[ Mana: 1 ]
[ Strength: 17 ]
[ Agility: 17 ]
[ Intelligence: 30 ]
The school grounds were grand, with long training fields that stretched beyond the eye's reach. At the heart of it was the central hall where all the first-years were summoned for the orientation.
Rhys was standing at the back of the hall, arms folded and wearing the newly issued cadet uniform. As the noble cadets slowly started to appear in the hall, whispers began immediately.
"That's the mongrel who got the perfect score."
"Disgusting. Probably cheated."
"They will fix that mistake soon."
Rhys just ignored them.
At the front stage, Commander Valdrik Aurenhart, a towering veteran with a prosthetic left hand, raised his voice to command silence. The hall obeyed.
"Welcome to the Military School of Celestria. From this point on, your bloodline means nothing. Your past is irrelevant. Out there on the battlefield, only your ability keeps you breathing."
"And for those who think their family names can grant them safety....you will find no mercy over here."
Some cadets straightened nervously.
"In the coming months, you will be broken down and rebuilt. You will face training that will make you beg for death, and for some of you, death will come. But those who survive? You'll earn the right to call yourselves the soldiers of the empire."
He stepped aside, and the instructors began to divide the cadets into classes based on their ranks.
The top 10 performers were in Class A. Once the class division was done, the orientation ended, allowing cadets to explore the school and rest for the day, as the classes were supposed to start tomorrow.
Rhys shifted to the barracks. Every class had its own barracks so that the cadets could get familiar with their fellow batchmates. As Rhys sat on the edge of his bed, Cas Renholm, a blonde-haired noble known for his knowledge, approached him first.
"You are the hot topic for gossip everywhere today."
"Then let them talk," Rhys replied.
Cas chuckled awkwardly. Everyone in the room could sense that Rhys wasn't over here to make friends.
As the lights dimmed and sleep crept over the barracks, Rhys lay awake with his eyes on the ceiling.
The next morning was chaotic for the cadets as the whistle blew all over the school; they had to be on the training grounds before six for the training drill.
As all the cadets gathered on the training grounds, a thick-necked drill instructor started to call their names one by one to mark their presence.
After that, he blew the whistle and barked,
"Run ten laps around the field, those who fall behind get double!"
Without hesitation, the cadets surged forward. Rhys moved with quiet efficiency; despite being the youngest, he was among the fastest. The nobles gasped and cursed behind him, unused to such physical exertion.
By the sixth lap, several were already dragging their feet. Cas was panting beside Rhys.
"Hah...do you even slow down?"
"No,"
Rhys said simply.
By the end, Rhys finished first again, and the instructor noted in silence.
It wasn't anything like the entrance exam; the training ground was 20 times much larger, and a lot of nobles didn't even go through the physical test. This was like hell for them.
"Now for the fun part,"
the instructor smirked.
"Combat training."