Chapter 18: The Unveiling of Results
The air within the individual simulation pod remained cool and sterile, a stark contrast to the simulated chaos Cade had just navigated. He stood for a moment, letting the adrenaline subside, the quiet hum of the Null Armor's internal systems a comforting presence. He had pushed the boundaries of his capabilities, not just in combat, but in tactical manipulation. The conduit hub's integrity score of 91% was a testament to his precision, a far cry from the likely lower scores of those who relied on brute force.
The door to his pod hissed open, revealing the bustling debriefing area once more. Applicants emerged from their own pods, their faces a mixture of exhaustion, relief, and grim determination. Some wore expressions of quiet triumph, others of bitter disappointment. The air was thick with anticipation as everyone awaited the final results of the Strategic Gauntlet.
Cade, his Null Armor now discreetly retracted into his watch, moved towards the main holoscreens where the scores would be displayed. He felt the familiar weight of scrutiny, but now it was tinged with a new kind of respect, a grudging acknowledgment from those who had witnessed his performance in the Synergy Trial.
Commander Valerius's amplified voice boomed through the hall, cutting through the murmuring crowd. "Applicants, the results of the Strategic Gauntlet, the final phase of the Apex Crucible Entrance Exams, are now displayed on the main holoscreens. Your overall scores, combining all three trials, are also presented. These scores will determine your admission to the Apex Crucible Academy."
Massive holographic projections flickered to life across the arena walls, displaying the final, cumulative rankings. The tension in the room was palpable, a collective held breath. Cade's gaze immediately snapped to the top of the list.
There, at the very pinnacle, stood his name: Cade – Overall Score: 97.2%.
A stunned silence fell over the hall, more profound than any before. Then, a wave of murmurs, then outright gasps. A score of 97.2% was virtually unheard of, especially for the Strategic Gauntlet, which was designed to be brutally difficult. It wasn't just topping the list; it was shattering expectations, setting a new, impossible standard.
Below him, Lady Lyra Vance ranked second, with an overall score of 90.5%. Her face, as she looked at the screen, was a mixture of pride in her own high score and outright astonishment at Cade's. She turned to him, her eyes wide, a silent question in their depths.
Seraphina Vance was third, at 89.8%. Her expression, however, was not one of surprise, but of intense, focused frustration. Her gaze, sharp as a laser, fixed on Cade, then on his score. Her mind, as brilliant as Alexian's own, was clearly struggling to reconcile his performance with any known Battle Armor doctrine. The gap between her and Cade was significant, a chasm of unknown technology and strategy.
Jory Sterling, who had performed admirably in the Strategic Gauntlet, found himself in the top fifteen. He stared at Cade's score, his jaw slack, all resentment replaced by a profound, almost fearful awe. Kaelen Thorne was also among the top ranks, his thoughtful expression now tinged with a deep, unsettling curiosity as he too studied Cade's name.
From the observation platforms, the silence from Lord Governor Elias Vance and Lord Lysander Vance was deafening. Their carefully neutral expressions had finally broken, replaced by undisguised shock and an intense, almost predatory interest. Cade could feel their combined scrutiny, a tangible weight, but now it was the weight of profound intrigue, not just suspicion.
Commander Valerius, for once, seemed at a loss for words. He cleared his throat, his voice regaining its authority, though a note of stunned respect was evident. "Master Cade… an unprecedented achievement. Your performance in the Strategic Gauntlet was… a masterclass in tactical efficiency. Your overall score sets a new record for the Apex Crucible Entrance Exams." He paused, then added, "Congratulations, Master Cade. You have earned your place at the Apex Crucible."
Cade simply nodded, a subtle, confident tilt to his head. He allowed himself a moment of quiet triumph. The world had called him useless. His family had cast him out. But here, in the heart of the system that had rejected him, he had not only proven his worth, but he had redefined it. He was no longer the abandoned Alexian Thorne. He was Cade, the Null Mechanic, and his power was undeniable.
As the other applicants began to disperse, a buzz of excited chatter filling the hall, Lyra Vance approached him, her face alight with a mixture of excitement and a burning curiosity. "Cade! That was… incredible! How did you achieve such a score? Your methods in the Gauntlet were… I've never seen anything like it. You controlled the entire environment!"
"Adaptability, Lady Lyra," Cade replied, his voice calm. "And understanding the underlying systems." He offered a half-truth, enough to satisfy, but not to reveal.
Jory Sterling, surprisingly, walked up to them, his usual bluster replaced by a quiet respect. "Cade… that was insane. Seriously. No one's ever done anything like that. You're… something else." He extended a hand, a gesture of genuine, if still reluctant, camaraderie.
Cade met his gaze, a flicker of the past in Jory's eyes, but now it was a flicker of respect, not disdain. He took Jory's hand, a firm grip. "Thank you, Jory."
Across the hall, Seraphina Vance's eyes remained fixed on him, a complex mixture of frustration, suspicion, and a dawning realization in their depths. She was a strategist, a brilliant mind, and she knew, instinctively, that Cade's performance defied all known Battle Armor logic. She would not let this go.
Cade felt a cold satisfaction. The first phase of his plan was complete. He was in. He had established his new identity, demonstrated his unparalleled capabilities, and gained the attention of the very people he sought to influence, and eventually, to challenge. The Apex Crucible awaited, and with it, the next stage of his subtle retribution. He was no longer just a ghost of the past; he was a force of the future, ready to weave his own destiny.