The air inside the Academy auditorium was heavy, not with heat, but with tension.
Hundreds of students sat silently, shoulders squared, backs stiff. The only sound came from the magical runes floating above the stage, pulsing softly in shades of gold and silver. Everyone knew what was coming.
At the center of the stage stood Principal Gregoras, tall and unmoving, draped in his deep navy robes with silver trim. His gaze swept across the room like a blade, cool and unreadable.
Ezren leaned toward Kaguro and whispered, "Do you think he practices staring in the mirror?"
"Quiet," Kagetsu hissed.
Then Gregoras raised one hand, and just like that, the hall fell completely silent.
"Students," he said, voice magnified with magic, deep and deliberate. "Your performance during the practical exam has been recorded and analyzed. Those who showed skill, adaptability, and teamwork will be recognized today."
He paused. Several students inhaled like they were preparing for impact.
"If you hear your name, come to the stage."
The room tensed.
"Sarina Delmont."
A girl in the third row stood up, visibly shaking.
"Torek Venn. Laissera Morn. Jinrei Koda. Nolan Thorne. Arielle Vael. Aeloria venri..."
On and on the names went. Fifty-six students in total made their way to the stage in nervous little groups, some whispering to each other, others stunned silent. They were led to one side and arranged in neat lines, all standing tall under the watchful eye of the faculty.
Then the final name on that list was called.
Silence returned.
And then...
"Enjin Akagawa."
Enjin stood wordlessly and headed toward the stairs. He didn't look back.
"Kaguro Liora."
Kaguro blinked. "Oh... huh." He stood, a little slower than Enjin, then followed.
"Kagetsu Hitoshi."
Kagetsu rose smoothly, but paused when the next name hit the air.
"Ezren No last name"
Ezren didn't move.
Kagetsu stared down at him. "Ezren."
"Let them call someone else," he groaned, not budging from his seat. "I'm morally against stairs right now."
"You're morally against effort," she shot back.
Then, without another word, he grabbed him by the back of his shirt and hoisted him halfway over his shoulder. The crowd burst into laughter as he walked him toward the stage like a broken puppet.
"I am being emotionally abused!" Ezren shouted as they reached the steps.
"You're lucky I didn't drag you by your hair," Kagetsu replied flatly.
The Reveal
Once they were all onstage, Principal Gregoras raised a hand again.
"These six students have achieved the highest individual and team scores in this year's practical exam. They have displayed remarkable talent... and surprising teamwork."
He glanced briefly at Kaguro and Enjin. The two stood side by side,
"The teams with the most points collected during the trial were as follows:"
The air was so tense you could feel people stop breathing.
"First Team: Enjin Roan and Kaguro Kael, 155 points."
A wave of claps and impressed murmurs rolled through the auditorium. Kaguro scratched the back of his head awkwardly while Enjin just stared forward like it was no big deal.
"Second Team: Kagetsu Hitoshi and Ezren, also 155 points."
"Third Team: Kael Thorne and Mira virell, 125 points"
The clapping grew louder, mostly because Ezren raised one hand weakly from where he was still leaning against Kagetsu for support.
"Thanks, everyone," he mumbled. "I'll sign autographs once I learn to sit upright again."
Kagetsu shook her head, but he couldn't hide the ghost of a smile.
Gregoras waited for the applause to die down.
"These students' results will be recorded and factored into their advancement evaluations. But for now... well done."
The entire auditorium erupted into applause, not just polite clapping, but genuine excitement. Cheers, whoops, even some stomping from the back rows.
Ezren slowly straightened up and whispered to Kagetsu, "I feel like a broken hero action figure."
"What's that?," He replied.
"never mind" with a dejected look.