Days flew by, and finally, the much-anticipated day had arrived. The sense of excitent filled the air as I woke up early, deciding to take a break from Professor Joshua's training since I wanted to ensure I was in my best condition for the ranking battle.
I freshened up and had a small yet tasty breakfast in the academy's cafeteria. I also did so light exercises to warm up myself and I rested for a bit.
Today marked the second ranking battle for the freshman batch, but for two individuals, including myself, it was a completely new experience.
"I am very excited! Aren't you too, Eren?" Zephyr exclaid, his newfound friendliness making uneasy.
His attitude towards has changed a lot compared to the ti before we entered the exile. But thai friendliness made more uncomfortable. I couldn't help but feel cautious as this guy seed to be getting too close for comfort.
Annoyingly persistent, Zephyr continued, "So, who are you challenging, Eren? Do you want so help? Just tell , and I will beat them up before the match, making it easier for you to win."
I just ignored him at this point.
Walking by the corridors of the academy, We made our way towards the auditorium where the ranking battles were set to take place.
It was the sa place where the welcoming ceremony for the freshn was held.
As we approached, the grandeur of the enormous auditorium ca into view, leaving in awe once again. Its impressive structure never failed to captivate , no matter how many tis I laid eyes on it.
The ti was just past 1:00 PM, and although the ranking battles started in the morning, I was entering the auditorium only now. It was because the battles progressed in ascending order of ranks, so it would take so ti for them to reach my rank.
Inside the auditorium, 8- stages are built for this specific purpose.
Eight battles, that is sixteen individuals would battle simultaneously in the auditorium.
The real excitent and thrilling matches between the top rankers would comnce in the evening. Most high rankers wouldn't arrive early unless they were challenged by lower-ranked opponents and received a ssage from the academy.
Or so I thought...
"I will be cheering for you Eren", I head a supportive voice.
"Hmp! Don't fall behind the 508th rank." An arrogant voice chid in.
"Do your best, Eren." and finally a pleasant voice.
Evan, Julia and even princess Aurora were present in the auditorium sitting in the front rows.
'Are they here to support .'
"You guys….!"
Tears filled my eyes thinking about it.
It was the first ti that soone had shown concern to in this life. I was exhilarated by the fact that I had made so good friends.
Just when I was getting emotional thinking that they were all here to encourage , my attention was drawn to a group sitting on one side of the auditorium.
It was Babel's gang, accompanied by Luna Primrose.
'Why are they glaring at ?'
I thought as I noticed them fixated on our direction.
But when I watched it more carefully, it wasn't who they were glaring at.
It was the f*ker beside , they were particularly glaring at Zephyr.
"....!"I think you should take a look at
It suddenly dawned on .
"...."
I looked at Eren, Juli and the princess.
"These guys….", It wasn't exhilaration this ti but irritation.
These people weren't here to support but rather to witness Zephyr's fights.
'Damn it! I got emotional for nothing!'
It was obvious, Zephyr was the forr 1st ranker, soone who is a rival to all of them.
Even if his ranking had fallen now, it was only temporary.
If my guess is correct, then Zephyr is going to get back to the position of rank 1 in this ranking battle by challenging Babel von Agnus, who has ascended to rank-1 as a result of his demotion.
But Zephyr has to fight so other individual before fighting Babel as his current rank 261 has more than 250 rank difference as compared to the 1st rank.
'Whoever he chooses, that has nothing to do with .'
It is sothing for him to think about, not to ntion I couldn't even think that he could lose to soone, as he has gotten much stronger as compared to before we entered the exile.
Anyway, Ignoring Zephyr, I tried to concentrate on the matter at hand.
'Let's concentrate on myself for now.'
I glanced at the paper in my hand, containing the nas and ranks of the two opponents I had chosen to fight.
Gene Clayton - rank 258.
Winand Klee - rank 95.
Gene Clayton is a knight who primarily uses a sword as his main weapon and a shield as his secondary weapon. Observing him over the past week, it beca apparent that he wasn't particularly strong.
It was obvious considering that the freshn who have broken through 3-star at this point in ti would be no more than 150.
Defeating him should be a straightforward task.
For the subsequent battle, I had selected Winand Klee, ranked 95. A skilled water-type magician, he posed a bit more challenge due to his magical abilities.
But if I managed to get him into a close combat situation, then it should be just as easy.
And what made Winand Klee the perfect choice was his rank. By defeating him, I would secure rank 95.
Considering the worst situation, even if I were challenged and defeated three tis afterward, which was the maximum number of tis an individual could be challenged during a ranking battle. I would still be in rank 98, ensuring my ticket to the royal museum. It seed like a flawless plan, provided there were no significant changes in the rankings afterwards.
Just when I was lost in my own thoughts, congratulating myself on the brilliance of my strategy, my na was suddenly called out.
"Rank 509, Eren Pendragon, please co to 6th arena."
It is ti to kick so ass.
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Daily chapter release~
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