"This dynamic ranking reflects your performance across multiple metrics," President Velara continued. "These metrics start with your performance in the preliminary Rift Clearing you partook in before arriving at the Academy, and then, for the rest of the year, scores will be gathered from other metrics such as: academic diligence and excellence, meechbeast rank and growth, personal growth in power and skill both as a tamer and as a Riftwalker, finally and crucially…" she paused for effect, "...performance in real-world scenarios."

The students whispered quietly to each other, their excitement barely contained. Real-world scenarios meant that they would certainly be going for Rift Clearing missions or at least participate in the Academy Mechbeast Games this year. Those activities were always exciting for First Years.

Velara continued, outlining the privilege for the top rankers after every year. "The Student Leaderboard works separately from Factions. Factions are exclusively designed to assist with the allocation of resources, but the Leaderboard serves a much greater purpose. The top rankers will receive priority resource allocation— which is every resource they require will be given to them. Also, they win a scholarship for the following academy year, and earn potential contracts with District Defense of different Sectors to become an employed Riftwalker."

Jethro's throat clenched as the rewards were listed one after the other. Every single one of them were extremely useful to him. Extremely. A scholarship? A Rift Clearing contract? Free supply of all the magical and tech resources for Scorch. He could use all of that.

No wonder everyone was so anxious to be in that Leaderboard. He remembered Songred and Moffrey talking about it in the Rift. But what were the chances that Jethro's name could ever be high up there? Above all of the First-years? It seemed impossible.

"Alright now, Students," Professor Sagittaru stepped forward. "Presenting the Student Leaderboard for the First-Years!"

A massive holographic display instantly appeared, hovering just above the heads of the four standing on the stage. Columns of names, ranks, Faction symbols and numerical scores began scrolling. It started from the very bottom as names and names entered the columns, leading up to the top with a speed that their eyes couldn't follow.

Murmurs of anticipation and anxiety filled the hall as students craned their necks, searching for their names. Some found theirs, others were too slow to see theirs scroll past. Jethro scanned quietly, expecting to find his name buried somewhere in the low to middle tiers.

He didn't. And soon, the top ten were presented. That was where Jethro found himself. Not jus top ten, or top five. He was No. 2 on the Leaderboard!

[2. JETHRO MERRICK - CLASS E, GREY RANK - HOUSE - 377 POINTS]

Right on top of his name was Padva's.

[1. PADVA DARLSTARC - CLASS D, PLATINUM RANK - HOUSE - 450 POINTS]

Jethro's brows furrowed with disbelief, he felt his stomach tighten and his sight sharpen at the giant floating screen. Was this some kind of mistake? How the hell was he number two?

Everyone else also shared this confusion. Whispers exploded in the hall; whispers of disbelief and jealousy as eyes locked in his direction.

"How the hell does Merrick get the number two spot?"

"A Grey Rank above Platinums and Gold? This doesn't make any sense."

"He showed up today with a Black Lizard rather than a red one. This guy keeps doing strange stuff."

"But second position? In a set of students where Prince Eryn and Princess Jessamine are in? Surely there has to have been a mistake."

Jethro felt their stares once again. It seemed that every time he came to his hall, it always ended up with him being the center of attention. Something he didn't particularly enjoy.

Padva, finally, turned her head in his direction after looking at the Board. Her thoughts were quiet as she gazed at him. Eryn Fenlor's face was contorted with pure, incandescent rage. Jesamine was also watching Jethro, though her face had soft, amused grin— the one she always wore when regarding Jethro.

Kekius turned to Jethro. "I'm number 7. But you. Number 2. Isn't that awesome."

Jethro looked down at President Velara who caught his gaze at that same time, eyes locked knowingly. "How is that even possible? I can't really be 2nd, right?"

Kekius appeared to have answers. "Don't you see? It's because of the Rift training mission. They added our scores on that to the overall. That's why Princess Padva Darlstarc is first and you're second. You both survived the most dangerous zone inside a Rift. The Darc Throne Depths, and the Conqueror himself. That earned you a lot of points."

Jethro gave Kekius a look, noting that he could actually be right. But if that was the case, then it meant that the Academy wasn't even trying to keep the incident a secret. At least not anymore. Was this their way of compensating him for almost dying inside a supposed Grey Rift, or did his survival truly count towards his overall performance.

Whatever the case, this meant something huge for Jethro. As it stood, being in the top ten meant he was a high ranker, and was eligible for all the rewards President Velara had mentioned earlier. However, Jethro knew how fast he could fall. The third place, Skarion Zentara, was only 80 points away. And with a Grey Rank, it would be extremely difficult to maintain that position.

All the more reason he had to get Scorch to evolve.

After President Velara gave her speech about being proud student tamers of Beastcorp and preparing to defend the world, she and the other dignitaries left the stage. The students began to mill out, buzzing with conversation about the Leaderboard which was now floating on the stage, and will remain there, updating students scores until end of school year.

Jethro, Kekius and Oand, who had silently hidden that he was No. 62, headed out of the hall together. Jethro tried to melt with the crowd, hearing them talk about him and the fodder princess which was undoubtedly Padva they were referencing.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him backwards.

"I've had it with you, Merrick!"

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