Standing on the stage, the white bearded old man swept a gaze around the students. He then smiled and spoke.
"Good afternoon. I am Ivan Kirk, the principal of this school. We are glad to announce that this year's batch of students exceeded our expectations. We will begin the ceremony by revealing the top 100 of this year's final exam. The rank 100 to 21 will be given a low-grade 3 energy pill. "
With these words, the students became excited and hopeful that they enter the top 100.
Principal Ivan began announcing the names of the students from rank 100 down.
"Rank 100, Clain Summers. Rank 99, Dillan Rivera. Rank 98…."
Each time he revealed a name, students broke into cheers while some were still quiet carefully listening in case their name was called.
Raia and his group were attentively listening to Principal Ivan's announcement especially Aaron, Caroline and Veronica.
After a few minutes, the names of ranks 21 to 100 were announced.
Disappointment filled the auditorium as the students realized they didn't make the top 100. Aaron was one of them.
He sighed and said with sad voice. "It looks like I didn't make it to the top 100."
Raia lightly smacked Aaron's head and said. "There is still the top 20, you know?"
Aaron shook his head and chuckled. "If I enter the top 20, I'll give you my reward then treat you all to a fancy restaurant."
Raia laughed at him.
"Are you sure that he can enter the top 20?" Caroline whispered to Raia.
Raia nodded and said. "Of course. Not just Aaron, all of us will enter the top 20. Just wait and see."
Caroline and Veronica smiled when they heard his words. Both of them were still hoping that they enter the top 20 after all.
"The students who placed at ranks 20 to 11 will be given three low-grade 3 energy pills." On the stage, Principal Ivan began announcing the ranks 20 to 11.
"Rank 20, Glenn Adams. Rank 19, Karl Roberts."
These two students jumped from their seats celebrating then rushed to the stage to get their rewards.
The next name was announced.
"Rank 18, Aaron Spiegel."
At this moment, Aaron shot from his seat and shouted. "That's what I'm talking about!"
He was laughing hard as he slapped Raia's shoulder a few times.
"Stop slapping me and get your reward." Raia smiled at him.
Aaron stopped. "Right, right. I'll be back." He then walked towards the stage to get his rewards. The students around them clearly envy Aaron.
After returning to his seat, Aaron handed over to Raia the three low-grade 3 energy pills that he just received.
"Here, take this. I told you a few minutes ago that I will give you my reward if I enter the top 20, right? I'll treat you guys later." Aaron said with a bright smile on his face.
Raia didn't refuse the pills and quickly put them into his spatial ring.
Few more names later and the ranks 11 to 20 were revealed.
This time, Caroline and Veronica's name weren't called.
"There are still top 10, you know?" Raia blurted out of nowhere.
"I'll give you my rewards if I enter the top 10!" Caroline shouted.
"Me, too!" Veronica also added.
Raia chuckled and said. "Your words, not mine."
Principal Ivan continued the ceremony. "Next, I will announce the students ranked from 10 to 7. They will be given five low-grade 3 energy pill, one low-rank 2 strength boost pill and 20,000 silver credits."
The students became more excited after hearing the rewards. They began guessing who among the remaining students will receive them.
"Rank 10, Jeanne Alberts."
Cheer and applause filled the auditorium as long haired lady walked towards the stage.
"Rank 9, Veronica Hall."
Caroline and Aaron shot from their seats and shouted. "Yes!!"
On the other hand, Veronica smiled and walked up to the stage immediately.
"Raia, here." She pushed the pills to Raia after she came back. "I'll send you the credits later."
Raia shook his head and said. "This is enough. Thank you."
"I am the one that should be thanking you. If not for your help, I don't know if I can enter the top 10." Veronica said with a smile.
Sitting beside Raia, Caroline began clenching her fist hard.
A few names later and the rank 6 was announced.
"Rank 6, Caroline Spencer."
Caroline jumped while raising both of her hands in the air. "Yeah!"
She left to get her rewards and quickly returned. Like the other two, she also gave the pills she received to Raia.
Two more names later and only the top three were remaining.
In his seat, Raia was calmly listening to Principal Ivan.
"I will now announce the rank 3, who will receive five low-grade 3 and one mid-grade 3 energy pills, two low-rank 2 strength boost pills and 30,000 silver credits."
The students waited for the name to be called.
"Rank 3, Steven Chris."
The students erupted into cheers. However, Steven was a bit confused as he received his rewards.
"I will now announce the rank 2, who will receive five low-grade 3 and three mid-grade 3 energy pills, two low-rank 2 strength boost pills and 40,000 silver credits."
"Rank 2, Jacob Philips."
Jacob stood up with his face painted in confusion. Same as him, the students were also in the same situation.
'I am only rank 2? Why? Who is the first rank then?' Jacob asked himself.
The other students began discussing to themselves who the rank first might be. A few minutes later, they began turning their heads to the direction of Raia.
After receiving his rewards, Jacob went back to his seat and waited for the name of the first rank to be called.
"And now, I will call the student who took the first rank in this year's final exam. This student will receive ten mid-grade 3 energy pills, three low-rank 2 strength boost pill, 50,000 silver credits and a peak-grade 3 weapon."
"Raia Lyndon."
The students cheered up when they heard the name. Raia casually walked up to the stage while sensing the complicated gazed of the students around him.
On the stage, Principal Ivan handed him his rewards which he then placed to his spatial ring immediately.
"Congratulations. You did a very good job." Principal Ivan said as they shook hands.
Raia smiled and replied. "Thank you, sir." He then returned to his seat.
"What is it?" Raia asked the three that were looking at him with wide eyes.
Aaron laughed and hit Raia's shoulder hard. "Boy, you really got the first rank!"
Caroline and Veronica composed themselves and congratulated Raia.
Raia thanked them and the four of them turned back their attention to Principal Ivan. The awarding was done but there are still things to do.
"We will now send a file with the results of your exams directly to your phones. The rankings of the remaining students will be included in that file. Those who failed, I'm sorry. Congratulations to all of you.
"That would be all. The students within top 20, please remain."
With that, the students began leaving. On the other hand, twenty students moved to the front seats.
'That guy really got the first rank!' Staring fixedly at Raia, Jacob still couldn't believe the results. He was 100% sure that he would get the first rank but now, another person took this place.
The other students were also surprised that Raia got the first rank. However, they didn't complain openly because they trusted the results of the exam. It was impossible for Raia to cheat at the exams after all.
On that note, they became more curious about how he achieved the first rank.
Meanwhile, Raia was just sitting on one side with relaxed face.
When the twenty students and the professors were the only ones present, Principal Ivan, stepped forward.
"Congratulations to all of you. Now, I have something to ask you. Who among you have already decided the university to attend?"
Hearing his question, a few of the students raised their hands including Raia.
"You haven't decided yet?" Raia asked Aaron.
"I have some in mind but things have changed. I'll go to where ever you go." Aaron said with a smile.
"Alright. What about you guys?" Raia turned to Caroline and Veronica.
"I already have a few choices but haven't decided yet." Caroline answered.
"Me too." Veronica added.
Raia nodded and put his hand down.
Principal Ivan continued talking after seeing that there are still undecided students.
"I advice you start thinking about it and make a decision quickly. There is only a small time before some of the university entrance exam begins after all. For those who already have their university of choice, you can send me a message so that I can make your recommendation letter."
"Let me get this clear. This recommendation letter doesn't guarantee that you will get admitted in the university. This recommendation letter only serves as your ticket so that you can take the entrance exams of the top universities of our planet. It is one of their requirements after all. Passing those entrance exams will still depend on you."
"Don't worry if you fail because you can still apply to other universities. But we won't give you another recommendation letter so the top universities would not be on your choices. I strongly advice you think about this very clearly so that you won't regret it later and have a hard time. Anyways, we are here to give you our opinions on what we think is good for you according to what you've shown us today."
After Principal Ivan spoke, he and the other professors moved to a room behind the auditorium.
Sir Emir was left with the students. "We will call you one by one to a room so that we can have a talk in private. Let's start with the rank 20, Glenn Adams."
Glenn followed Sir Emir to a room where the Principal Ivan and the other professors were gathered.
After the two left, the students opened their phones to take a look at the result of their exam including Aaron, Caroline and Veronica.
"Look what I got Raia!" Caroline shouted as she shoved her phone at the face of Raia.
[Caroline Danielle Spencer (Rank 6)
Written Exam – 480/500
Strength Measurement – 100/100 (Strength Value: 450)
Combat Assessment – 310/400 (Combat Power Evaluation: 9th level Martial Physique State)
Total Points: 890/1,000 (Passed) ]
Raia smiled as he read the contents of the file. Aaron and Veronica showed their results too. The three of them did really great at the written exam and combat assessment.
'I fell somewhat proud that they all did great in the finals.' Raia thought to himself.
The remaining students began discussing the result of the exam. Most of them talked about Raia.
However at the end, they still walked up to him and gave their congratulations. Raia knew most of them only by their looks but he still thanked them.
At this moment, Jacob walked to Raia.
"Congratulations, Raia. You really took the first rank." Jacob offered his hand to Raia.
"Thank you." Raia said as the two of them shook hands.
"I am a bit curious about the scores of your exam. If it is alright with you, can I see it?" Jacob asked Raia.
The other students turned to Raia when they heard this question. They were also curious like Jacob.
Raia raised his brows and thought for a moment. "Sure."
He took out his phone, opened the file that the school sent and showed it to Jacob.
[Raia Chase Lyndon (Rank 1)
Written Exam – 500/500
Strength Measurement – 100/100 (Strength Value: 5,000)
Combat Assessment – 400/400 (Combat Power Evaluation: 5th level Martial Spirit State)
Total Points: 1,000/1,000 (Passed) ]
The students couldn't take their eyes from the phone of Raia.
'A perfect score? What is this guy?'
'Strength 5,000? And a 5th level Martial Spirit State combat power? This guy is a monster!'
'What did he eat to become this strong?'
Various questions rose in the minds of the students. Aaron, Caroline and Veronica were surprised too.
Jacob, whose gaze was still locked at the result, was shocked.
'This guy! I could only get 350 on the combat assessment while he got a perfect score!'
Jacob turned to Raia with complicated eyes. Just a few minutes ago, he was not even putting Raia in his eyes but now, Raia beat his ass pretty good.
"And there was I yesterday laughing at you. Great job today, Raia." Jacob said with a smile. "Some of us will go to a restaurant to celebrate. You can join us if you want to."
Raia put his hands on the shoulder of Aaron and said. "Thank you for the invite but this guy will be treating us so I can't go with you. Maybe next time though."
"Alright. I understand." Jacob returned to his seat and the other students did the same.
Several minutes later and Sir Emir came back to call the rank 19 student.
Then Aaron's turn came. Time passed and Caroline and Veronica were also done conversing with the professors.
At last, it was Raia's turn.
In the middle of the room, Raia was sitting and in front of him were Principal Ivan and several other more professors staring at him with wide smiles on their faces.