[2000/2000]
I'm last. Fucking last place.
But then, it clicks for me. It makes sense. That's why people seem to hate me, despite my seemingly important family. I'm a failure, just like I was in my past life.
Some celebrate their ranking, high-fiving, and yelling from the top of their lungs. Others — like me — are silent, just staring at the number on the watch. I've pieced together already that 'Ranks' drive this world. It's a status, a hierarchy.
Even if I'm last —
I can rise.
It is my new goal and idea. I have powers now. I'm still unsure about this new world, or who Salvator is, but I've received a gift. I have to live the fuck out of this life — do everything I couldn't do before.
With a new ideal in mind, I straighten and look around. The various emotions clashing in this stadium is palpable.
Then, Leon clears his throat loudly into the mic to get everyone's attention. "The top 5 cadets will be projected onto all screens now. But remember, only the top 3 will join me."
On cue, the many large displays scattered throughout the arena, including the jumbotron-like screen in the middle, flick to a leaderboard.
[TOP 5 RANKINGS]
RANK ONE: CAELUS DAWNBRINGER
RANK TWO: ALEYNA DELACROIX
RANK THREE: CASPIAN LUMIERE
RANK FOUR: ELAINE LOCKHEART
RANK FIVE: ELIZABETH BLACK
No one seems surprised around me. At all.
All I think is that I'll be on there. Soon.
The skinny boy on my left laughs. "Same old." I can tell the general sentiment of the crowd is similar. Mixed in with admiration, acceptance, jealousy, and respect. There are also a plethora of fans around me, screaming at the top of their lungs.
"I love you, Caelus!"
"Marry me, Aleyna, please!"
"Caelus you're the best!"
And more along the lines of that.
Leon walks to the side of the stage, where there's a walkway connecting it to the stands. "Without further ado, please welcome Caelus Dawnbringer, Aleyna Delacroix, and Caspian Lumiere onto the stage!"
Three cadets walk out onto the stage from the walkway, waving at the crowd. If the hollering before was loud, it's on a new level now. There's a rumbling applause from all around, and I politely clap too. The screens switch from the leaderboard to a camera view of them, allowing everyone to see them clearly.
Now that I've seen the three cadets.. I have to admit. Why are they all so attractive? It's like there's not a single minor infraction within any of their features.
It does add more to my theory of this being some fever dream or something. But I snap out of it. I know it is important for me to know as much as possible about this academy. And from the way the cheering, yelling, and simping gets loud enough to hurt my ears — the top students here are celebrities. Therefore vital to know about.
Leon grins broadly, and ushers them over to centre stage. They end up standing in a line, Leon hovering behind them. "Here we have Caelus," he gestures to the tall grey-haired boy on the left.
Caelus has jade green eyes, that glimmer in the sunlight. His features are defined, but soft, in a way that makes him look pretty, and handsome. His hair is cut short, nicely styled in a side part — gelled perfectly. His shoulders are sharp and slim, going with the rest of his body.
His school uniform is the same as the other two on stage. They must have all came from the same feeder school — or whatever they're called in this world.
Caelus gives a polite smile, almost radiating in warmth. Leon hands the mic on over to him.
"Hi everyone!" Caelus waves, exitedly.
A bunch of audience members chorus, "Hi!" back. It's honestly pretty wholesome. Various screams echo out, either praising him, saying how handsome he is, or how much they love him. So — mental note — Caelus is pretty
much loved by everyone.
"I'm honoured to be standing up here, along with my fellow cadets." He waves a hand at Aleyna and Caspian. The two both look much less exuberant than Caelus.
Aleyna has a neutral expression, but Caspian is basically scowling.
Caelus coughs, awkwardly. "Anyways, a small introduction. I am from Fusion Academy, I'm 19, turning 20.." he hums.
"I enjoy cooking, and desserts the most. Feel free to reach out, I'll try and say hi," he concludes.
Applause rings out through the stadium. A few moments later later, and the mic is passed down to Aleyna.
I'm assuming this is some sort of tradition. Or maybe the top 3 have some important role in the school, and so this is how we know them? I'm not exactly sure..
"Hello, everyone." Her voice is calm, and soothing in a way to listen to. It has a cold touch of formality.
I look to the screen, ready for more information-absorbing time, and get mildly shocked. Damn. Wow. She's pretty.
From the way the boys next to me also look starry-eyed, this is no new thought. Her beauty of another level. On Earth, she could easily be a supermodel.
It makes me more curious about what I look like now. God, please don't make me the same level of ugliness I was when I died.
Salvator couldn't do that to me.. or maybe they would. I don't even know.
Her dark, silky hair cascades down her back. But the real show stopper is her face. Eyes, specifically. Aleyna's eyes are a mesmerizing icy blue, that seem to shift with different deeper shades of indigo. The long black eyelashes she has only accentuates her eyes. Her jaw is sharp, face elegantly soft yet also distinct. Her skin is a pale white, and she has subtle curves —
I need to stop myself. I can't stoop to the level of the degenerates next to me, who've started salivating.
"Hey, she's the daughter and heiress to the Delacroix Corporation," one guy says, behind me, catching my attention.
So.. she's rich. It sounds like it.
"No shit, bro. I can read her damn last name. And who doesn't know that? The Delacroix Corporation is literally the number one company in the world."
"Jeez. Just thought you might need a reminder."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
I tune them out.
Aleyna looks around the stadium. "I am Aleyna Delacroix, as you all know. I also hail from Fusion Academy, and I am the same age as most of you. 19, turning 20." There's a brief pause, and you can almost see the gears turning in her head. "As for preferences, and hobbies.. I enjoy reading, studying, and coffee, I suppose."
Despite her lacklustre engagement and enthusiasm, the cheering outcome is about the same as Caelus. So, Aleyna is also well liked, just in a different manner.
Next up, is the guy who looks pissed for no reason.
Murmurs quickly sound around the stands. "Holy shit. That's Evelyn's younger brother."
"Oh yeah. I read about it."
"Wait — that's the younger brother of the SSS class hunter?"
This sounds.. interesting. Younger brother of Evelyn, an SSS class hunter. I have a brain. SSS class sounds like a pretty damn high class. And everyone is gossiping about it. So, she's a real celebrity. More than Caelus, Aleyna, and Caspian.
As soon as I'm out of this damn arena, I'll need to read up as much as I can.
"Hey." Caspian bluntly greets, sounding exasperated on the first word. "I'm Caspian. I like training and fighting."
His pitch black hair blows in the slight breeze. It's already messy. Caspian has sculpted features, set in a permanent frown. His eyes are a chilling crimson, piercing into my soul, even through a screen. He's the tallest on stage, and has a muscular build.
There's silence, for about a minute. It's like everyone's waiting for him to say more, but he doesn't. Then, reluctant clapping starts, which builds into a moderate applause, and then fades.
Caspian is a strange person. He clearly doesn't care about public image, or events like these. I'll have to learn more about him later.
Leon quickly swoops back in, and has a nervous grin. "Now that introductions from our top cadets are finished, and you have all received your ranks, file out of the appropriate exit depending on your placement. Then, your first day will begin tomorrow."
My watch flashes, the screen changing. Now, it says 'EXIT 30' in large text, my rank pushed to the top right corner. There's an arrow in the middle of the screen too, pointing me in the right direction.
"Good luck, cadets!" Leon declares at last, grandly.