Another week passed in a blur of final lectures and practical demonstrations.

Then, on the last day of the semester, all first-years were summoned to the assembly hall.

The space was massive, high vaulted ceilings supported by stone pillars, rows of benches filling the floor, a raised platform at the front where instructors could address the entire year level at once.

Students filed in by class section, filling the benches with the chaotic energy of people ready for break. Conversations overlapped, plans for the month off, relief that exams were finally over.

I noticed the usual clusters forming as people settled in. Most of the hall was human students, but scattered throughout were smaller groups, a trio of beastkin near the middle rows, their animal features distinct even from a distance, one with wolf-like ears that swiveled at every sound.

Further back, a pair of elves sat together, their pointed ears and ethereal features drawing occasional glances from nearby humans. The Academy preached equality, but old habits died hard. People still grouped by race more often than not.

I stood near the back with Kyle, who was grinning like an idiot despite nothing particularly amusing happening yet. Emma, Sira, and Tobias clustered around us, all of us waiting to see what this assembly was about.

"Think it's just a standard 'good job, don't die during break' speech?" Kyle asked.

"Probably," Sira said. "They do this every semester."

The hall gradually quieted as Instructor Aldwin stepped onto the platform. He didn't need to call for silence, his presence alone was enough. Students straightened automatically, conversations dying mid-sentence.

"First-years," Aldwin's voice carried across the hall without any magical amplification. Just pure projection. "Your first semester at the Royal Academy has concluded."

A few scattered cheers. Aldwin waited for them to die down.

"You will have a full month of break. Use it wisely. Rest. Train. Prepare for next semester." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the assembled students. "Some of you have exceeded expectations. Others have merely survived. Both are acceptable outcomes for your first semester."

More murmurs. Students shifting, whispering to each other.

"Before dismissal, we have the rankings to announce. The top ten students of your year, based on academic performance, practical examination results, and overall demonstrated capability."

Oh. That's why we're here.

Interest sharpened throughout the hall. Rankings mattered, they determined access to resources, reputation.

"These students will receive special recognition and certain privileges," Aldwin continued. "They will be called forward in ascending order. Tenth place to first."

He pulled out a sheet of parchment.

"Tenth place, Emma Vale."

My head snapped toward Emma. A flush creeping up her cheeks as nearby students turned to look at her.

Tenth? She was ranked higher at the start of the semester. Eighth, if I remembered right.

She made her way through the crowd toward the platform, her movements stiff, uncomfortable with the attention.

Probably from overworking herself. Spreading too thin between classes.

"Ninth place, Marcus Valen."

A tall boy with red hair, eyes and sharp features stood from the front section. He moved toward the platform with confident strides, but I caught the tightness around his mouth. He wasn't happy.

"Eighth place, Adrian Westmore."

Another noble, judging by the expensive cut of his uniform and the way he walked, like the world owed him deference. He joined Marcus and Emma on the platform.

Aldwin continued calling names. Students I vaguely recognized from classes, all from prominent families or exceptional commoner scholars.

"Fifth place, Lyra Silverwind."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. An elf rose gracefully from the middle section, her movements fluid and precise. Long platinum hair cascaded down her back, and her pointed ears were adorned with delicate silver jewelry. She glided toward the platform with the kind of otherworldly elegance that made humans look clumsy by comparison.

I heard whispers around us.

"An elf in the top ten?"

"Silverwind... isn't that one of the forest clans?"

"Didn't think they'd send students here..."

...

"Fourth place, Zhakhel Ironstone."

More whispers. A beastkin, this one with distinctly leonine features, a mane of dark hair framing his face, amber eyes that gleamed in the crystal light.

He moved with predatory grace, muscles rippling beneath his uniform. Some students shifted uncomfortably as he passed, old prejudices surfacing despite Academy policy.

"Third place, Seraphina Ashcroft."

A ripple went through the crowd. Seraphina had been ranked second at the beginning of the semester.

Third? What happened?

She rose from the front row with perfect composure, her silver hair catching the light, expression completely neutral. If the demotion bothered her, she showed no sign of it.

"Second place, Toren Graves."

More surprise. Toren had been first.

A massive guy built like a fortress, specializing in defensive magic and heavy combat. He lumbered onto the platform, looking confused about not being first.

The hall went silent.

If Seraphina dropped to third and Toren is second... who's first?

Aldwin looked down at his parchment, then up at the assembled students. "First place, Jin Raith."

I blinked.

What?

The silence stretched. Students turned, looking around, trying to figure out who that was.

"Did he say Jin Raith?" someone whispered nearby. "Like Raith in...?"

"Wait, is that Cassandra Raith's brother?"

Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.

Kyle grabbed my shoulder, his grin splitting his face. "Dude! That's you! You're first!"

Sira's eyebrows had shot up, she was clearly surprised. Tobias looked between me and the platform, his mouth hanging open slightly.

"Jin Raith," Aldwin repeated, his voice carrying authority. "Please come forward."

This has to be a mistake. How am I—

"Go!" Kyle shoved me forward.

I stumbled, caught myself, and started walking toward the platform in a daze.

The whispers grew louder as I moved through the crowd.

"That's him?"

"He doesn't look like much."

"How did he beat Seraphina?"

...

I climbed the steps to the platform, joining the other nine. Seraphina stood to my right, her expression unreadable. Toren on my left, looking at me with open curiosity. The beastkin, watched me with sharp, assessing eyes. Lyra, the elf, glanced at me briefly, her expression cool and distant.

Emma smiled at me from further down the line, genuine and warm despite her own demotion.

Marcus and Adrian, standing at the far end, both had expressions that could curdle milk. Teeth gritted, hands clenched into fists.

Aldwin stepped forward. "Jin Raith has demonstrated remarkable capability this semester. His completion of a solo practical examination under extreme circumstances, combined with consistent tactical excellence, has earned him the first rank position."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small wooden case, the same one from his office.

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