The morning didn't arrive at Aurelion Forge Academy in the bad way.
It just started.
The holographic panels around the courtyards and towers turned on and the rankings appeared in neat columns. Students stood together in groups talking excitedly like a group of bees that had just found something sweet.
Kalen walked into the plaza and immediately felt something, like he was being watched by hundreds of eyes. These people were not just curious about him, they were sizing him up.
Lyra woke up slowly. "You're popular now." She said.
Nyxara sounded happy and possessive saying "They finally see how good you are."
Asha'kareth said "They only see a small part of it."
The rankings board stopped changing. The names were finalized. The top ten students were listed, the top five. Then something unexpected happened. The board changed again and a new name appeared in the seventh spot.
#7. KALEN VIRE
The plaza was silent for a moment. Then it was loud again. The entire students were shouting and they couldn't believe what they were seeing.
Someone said "He wasn't even ranked before!"
Another person said "And then what happened overnight!"
Someone else said "This isn't possible!"
Elyra was standing a few steps away with her arms crossed and her eyes fixed on the board. "You are ranked low." She said
Kalen looked at her and said "You are being kind."
Elyra replied "I'm just being honest."
Seraphine walked up to them from the side with a serious face. "Rankings are like negotiations, not facts." She said.
Then a separate panel turned on above them.
SPECIAL DESIGNATION: ANOMALY CLASS. ACTIVE
Kalen's name was highlighted below it.
Lyra whistled. "They made a special category just for you. That's adorable."
Nyxara leaned in close to him and said "They are afraid to compare you to others."
Asha'Kareth followed "So they're putting you alone in a group."
Kalen took a breath and said "Then let them watch me."
The board shimmered again like it was agreeing with him.