Chapter 130: Rift Combat Division

Ethan had no idea what Drey was planning. And honestly, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

Principal Ronan finally raised his voice again. "Now that I have answered your questions, we can move on."

The students gradually quieted.

Ronan turned toward the large screen behind him. " It is time for the main event."

The anticipation in the hall immediately returned.

Ronan’s gaze swept across the students. "We will now announce the students who have qualified for Rift participation."

***

Mr. Davin immediately joined Principal Ronan on the raised platform, carrying a tablet in his hands.

The hall gradually quieted as the students turned their attention toward him.

Mr. Davin stood beside Ronan and addressed the students.

"The results from the obstacle course have been graded according to the academy’s standard alphabetic ranking system."

A large display appeared behind him, showing the different grades.

"Students who received an A or B grade have qualified to participate in actual Rift missions under the academy’s approved Association trainee program."

The atmosphere in the hall immediately became more serious.

"Those who received a C have not qualified for immediate Rift participation. However, they will be placed on the priority list and considered first whenever additional participants are required for a mission."

Several students nodded as they listened.

"Students who received a D or E have failed the selection process. You will not be eligible for Association trainee Rift missions at this time. You may continue participating in the academy’s normal Rift courses and practical training, but you will not be assigned to the Association’s trainee missions."

A mixture of disappointment and relief spread through the hall.

Mr. Davin paused briefly before continuing.

"Although almost every student in the academy has been gathered here today, the results we are announcing concern only those whose selected major is the Rift Combat Division."

Ethan blinked.

Rift Combat Division?

He looked around the hall.

"So how many people is that?" someone whispered.

"Approximately one hundred students in total," Mr. Davin answered.

Ethan’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

Only about one hundred?

He thought back to his academy enrollment information.

He couldn’t even remember choosing a division.

Then again, that was probably because the old Ethan had made the decision before he ever arrived in this body.

The old Ethan had chosen the Rift Combat Division because it was considered one of the fastest paths to success within the academy.

At the time, he had apparently cared more about improving his rank and proving himself than thinking about the dangers that came with the division.

Ethan couldn’t help thinking about it now.

Of course he chose the fastest path.

The old Ethan had never seemed particularly interested in playing it safe.

Unfortunately, neither did the academy.

Ronan stepped forward again.

"Students who are not part of the Rift Combat Division are free to leave."

Several students immediately began gathering their belongings.

However, surprisingly, not many actually left.

Most of them remained in their seats.

After all, this was more than a simple result announcement.

The students were about to find out who had qualified to participate in real Rift missions and potentially work alongside the Empire Association.

Nobody wanted to miss that.

Mr. Davin looked down at his tablet.

"We will now begin announcing the results."

The hall became completely silent.

Mr. Davin started from the lowest grade.

"E."

A few names were called.

The students whose names were announced lowered their heads or quietly accepted their results.

Then came D.

More names were called.

Some students looked disappointed while others remained expressionless, already aware that their performance had not been enough.

Ethan listened carefully.

He had expected that he would probably receive a C at most.

As far as he remembered, he had done quite well during the obstacle course, but he hadn’t considered himself exceptional.

Besides, many of the students who had finished within the required time had still received C or D grades.

That alone told Ethan that the grading clearly wasn’t based solely on how quickly someone completed the course.

There had to be other factors.

Control.

Combat ability.

Decision-making.

Overall performance.

Whatever the academy had used, Ethan had no idea how well he had actually scored.

So he had settled on C.

At least a C would allow him to remain on the priority list for future missions.

Mr. Davin continued calling names.

Then they reached C.

Ethan immediately straightened.

His ears practically perked up as he listened to every name.

One after another.

Student after student.

The list continued.

But Ethan’s name never came.

He waited.

Still nothing.

His eyebrows slowly drew together.

Maybe I got a B.

That was certainly better than a C.

He had done well enough to finish the course, and if his name wasn’t among the C students, then B was the next possibility.

His confidence rose slightly.

Mr. Davin continued.

Another name.

Then another.

Ethan listened carefully.

His name still wasn’t called.

The list continued.

His confidence began to disappear.

What is going on?

He couldn’t have received an E.

He couldn’t have received a D.

Apparently, he hadn’t received a C either.

So what was left?

B.

Or A.

Ethan stared toward the platform.

Could I really have gotten an A?

The thought seemed almost ridiculous.

He had done well, yes, but an A?

He wasn’t sure.

Then another possibility entered his mind.

Maybe Principal Ronan exempted me from this too.

After all, Ronan had already exempted him from the punishment.

Could he have done the same with the Rift results?

Ethan was still thinking when Mr. Davin moved on.

"B."

Ethan’s heart tightened.

The first name was called.

Then another.

Then another.

Ethan waited.

His name still wasn’t there.

He began wondering whether he had somehow been placed in a completely different category.

His mind raced through every possibility.

Then Mr. Davin looked down at the tablet again.

Ethan’s thoughts stopped.

"Student..."

Mr. Davin’s voice carried across the hall.

"Ethan Ashford."

Ethan’s eyes widened.

The entire hall seemed to go strangely quiet around him.

Mr. Davin continued.

"Grade B."