Seeing Ashan leap out from the race track, a wave of confusion swept across the remaining runners.
The S rankers and A rankers slowed down, glancing at each other as if the world had paused for a second.
"Why… did he stop?" Luphar muttered, brow furrowed in disbelief.
He blinked rapidly, trying to reconcile what he had just seen. "If he had kept going, he could've kept pace with us. He had the potential…"
The A rankers around him exchanged uneasy glances. Pride and disbelief warred in their eyes.
"He… is that his limit?" one of them said, shaking his head in disbelief.
The atmosphere shifted. The frantic rush and aggression that had dominated the race began to ease. Breathing slowed, chests heaved, and the sense of urgency dissipated, leaving a quiet tension hanging in the air.
Meanwhile, Eirena's mind was a whirlwind of analysis and speculation. She jogged lightly in place, trying to comprehend what had happened.
'Did he break himself? No… that's not it.' She thought, frowning. 'He seems perfectly fine. Then… did he just choose to stop after reaching ten kilometers?'
The uncertainty gnawed at her. A B ranker running against A rankers with that intensity, pushing himself to that degree, and then simply stopping… it didn't make sense.
…
Back at the starting point, the students who had finished their designated distances began returning. Ashan and the other B rankers approached steadily, heads held high but eyes reflecting the exhaustion and exhilaration of the race.
Nevil ran up to Ashan, practically bouncing with excitement.
"You're unbelievable! You actually raced A rankers… and passed them! You even almost caught up to the S rankers! I didn't expect that at all!" His voice carried both awe and envy.
Other B rankers who had finished looked at Ashan with open mouths and wide eyes. Murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire.
"That… that guy can't be a B ranker," one whispered, shaking his head.
"Did you see the way he sprinted? How he just… overtook us like we were standing still?"
Another added, astonished, "Did he really pass all the A rankers? And he almost reached the S rankers? If that's true… he's going to get into trouble for showing off like this."
The group began walking toward the main assembly point, whispers trailing them. All eyes were on Ashan.
Meanwhile, Aren had already noticed the commotion. Standing a short distance away, his expression was unreadable but serious, his sharp eyes observing every detail.
Ashan's smirk appeared faintly, almost apologetic, a slight awkwardness creeping into his posture.
'Ahh… looks like I stirred up trouble again,' he thought to himself. 'Judging from his expression, I can't even guess what he's thinking. Let's see what happens next.'
As Aren approached, Ashan and the other students quickly straightened and stood in orderly rows. The murmur of the crowd quieted, and the air carried a mixture of tension and anticipation.
"Ahem…" Aren cleared his throat, his voice cutting sharply across the open area.
"Well done to everyone for completing today's task," he began, his gaze sweeping over the students. "Those of you who completed eight kilometers are allowed to advance to the next level."
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as if calculating something. Slowly, he began inspecting the returning runners.
"Through our monitors, we detected a B ranker who achieved something extraordinary. This individual managed to pass all A rankers and came close to S rankers. I would like to know… who accomplished this feat?"
A beat of silence followed. Then, almost instantly, dozens of fingers shot up, pointing directly at Ashan. Heads turned, eyes locked, whispers surged, and all the attention fell on him.
Aren's gaze sharpened as he narrowed his eyes, studying Ashan carefully.
'So… it's him,' he thought, more to himself than anyone else. 'I had my suspicions… but this confirms it. This young man is hiding his true abilities. Yet he used them so openly… Why?'
He took a deep breath, adjusting his posture. Then, with deliberate calm, he addressed Ashan directly.
"Ashan, is it? Did you really manage to run like that… unaided? No external help, no unknown source?"
Ashan met his gaze, calm and confident.
"Yes, sir," he said clearly. "I relied entirely on my physical strength. I swear it."
Aren closed one eye thoughtfully, studying him.
"Hmm… Is that so?" he said slowly, almost as if weighing a theory. "Others would assume you cheated or used mana. Yet you claim this was purely physical. Very well. Others may return for lunch. Ashan, come with me. I need to conduct a brief test."
Nevil looked at Ashan with concern, tilting his head slightly. "Should I stay here with you? He seems… suspicious of you."
Ashan patted Nevil on the shoulder lightly, reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'll handle it. Go ahead, get your fill. I'll be back soon."
Without another word, Ashan followed Aren. The two of them walked in silence toward a small, discreet building. Aren opened the door, gesturing for Ashan to enter.
Inside, the room was immaculate, almost clinical, filled with sophisticated machinery designed to measure mana. Ashan's eyes widened slightly, taking in the details.
"Wow… these machines are far beyond what I've seen before," Ashan murmured. "Even better than the testing room I visited previously."
Aren nodded, his expression serious. "Indeed. Every device in this room provides accurate results, hundred percent accurate. We can measure true mana capacity, detect discrepancies, and ensure no rank faking is possible."
Ashan tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Professor… because I showed abnormal physical abilities earlier," he said calmly, eyes steady, "are you suspecting that I faked my rank?"
Aren's gaze locked onto his, calm yet sharp enough to cut.
"Is it unnatural to consider that possibility?" he said evenly. "After what you showed today, suspicion is inevitable. Anyone in my position would question it." His eyes narrowed just a fraction. "The real issue is whether you can prove yourself."
Ashan nodded subtly. "Then I will."
Aren stepped over to a nearby console and activated a machine. A metallic pad slid out.
"All you need to do," Aren instructed, "is place your hands on this pad and channel all your mana into it. I will handle the analysis."
Ashan smirked confidently and placed his hands on the pad.
'Sorry, Aren, but you'll find nothing extraordinary.'
'My core was originally D rank. Before coming here, I used a method I learned through system information. By compressing a massive amount of mana, I created a fake extension of my core. It wasn't easy, but I perfected it, and even the system confirmed its stability. That's how my current evaluation evolved from D rank to B.'
Slowly, Ashan channeled his mana into the pad. With a final, controlled exhale, he removed his hands.
The screen blinked to life.
(Mana count – 8882)
(Mana density – 5.5)
(Rank – B)
Even after seeing the result, Aren's disbelief lingered.
"He is… really a B ranker," Aren muttered, voice low. "The machine cannot lie. Yet… where does such physical strength come from? It doesn't fit his rank."
Closing the machine, Aren turned his full attention to Ashan. "The result confirms your rank. But explain… how do you possess immense physical strength that defies your rank?"
Ashan pretended to ponder, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"I think I know the reason. Professor, I grew up in an orphanage. From a young age, I realized my physical abilities were different from others, running faster, lifting more, enduring longer. No one my age could really match me. After I awakened, mana only amplified what was already there, strengthening my body even further."
Aren tapped his chin, deep in thought. "I see… so it's genetic, combined with your training. A rare case indeed, but plausible. Very well."
Ashan glanced at his watch. "Professor, can I consider myself passed to the second level now?"
Aren nodded, a faint smile breaking his serious expression. "Yes. You've passed. You may go."
Ashan bowed slightly. "Thank you, Professor," he said, then left the room.
Aren remained behind, watching him walk away. His eyes were thoughtful, his lips pressed into a thin line.
'I cannot simply overlook this,' he thought. 'I will need to inform the others.'