A month passed in the blink of an eye.
The new disciples gradually adapted to life within the Grand Academy.
Some progressed rapidly in cultivation.
Others distinguished themselves through alchemy, formations, or scholarship.
Every disciple found a place to grow.
---
For Kieran...
The month had been peaceful.
His cultivation advanced steadily.
Never too quickly.
Never too slowly.
By the end of the month...
He had quietly reached the Third Stage of the Mortal Foundation Realm.
There had been no dramatic breakthroughs.
Only countless hours of careful cultivation.
His foundation remained as flawless as ever.
---
One crisp autumn morning...
The great bronze bell rang three times.
Dong!
Dong!
Dong!
Every Outer Court disciple instinctively looked toward the central plaza.
"The Monthly Rankings..."
Someone whispered.
"They're being announced."
---
Students from every corner of the Academy gathered before a massive jade monument.
Its polished surface remained blank.
Until...
An Elder placed his hand upon it.
The monument glowed.
Names slowly appeared.
Each one accompanied by its achievements over the past month.
Contribution Points.
Academic Performance.
Mission Records.
Cultivation Progress.
Practical Evaluation.
The Academy measured far more than strength alone.
---
Mira nervously clasped her hands together.
"I hope I didn't embarrass myself..."
Selene smiled.
"You'll be fine."
Ronan remained as calm as ever.
Kieran simply watched the names appear one by one.
---
The rankings continued to climb.
Top One Hundred.
Top Fifty.
Top Twenty.
Excited murmurs filled the plaza.
Then...
The Elder announced the Top Ten.
Number Ten...
Ronan.
Outstanding Spear Hall performance.
Consistent mission record.
Exceptional discipline.
Mira clapped enthusiastically.
"I knew you'd make it!"
Ronan merely nodded.
"I'll work harder."
---
Number Eight...
Selene.
Her achievements in ancient runes and formations had earned praise from several instructors.
She adjusted her glasses awkwardly as nearby students applauded.
---
Number Six...
Mira.
Her rapid improvement with the staff and outstanding teamwork had impressed her instructors.
She stared blankly at the monument.
"...Me?"
Then she jumped happily.
"I actually did it!"
---
The rankings continued.
Number Five...
Number Four...
Number Three...
None of them were Kieran.
Several students quietly exchanged glances.
"I thought he'd be somewhere near the top."
"So did I."
---
Finally...
The Elder reached the final two names.
"Second Place..."
A gifted swordsman from a noble family stepped forward.
Thunderous applause erupted.
He had reached the Seventh Stage of the Mortal Foundation Realm in only a month.
A remarkable achievement.
---
The plaza fell silent.
The Elder smiled faintly.
"First Place..."
"Kieran."
Silence.
Utter silence.
Then...
The jade monument displayed the reasons.
Outstanding Comprehension
Perfect Mission Evaluation
Exceptional Academic Performance
Highest Overall Potential
No mention of cultivation.
No mention of combat.
The Academy had judged the whole disciple.
Not merely his strength.
---
The crowd erupted.
"What?"
"He's only at the Third Stage!"
"How is he first?"
Several noble disciples looked visibly displeased.
One muttered,
"The rankings must be mistaken."
---
At that moment...
Elder Rowan stepped forward.
His calm voice echoed across the plaza.
"The Academy Rankings are determined by the Academy."
"Not by public opinion."
"We cultivate complete individuals."
"Not merely powerful fighters."
Silence immediately followed.
No one dared argue further.
---
Mira rushed over.
"You did it!"
Selene smiled warmly.
"I expected nothing less."
Even Ronan allowed himself another faint smile.
"Congratulations."
Kieran looked genuinely surprised.
"I wasn't expecting this."
"I know."
Mira laughed.
"That's why you deserve it."
---
High above the plaza...
The Headmaster observed quietly.
He wasn't interested in the rankings themselves.
He was interested in Kieran's reaction.
No excitement.
No arrogance.
No desire to prove himself.
Only mild surprise.
Then acceptance.
The old man nodded to himself.
"A stable heart."
"Good."
---
As the crowd slowly dispersed...
A tall young man blocked Kieran's path.
He wore the robes of a second-year disciple.
His bearing was calm and confident.
Behind him stood several other students.
"You are Kieran?"
"I am."
The senior nodded.
"My name is Darius."
"I represent the Azure Society."
He smiled politely.
"We'd like to invite you to join us."
Kieran blinked.
"The Azure Society?"
Darius nodded.
"The Academy has many student societies."
"They help younger disciples grow."
"Our Society welcomes talented students."
Before Kieran could answer...
Another voice interrupted.
"Hold on."
A young woman in crimson robes approached.
"If he's joining anyone..."
"He should hear our offer first."
She smiled confidently.
"The Crimson Pavilion has room for one more genius."
Moments later...
Another group arrived.
Then another.
Within minutes...
Nearly every major student society in the Outer Court had gathered.
All...
To recruit one quiet first-year disciple.
Mira looked around in astonishment.
"I think..."
"...you're popular."
Kieran smiled helplessly.
"I don't even know what a student society is."
Somewhere nearby...
Elder Rowan quietly laughed.
"This..."
He murmured.
"...should be interesting."
End of Chapter 85