One day, a formal announcement echoed throughout the academy grounds. The director, Yulia, stood on a floating platform in the central plaza, her voice amplified magically.
"Students, faculty, and honored guests," she began, her tone authoritative, "to celebrate the advancements brought forth by the Ascension Potions and the unyielding spirit of growth, the academy will hold an unprecedented event—a Summit Challenge."
The announcement stirred the crowd into murmurs.
Yulia continued, "This challenge is open to all students, regardless of rank or year. Competitors will face trials crafted by the tower itself, pushing them beyond their limits. The rewards will be... monumental. And for those who aspire to face our top-ranked student, Asher Magnus, this is your chance."
Freya glanced at Asher, who stood motionless, his gaze unwavering. "Guess you're the main event," she teased.
"Inevitable," Asher replied, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "But this will be interesting. Let's see who has the guts to step up."
"Challengers can only challenge someone up to five ranks above them," Yulia explained, her authoritative tone cutting through the chatter. "The one who has been challenged can reject a challenge up to three times a day but must accept at least one challenge every week. After fulfilling this weekly obligation, they may reject further challenges."
She glanced at Asher, who winked back at her.
"Really? Flirting here of all places?" Freya said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"She started it," Asher shrugged nonchalantly, causing Freya to shake her head in disbelief.
Yulia continued, unfazed. "Additionally, every month, those ranked in the top ten positions will earn Academy Points."
A wave of excitement rippled through the students. Academy Points were highly coveted, especially since the Academy had begun harvesting the Ascension Potions from the Tower. These potions were now available for purchase in the Academy shop, but only with Academy Points.
"What about class rankings?" a student asked, raising their hand.
"The class rankings and their challenge systems remain unchanged," Yulia replied, earning a nod of understanding from the student.
"How many Academy Points do we get for rankings?" asked a graceful elven beauty, her voice drawing attention as several male students glanced her way. She dismissed their gawking with a look of disdain, her aura sharp as a blade.
"The first rank receives 100 Academy Points," Yulia said. "Each subsequent rank gets ten points less than the one above them." The source of this content is Novel~Fire. (n)et
She added with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, "Also, during a duel, the winner will take all the Academy Points that the loser has. So, I suggest you think carefully before issuing or accepting challenges."
The tension in the room thickened as the students digested this new rule, their competitive spirits igniting. Some were already sizing each other up, mentally preparing for their first challenge.
"Two students must first inform the teachers in charge; only then can they fight in the arena," Yulia concluded, looking over the crowd. "You can all go now," she added.
The students began to disperse, but many were still eyeing each other, assessing potential rivals.
As Asher and Freya made their way out, Asher couldn't help but notice the stares directed his way—not just from humans but from students of other races as well. Just as they were about to leave, an elven beauty stepped forward, stopping them. She was tall and elegant, her flowing silver hair shimmering under the academy lights. Her piercing blue eyes locked onto Asher, and the way her S-class uniform fit her only added to her commanding presence.
"You are Asher Magnus?" she asked, her voice cold and measured.
"I am," Asher replied calmly, tilting his head slightly. "And you are?"
Before she could answer, another elven girl interjected, her voice sharp. "How can you not know Lady Tiara?!"
Tiara raised a hand to silence her companion. "Enough," she said firmly before returning her gaze to Asher. "I am Tiara. I was ranked first among the new students. It seems you don't pay much attention to the Academy's rankings," she remarked.
Asher shrugged. "What others do has little to do with me."
Tiara's eyes narrowed slightly at his nonchalant response. "I am here to issue a challenge," she said, stepping closer. "I want to see just how strong the so-called top-ranked S-class student really is."
Freya frowned at Tiara's tone but remained silent, watching the exchange carefully.
"Alright, let's fight," Asher said, his interest piqued. He had heard she was the top new student, and now he was curious about her strength.
"At least you're not a coward," Tiara said, her voice steady as she added, "Let's register the challenge then."
As she started to step forward, he stopped. "Not so fast," he said, a small smirk on his face.
"What do I gain from this?" he asked. "I mean, you're aiming for the S-Class Rank 1, but what do I get out of it?"
Tiara narrowed her eyes at him, clearly not expecting the question. "I will give you an Elven magic skill," she offered.
Asher shook his head. "I don't need that."
"Then what do you want?" she asked, a hint of frustration creeping into her tone.
"Access to your continent's dungeon," he said plainly.
Her eyes widened for a moment before she frowned. "I can't grant that," she replied firmly.
"Then I reject your challenge," he said, turning as if to walk away.
"Great way to dodge a challenge without painting yourself as a coward," Tiara called out mockingly, her sharp tone cutting through the air.
Asher turned his head slightly, his expression calm but his eyes gleaming with amusement. "If you ever decide to make it worth my while, let me know," he said before walking off, leaving Tiara standing there with a fiery determination burning in her eyes.
"This bastard," Tiara mumbled under her breath, her frustration simmering.
In her academy, she had been the top-ranked student for the last ten years, a position she had earned through relentless effort and natural talent. It was a title she carried with pride, much like Asher Magnus, who had dominated his own academy's rankings for nearly as long.
But now, her elders had sent her here—away from her familiar grounds—to chase what they called a "shortcut training method" in the form of the Ascension Potions. Tiara had no choice but to comply, though the very idea of taking shortcuts grated against her disciplined nature.
And now, to top it off, this Asher Magnus had rejected her challenge outright, as if her efforts, her rank, and even her presence meant nothing to him.