Chapter 189: The Final Announcement
"FINISHED!"
A booming voice echoed across the forest, bringing every movement to a halt.
Those still locked in battle were lifted away by great birds, while the ones not fighting were signaled to return.
"The test is over. That was so thrilling," Andine said, her long yellow hair—tied in a loose ponytail—now a little messy, dust smudging her cheek. Her legs ached, but her spirit blazed with energy.
Fighting alongside Fian and the others had been exhilarating.
For the first time, she explored an area she had rarely touched before—close combat. She wasn’t just a healer standing safely in the rear anymore; this time, she had been right at the front.
And in this team, she was the only one with a melee attack. She hadn’t felt fear, though. Behind her stood teammates brimming with talent, people she could trust.
And it was true—more than once, Fian had saved her from deadly strikes.
As they made their way out of the forest, Andine’s gaze never strayed far from Fian’s face. Sweat glistened at his temple, strands of his blond hair sticking out of place. But not even that could take away from his sharp, handsome features.
Entering through the Academy’s rear gate, Fian and the others saw several participants being treated by staff healers.
Those who were uninjured waited near the podium. Their numbers had dwindled significantly.
Yuvika spotted Kevio among them. He stood with bandages wrapped around his arms and legs, his two subordinates in the same state.
All three looked dejected, their heads bowed. It seemed they had been defeated before the test had officially ended.
Still, if they had earned enough points, there was a chance they could pass.
Not that Yuvika cared much. What she wanted to know was her own ranking—and Fian’s, Orman’s, and the mermaid girl who had recently joined them.
Then, Rucian appeared from inside the Academy building. He accepted a parchment from a staff member, skimmed through it, and his face soured.
Without a word, he threw away the parchment then turned on his heel and left, leaving the staff confused.
Yuvika didn’t know what that was about, but she silently made a note to avoid that beastkin assistant professor’s classes if she ever became a student here.
He looked like the type to be nothing but trouble.
While participants were still being healed, one of the staff members stepped up onto the podium.
"I will now announce the names of the top two hundred participants with the highest points, who officially pass this entrance test," he declared, his words stirring a wave of excitement among the crowd.
Unfazed by the noise, he leaned close to a crystal, amplifying his voice so it cut through the chatter with ease.
One by one, he began reading the names and origins of those who had qualified.
Cheers rang out as some heard their own names or those of people they knew.
Fian’s group, however, remained quiet. Their names had yet to be called.
At rank one hundred ninety-three: "Kevio Keenan, from Raksa County, Swargaloka Province."
"That kid made it," Orman muttered.
"Of course. Didn’t you see his two lackeys?" Yuvika replied sourly.
They stopped talking, turning their full attention back to the announcements.
A few names Andine recognized were called—other mermaids from the Matara Lake Province. She excused herself to congratulate them, her smile bright.
"Ninety-ninth place..."
The staff had announced all the way down to rank ninety-nine. Yet none of their names—nor Andine’s—had been mentioned.
"Are we really that bad? I thought we took down plenty of wild beasts," Orman muttered, a bit uneasy.
"Ranked fiftieth..."
"We... we probably didn’t pass." Yuvika’s shoulders slumped. Orman looked even worse, like someone who hadn’t eaten in days.
"Orman, regretting you didn’t join me instead?" Kevio’s voice chimed in from the side, laced with a snarky tone.
Orman refused to meet his boss’s son’s gaze. He didn’t regret it—after all, even Kevio’s two subordinates had failed. Only Kevio made it through.
No, Orman simply felt the battle earlier was thrilling. He liked this team. He wanted to stay in the academy.
Yuvika, on the other hand, glared. She had failed, while this spoiled brat got through just by dragging along two lackeys and cheating.
Kevi leaned closer and whispered to Yuvika, "Just so you know, I was extra careful hiding the help I got. Totally worth it."
Then he flashed a smug smile. "At the end of the day, I passed because I’m strong."
Arms crossed over his chest, he looked down on the three of them with eyes full of mockery.
The staff continued reading names, and Kevio perked up, eager to hear the higher ranks. "I’ve got to network with the top contenders. So keep quiet and let me catch their names."
As if he hadn’t been the one rambling nonstop until now.
"Rank thirty-nine, Orman from Raksa County, Swargaloka Province," the announcer called.
Yuvika’s head snapped toward him. "Y-you passed!"
Orman froze. Of course he heard it, but his brain stopped working, locked in shock.
Before they could recover, the staff continued. "Rank thirty-one, Yuvika Yugo from Raksa County, Swargaloka Province."
"W-whoa!" Yuvika squealed, then clamped a hand over her mouth. Not that it mattered—she wasn’t the only one who’d shouted with joy so far.
"You..." Kevio’s eyes went wide, his expression like someone watching a horror film.
"Fian... he should be ranked way higher than us. Let’s listen carefully for his name," Yuvika said, regaining her composure quicker than Orman.
Orman finally snapped out of it too, nodding with a sly grin toward Kevio. The Keenan heir’s face twisted like he was constipated. This time, he really shut up, ears sharp for every word.
The top twenty came...
Still no Fian.
The top ten... names read slower, weight heavier.
"Rank two, Andine Karina from Southeast Mata, Matara Lake Province."
Yuvika and Orman exchanged looks. That was their friend—but she was nowhere to be seen. Ever since she’d gone looking for her mermaid companions, she hadn’t returned.
"Forget it. We’ll congratulate her back at the academy," Yuvika said, and Orman nodded.
But then it hit them—if Andine was second, then Fian...
"Rank one, Fian from Falopo Town, Swargaloka Province."
...