Chapter 243 243:Ranking List
The moment the rankings were published, the news channel started broadcasting, filling all their time slots.
Unless you are someone who isn't connected to the network, you would have surely heard about this over and over again along with the attack on Horizon.
Cyprus was caught in a storm as a news channel kept hammering about the incident.
Some said it was the fault of the Academy for not taking proper measures while some blamed the Emperor for being careless.
There were even some channels that depicted commoners as traitors and greedy swine that gave away easily to temptations.
There were hardly any channels that conveyed true news to the masses while keeping their propaganda at bay as behind the channels stood many noble houses they used to mold the public opinion in their favour.
During the debate, another storm set off as the Academy published the list of winners that began another round of debates.
The TRP of the news channel was currently at all times as they started narrating the events unbridled, fueled by hidden agendas.
Out of all, Aztec news that leads broadcasting begins its hourly analysis on rankers and their background.
[Aztec News]
[Hello ladies and gentlemen, I hope you are having a great day. To spice up your life, we have brought breaking news for you.]
[The 2nd Year and 3rd Year tournaments had been cancelled this year. The 1st Year who unfortunately bore the brunt of the massacre, had not even gotten out from the terror when the Academy published the ranker list.]
[Previously, you all were shown a live telecast of the winner getting their ranks and rewarded but this time things had been toned down a bit.]
[From the insider information we have, though they did want to cancel the 1st Year tournament and dismiss the rankings, they weren't able to cause as you all know among the rankers, the Top 3 would participate as a Team for the Inter Academy Championship that will be held in April on Ralph.]
[This is the list of the top 10 rankers displayed on your screen.]
1. Frederick Frost.
2. Monica Crystal.
3. Rose Seyfried.
4. Charles Warren.
5. Ezekiel Holmes
6. Humphrey Befall
7. Tiffany Dearillole
8. Jennette Tierney
9. Hailey Maceis
10. Richard Cross
[While Frederick had maintained his top spot, Charles had fallen to rank 4.]
[House Frost might be in jubilation and start the celebration now while for House Warren, it might be quite gloomy due to the fall.]
The two hosts joked a bit unfazed by the severity of joking about a noble house. Their expression then turned solemn suddenly as they changed colours like chameleons.
[We don't know how the last three were ranked as Lady Jennette didn't even reach the third round while the other two had not played any significant role in the last stage.]
The male host stared at the screen and raised his brows, staring at the screen suspiciously.
[While the Academy clarified that everything had been done according to the rules after thorough consideration, who knows how many strings had been pulled from behind and how many transactions had happened in the background.]
The hosts then cracked a joke to lighten the mood and then the atmosphere became sombre again.
[Meanwhile, we are very disheartened to learn that Humphrey has been injured and has been paralysed. Meanwhile, Ezekiel Holmes, who managed to climb up to rank 5, unfortunately died in the massacre.]
[May God give blessing to the parting soul and may you rest in peace while those who are affected, may God be with you giving you courage to step ahead on the rough grumpy road.]
[Now coming onto the next topic, the Team for the Inter Academy Championship hadn't been declared for now. Vice-Principal Josh, who is known for his fiery temper had been absent during all these processes due to certain emergencies so the selection of the team had been delayed but we can roughly assume the top 3 to be selected like previously. We only hope that we can win this year overwhelmingly like the time two years ago when Princess Julian froze the entire stadiums destroying all her opponents and bringing the cup back home gloriously.]
The commentator then started to discuss each student of the top rankers displaying a short clip of their fighting abilities bringing cheers for many.
Other news followed suit and the same things were being played everywhere. After the top 10, they shed a bit of light on the top 100 playing on the screen in rapid succession clearly showing that it wasn't too important for them to waste time on.
........
In a corner of the Northeast, a crimson-fiery woman cracked nuts and stuffed them in her mouth while clicking the news one after another.
Her brows furrowed a bit as she changed the channels.
"I don't see his name in the top 100 and accordion to publish the list and his name is not in the top 1000. Did he not perform well? I remember he said that he would be in 1000." The woman mumbled with sadness and turned her gaze towards the man who was wrapped in bandages and gauge from head to toe.
There were two dark circles around his eye along with rough bruises all over his body and his left arm wasn't working due to the intense bea…he meant workout he had to go through. With his right arm, he broke the nuts and placed them gently in the bowl on his wife's lap.
The moment he felt a curious gaze, his heartbeat jolted making his body shudder.
"Haha, Honey didn't I tell you? He just did well not to get his rank dropped. He is safe and sound after getting eliminated in the second round."Leonard's back was drenched in sweat as he lied with a plain expression.
He got an edited recording and with manipulation, he removed Lucas from the third round and cut off some parts in the first round and showed it to Vanessa while praying to God that he would not be found out.
Though this time, he was spared. If there is a next time, he may die....He might die for real in his psycho wife's hands.
He didn't have any problem with Lucas getting recognition, it's just that once Vanessa knew about this she might be too happy and as Lucas climbed higher, he was bound to face some obstructions and many might offend him which if it gets known by Vanessa, then hell would be unearthed.
"But Lucas said to me that he would do well," Vanessa asked sharply again, believing in her son.
"He could have done well if these people didn't attack1. Don't worry, not a single hair of our son has been affected, you can video call him anytime you want."
"I talked to him yesterday, he said he is well that's why you are alive today."
Leonard felt a shiver down her spine, seeing Vanessa's gleaming fiery eyes.
"Hahaha!" Leonard chuckled under her gaze and tried to divert her attention while feeling proud in his heart and holding his tears
'Mission accomplished. Thanks, son, you did well otherwise you were just a step away from being fatherless.'
"Haa! I am a bit tired, so I will go and take a nap." Vanessa stood up and left, leaving Leonard who sat there with a complicated expression.
His expression distorted with a murderous glint.
"Now, what is this shit. He should be in the top 10 if not the top 5 so why isn't his name in the top 1000?"
The Aztec news was Emperor mouth so he had asked them to cover up Lucas tracks but his son wasnt even ranked.
What is this bullshit?
Though this made things easier for him but that didn't mean someone was not messing with his son and manipulating things.
"Should I intervene?" Leonard felt a bit stifled and clenched his fist.
He had been torn in between and after the things happened he had always been indecisive.
Though Vanessa had gotten stronger and might have taken hundreds of them or even thousands, still in the end she was just one and if the other side had an entire army of top powerhouses, what could he do?Moreover,now they have a weakness.
He don't want someone harm his son to get back at Vanessa.
Previously,he held back from sending strong ones lest he gather some attention.
Nothing in the world is perfect and no matter how much he covers his tracks, there will always be someone who might step on his tail. That's why in fear of being exposed he didn't send many people to observe and he didn't want to be excessive and invade his son's privacy.
Moreover, he didn't expect his son to grow up at such a terrifying rate.
Now he had to not only hide Lucas' news from Vanessa, he also had to stop Vanessa from appearing in public.
What he fears isn't that the group since if they pose a threat, everyone will step up rather he fears the unknown.
With no knowledge of the group, he can't even ask others to act.
"This is too difficult but I have to hold on. I can't lose my only son but what can I do when I don't even know who the enemy is despite searching with all my strength." Leonard closed his eyes trying to calm his surging emotions.
"No, let's observe. If what I see is correct then my son isn't the one who would suffer injustice. He had already formed many connections. Let's have faith for now."
"However...."
"Mir!"
A dark figure flashed behind Leonard.
"Yes, Your grace!"
"Ask Dragon Squad to keep an eye on Lucas. Follow him in the shadows."
"Your Grace, didn't you refrain us before.." Mir asked with a frown.
"I take back my orders. Until this matter of ranking is solved, guard him as who knows what might pop up. Unless his life is in danger, don't show yourselves."
"As per you, from now on you will be his shadow. If he fights someone between 6 and 7-Star, don't act unless his life is in danger. As per those above that, kill them if they try to harm him."
"Is that clear!"
"Yes, your Grace!"
"Leave."
"I will make sure to protect the Young Master." Mir bowed his head respectfully and left.
That day, the formless assassin who was ranked among the top 3 assassins after disappearing for 19 years, finally made a move.
And what effect will it have on the future…..
Only time will tell.
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