Chapter 235: Disciple Evaluation Results. The Unknown Beast Egg
The day was finally here. It was the day for the disciple evaluation results to be announced, and whoever was worthy would be given rewards. As always, everyone gathered in the main courtyard. It was a tradition in the sect, and everyone followed it. On the stage stood Elder Hakar with four instructors from the Evaluation Hall standing behind him, dressed in white robes with blue sashes. Above him, on raised platforms, sat the elders of the sect in all their glory.
Down at the center were the disciples, standing according to their teams. Elder Hakar slowly walked to the front, cleared his throat to bring silence to the place, and began.
"You are all welcome back to the sect. I’m glad to see that all of you are in good health. Thankfully, you all survived..." The crowd drew in cold breaths as they recalled their various missions. It was hell! Some had been dropped into warzones just like Bahamut and his group. Others had to either protect a town or escort someone through treacherous zones.
The core disciples had it worse as they took missions individually, and since most Core Disciples were at least at Tier 2: Circle of Element, with some already breaching Tier 3, their missions were five to ten times more difficult than the ones for inner and outer disciples. After all, core disciples were the ones who became sect elders or at least instructors. Some left to explore, while others stayed to help the sect grow.
Elder Hakar acted as if he hadn’t just reminded people of their trauma, and continued with his speech, his voice resonating everywhere. It was projected by mana so everyone could hear him, even those outside the courtyard.
"Now to the main thing... The results of your mission are out. The instructors will release the mission scrolls with your ratings, from F to S. F is the lowest, while S is the common highest. There is also SS and X, which are higher than S. Because of your number, the results would be projected.
It is in three parts: D-F, A-C, and X-S. The rating, though, would be shown beside the team name, so don’t worry. And none got an F, so you are good. But this is how it is going to be. Those in D-F wouldn’t get any rewards. Those in A-C will get Tier 1 rewards, and those in X-S will get Tier 2 rewards.
Also, there are certain disciples and teams who did exceptionally well. These teams are with X ratings and would be getting special rewards. And the last part, the top five overall best students picked from outer to core, would be given very special rewards, and they would be given permission to choose what they like from the sect master’s personal vault.
Here are the results."
Up in the sky, a huge projection flickered into existence, projecting the results from the disciple evaluation contest.
[Disciple Evaluation: ]
[D-F]
Team Fexu (D)
Team Rika (D)
Team Idi (D)
Team Werock (D)
Team Xosta (D)
Team Itami (D)
Team Paulus (E)
Team Adebayo (E)
Team Quinn (E)
Team...
[A-C]
Team Sixtie (A)
Team Rexi (A)
Team Vandhal (A)
Team Patrick (A)
Team Arkham (A)
Team Al-Sadhit (A)
Team Felix (B)
Team Norbert (B)
Team Tachibana (B)
Team Yuta (B)
Team Gracie (C)
Team Philemon (C)
Team Wilson (C)
...
[X-S]
Team Bahamut (X)
Team Aerith (SS)
Team Rex (S)
Team Apollonia (S)
Team Rakia (S)
Team Henry (S)
...
All eyes turned to the blindfolded boy and his group, who stood there as though they expected this. If it were earlier, most would have thought they did something epic, which they did, but the questions were different now. People were wondering what mission they’d been given and what they’d experienced to get that high a rank.
Everyone had gotten their fair share of experience from their missions, and it was noticeable by the aura and presence people were releasing unconsciously. But compared to Bahamut’s team, their seemed like child’s play. Although they didn’t show it, and looked relaxed on the outside, any perceptive person could instantly tell that they were showing no openings. Anyone foolish enough to attack them would lose their heads in an instant, unless they could overpower them.
That was what their rating meant to everyone. This wasn’t a rating of achievement, but of survival. Elder Hakar just stayed silent and observed the reactions of everyone to the results, and couldn’t help but smile.
’They are growing...’
Up in the elders’ section, Elder Derek stared intently at Bahamut’s group, especially Bahamut. His blue eyes glinted dangerously, and only he knew what he was thinking. From the way he looked at Bahamut, it was nothing good.
"Ahem!" Elder Hakar coughed and continued. "If there are no objections to the rankings, then I will continue. There is only one X-rated team, Team Bahamut, because of what they achieved, and a mistake from our part. Their mission was supposed to involve, at the very most, a Tier 2, Circle of Comprehension beast. But, they encountered a Tier 3 beast and a potential Tier 3 beast that just needed a push into that level.
For that, on behalf of the sect council, I apologize."
The whole place had gone silent after what Elder Hakar said. Most had never seen a Tier 3 being in action before, but the stories they’d heard and what they’d learned of the Tier 3 level were no less than dangerous and awesome. Tier 3 was the same as Demigod. Just that title was enough to tell people what kind of beings they were dealing with, and not only had they encountered one of such beings, but encountered a potential one and lived to tell the tale.
If this wasn’t epic, then what was? The X rating was totally deserved. No wonder they all released dangerous auras without even trying. They were powerful. Funny thing was that, apart from Alana, the rest were all part of the Strong Eleven, and looking at the results, that was bound to change soon. Very soon.
"As for the exceptional disciples, well, let’s say, there are many, but through our selections, we picked five of them. Three from the outer level, one from the inner level, and one from the core level. These disciples are Bahamut, Sel, Gabi, Sixtie, and Apollonia. They will be granted access to the sect master’s personal vault for a day to choose only one thing from there. As for the teams who would be getting rewards, head to the Evaluation Hall after here to receive them.
You all did well, and there will be more opportunities for you in the future. To the glory of the Shadow Fang Sect!"
Elder Hakar bowed slightly towards them, shocking them, and left with the instructors behind him. Bahamut turned to his group and was about to speak when someone called to them.
"Why am I not surprised that you people are ranked at the top?" Apollonia commented with an offended tone.
"I told you. I won the bet!" Rakia chimed in with glowing eyes. She shot towards Sel and pinched his cheeks, causing the elven boy’s face to turn red from embarrassment. "Your brother will be proud!"
"Sel is blushing..." Bahamut muttered in shock as if it were the most unbelievable thing in the world.
"Sel is so cute! Hehe!" Alana exclaimed, causing Sel’s eyes to twitch. He wanted to look for a place and hide, but that wasn’t happening. Luckily for him, Ren was busy challenging X’Uric to an eating contest, or else he would have had it worse.
...
Inside a small compartment, a blue egg, the size of a basketball, floated. It shook for a few seconds and went still while floating inside the compartment.
