Chapter 212: College Selection 2

Words : 1069 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 212: College Selection 2 She just straightened her uniform and folded her hands in her lap. On stage, the list of student rankings began to display. Each name appeared with a subtle chime. The rotating screen above the podium scrolled through the full report, but most people weren’t reading the details. They were watching the top. Ethan’s name appeared first. Not because of raw power. Not because of combat stats. But because of coordination, decision-making, and critical impact during the riot. The system didn’t know how to label him. But it knew he changed things. Evelyn and Everly didn’t say anything. Their expressions were calm, a little proud. That was enough. Across the room, a few murmurs started, mostly among recruiters. Not loud. But not subtle, either. The main host raised his hand, and the lights shifted again. A soft musical note rang out. Then the first name was called. "Harlan Jace." The southern quadrant’s section stirred. A tall boy stood up slowly, bracing one hand against the seat before him. He had a leg brace on and a faded academy patch on his sleeve. His uniform was stained but intact. He walked toward the stage with a visible limp, but his back stayed straight. As he climbed the steps, the representative from Valespring Academy stepped forward. She wore navy blue robes with white trim and a golden chain showing her rank. Her voice rang out clearly. "For his quick decision-making during Phase 3 of the riot and leading four unranked students to safety despite his injuries, we would like to offer Harlan Jace a full tuition waiver, housing stipend, and entry into our special student class where they would get all the resources they need to grow." Gasps from the student crowd were followed by genuine clapping. No over-the-top cheers. But enough to show it mattered. Harlan bowed once, then turned to shake the woman’s hand. She gave him a metal token shaped like a bird mid-flight. He returned to his seat more slowly than before. But steadier. The next name was called. "Mira Denshall." From the northern marsh region, a slim girl with pale braids rose. Her bandaged arm was held close to her side, but her eyes didn’t flinch. The rep from Kyrix Institute walked up—a man in gray armor with silver-rimmed glasses. "Mira rescued two injured candidates during the second wave ambush and repelled two mid-tier beasts using terrain manipulation alone. We offer her a full scholarship and sponsorship into our elite defensive division. Along with that, the college has decided to give you a personal growth weapon embryo as your singing binus if you so wish." Mira bowed, nodded once, and accepted the crystalline badge handed to her. As she walked back, her hand trembled slightly. But she didn’t stumble. Another name. "Thalos and Taron Veck." A murmur rippled again. Twins. Fraternal. From the eastern ridges. One had a visible burn across his cheek. The other had a cast over his right wrist. They walked side by side. The recruiter from Drakmor University stood, a woman with short red hair and military boots. "We had planned to offer you separate tracks—one in offensive cultivation, one in terrain mastery." The twins looked at each other, then shook their heads at the same time. "We stay together," one of them said simply. The woman grinned and pulled out a black card with gold trim. "Team contract. Custom syllabus, fieldwork priority, and given spots for the next special class, so welcome aboard." The boys bowed and left with matching grins. Next. "Aelra Nim." She was quiet. Unassuming. She didn’t look like a fighter. But her name had come up on the survival systems again and again. Not because of battles, but because no one could track her. She stepped onto the stage, and the military strategist college rep walked forward. "Aelra set fifteen different traps that either stalled or redirected beasts. Her predicted kill-to-avoidance ratio is over eighty percent. We offer a place in our unorthodox warfare unit, along with a special tutor, and allow you to ask for a lot of resources." Aelra simply nodded. The next candidate was a tall boy named Ren Miral. He had an average rank. His file wasn’t even particularly noteworthy, except for the fact that he shielded four students during a wave and refused to leave them. The Healing Institute rep stood up. "We offer a heart-grade honorary slot. You will train with our core defense corps. No tuition. Full mentorship." That earned a louder ripple from the back rows. Heart-grade placements were rare. Especially for someone not known for power. As Ren stepped off the stage, there were even a few light whistles of approval. The process continued. Student after student walked up. Offers were announced. Gifts were handed out—tokens, badges, sealed envelopes. Some cried. Some bowed so deeply they almost lost their balance. One boy collapsed the moment he got down the stairs, just from relief. But even with all the movement, one thing remained constant. Astralis hadn’t moved. Their rep sat at the very end. A tall woman in a black and teal suit. Her posture is perfect. Her hands were folded in her lap. She watched each student. each offer. But she never spoke. Never stood. Never even reached for a device. Whispers started again. "Is Astralis even participating?" "Maybe they’re just here to observe." "No way. They wouldn’t send her unless it was serious." "Are they not recruiting this time?" "Maybe they already chose someone?" "No one’s gone to the stage from their section..." The murmurs weren’t disruptive, but they spread fast. The instructor didn’t react. She didn’t fidget. She didn’t blink more than usual. Her eyes simply stayed focused, watching and tracking every movement. But never once rising. Not a single hand lifted from her side. Not a single word spoken. Ethan noticed it. So did the twins. But none of them commented on it yet. The rest of the selection continued. One by one, names filled the air. A girl who had survived using terrain traps and misdirection was called up by a tactical university. A boy with enhanced vision, who helped locate others during the jammed signals, was recruited by a top communications and scout school. A group of three friends—none particularly strong on their own—were offered shared placements by a mid-tier academy specializing in group coordination and field tactics.

Chapter 212: College Selection 2

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