The whole Hunig Hall fell silent the moment the host said the old man’s name. Quash could hear a collective sound of the students shifting in their seats.

​Even the Vampire Princess was now sitting at attention. Before, she looked like a bored doll, now she looked like a porcupine doll... or porcelain doll.

​"..."

​Doesn’t matter. Same thing.

​And without anyone noticing, the old man appeared on the stage. One moment, the stage was empty and the next moment he was there. There was no disturbance as if he had always been there.

​The old man wore a long white robe. With long hair and a beard. His skin loosening around his body. There was no suffocating presence about him.

​He looked like a frail grandpa three blocks away. He had a kind smile on his face. A monocle on his right eye.

​He gazed at the students with a satisfied smile. Then he began speaking. He didn’t use the mic, he stood near the edge of the stage and addressed everyone. His voice carried to everyone’s ears with the same intensity.

​"Hohoho~. I know you little ones are bored out of your minds. So I will not waste time giving the same speech over and over. Even I have become bored from repeating it. HOOO, HO! HO!"

​He laughed at his joke. The students chuckled as well. The tension was broken. But the students were just as stiff as they were before. And they didn’t even realise it.

​"Moving on. This year, after over 300 years, we have individuals whose achievements piled up to a degree that it even forced us old fossils to move! HAAA, HAHAHA!"

​The Headmaster said with another eccentric laugh. No wait, it sounded more like a rich person’s laugh.

​Quash couldn’t help but doubt the turn of events. But he still listened because there was nothing boring here.

​"Now! As per tradition, we will give them a title based on their achievements. But this year, we have not 1 but 2 individuals who have earned the right to hold a title. For time-saving sake, come up, both of you."

​Quash and the Vampire Princess stood up simultaneously. But before he could walk away, Alicia grabbed his sleeve, forgetting about her dislike for him.

​"Where the hell do you think you’re going?"

​She hissed. Quash looked back at her with a bewildered look. But realised that only the ones who will be called up are notified via letter. There’s no news elsewhere.

​"I’ve been called?"

​Quash flashed the letter briefly from his Spatial Ring.

​"Huh?"

​Both Eleanor and Alicia exclaimed in shock before Eleanor remembered Quash’s win streak and thought it made sense. But Alicia didn’t know about it because she didn’t bother with the public rank up until now.

​So she was left in a mild shock which Quash used to free his sleeve and walk towards the staircase leading up to the stage.

​He fixed his attire one last time. A professional smile appearing on his face. The Vampire Princess was climbing steadily. Otherworldly elegance radiating from her. But Quash caught up to her quickly and they climbed the last few steps together.

​Quash honestly didn’t care about that but the lizard Prince and the tragic Prince (Eleanor’s brother) were glaring daggers at him. Along with countless other males whose hearts bled just from seeing their goddess breathe the same air as another guy.

​But regardless, both of them made their way to the Headmaster and stopped in front of him. They stood facing each other.

​Quash had his chest puffed up. Feeling extra pumped because of the envious stares. He strode fast just so he could walk a few steps with the Princess and make others feel jealous.

​Which of course didn’t go unnoticed by either the Vampire Princess or the Headmaster.

​But they didn’t point it out. Like, what are they gonna say?

​"Congratulations little ones. One of you did a magnificent job while the other had a magnificent reputation. Both commendable! And since neither is something the Academy City has seen, your achievements have been recorded in the Hall of Fame. And you are granted a title. First, Gabriella Nox Nightingale El Dracula."

​"Yes!"

​Gabriella said as she got onto her knees. Her voice melodious and extremely pleasant to hear. Quash couldn’t help but realise why he didn’t remember her name.

​But he looked at the Headmaster to ask a question.

​"Headmaster, is doing that necessary?"

​He said as he pointed at the kneeling Gabriella. Her eyes turned to him, but he was looking at the Headmaster.

​The Headmaster turned to him, his smile never leaving. His eyes had an amused glint to them. Like he was enjoying this situation very much.

​Though Quash didn’t know what was there to enjoy.

​"No. You can keep standing if you wish."

​He said calmly to which Quash nodded. And the title bestowal was short. She received the title: The Unparalleled One.

​That Title will be engraved on her student ID.

​How cool was that?

​Very cool.

​Now it was Quash’s turn. He got onto his knees as well. Gabriella looked at him in confusion, didn’t he ask the question just so he wouldn’t have to kneel? Then why was he kneeling?

​The Headmaster on the other hand smiled even broader. He instantly saw through what Quash did. He created an expectation for rebellion. Because kneeling to receive a title has been an unwritten tradition among students.

​By asking the question if it was necessary or not, he was basically saying I don’t want to kneel before you. Making others feel a bit of negative emotion towards him.

​But now that he knelt as well, that emotion involuntarily turned into positive emotions. Doesn’t matter if the previous impression was passive. Even if negative, this action will hold some credibility to them because everyone respects Saffron Fruma.

​Quash was basically using him to earn positive emotions from everyone. Including himself. Which made the situation even more amusing. He stroked his beard, a sign that he was in a very good mood.

​"Aren’t you very sly, little one? But regardless, after thorough consideration and discussion among the Elders, we have decided that Quash Ogmore will be bestowed upon the title: The Undefeated One. Now rise. I will send both of you little ones to the Treasury. There, ask the warden and he will help you find the item you wish to acquire."

​"Headmaster, while I appreciate the care in you calling us little ones, I need to softly correct you. I’m not little."

​Quash said as he slowly stood up while dusting his clothes. Even though he knew there was no dust, an instinctive response really.

​His response made the Headmaster raise an eyebrow in amusement. Wondering what this clever brat was trying to achieve now. Gabriella on the other hand widened her eyes involuntarily. She couldn’t understand if this person was brave or foolish. The crowd had the same reaction as her. The Dragon Prince smirked though, feeling that that insect’s future was as good as over.

​"I’m taller than you."

​Then Quash casually dropped a bomb which made the Headmaster frown. As if offended. But Quash knew it wasn’t the case. It was the exact opposite.

​"Ho? I’m 5’11". You brat."

​"And I’m 6’."

​The Headmaster: "..."

Gabriella: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Quash: (￣︶￣)

​"Hmph. Aren’t you a bratty one? Get lost."

​The Headmaster said calmly. Quash felt his surroundings warm and mind wobble. Like his consciousness itself was wobbling. He couldn’t think straight.

Barely could process anything until he felt someone "grab" his wobbly mind and put it into place. Only then his awareness returned and he could function normally again. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

​"What do you want brat? The other one has already gotten her reward."

​And standing in front of him was another old man with overgrown hair on his head and face.