Chapter 162: The Graduation Ceremony of the Trial of Steel: Rewards and Ranks

Immediately after he said those words, Kyle and Freya stepped onto the stage while the man who made the opening speech calmly returned to his seat.

The atmosphere inside the hall changed almost instantly.

The suffocating pressure brought by Valentin’s presence earlier slowly faded away, allowing many people to finally breathe properly again.

Several candidates quietly released breaths they didn’t realize they had been holding.

Freya stepped forward gracefully while Kyle placed a small circular metallic box on the floor beside her.

Click.

He pressed the crystal button embedded at the center of the object.

A low humming sound echoed.

Then...

A holographic screen expanded into the air above them.

Blue light spread across the stage, causing many younger children to widen their eyes slightly despite already being used to Britannia’s technology.

"Before we show the rankings of all the candidates,"

Freya began calmly while looking toward the now excited crowd,

"I want to explain some important information regarding your rewards."

The moment she said ’rewards,’ the atmosphere inside the hall immediately became more alive.

Even some Elders smiled faintly.

"First,"

Freya raised one finger,

"For every point still remaining within your cards..."

The images of the Gold Card, Silver Card, and Bronze Card appeared on the floating screen.

Below each card were lists showing the point ranges usually allocated to those who possessed them after the rankings were finalized.

"All the points you currently possess will be converted into real money."

She casually swiped her hand across the air.

The holographic display changed immediately.

A new screen appeared.

***

1 Point = 0.0025 Dals

***

The instant those numbers appeared...

The hall exploded into noise.

Gasps echoed everywhere, even many relatives sitting in the audience looked shocked.

"Wow..."

Bess blinked twice rapidly.

Henry beside her stared at the screen with a stunned look.

"That’s actually insane..."

He exhaled slowly.

At Veda’s group side, the reactions were no different from the others.

This was because of Britannia’s currency system...

Dals were at the very top.

The currency structure itself worked like this:

Copper Coins;

The lowest form of money, mainly used by ordinary commoners.

Bronze Coins;

The highest amount many commoners would ever personally carry. Commoners who had these coins were normally referred to as rich, within other commoners.

Silver Coins;

Used mainly by workers under noble households, guards, maids, servants, and lower-ranked company workers.

Few commoners possessed many silver coins, but among Lowline-Embers and Baron families, silver was the standard spending currency.

Gold Coins;

True wealth.

Mostly circulated among Barons, High-Embers, Viscounts, Counts, and wealthy industries.

Then...

Dals.

The highest form of Britannian currency.

Not coins, but compressed diamond sheets shaped like paper money.

Rare, expensive and powerful.

A single Dal could change the life of an ordinary commoner family completely.

Even many children from Duke Mainlines didn’t casually own personal Dals.

Ezra rested his chin against his hand while silently calculating.

If my points are converted...

His eyes narrowed slightly.

That amount should already be enough to begin preparing future weapon development.

But first...I need my own personal account.

Otherwise, the money will go directly to my parents.

Ezra sighed quietly.

"Another annoying thing to handle..."

He muttered beneath his breath.

Beside him...

Bobby’s mouth remained wide open.

"That’s so much money..."

He turned toward Ezra with bright eyes.

"My parents only own silver coins with a few gold coins and I’ve only ever spent bronze coins myself before..."

He laughed nervously.

"And now I’m about to own Dals."

A bright smile spread across his face.

Ezra stared at him for a second, then a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"Good for you."

He calmly turned his attention back toward the stage.

"Also..."

Freya continued speaking.

"All of you will receive ten thousand gold coins as a reward for completing the Trial of Steel."

That statement caused another wave of excitement to spread through the hall.

Some lowline candidates nearly stood up from shock, even several Lowline relatives looked dizzy hearing that amount.

"Now..." Freya continued, "For the top twenty candidates..."

She paused briefly.

"As many of you already know, the family possesses several official departments."

She swiped her hand again.

The holographic screen shifted once more.

Six large symbols appeared.

***

No.1 — Black Cinder Corps

The special military force of Ashenlocke.

Only elite Alchemists are accepted.

They answer mainly to the Family Head and partially to the Elders.

No.2 — Ashcraft

The department responsible for weapon engineering and heavy artillery development.

Only the most intelligent minds are accepted.

They also oversee private weapon industries contracted to Ashenlocke.

No.3 — Ashenlocke Mineguards/Workers

Responsible for mining, importing, exporting, and protection of all metal and stone resources.

No.4 — Financial Corps

Responsible for monitoring the family’s finances, branch families, contracted families, and industrial income.

They also investigate embezzlement.

No.5 — Ashenlocke Private Army

The standing military force of Ash.

Anyone may join if they meet the requirements.

No.6 — Servants of Ash

Controls the training and assignments of all maids, butlers, and service workers under the family.

***

"From rank eleven to twenty,"

Freya explained calmly,

"You will be allowed to choose which department you wish to enter."

She paused slightly.

"Of course... the departments themselves must still accept you."

Her gaze then shifted subtly toward the higher-ranked candidates.

"As for the top ten..."

Her eyes briefly landed on Veda, Vera, and Felix.

"As some of you already know..."

Freya’s calm voice echoed through the hall while the holographic screen floated behind her, casting blue light across the stage and the faces of the candidates.

"The Top Ten candidates will each be given official slots to attend the Royal Academy."

The moment the words ’Royal Academy’ were spoken again, many of the candidates unconsciously straightened their backs.

Even some relatives seated among the audience showed visible envy.

That place wasn’t simply a school.

It was where future monsters of Britannia were raised.

Freya slowly continued.

"As for those below the Top Twenty..."

She adjusted her posture slightly, folding one hand behind her back.

"You still possess the opportunity of being selected by one of the family’s departments to work under."

Several candidates immediately became excited after hearing that.

Even if they failed to reach the Royal Academy slots...

Entering one of Ashenlocke’s major departments early was already a massive advantage compared to ordinary noble children.

Freya calmly looked across the hall.

"Apart from the Top Ten..."

She raised one finger lightly.

"You all will already possess the privilege of working under one of the family departments before your life within Ash Academy begins."

Her hand moved again.

The holographic screen shifted smoothly with floating mechanical sounds.

"Unlike ordinary students who didn’t pass through the Trial of Steel..."

Her tone remained steady and composed.

"You all will already possess official department connections before graduation."

Several Lowlines in the audience widened their eyes slightly after hearing that.

That single advantage alone could decide the future status of an entire bloodline.

Connections, resources, protection, influence and financial benefits.

The Trial of Steel wasn’t simply about survival.

It was about positioning yourself within the monstrous structure called Ashenlocke.

Freya paused briefly before swiping her hand once more.

The halo screen shifted again.

"Now..." A faint smile appeared on her face. "The rankings."

Immediately she said those words...

The atmosphere inside the hall changed completely.

Many candidates adjusted themselves on their seats instantly again with some leaning forward, others unconsciously tightened their fists, while a few even held their breaths.

Everyone wanted to know the same thing.

Who ranked where?

And more importantly...

Who would become the next Heir of Ashenlocke?

Each group slowly turned their attention toward their leaders.

Veda’s group looked toward him with tense expressions.

Vera’s group already carried confident smiles.

Felix’s people looked prideful despite the earlier humiliation their leader suffered.

Meanwhile...

Those who were already certain they remained within the Top Twenty stared directly at the holographic screen with focused eyes.

The floating blue light reflected inside their pupils while silence slowly spread throughout the massive hall once more.

***

Old Ranking

1st. Vera Ashenlocke

2nd. Veda Ashenlocke

3rd. Gareth Ashenlocke

4th. Nate Ashenlocke

5th. Felix Ashenlocke

6th. Henry Ashenlocke

7th. Priscilla Ashenlocke

8th. Nina Ashenlocke

9th. Lyra Ashburn (Count)

10th. Bale Ashenlocke

11th. Zara Ashenlocke (Baron Sterling)

12th. Nickolas Balor (Count)

13th. Bess Ashforge (Viscount)

14th. Page Laverdale (Count)

15th. Zack Ashenlocke

16th. Keith Balor (Count)

17th. Freed Ashenlocke

18th. Linda Balor (Count)

19th. Spence Laverdale (Count)

20th. Fay Ashenlocke

New Ranking

20th. Fay Ashenlocke

19th. Spence Laverdale (Count)

18th. Linda Balor (Count)

17th. Freed Ashenlocke

16th. Zack Ashenlocke

15th. Bess Ashforge (Viscount)

14th. Keith Balor (Count)

13th. Bale Ashenlocke

12th. Nickolas Balor (Count)

11th. Henry Ashenlocke

10th. Page Laverdale (Count)

9th. Lyra Ashburn (Count)

8th. Nina Ashenlocke

7th. Zara Ashenlocke (Baron Sterling)

6th. Felix Ashenlocke

5th. Priscilla Ashenlocke

4th. Nate Ashenlocke

3rd. Gareth Ashenlocke

2nd. Veda Ashenlocke

1st. Vera Ashenlocke

***

The crowd gasped loudly the moment the rankings fully appeared on the holographic screen.

Some immediately stood halfway from their seats.

Others leaned forward with widened eyes.

The hall that had barely calmed down instantly exploded into overlapping voices again.

"She won..."

Astraea smirked faintly while adjusting her sitting posture elegantly.

One leg crossed over the other as she rested her chin lightly against her fingers.

"My student made me proud..."

Her eyes slowly shifted.

"...but."

The single word made the atmosphere around Felix suddenly feel colder.

Felix stiffened immediately.

His mother’s gaze landed on him calmly, but that calmness only made things worse, especially because the injury around his eye had only recently healed and knowing Astraea...

She could definitely tell how severe the damage originally was.

Felix avoided looking directly into her eyes.

The pressure pressing against him felt unbearable.

This is annoying...

His fist slowly tightened beneath the chair armrest; veins bulged faintly around the back of his hand.

I almost got surpassed by that Lowline?

Me?

Felix?

He finally glanced toward Astraea slightly...

Only to see her still staring at him.

Felix quickly turned away again.

She’s definitely disappointed.

The thought alone made his mood worsen further.

Meanwhile...

The murmurs around the hall became louder and louder.

"Lady Vera is number one!"

Nina raised her fist high into the air proudly.

The members around her immediately echoed with the same excitement.

"Cheers to the new Heir!"

Nathalia clapped energetically with a bright smile.

"I knew my Lady would stand at the top."

Zack adjusted his glasses with a smug smile spreading across his face, then he deliberately turned his gaze toward Veda’s group.

Compared to Vera’s side...

That area looked far more conflicted.

Several members frowned while staring at the rankings repeatedly.

Linda especially looked unconvinced.

Her brows twitched harder the longer she stared at Vera remaining above Veda.

Clearly...

She disliked the result deeply, then her eyes met Zack’s.

The smugness on his face instantly increased.

Linda almost exploded from irritation.

"You little...!"

Thankfully Tracy reacted quickly and covered Linda’s mouth before she could shout something reckless inside the hall.

"Relax!"

Tracy whispered urgently while trying not to laugh.

"Don’t give him the satisfaction!"

"Tch!"

Linda clicked her tongue aggressively while glaring daggers at Zack.

The atmosphere around the other groups also became mixed with joy, disappointment, shock and relief.

All of it blended together.

Henry’s side especially looked gloomy.

Henry tightened his fist while staring at the rankings like he could somehow force them to change.

"I stayed near the top for almost the entire Trial..."

He looked at the rankings again.

Then again, then again.

"How...?"

His voice came out low.

"How did this happen?"

He checked the list repeatedly as though convinced there had to be some mistake.

But there wasn’t.

The rankings remained the same.

Bess and the others beside him tried consoling him while discussing possible reasons for the final placements.

Although, even Bess herself looked annoyed.

Mostly because Keith somehow ranked above her.

Meanwhile...

Keith was laughing loudly without shame.

"Haha...haha!"

He pointed dramatically toward Fay’s ranking.

"You’re still last!"

Then he pointed toward Bale.

"And your rank dropped. Haha... haha!"

A boy standing near Bale narrowed his eyes immediately.

"Doesn’t he realize he’s only rank fourteenth himself?"

He whispered while staring at Keith like he was looking at an idiot.

"Don’t bother yourself about him."

Bale sighed while shaking his head helplessly.

"He honestly doesn’t care about his own ranking."

His eyes slowly shifted toward Veda afterward.

Veda was currently trying to calm his group while laughing awkwardly at their reactions.

Bale’s expression softened slightly.

I hope he’s okay.

He thought quietly while watching his older brother.

"Calm down guys..."

Veda moved both hands up and down gently, signaling everyone to relax.

"But you worked harder than anyone!"

Mariam argued immediately.

Her frustration clearly showed on her face.

"I honestly don’t think there’s anything Lady Vera did to rank above you!"

"Mariam..."

Veda laughed helplessly.

"We all did our best, and the rankings were decided fairly."

Then...

His eyes shifted toward Ezra.

"To be honest..."

He smiled awkwardly.

"The thing shocking me the most is Ezra not ranking higher."

Everyone immediately turned toward Ezra.

Ezra remained seated calmly with his arms folded while staring toward the holographic screen.

Unlike the others...

His attention didn’t remain on the rankings themselves.

"You all do know..." He finally spoke flatly. "...that this isn’t the end yet, right?"

"Huh?"

Veda and the others blinked in confusion.

"The Tenth Trial hasn’t actually been settled yet."

Ezra’s tone remained calm and expressionless.

The moment he said those words...

Veda’s eyes widened immediately.

He quickly turned toward Vera.

And just as Ezra implied...

Unlike the rest of her celebrating group members...

Vera remained completely focused on the stage.

Her crossed legs swayed lightly while her chin rested lazily against one hand.

But her eyes...

Her eyes remained fixed on Freya calmly.

Almost like she had already expected something like this.

"This isn’t the end everyone..."

Freya finally spoke after allowing the hall enough time to settle from the ranking reveal.

The noise slowly died down again.

"Now that the rankings are out..."

A smile slowly appeared on her face.

"...let us commence the real Tenth Trial."

Immediately...

The atmosphere changed again.

Several candidates straightened unconsciously, with many of them staring in confusion and shock, that it wasn’t yet over.

At the top seats, the Elders above showed more interest now.

"No killing."

Freya raised one finger.

"Only challenges to steal ranks."

Her finger slowly pointed toward the candidates below.

"If any of you..."

Her eyes swept across the hall calmly.

"...are dissatisfied with your current position and believe you can defeat another ranker..."

A faint excitement appeared in her smile.

"Then issue your challenge now."

The hall became quieter and quieter, because everyone already understood what this meant.

Freya’s voice echoed clearly through the hall.

"The true purpose of the Tenth Trial..."

Her smile deepened.

"...is rank stealing."

Several Elders smiled immediately after hearing that, even Valentin’s fingers tapped lightly against the armrest once.

Because this...

This was what many of them had truly been waiting for.

Not speeches, not ceremonies, but conflict.

Real conflict between the monsters created through the Trial of Steel.

And from the looks appearing inside many candidates’ eyes...

Interesting fights were definitely about to begin.