?


    Days flew by, and finally, the much-anticipated day had arrived. The sense of excitement filled the air as I woke up early, deciding to take a break from Professor Joshua''s training since I wanted to ensure I was in my best condition for the ranking battle.


    I freshened up and had a small yet tasty breakfast in the academy''s cafeteria. I also did some light exercises to warm up myself and I rested for a bit.


    Today marked the second ranking battle for the freshman batch, but for two individuals, including myself, it was apletely new experience.


    "I am very excited! Aren''t you too, Eren?" Zephyr eximed, his newfound friendliness making me uneasy.


    His attitude towards me has changed a lotpared to the time before we entered the exile. But thai friendliness made me more ufortable. I couldn''t help but feel cautious as this guy seemed to be getting too close forfort.


    Annoyingly persistent, Zephyr continued, "So, who are you challenging, Eren? Do you want some help? Just tell me, and I will beat them up before the match, making it easier for you to win."


    I just ignored him at this point.


    Walking by the corridors of the academy, We made our way towards the auditorium where the ranking battles were set to take ce.


    It was the same ce where the weing ceremony for the freshmen was held.


    As we approached, the grandeur of the enormous auditorium came into view, leaving me in awe once again. Its impressive structure never failed to captivate me, no matter how many times Iid eyes on it.


    The time was just past 1:00 PM, and although the ranking battles started in the morning, I was entering the auditorium only now. It was because the battles progressed in ascending order of ranks, so it would take some time for them to reach my rank.


    Inside the auditorium, 8- stages are built for this specific purpose.


    Eight battles, that is sixteen individuals would battle simultaneously in the auditorium.


    The real excitement and thrilling matches between the top rankers wouldmence in the evening. Most high rankers wouldn''t arrive early unless they were challenged by lower-ranked opponents and received a message from the academy.


    Or so I thought...


    "I will be cheering for you Eren", I head a supportive voice.


    "Hmp! Don''t fall behind the 508th rank." An arrogant voice chimed in.


    "Do your best, Eren." and finally a pleasant voice.


    Evan, Julia and even princess Aurora were present in the auditorium sitting in the front rows.


    ''Are they here to support me.''


    "You guys….!"


    Tears filled my eyes thinking about it.


    It was the first time that someone had shown concern to me in this life. I was exhrated by the fact that I had made some good friends.


    Just when I was getting emotional thinking that they were all here to encourage me, my attention was drawn to a group sitting on one side of the auditorium.


    It was Babel''s gang, apanied by Luna Primrose.


    ''Why are they ring at me?''


    I thought as I noticed them fixated on our direction.


    But when I watched it more carefully, it wasn''t me who they were ring at.


    It was the f*ker beside me, they were particrly ring at Zephyr.


    "....!"<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    It suddenly dawned on me.


    "...."


    I looked at Eren, Juli and the princess.


    "These guys….", It wasn''t exhration this time but irritation.


    These people weren''t here to support me but rather to witness Zephyr''s fights.


    ''Damn it! I got emotional for nothing!''


    It was obvious, Zephyr was the former 1st ranker, someone who is a rival to all of them.


    Even if his ranking had fallen now, it was only temporary.


    If my guess is correct, then Zephyr is going to get back to the position of rank 1 in this ranking battle by challenging Babel von Agnus, who has ascended to rank-1 as a result of his demotion.


    But Zephyr has to fight some other individual before fighting Babel as his current rank 261 has more than 250 rank difference aspared to the 1st rank.


    ''Whoever he chooses, that has nothing to do with me.''


    It is something for him to think about, not to mention I couldn''t even think that he could lose to someone, as he has gotten much stronger aspared to before we entered the exile.


    Anyway, Ignoring Zephyr, I tried to concentrate on the matter at hand.


    ''Let''s concentrate on myself for now.''


    I nced at the paper in my hand, containing the names and ranks of the two opponents I had chosen to fight.


    Gene yton - rank 258.


    Winand Klee - rank 95.


    Gene yton is a knight who primarily uses a sword as his main weapon and a shield as his secondary weapon. Observing him over the past week, it became apparent that he wasn''t particrly strong.


    It was obvious considering that the freshmen who have broken through 3-star at this point in time would be no more than 150.


    Defeating him should be a straightforward task.


    For the subsequent battle, I had selected Winand Klee, ranked 95. A skilled water-type magician, he posed a bit more challenge due to his magical abilities.


    But if I managed to get him into a closebat situation, then it should be just as easy.


    And what made Winand Klee the perfect choice was his rank. By defeating him, I would secure rank 95.


    Considering the worst situation, even if I were challenged and defeated three times afterward, which was the maximum number of times an individual could be challenged during a ranking battle. I would still be in rank 98, ensuring my ticket to the royal museum. It seemed like a wless n, provided there were no significant changes in the rankings afterwards.


    Just when I was lost in my own thoughts, congratting myself on the brilliance of my strategy, my name was suddenly called out.


    "Rank 509, Eren Pendragon, pleasee to 6th arena."


    It is time to kick some ass.


    ---***---


    Daily chapter release~