northernbook Chapter 165 New Changes
Chapter 165 New Changes
970th, Ethan Hartley.
When Eleanor announced Ethan's ranking, the entire classroom fell into a stunned silence. The whispers that had been going on about his dramatic leap in the rankings ceased abruptly.
All eyes were on Ethan, who tried to maintain a serious expression, but a hint of pride unconsciously shone through his light brown eyes.
"Ethan made it into the top 1000? Really?"
"A jump of over a thousand places in one semester?"
"How did he manage to do that...?"
Ethan instantly drew everyone's attention away from them, completely scattering the attention Morse had just gained.
Such a leap in rankings is unprecedented in the history of the college, and even unbelievable.
But not everyone believed it to be true; whispers of confusion and doubt began to ripple through the classroom.
"This doesn't make any sense, how could he..."
"There's definitely something fishy going on! A thousand places in half a semester? Is it because his last name is Hartley, and the college gave him special treatment?"
Suspicion filled the air, and tension spread rapidly. The room was filled with undisguised doubt, and Ethan's silence only intensified the suspicions.
Eleanor keenly sensed the uneasy situation and raised her hand to signal everyone to be quiet.
“Enough.” Her voice was firm and calm. “The rankings are not the problem, and accusations without evidence are meaningless. You should focus on your own progress and improvement, not make unfounded guesses about your classmates.”
As Eleanor finished speaking, the murmurs in the room gradually subsided. Most students chose to remain silent, though their doubts had not completely dissipated.
However, in the oppressive silence, a classmate with a disdainful look raised his hand. Eleanor noticed him, nodded slightly, and gestured for him to speak.
His tone was clearly questioning: "Professor, if I may be so bold, shouldn't there be a proper review process for such a drastic change in rankings? This isn't a baseless accusation, but shouldn't we at least know how someone could rise to the top 1000 in just half a semester? Doesn't the academy adjust dungeon difficulty according to rankings? If we were also assigned to a low-level dungeon like Ethan's, our grades would naturally be much better. This is simply illogical, and we need a reasonable explanation."
Eleanor's eyes flickered; she understood the student's question and realized that a convincing answer was needed.
“Your question makes a lot of sense,” she replied calmly. “The academy does adjust the difficulty of dungeon exploration based on students’ rankings. Ethan was initially assigned to a low-level dungeon, but his performance on the first day far exceeded that of his peers.”
She paused for a moment to make sure the whole class was listening attentively, then continued:
"In light of this, the academy decided to conduct a further evaluation of him. Ethan then underwent an additional test, entering the dungeon of high-ranking students alone. However, since you have already completed the test, this matter has not been made public."
She looked around, observing the students' reactions. Although the doubts hadn't completely dissipated, this explanation clearly gave everyone a deeper understanding of the situation.
“This decision was made to ensure a more accurate assessment of his abilities,” Eleanor added. “The college’s priority is to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation of each student’s potential. Ethan’s outstanding performance in various environments is the real reason for his significant improvement in rankings.”
She paused for a moment, allowing the students to process the information, before looking back at the list in her hand.
“I see… so that’s what you were busy with,” Julia muttered to herself. “You were trying to surprise us, weren’t you?”
"If he really did undergo additional testing, then it makes sense."
"I knew the academy was fair."
Although a few people remained skeptical, most students began to accept the explanation.
Eleanor surveyed the room, her tone leaving no room for argument: "Now, I will continue announcing the rankings. Does anyone have any objections?"
The classroom was silent except for the rustling of papers turning and the occasional creaking of chairs.
"No? That's good."
She continued in her usual tone, announcing the rankings one by one.
“Sylvie Solaris, No. 971”.
"Lucas Middleton, 85th."
Julia Middleton, number 60.
"Karl Darian, 42nd place."
"Alice Thornefield and Irina Phoenix are tied for third place."
The announcement of the tied rankings sparked a murmur of discussion. All eyes turned to Alice and Irina, noticing their tied scores. But their reactions were drastically different.
Alice appeared indifferent, while Irina clenched her fists in anger.
“Victor Black and Serafina Winslet are tied for first place.”
The final announcement echoed through the classroom, solidifying Victor's dominance at the top. Victor and Seraphina's tie for first place also sparked discussions among the students about the long-standing rivalry between the Phoenix and Winslet families. Whispers quickly spread as everyone began speculating about the implications of this shift in dominance.
"The Winslet family has won this time."
"It seems the Phoenix family needs to step up their efforts."
However, just as the students continued their conversation, they were suddenly interrupted by a cold snort.
"Humph!"
Irina Phoenix’s eyes were filled with anger as she retaliated against those self-righteous remarks, inadvertently revealing her emotions.
The students felt the pressure from the second-best student in the college and realized how inappropriate their remarks had been.
Eleanor noticed the change in atmosphere, clapped her hands, and drew everyone's attention.
Snapped!
A crisp voice echoed in the classroom as Eleanor began to address the students with her usual serious demeanor.
"Now, let's focus on what comes next. The second phase of the course has been adjusted, so please listen carefully."
As she guided her, a hologram of the human realm appeared before her, and she began to explain the adjustments to the curriculum. As the 3D map materialized on the platform, she marked several key areas on the map.
"Students, please note. Monster activity has increased significantly in several areas during the holiday. This rise in the number of events necessitates adjustments to our curriculum to better prepare you for future challenges."
She pointed to different areas on the map, indicating where monster activity had intensified.
“Normally, you will be more familiar with the academy environment, but according to the Federation’s instructions, we need to take more rigorous measures. From now on, we will focus on strategic and combat training to enhance your combat capabilities in the real world.”
She pointed to the hologram again and explained the changes in the magic circle.
"As you can see, the fluctuations in the mana circle have become more pronounced. Mastering and using mana effectively will be crucial for your survival. In the coming semester, we will not only hone your combat skills but also help you gain a deeper understanding and control over mana."
She paused for a moment, giving the students time to process what she had to say.
"While you hone your combat skills, we will introduce specially designed courses where you will explore small skills that will contribute to your overall growth. In this changing era, adaptability is key, and you must prepare for future challenges."
Her serious expression grew even more solemn as she scanned the entire classroom.
Let me put it more clearly. The academy will invest more resources and expects results from you. The upcoming challenges will require each of you to excel. Those who fall behind will be eliminated. Mediocrity has no place in the face of the challenges that await you.
The students listened attentively, absorbing the information, and the classroom was silent.
"This year's courses will be more challenging and demanding than ever before, but they will ultimately make you stronger and ensure continuous progress."
With her expectations weighing on the students' minds, Eleanor moved on to the next topic.
"Now, as the first task of the second phase, you will undergo a test to assess your magical perception abilities. The specifics of the test will be kept confidential. You will be divided into groups of three, and the specific group assignments will be announced tomorrow. Make sure you are well prepared."
Her words had barely faded when the bell rang, ending the class. The students, relieved of the serious atmosphere, began to discuss in hushed tones. A sense of anxiety and exhaustion hung in the air.
The assignment of the three-person group added to their worries.
"I heard that group assignments are crucial. If you're grouped with someone who doesn't work hard, you're basically doomed."
"I hope my team can have some reliable people."
"Ugh, the tests and challenges were already exhausting enough, and now I feel like I'm about to collapse."
During the discussion, some students exchanged nervous glances, while others tried their best to brace themselves for the upcoming test.
"What do you all think?" Julia asked, turning to the others after processing the information.
“I expected this to happen,” Alice replied nonchalantly. “Father mentioned that things would change.”
“Me too, I heard the same thing from my father,” Karl said, standing up.
"where are you going?"
"I need to see the principal."
"Okay, let's go together."