Thus, the students' faces were grim with the results. They were more ashamed that Max beat them in rank rather than the fact they were lower ranked.
If others were ranked higher than them, it meant they were talented and worked hard. But he, who was he? He was the guy who used the back door to enter into the Academy and put the Academy's name in a puddle of mud on the street.
Because of this guy, everyone talked bad about the number one Academy of the capital, and even the kingdom considered them a mediocre talent along with him. Because of the Academy's action to let this guy join through the back door, everyone thought the Academy was not strict enough to choose only talented students. Thus, they also started to feel inferior.
Max, however, did not bother with what others were thinking. First of all, he did not know what others were thinking, and even if he knew, he would not care.
Two days before, he was on a mission that was like a mountain; whether it could be achieved was an uncertainty. Today, however, he was pretty sure he would inherit his father and rule the land without any issue.
The only problem was that ruling the big land was a lot of work. Max had to set his mind from now on for any situation.
While the class was in low murmurs and discussions, the classroom teacher entered into the class at the exact timing. His face was full of a bright smile as he swept his gaze towards the classroom.
"Everyone, first of all, congratulations for your first Dungeon Expedition completion. Everyone did a great job and worked hard," Mr. Morrison said with great joy on his face.
"We have a total of three top 10 students on the ranking. I would like Nathalie Abascal,Hugh Gwyllim, and finally Anne Wintour to stand up." Mr. Morrison announced the three students that placed in the top ten on the ranking board.
"Everyone, give a big round of applause. They did a great job, attaining great pride for our class," Morrison said.
Everyone loudly clapped their hands in appreciation of their classmates' placements.
"Nathalie placed at the fourth ranking, Hugh placed at the seventh, and Anne placed at the tenth. Very well done, you three. I want you to continue this excellent job in the future and add more achievements for Class 1A," Morrison finally said as the three sat down.
While Max was happy that his class gained three spots in the top ten out of a total of seven classes, he suddenly noticed all three of these people's eyes turn towards him.
Anne was sitting next to him. Max knew she was currently in an emotional battle over whether she deserved the ranking, so he could understand her gaze. However, why were Hugh and Nathalie looking towards him? He did not do anything to them; he never even knew their names properly until now.
Hugh Gwyllim, who sat in the front row on the right side of the class, was an average-looking guy with an average height and a lean physique. He had black hair with a sharp jaw. Max often saw him at the sword practical classes. Maybe he was looking at Anne, since the girl, who was silent in the class and came from an ordinary peasant family, placing at Rank 10 was definitely impressive.
On the other hand, Nathalie was a tall girl with good curves, silver hair, and blue eyes. She looked muscular for a girl. What was her class again? Max was surprised by her figure; she was really attractive as well.
She also gave a look towards Max's table, but Max discarded the notion that these people were looking at him. They were looking at their competition, which was Anne. Meanwhile, Morrison continued his congratulations as he read the next set of people.
"Now, let us congratulate those who placed in the Top 30!" Morrison announced. "A total of nine Students placed. It is a huge number! I would like you all to stand up."
Max and his party, Shaun, Jeannie, Peter, and Michael, stood up. Along with them, four others, consisting of two boys and two girls, also stood up.
"Everyone, please give a big applause to these guys! They did a great job as well." Morrison praised them and gave encouraging words. "I want all of you to work hard and try to place in the Top 10 next time."
"Next, we have a total of three people placed in the Top 50 Rank."
Morrison continued to congratulate everyone. He went down the list until the last guy, who placed at Rank 293 with a total of 96 Cores.
He was somewhat pissed by being last in the Class. But more frustration came from the fact that a few earned a lot lower Cores than him.
Max only had 79 Ordinary Cores. Just because he earned more Boss Cores, they put him in a higher Rank. That was Rank 17.
If they were to Rank based on pure numbers, Max would have placed at the end like Rank 354. After all, the last Rank 355 student earned a total of 86 Cores.
"Mr. Morrison!"
While Morrison was about to finish the congratulations and start the regular class, someone suddenly stood and called him out. The Class was attracted by this call. Everyone turned towards the guy.
"Yes, Rex. What is it?" Morrison asked, seeing the student who called him.
"I have a small doubt. How come I was Ranked very low and Ms. Anne Ranked in the Top 10?" Rex, who was Ranked 293 and last in Class 1A, asked.
Morrison was a little taken aback. The rules clearly stated that a Boss Core would give more points.
But still, Morrison could understand the frustration. Can a single Boss Core give that much point to put one in the Top 10?
Most of the other Students also had this doubt. Though they read that a Boss Core gives more points, they could not bear the disparity in numbers.
Anne, however, got agitated by this situation. Her name and her Ranking were suddenly called out in the discussion.
She already felt that she was not mingling with the other Class Students. Now, with this Ranking, people were going to hate her even more. She did not like this even a bit.
But then, she looked at Max.
He was sitting nonchalantly. He leaned back without giving even an ounce of his attention to the guy who asked the question. The whole Class had their attention on the same guy, yet Max did not care.
Seeing this, she felt some courage in her heart.
She had worked hard! She even risked her life being bait, was attacked by the Slime, and broke her ankle while doing it. She deserved this Ranking, no matter what others say.
"Rex, did you not read the rules of points given to each type of Core?" Morrison asked.
"Yes, Mr. Morrison, I have read and I know," Rex asked. "But how come one single Mutated Core puts a huge disparity on the Ranking?"
"Well, the Mutated Monsters from E-Rank have the ability to attack actively. They are dangerous Monsters for people like you who haven't leveled up even once at that time." Morrison slowly explained. "So, hunting those Monsters gives an ample amount of points compared to regular Monsters."
"Furthermore, Anne, who placed Rank 10, submitted a Mutated Boss Core of a Titan Slime. So she gained more points." Morrison was irritated that this simple thing was asked. "Now sit down and try to place a better Rank at the next Expedition."
The Students' faces changed. They heard what Core put Anne in the Top 10.
It was a Mutated Boss Monster! A Titan Slime!
It was considered a dangerous Slime in the E-Rank Slime Dungeon. Simply because of its size, it had a great advantage while fighting. With its sheer size, it would simply move its living Core away from any attack.
Only with great effort and a surprise attack would one be able to kill it.
So, Anne gained enormous points simply by this single Core.
After some murmur and discussion, the Class settled. Morrison started his theory class about Level Up basics. Since everyone entered into at least one Level, he taught the basics of it.
Max read some basics on this topic, so he only gave part of his concentration to the classroom. The rest went to Isabelle.
She was very quiet since he entered. She showed no reaction to anything that had happened.
Max guessed that it had to do with her Ranking, which was 40.
Well, she could have asked him to join her Party. But she did not consider him a potential candidate for her Party. So now, she had to suffer the set back.
After Morrison's class concluded, Ms. Patricia's class continued until noon.
Most of the theory classes were about the Level Up. It explained how it works and how Attribute Points should be allocated based on the Class.
At Lunch, Anne walked with Max without saying anything. She sat at the same table to have lunch.
Max did not object. Maybe she was overwhelmed by all the things that were happening until the morning. She needed someone to rely on, so Max simply kept silent.
The Students from other Classes also had a weird gaze towards Anne. Not only his own Class, but every other Class was startled by this result!