Chapter 479:Results.

Chapter 479: 479:Results.

The medical examination took longer than Silver expected.

His protective uniform had registered several hits during the competition, including the projectile that struck his shoulder while he defended the communication tower and multiple impacts from his confrontation with Gareth. None had caused serious injuries, but the medical personnel were considerably more interested in his energy readings than his bruises.

A middle-aged female examiner studied the results displayed on her monitor, then frowned.

He noticed.

"Something wrong?" He asked.

She looked toward him before shaking his head.

"Not exactly," she hesitantly said.

That wasn’t particularly reassuring.

He leaned back against the examination chair while the examiner enlarged one section of the display.

"Your energy density is unusually high for a Rank Two Contractor."

Silver smiled faintly.

"Is that bad?"

"Not necessarily. It can indicate that you’re approaching a breakthrough."

He nodded.

"That makes sense."

She looked at him.

"Have you been experiencing pressure during energy circulation? A sensation of fullness, increased resistance when circulating energy, or unusually rapid energy compression?"

His eyes widened.

"All three."

The examiner sighed.

"I see." She continued examining the readings. "Your energy circulation is stable, but you’re very close to the maximum saturation your current foundation can accommodate. I’d strongly recommend avoiding unnecessary high-output training until you’ve completed a proper breakthrough assessment."

Silver nodded.

"Understood."

She looked toward him.

"And don’t attempt to force advancement simply because you’ve reached the threshold."

"I wasn’t planning to."

"Good."

She entered several notes into his academy medical record.

"Have you selected an advancement chamber?"

"Not yet."

The examiner nodded.

"Academy facilities are available, but you’re not required to advance here. If you have access to a suitable private training environment, you may perform the breakthrough outside the academy as well, provided you follow the proper safety procedures."

He looked interested.

"Outside?"

"Of course. Contractors don’t need an academy’s permission to increase their rank. We simply recommend controlled environments, especially for students whose abilities involve unusual energy circulation."

He nodded thoughtfully.

That was useful.

If he wanted, he could access to resources and private facilities through his family but there were other specialized training establishments within Alpha Three that offered advancement chambers for high-ranked Contractors.

The academy or his family wasn’t his only option.

The examiner continued.

"Whatever location you choose, make sure it’s secure, that your energy circulation is stable, and that someone qualified can provide assistance if complications arise."

Silver smiled.

"Understood."

She studied him for another moment, then handed him his medical clearance.

"You’re free to go. And congratulations on the competition."

Silver stood.

"Thank you."

As he left the examination room, he opened the Happiness System.

[Rank Development Analysis Updated.]

[Current Rank: Peak Rank 2.]

[Energy Saturation: 100%.]

[Physical Foundation: Excellent.]

[Soul Synchronization: Stable.]

[Beast Tattoo Integration: Stable.]

[Rank 3 Breakthrough Threshold: Reached.]

[Breakthrough Status: Not Initiated.]

He studied the notifications and smiled to himself. He’d finally reached the point he’d been working toward.

Now he needed to decide how to proceed.

The following morning, the first-year students gathered in the central auditorium for the official competition review.

Unlike the previous assessment ceremony, this gathering was considerably louder.

Students from different classes were discussing their matches, arguing over disputed decisions, and comparing the strategies they’d encountered. Several had already begun developing rivalries, while others were exchanging contact information with opponents they’d fought during the competition.

Silver found the atmosphere surprisingly pleasant.

The academy was extremely competitive but most of the students understood that losing a training exercise wasn’t the same as losing their future.

At least, most of them did.

Antony was a notable exception.

"Unbelievable."

Silver turned.

He was approaching with Rebecca beside him, looking deeply offended.

Silver smiled.

"Good morning."

Antony ignored the greeting.

"Unbelievable."

Rebecca sighed.

"He’s been doing this since breakfast," she said in an exhausted voice.

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"What happened?"

He stopped in front of him.

"Jude."

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"What about him?" He asked.

"He eliminated me."

Silver immediately started laughing.

Antony pointed at him.

"Don’t you dare."

Silver laughed harder.

Rebecca covered her mouth.

Antony looked more betrayed than when he had come in.

"I was defending our central checkpoint. Everything was going perfectly. We had the high ground, the supply station was secure, and our defensive formation was holding."

Silver nodded.

"Sounds good."

"Then Jude appeared."

Silver smiled.

"Naturally."

"He redirected my own attack into me!"

Rebecca finally laughed.

Antony looked toward her.

"You’re supposed to be on my side."

"I was there," Rebecca replied. "You were showing off."

"I was inspiring the troops!"

"You transformed three times in front of the same group of opponents."

"Psychological warfare."

Silver laughed.

Antony crossed his arms.

"Anyway, Jude eliminated me."

Silver nodded solemnly.

"A tragedy."

"Thank you."

"How’d your class do?" He asked.

Antony’s expression changed and a smiled graced his lips.

"We won," he said.

Silver’s eyes widened.

"Huh?"

Rebecca nodded.

"Class Two defeated Class Five. It was close, but we secured the final supply point before the timer expired."

Silver smiled.

"Congratulations."

Antony immediately brightened.

"Thank you! Finally, someone appreciates me."

Rebecca rolled her eyes.

Silver looked toward him.

"So you won despite getting eliminated?"

Antony flatly stared.

Silver smiled.

"Impressive leadership."

Rebecca burst into laughter.

Antony closed his eyes.

"I hate all of you."

The ceremony began shortly afterward.

The academy’s senior instructors entered the auditorium, followed by several assessment officials carrying the compiled competition records. Peter stood among them looking as serious as ever.

Silver sat beside Ravenna. Antony and Rebecca occupied seats behind them. Dillian was seated several rows ahead.

Jude sat farther to the right, looking completely unbothered by the occasional murderous glances Antony directed toward him.

The head evaluator approached the podium.

"Good morning, first-years."

The auditorium quieted.

"Your first class-versus-class competition has concluded. Unlike the previous field assessment, this exercise required you to coordinate large groups of Contractors across multiple objectives while maintaining communication, supply access, and territorial control."

The screen illuminated and recordings appeared.

Class Two defending a checkpoint. Class Five launching a coordinated assault. Class One fighting through a reinforced industrial district. Class Four’s communication tower being disabled.

Ravenna’s flames spreading across the eastern street. Silver cutting through the transit station’s support structures. Gareth forcing his way into the central command building.

Several students began murmuring which each added recording.

The evaluator continued.

"Some classes performed exceptionally well during their opening strategies but failed to adapt when their opponents changed tactics. Others demonstrated excellent combat ability but neglected their objectives. A few recovered from early disadvantages through effective communication and coordinated decision-making."

The screen changed.

[FIRST CLASS-VERSUS-CLASS COMPETITION RESULTS]

| Match | Winner | Final Margin |

| Class One vs Class Three | Class One | 117 points |

| Class Two vs Class Five | Class Two | 61 points |

| Class Four vs Class Six | Class Four | 23 points |

The evaluator paused.

"Class Seven completed a separate defensive scenario against a composite instructor-controlled force, and its performance has been included in the overall evaluation."

Silver studied the results.

Class One had won comfortably, class Two had defeated Class Five and Class Four had achieved the narrowest victory of the three direct matches.

The evaluator continued.

"Victory alone does not determine overall class ranking. We also evaluate objective efficiency, resource conservation, casualty management, communication stability, adaptability, and command performance."

The screen changed again.

[FIRST-YEAR CLASS PERFORMANCE STANDINGS]

| Rank. | Class | Overall Evaluation |

| 1 | Class One | Excellent

| 2 | Class Four | Excellent

| 3 | Class Two | Excellent

| 4 | Class Six | Very Good

| 5 | Class Seven | Very Good

| 6 | Class Five | Good

| 7 | Class Three | Good

Silver smiled.

Their result wasn’t as bad as he had imagined it would be.

Ravenna looked toward him.

"Again."

Silver raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Second place."

He laughed softly.

"Apparently Class Four likes second place."

She smiled.

"Next time, first."

He nodded.

"That’s the idea."

Behind them, Antony leaned forward.

"Third!"

Silver turned to a grinning Antony.

"Class Two is third!"

Rebecca smiled.

"Yes, Antony. We can see."

He completely ignored her.

"That’s pretty good."

Silver nodded.

"Very."

Antony looked pleased, then glanced toward the first-place class his expression going from happy to a more sombre mood.

"Dillian’s class again," he grumbled.

Silver followed his gaze and nodded.

Dillian was watching the screen with a calm expression.

He smiled faintly.

Class One was becoming a serious benchmark for the rest of the first-years. That would make future competitions interesting which he was looking forward to.

The evaluator began reviewing individual performances.