Game's Extra: Starting With SSS-Ranked 1000-Death Talent-Chapter 48: Getting Ranked From Behind

Boom-!

The orb exploded.

It didn’t crack, nor did it change its colors.

As soon as Noa triggered the skill Mana Rage, the impact blasted the object, sending shockwaves all around.

The sound rippled through the space.

"What was that?"

"Did he actually shatter the magic orb?"

"He has monstrous stats, and his skill can employ this destructive power?"

"My ears! I might be bleeding, for real!"

"Stop overreacting. It was only a loud noise and nothing else."

Listening to how the students reviewed his little stunt, Noa contemplated his decision.

’I didn’t go overboard, right?’

He was hiding his identity, and it allowed him to showcase almost everything he could do.

The fear of the government or any other Ember hunting on his head no longer existed, granting him the conviction to fully display his capabilities.

Especially when his every move angered Tomas and Amelia.

’This is only the beginning of my revenge,’ he mused.

The couple’s faces distorted, their lips curling in pure loathing, and Noa guessed they would try to stir some trouble.

No one knew how the S talent and skills worked.

But witnessing Noa’s unimaginable feats, instructors wanted to believe it.

His results would affect their standing in the academy.

Greed flashed in their eyes, planning to win him over so Noa would select them as his private tutor.

Gio handled the situation, silencing the crowd.

"We don’t have time. Scotty Snowstone, please take your turn."

Then others tried their hand.

One by one, some shifted the pale orb’s color to yellow.

Blue and red were rarities, but two greens also showed up, implying an A-rank Intelligence attribute for Evolved grade.

Soon, the examination concluded.

This was only a small, yet the first and one of the most important stages in their studies.

These tests would be repeated once a week.

But their difficulty would increase each time.

After Gio wrote down every little detail in his tablet, he led the other trainers out of the gym, leaving students all alone.

He didn’t leave any instructions.

Nor were there any guides for them on how to act and what to do.

The remaining students were left in confusion.

They didn’t even know what their results entailed, but Noa knew what would happen in the next hour or so.

Even Arthur had some information from the novel.

But because of the current situation, the boy seemed deeply lost in his thoughts.

Klaus was dead.

He could tell as much.

If Noa’s repeated use of Klaus’ skill wasn’t enough, his absence and the lingering silence proved that.

This put everything he knew in astray.

How could the story he wanted to follow and correct function without its main character?

What Arthur didn’t realize was that he was also the protagonist.

Noa was the only one who enjoyed the current predicament, counting down the moment when Arthur would lose control of his emotions.

The seeds were already planted.

Two major events would happen on this day.

None of them would be affected if Noa played his cards right, but his wicked smile said otherwise.

His idea of messing with Arthur and the plot was stronger than ever.

However, one of these two events would escalate because of his influence.

’Here it is!’ Noa muttered.

The spark that would create a good show for him appeared out of thin air.

It was an enormous screen on a wall, revealing names with their ranks next to it.

<Meme Cockhold: 100/100>

<Hoshino Coldcheek: 99/100>

<Ele Pusbush: 98/100>

...

<Arthur Ashe*: 41/100>

...

<Tomas Cryberry: 3/100>

<Amelia Skybeach: 2/100>

<Arthur Ashe: 1/100>

Cold breath blew between Noa and the people nearby.

His heart pounded as if he had gotten the most exciting news he hadn’t expected.

Nevertheless, no one was surprised by the ranking system the academy employed.

Neither had their tactics remained unknown, as it was apparent Gio wanted to see how they would react.

Even though the rankings seemed set in stone, the fact that they showed it so openly definitely implied something.

Noa knew what it was, and others guessed it as well.

The situation would quickly turn into a battlefield, and what mattered the most was who would take the first step.

’Everyone wants my head.’

Noa smirked.

He constantly found himself in situations where he had to stand alone against overwhelming numbers of opponents.

Yet it didn’t discourage him.

The victories left a sweet and addictive taste in his mouth, and Noa didn’t plan on giving it up.

With playful and mischievous gestures, he taunted students.

"I know, I already got on your nerves," he said loudly. "Might as well come at me."

Noa knew he was a delicious treat.

However, either his current opponent wasn’t hungry, or they needed appetizers first.

And it started...

Something Noa didn’t really take into account, but wasn’t completely bewildered either.

The hateful couple had bullied Noa for quite a long time.

Now that they had lost their target and some no-name asshole showed up, they couldn’t take it.

But their behavior was childish and narrow-minded, even.

Instead of attacking Noa, who used Arthur Ashe’s identity, the bullies targeted the real Arthur Ashe.

He was a loner.

No one would help him, and they needed a punching bag to vent their frustration.

So, in one swift motion, Tomas slapped the boy to the ground.

"Trash!" he shouted.

There were plenty of classmates weaker than Arthur.

Yet...

Amelia kicked him this time, her face looking nothing like a graceful lady with high standing in society.

She wasn’t afraid of showing her true self.

Who would dare to stand against her when her grandma was the academy’s chairman?

Noa was watching this pathetic scene, wishing he had popcorn to increase his enjoyment.

’What would you do?’ he wondered.

Honestly, he wished Arthur would change.

Even though he disliked and hated the protagonist, Noa felt like Arthur’s actions were controlled because of the plot.

As if the narrative tried to make him as deplorable and wretched as humanly possible.

Now that Noa had screwed up important plot points, he had personal interest.

He watched Arthur’s ignited eyes.

The misery he was swallowing for something that ultimately didn’t matter.

Minutes passed, punches that were strengthened with two A-ranked talents bruised and bloodied his face.

Still, nothing happened.

’Guess I have to do it myself.’

Shaking his head in resentment, Noa took soft steps.

"Can I hit him as well?" he asked the bullies after standing next to them.