"Your gift for passing the Demigod Academy's exam," Henry said. "But—"
"You need to accept a condition if you want the gift."
"What condition?" Neo asked with furrowed brows.
"Today is your rank battle competition. You will need to choose a rank and enter a 7-day battle royale to protect your rank. If you survive, you will be awarded with the rank you chose."
Henry's words explained the rank competition.
The competition was the first major arc in the novel where the protagonist and the main cast were introduced.
Moreover, the competition was a broadcasted live all over the continent.
"What rank are you planning to choose?" Henry asked.
"Chose any rank below 1500 and you can have the gift."
Just as Neo was about to answer, Henry added,
"Don't be so quick to reject. Check the gift, maybe you'll accept my offer."
His confidence made Neo curious about the gift.
He opened the suitcase.
"How is it?" Henry smiled.
Neo took out the sword from the suitcase.
The hilt had a black cross pattern and the blade was inside the sheathe.
His senses warned him. The blade was dangerous.
He tried to pull out the blade from the scabbard but failed.
It confirmed his guess.
'I can't believe I got my hands on it without doing anything.'
"Its name is Obitus," Henry explained.
It was a new prototype weapon made by Hargraves Corporation.
It would be known as the first weapon of the God Slayer Series in the future.
In a world where Gods were real, it was easy to guess how powerful a weapon was if it was named as the God Slayer Weapon.
"What… is this?" Amelia asked uneasily.
She could sense that something was not right Obitus.
Like something that shouldn't exist.
"It's our new weapon series. Soul Weapons. These weapons grow with their wielders."
It was the first time she heard about such weapon.
"And, what did you mean weapon by 'our weapon'?" she asked.
"Yes, it can grow stronger alongside its user. As for your second question, Obitus is the latest product of our Hargraves Corporation."
"Hargraves Corporation?" She turned to Neo. "You are filthy rich."
"I'll accept your condition in exchange for the 'gift'," he told Henry.
"Look at this fucker lying with a straight face."
Henry tapped his finger on the armrest.
"Fuck, take the sword. You will get your ass handed to you if you participate for a high rank without a good weapon.
"But, bitch, if anything happens to you, I will kill you. Mark my words.
"You better return safe."
"Thank you," Neo smiled.
Henry clicked his tongue and turned away.
"That's right. Be thankful, fucker. You have the best brother in the world."
Neo took the sword and left for the Academy with Amelia and Henry.
They noticed the streets filled with people.
"They are waiting for the live broadcast," Amelia explained. "The battle rank competition is one of highlights of Academy. You can say it's an annual festival."
The competition was more famous than Olympics.
Moreover, all major battles will be broadcasted for the citizens.
Other than the tournament winners, the fan favourite students might get nice rewards too.
It was possible to catch a Guild's eye if one performed spectacularly.
"What rank are you aiming for?" Amelia whispered.
"I'm thinking about it."
She didn't seem convinced and advised.
"Don't choose anything in Top 100. Those ranks are reserved for children from Great God and High God clans."
The top 10 students every year were member of Zeus Clan and Poseidon Clan.
The rank 11 to rank 100 were a part of High God clans such as Ares Clan, Artemis Clan, and Apollo Clan.
"Reserved?" Neo asked.
It was something only Academy students and member of God Clans should know, and he was neither of the two.
"It's an open secret in the Academy. If any outsider tries to enter Top 100 ranks, the students from God Clans will crush them."
"Hey, take this seriously. Do you think I'm joking?
"Even the Rank 2000, the last ranked student, will be hailed as a genius outside the academy.
"The quality of students improves drastically above Rank 1000, and it improves again at Rank 500.
"The Top 100s are absolute geniuses. Some of them must have already reached Grade 3 Awakened rank.
"And the Top 10…. don't even think about them.
"I was taught by mother and I have a Terror-ranked Spell, and I'm only Rank 11.
"Even after one year, I can't put a scratch on Top 10 students. Your year will be no different. The children of Great God Clans undergo the same training.
"Please, don't be reckless. Choose a rank below 1000 for your own safety," Amelia said.
While her explanation came to an end, they reached the Academy.
Neo and Amelia got off after he said goodbye to Henry.
Henry called out to him when they were about to enter the gates.
"Go get them," Henry grinned.
He turned around and left.
Entering the academy, he had to go towards the first year section.
"Goodbye. I'll see you after the tournament," Amelia said as she left.
Neo entered a large hall.
He could see multiple lines before the desks.
A hologram floated in the air.
It showed which ranks had been taken.
Neo entered a line and waited for his chance.
When he reached the desks, the receptionist was slightly surprised seeing his handsome face.
She snapped out of daze and explained the content of the tournament.
"One student can choose only one rank, and you can't take a rank chosen by someone else until the competition starts."
Neo looked back at the hologram.
The top 100 ranks had yet to be taken.
The children of Great God Clans and High God Clans were present in the hall.
They had yet to choose a rank.
They wanted to show no one had the courage to take what rightfully belonged to them.
"Sir, what rank do you want to opt for?"