Ciara's sweet tone contained playfulness and mockery.
He wanted to reply her! Jerry wanted to rise to his feet and declare how things would be different this time and how he would ensure he rose to the realm of the Rankers—just as they both swore back then!
However... he couldn't speak.
"Just give it up... and stay where you are. You can't reach me anymore."
With those final words of hers ringing in his ears, Jerry's petrified body remained frozen as Ciara climbed to her seat.
'I... I couldn't say anything...'
Did he still have doubts? Was that the reason he couldn't stand up to his resolve?
There was no way of confirming that now. However, words were cheap. If he truly wanted to show his determination, all Jerry had to do was win!
"I can do this..." He whispered to himself and stared at the stage.
It was currently vacant, but soon... the chaos would begin!
'I'll win! I'll make sure I climb the ranks!'
And once Jerry did that... they could both achieve what they swore—he and the Second Seat!
********************
"Welcome, everyone, to the final day of the Inter-Class Exchange!!!" Klaus Tallman declared in his usual booming voice.
Everyone in the hall was used to his mode of speech and they were already smiling in anticipation for the Moderator to continue his words.
"The matches we'll be having now... will be a bit different from the previous ones!"
Of course, everyone was already aware of this fact.
For six days, the Exchange had proceeded smoothly, advancing from the preliminary matches to the Finals.
Having concluded the Final rounds the previous day—in which the champions received prizes and public declarations—it was now time for the most anticipated moment.
The Elite Tournament!
Thirty students, one ring—the ultimate clash between the best of the best within Ainzlark Academy was now upon everyone and the spectators couldn't contain their excitement.
"In the previous matches, the contestants advanced from the Preliminary Matches to the Finals, but, for the Elite Tournament, that method will not be used."
Silence filled the Hall.
"There will be no form of 'advancement' here... only a simple exchange between representatives of each Class." Klaus further explained.
Judging from the silence enveloping the auditorium, and the uneasy glances the students gave one another, it was clear that their Moderator would need to explain a bit more for them to completely comprehend what he meant.
Of course, Klaus already knew of his task—and so he opened his mouth to break down the information.
"We will be having only ten rounds, in which a representative of each Class—Upper, Middle, and Lower— will be participating in. Since there are thirty Students, that means three will be contesting in each round."
A slight 'oohhh' leaked from the crowd as they slowly began to understand.
"As always, the selection will be random and the final decisions concerning the champions of each match will be left entirely up to the Judges above."
For a moment, the students looked at the floating platform where the Senior Lecturers were, and after a few moments, returned their gaze to Klaus.
"Normally, to indicate fairness, the Elite Ten are meant to fight in accordance to their ranks..."
That meant that the Elite Rank 10s of each Class would climb the stage to Duke it out, and the victor would emerge as the best among all three.
This would occur for all ranks. However...
"... To create a more 'unpredictable' match, we've decided to randomize things."
Klaus had chosen his words carefully, but the obvious intentions behind them registered in the minds of those who were attentive.
Jerry, for one, frowned the moment he heard that. What their moderator was simply trying to say was that in a fight between Elite students of the same rank, the obvious winner would be members of the Upper Class.
The others might as well have been fodder!
So, by randomizing the contestants, the matches could become more interesting in the sense that a more powerful Lower Class Elite would fight lesser ranked Upper and Middle-Class students.
If that was the case, students of the Lower Class, and even the Middle Class, had a chance against the superior members of the Upper Class.
But, in the end, how much water did that philosophy hold?
Ultimately, it was just another way of making the lower classes look bad. In essence, even when pitted with higher-ranked Lower Class Elites—if the Upper Class still won it, would only serve as a boost to their ego... and would badly damage the prestige of the Lower Class.
The same idea applied to the Middle Class.
Jerry was seething with rage, but he controlled himself.
Rather than fight on equal grounds, the tournament aimed to make it appear as though they favored the weaker party, while in actuality...
'It doesn't matter! I just need to win!' Jerry shook off his annoyance and focused on the resolve he had cultivated for so long.
"Ah, it's hopeless."
"Welp, time for another ass whooping."
"I just hope I don't her matched up with a tough opponent."
"What does it matter? I'll just surrender immediately."
"There's no point in fighting."
"True that."
The other members of the Lower Class Elite Ten exchanged comments of assumed defeat among themselves—so shamelessly for that matter.
As one who sat on the same row as them, Jerry felt mortified beyond description. What was the relevance of being an Elite when one's mind was so weak?
These people wouldn't even bother representing their Class well!
But, he was different!
It wasn't like Jerry was one who took pride in his abilities, neither did he think of himself as a special individual or 'the chosen one'.
No, he just... wanted better!
For that reason alone, the boy was going to push himself forward and achieve his wish... no matter what he took.
"The randomizer will begin now. So, everyone, remain glued to your seats and keep your eyes peeled!"
A large screen appeared above the auditorium as names appeared on three rows and began changing at rapid speed.
Whichever names appeared on the rows belonged to those who would climb the stage to begin the match. In essence, it also served as a countdown to the glorious finale of the Inter-Class Exchange.
Jerry gulped and watched the list in anticipation and a bit of nervousness. At long last... the time had come!
