Reinhard quickly walked through the Academy corridor after getting a message from Klaus. But despite his hurry, he couldn't help noticing the transformation happening around him.

Students and staff worked everywhere he looked, setting up decorations for what was clearly going to be a massive celebration.

Students balanced on ladders, unfurling massive banners that rippled like sails against the stone walls.

Black and white fabric, which was the Academy's colors, that gleamed with gold thread that flashed when caught by sunlight pouring through the arched windows. Each banner proclaimed a different achievement ranking of top students and congratulatory phrases.

Kitchen staff and volunteers streamed past with platters and trays. Enough provisions for a small army rather than a school celebration, no matter how prestigious.

Cakes stacked on wheeled carts, their frosting elaborate works of art featuring Beast Spirit symbols and combat scenes rendered in sugar and cream. Cupcakes arranged in precise formations, each one individually decorated.

Fruit bowls overflowing with apples, oranges, grapes, and other exotic items he'd never seen before. Fruits with purple skin and green flesh.

Others that seemed to glow faintly from within. Strange shapes and colors that suggested they came from distant continents or cities.

Other types of food passed by as well, it was dishes Reinhard couldn't even name, their scents unfamiliar but appealing. The entire Academy was transforming into a festival ground, preparing to honor the year's highest-ranking students.

But Reinhard ignored all of it as he was focused on reaching the Principal's office. He knew it was about time he received the Elixir of Life, and then immediately headed to Nuevo.

Everything else was background noise, distractions from the goal he'd been working toward for so long.

He reached the brass cage elevator, the familiar mechanism waiting with its operator standing at attention. The young man nodded recognition, pulling the lever without needing to be told where Reinhard was going.

Everyone seemed to know by now.

The elevator lurched upward, carrying him through floors with that distinctive sensation of the ground pressing against his feet.

He watched corridors pass, his mind already racing ahead to what came next. He would be traveling to Nuevo, seeing Klein, administering the Elixir, and watching his brother finally be freed from the curse that had hung over him.

The elevator stopped smoothly.

The operator pulled the gate open with practiced efficiency, offering a polite smile. "Good luck, sir."

Reinhard nodded his thanks and stepped out into the quieter administrative corridor.

His pace quickened as he approached the door at the corridor's end, the Principal's office, where everything he'd worked for waited.

He reached for the handle and pushed the door open.

The office revealed itself in afternoon light filtered through those tall, burgundy-curtained windows. And there, already waiting, were Brunhilde, Marie, Joseph, Klaus, and Rosaria.

All of them turned as he entered, expressions ranging from warm smiles to knowing looks.

Reinhard walked inside, his greeting dying on his lips as his gaze locked onto Klaus's desk. But then he paid as he saw it there, resting on the dark wood surface, sitting on an orb wrapped in an elaborate metallic frame.

The orb itself seemed alive.

Its surface swirling with vibrant blues that reminded Reinhard of deep ocean water, purples like twilight skies, and fiery oranges like sunrise breaking over mountains. The colors moved, flowing and mixing and separating in patterns that suggested both randomness and purpose.

It was mesmerizing, pulling at the eye and refusing to release attention.

The golden metal frame surrounding it was equally impressive. Intricate symbols covered every visible surface, and he realized it was protection runes. Or maybe preservation enchantments, sealing marks that ensured nothing inside could degrade or lose potency.

The craftsmanship was extraordinary, each symbol carved with precision that suggested master-level artisans had spent weeks on this single piece.

Reinhard trembled before blinking, unable to look away. "Is that...?"

Marie nodded enthusiastically, her grin practically splitting her face. Her platinum hair bounced as she moved closer, light-gold eyes shining with joy for him. "It's the Elixir of Life! Congratulations, Rein!" She clasped her hands together. "Even though we already knew you'd win, it's still amazing that it's officially confirmed!"

Joseph stepped forward as well, his green eyes warm with shared happiness. "You ended up in first place with eighteen hundred points." He paused for emphasis. "Second place got nine hundred, and from there, fifth place got eight hundred."

Reinhard blinked in surprise, his mind processing those numbers. "So I had twice as much as second place?" His light blue eyes widened slightly. "No wonder people have been sending me looks of disbelief, suspicion, and awe whenever I walk past."

Marie blinked, her expression shifting to confusion. She tilted her head, platinum hair sliding across her shoulder. "You didn't know? About your point total?"

Brunhilde laughed lightly, the sound gentle and amused. "He was busy studying, training, and finding ways to earn more points through various contributions. He completely ignored everything else happening around him, including the ranking announcements that went out weekly."

Reinhard's lips twitched, but he couldn't refute her since she was completely right. He looked away, unable to meet their eyes directly.

Marie and Joseph burst out laughing, the sounds filling the office. Klaus chuckled deeply, his shoulders shaking with mirth, and even Rosaria's lips quirked upward slightly.

When the laughter died down, Reinhard spoke again. "Still, with my points being so high… Twice the second-place score, I'm surprised that angry students haven't raided this office demanding explanations or investigations."

Rosaria's voice cut through cleanly. "They did try, and multiple times at that. But they were promptly sent back where they came from."

Klaus grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief behind his professional demeanor. "They couldn't withstand our dear Rosaria's frosty glare. One look from her and even the most indignant students suddenly remembered they had pressing matters elsewhere."

Marie giggled even harder, covering her mouth with both hands while Joseph covered his own mouth, and shoulders shaking.

Reinhard chuckled despite himself, easily imagining Rosaria's intimidating stare stopping would-be protesters in their tracks.

Rosaria sighed. "The Information Institution and we were able to come up with an acceptable explanation, which was that your dreams led to discovering a new creation story."

Brunhilde nodded, her faint smile present as always. "This explanation can be further corroborated by how the History Institution staff stare at you with awe and hunger whenever you're near them. Everyone's noticed their behavior, so the story holds up under scrutiny."

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