The Weakest F-Rank Who Breaks the System

Unedited*

Lucius and Clara continued their search for new fights, but found none more that day.

The next day, D-Rank fighters began arriving, eager to challenge Lucius. Most of them had been sent by Darius.

Chaos broke out in the academy’s hallways, but Lucius resolved each fight with extraordinary skill, without needing to draw on his mana.

He drew on his extensive combat experience, combined with his newly honed sword skills, to win most of them. When that wasn’t enough, he used his fists to knock out his opponents’ teeth.

In this way, he won every match and managed to climb the rankings several times.

Lucius Asturias, Ranked #1,230 (Among the Top 250 in Rank D of New Asturias City).

Clara Thorne, Ranked #4,310, Rising Star of the Academy, the Ice Princess.

With both of their extraordinary rises in the rankings, the following week arrived.

Lucius went alone to the designated location for his match against Dragon’s Eye. It would not be broadcast to the public, nor would there be any spectators.

Only a large number of judges and the entire school administration were watching.

"I think you’ll do well, but it doesn’t hurt to remind you that Dragon Eye is very perceptive. His eyes are special, so be careful," Jake said as he led Lucius to the center of the arena.

Lucius looked at the young man on the other side of the arena.

He was about 20 years old. He had a very calm and relaxed aura. His almond-shaped eyes and shoulder-length straight hair gave him a touch of strange, masculine elegance.

The two stared at each other for a brief moment.

’His ability flows through his eyes... No wonder the executives always try to protect him. If someone with malicious intent were to attack his eyes and gouge them out, it would forever destroy his extraordinary talent,’ Lucius thought.

Those kinds of abilities are pretty amazing, too. Cultivating someone with an ability like that will always pay off.

"The Rising Star... you’ve been making a name for yourself lately. I’ve heard a lot about you; it’s an honor to meet you," he said. "I’m Noah Wagner."

"I’ve also heard a lot about Dragon’s Eye. It’s an honor." Lucius nodded back.

Noah nodded approvingly. "Since you want Lord Kael’s position, let’s get started. But we’re going to change the rules. Anyone who wants to be the Leader of Class A must be prepared for anything."

"Change the rules? I don’t know if that’s allowed..." Lucius said.

"Of course it is." Noah laughed. "Who would object?"

’The judges?’ Lucius thought, but he didn’t say anything about it. Instead, he looked around and noticed that, although several people were at a loss regarding this boy’s suggestion, no one said a word.

That was just like him. Always changing things as he pleased.

But no one could say anything to him. Because it was him—Noah Wagner, Dragon Eye.

"The test will consist of just one thing. A creation that will end in a fight," Noah said.

"A golem?"

"No. I don’t like golems." Noah shook his head. "A suit of armor."

"A suit of armor?" Lucius frowned and immediately understood what he meant. "A full-body suit of armor that we can both wear so that you and I can fight each other."

Noah smiled. "I like smart people. You got it right away. I don’t need to explain any further, do I? It’s much better to have a single test that demonstrates all our abilities than to have a series of three boring tests that go on for hours and hours to no one’s benefit."

Lucius couldn’t have agreed with him more.

Having multiple tests allows you to assess those who aren’t as capable in a specific task but who excel in others. Even if someone does well on Test 1, they may not do as well on Tests 2 or 3. This can happen in any of the tests.

But when you already know that both are good at all three tests, why would you want to know who’s the best at all three, when you can just as easily limit it to a single test where you can see both of their full potential?

Noah and Lucius agreed that the rules would be the same as those for the test.

They had 4 hours to create a full-body suit of armor of at least Level 3.

The judges and instructors provided everything they would need to create them, within the limitations required for Level 3 and 4 tools.

And immediately, right there on stage, Noah and Lucius split up to begin working.

"I think this will be the best battle between toolmakers we’ll see in a long time," the director said suddenly, seated among the executive members of the local academy.

One of the executives frowned. "I found it insulting to call in a Rank C to face Young Noah. Even though Noah doesn’t have an impressive background, all the old families are interested in him, and it’s even believed he might join Ouroboros this very year. But why do they hold this Rank C boy in such high regard?" he asked.

He wasn’t the only one with that question; he was just one of many who had it.

Out of respect for the director—since he was the one who suggested this match take place—no one had voiced it before, but now that someone had finally asked, everyone nodded in agreement with him.

The director was sitting next to the elderly Judge Andrew Morgan. Both wore the same expectant expression.

"Not all C-Ranks are the same," Andrew said. "There are some who can be surprising."

"I understand that, Mr. Andrew... There are C-Ranks who can beat B-Ranks. But the leap here is too great. He’s not a B-Rank—he’s an A-Rank. And he’s not just any A-Rank—he’s young Noah Wagner! He’s as great as Kael Vorren!" replied the executive.

"I know who Noah Wagner is. But I also know who Lucius is."

"So..."

Andrew turned to look at him. "And I know that Lucius can win this match."

The executive fell silent, quite surprised.

Then the director laughed.

"I appreciate Judge Andrew’s confidence in our students. I also believe he can win," he said, looking at the administrator. "We’re not underestimating Young Noah—we know he’s one of our greatest geniuses, and that if it weren’t for his magical limitations, he’d surpass Kael. However, this little boy is just too good. Wait and see."

Finally, all the administrators who had been doubting fell silent.

The confidence those two had in that boy was so great that it made them waver.

A C-Rank facing off against the strongest of the A-Ranks... It didn’t even make sense, but could he pull off a miracle?

Soon they came to realize that talking about miracles wasn’t the right way to look at it.

Noah Wagner performed spectacularly. From a distance, Lucius was often impressed by his ability.

He was a rookie. In Lucius’s eyes, Noah Wagner was a rookie. However, he was a rookie of an exceptionally high caliber.

He was a rookie who had entered the realm of the professional level and who, only in Lucius’s eyes, could be considered a rookie.

Noah Wagner created a light suit of armor, very much in keeping with his own carefree style, though he put a great deal of effort into the details that would surely become headaches for Lucius during the fight.

Nevertheless, his style was evident in the armor.

On the other hand, Lucius didn’t seem to have a set style. No one understood exactly what his style was, but they could clearly distinguish the armor he created.

It was heavier than Noah’s armor, but much more elaborate.

The armor was by no means simple, and the mere fact that he was able to create it in such a short amount of time demonstrated superhuman ability.

What’s more, it had four swords, created specifically for the armor!

It was tall but adjustable to fit the body. It could be controlled very well using mana, but it also had spots where you could place mana marks to power it, like a puppet.

The exterior detailing wasn’t quite as exquisite as Noah’s, but the interior was simply extraordinary.

Four slots for mana marks on each arm and two on each leg. There were also two on the chest and back, and one on the helmet.

All these slots were connected by mana veins, so the fuel would flow freely through the armor without any problems.

Even Noah was surprised that Lucius could create something so impressive in such a short time.

However, would it be functional?

"Both are, without a doubt, Level 4 tools," said the director, looking at Andrew. "What do you think, Judge Andrew?"

Andrew had been trying to analyze them for a while. "I don’t see any problems with Young Noah’s. It’s a magical tool that will work simply because a wizard is carrying it. It’s a conventional magical tool, but a very professional one," he said.

"And what about student Lucius’s?"

"That one... is a little strange."

"In what way?"

"It’s not a conventional magical tool... or at least, from what I can tell, it isn’t. It’s more like... a magical tool capable of impersonating someone else."

"I-impersonate identities?" One of the executives swallowed hard and turned to look at Andrew. "Do you mean...?"

"Oh, no. Not that." Andrew quickly noticed the confusion. "I chose my words poorly. I mean it’s a magical tool that can be manipulated from a distance to create an identity with it. It’s not the legendary ’Shapeshifter’; rather, it’s more like the legendary Iron Dragon."