Rebirth of the Ruined Noble



There is an old saying that goes like this: "Don't ever get your hopes up because not everything in the world goes as planned." I was feeling the weight of those words intensely at this very moment. It was early morning, and I had just woken up from a restful night's sleep. As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, a message hovered in front of me, shattering the tranquility of the morning.

[Your rank in the freshmen ranking has dropped by 1.]

[Your rank in the freshmen ranking has dropped by 1.]

[Updates Ranking, rank - 101.]

1..0…1

The repetition of the message intensified the blow, and my heart ached with an intensity that made me fear a heart attack. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Desperately, I opened the ranking list, scanning it for my name, hoping it was all just a cruel illusion. But the truth stared back at me, taunting my efforts.

Rank 101, Eren Pendragon.

All my hard work and preparations to secure a place in the top one hundred had come to naught. I had slipped out of the coveted top 100. 

Even after trying so hard and securing the 95th rank through the ranking battles to ensure my seat to the royal academy, I had failed to keep my place in the top 100.

My eyes narrowed as I searched for the cause of my demotion. 

That's when two names caught my attention: 

Theodor Brewer and Martha Paige. 

'Theodor and….Martha?'

These two students belong to the brahmin class, who were previously in the ranks of 300s.

But now both their names were decorating the top 100 spots.

"These mad researchers," I muttered under my breath, a mix of rage, admiration and frustration coloring my words.

The brahmin class within the Freljord Academy held a special place. It was a haven for those obsessed with research, seekers of principles, and believers in science and technology. They were maniacs dedicated solely to their studies, caring little for power struggles or rankings.

When I say manics, it wasn't an exaggeration. 

For example, even if they were told that their research works are going to be used to terrorize the empire, they would happily do it as long as they were provided with suitable equipment and the idea got them inspired, that's how much of a mentally ill were those people.

They are generally weak and extremely smart as they don't give much attention to strength or power.

But occasionally, even among these passionate maniac researchers, a naturally gifted individual, blessed by the battle god, would emerge.

Theodoer was one such individual. In my past life, he had joined the Tower of Wisdom after graduating from the academy, and there with the help of Sage of Wisdom, he created a groundbreaking device which was beyond any wildest dreams.

It was a device which could harness mana stones, converting their magic power into a formidable force capable of casting high-level spells. 

During the times when the demons were invading the land of living, and the manpower to fight against them was severely lacking, the device itself became a huge help. 

The main reason being that as long as enough mana stones are provided, then it can even cast 8-star spells, a feat reserved for Archmage-level magicians.

I had underestimated the brahmin class, dismissing Theodore as a mere brainiac. But witnessing his meteoric rise from the 300s to the 51st position, I felt a pang of disappointment in myself. How could I have been so unaware of his ascension in the rankings?

Of course, in my past life, I had little interest in things regarding rankings and stuff, I was much more concerned about other important things like…..let's not talk about it.

Leaving Theodor aside, My thoughts shifted to Martha Paige, a name unfamiliar to me. Puzzled, I racked my brain, trying to recall anyone by that name from my past life. 

"Is there someone with such a name in my past life?" I mused, momentarily lost in contemplation. 

But, I couldn't remember anyone with such a name. Perhaps she was one of those individuals who experienced rapid growth in the beginning but faltered as time went on. 

Anyway,  I couldn't afford to dwell on such thoughts.

"Should I just beg Professor Joshua to pull some strings?"

I had to devise a plan, and quickly. Should I swallow my pride and seek Professor Joshua's intervention? I had initially dismissed the idea, but now I found myself reconsidering. The weight of my future, and the fate of my weapon, rested on whether I could visit the royal museum.

I should obtain that weapon no matter what as it would play a significant role in the battles to come.

"Let's forget my shame for a minute, my future is on the line here."

Even if I had to beg professor Joshua while holding his legs, I was determined to do so.

I rose from the bed, donning my academy uniform. I was about to stride out of the room and head to Professor Joshua's office when an unexpected guest halted my steps.

"Princess?" 

***

It was a forest with towering, majestic trees that reached for the heavens, their branches reaching out like ancient guardians of the land. The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting a dappled pattern on the forest floor below.

Within this enchanting realm, a multitude of wildlife thrived, their calls echoing through the air, creating a symphony of nature's harmony. However, not all inhabitants were friendly. Among the shadows lurked dangerous monsters, their presence sending shivers down one's spine

"It has been so long since I came here."

Mist from unknown origin materialized into the form of a feline as a black cat suddenly appeared on one of the trees 

The cat looked around as if trying to discover its current position.

"I am still far away... As expected, I can't bypass his barrier, nya," the cat mumbled, a hint of frustration evident in its voice. Undeterred, it gracefully leaped from one branch to another, navigating the forest with agility and precision.

As the cat ventured deeper, things which didn't make sense were encountered by it.

In this realm of enchantment, reality itself seemed to twist and turn. The cat encountered perplexing phenomena, such as the abrupt shifts in weather as it traversed from tree to tree. With each leap, it experienced the warmth of summer, the vibrancy of spring, the crispness of autumn, and the stillness of winter. The trees mirrored this transformation, their leaves sprouting and withering in a rapid, bewildering rhythm.

Venturing even deeper, the forest revealed its hidden secrets. The very trees seemed alive, their branches swaying as if engaged in a dance of their own. Some trees dared to change their positions, defying the laws of nature to suit their own whims.

"No matter how many times I see it, it is still incomprehensible," the cat murmured, marveling at the surreal spectacle that unfolded before its eyes. Unfazed by the strange occurrences, it pressed on, driven by a purpose known only to itself.

After an arduous journey through the treetops, the black feline finally came to a halt before a massive cave. The entrance was veiled in a thick layer of ice, as if frozen in time. The cave's atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the lush greenery of the surrounding trees, an anomaly that intrigued the cat but did not distract it from its mission.

"You're still holed up inside, even when I've traveled so far to visit you?" the cat playfully scolded, a hint of disappointment in its voice.

A pregnant pause ensued, interrupted by the rustling of leaves and the crackling of ice. The trees quivered as if awakening from a slumber, causing the frozen layer to tremble and cascade to the ground below.

"So, you've finally decided to pay me a visit, huh?" A deep, resonant voice carried through the air, sending chills down the cat's spine.

Emerging from the mouth of the cave was a colossal snake, its immense size defying all notions of proportion. Its mere presence exuded an aura of power and authority that commanded respect.

"Don't be angry, my friend. I bring you good news after all," the cat quickly interjected, avoiding direct eye contact with the formidable serpent.

"Good news?" The enormous snake's voice rumbled, curiosity lacing its words.

"A... GOOD... NEWS," the cat emphasized, its eyes shimmering with excitement and anticipation.

---***---