SSS-RANKED Awakening: Supreme Fate-breaker System

Ethan sighed inwardly...

If he had slacked off, and lost that 'gift' to another person, He would've screwed himself over, badly.

Ethan sighed once again and shook his head lightly, brushing those unwanted thoughts aside.

The match was over.

He had won.

No point brooding over 'what ifs.'

Instead, he focused on the growing noise around him.

Multiple classmates, both male and female, were already gathering, faces bright with excitement as they crowded closer, eager to bask in the glow of his victory.

"Ethan! That was insane!"

"I've never seen swordsmanship that clean before!"

"Seriously, you're on a different level. Guess it runs in the Drakethorne blood, huh?"

"That last combo you pulled off... it looked effortless and cool, man."

"Man, if you ever start teaching, sign me up."

"You're honestly scary good. Remind me not to spar with you anytime soon."

Even his former opponents, bruised and beaten as they were, still approached, flashing sheepish grins.

"Yo, Ethan... thanks for not breaking me in half, haha. Congrats, man."

"Honestly, no shame losing to you. You earned it."

"If we fought ten more times, I still wouldn't stand a chance."

The compliments came fast and heavy, but Ethan handled them with polite, measured nods, a small smile playing at his lips as he tried his best to return the pleasure, even if it was somewhat bothersome.

***

At Ryker's side, a similar scene was unfolding.

Even without the first-place title, Ryker had become the center of attention among the students.

Boys—especially the boys—crowded around him, their faces bright with laughter and energy.

"Ryker, bro! That was savage!"

"Bro, you went down swinging—nothing but respect! And bro, those moves...! Damn!"

"Second place against Drakethorne? Man, that's like losing to a hurricane. No shame there!"

"Honestly, you made him work for it. That's more than most can say. And those moves, dude... you were a beast out there! Not to mention the real victories—Nysera and Selene? You got guts, man!"

"You didn't just fight—you made moves, my guy!"

"You're out here living the dream, and we're just taking notes!"

"Seriously, Ryker, you gotta teach us. Whatever magic you're working, we need it."

"Haha, you might've lost the fight, but you won in spirit, you sly bastard!"

"No cap, you're living the dream... give us some pointers, Master Ryker!"

Their teasing was relentless but good-natured, the admiration behind their words unmistakable.

They even ribbed him about how bold he was with his 'technique,' half-joking that while others were busy swinging swords, Ryker was out there making moves and leaving lasting impressions on not just one, but two of the academy's most stunning girls.

Most of those crowding around him were boys, clapping him on the back and laughing like he was a hero.

Ryker, for his part, felt a wave of heat rush up his neck as the memories hit him like a sledgehammer.

He remembered now—

The awkward grapples against Nysera.

The mortifying clinches with Selene. Her soft butt and curves which he had pressed and caressed all in the name of grappling.

At the time, he had been so focused on winning, his eyes were on the goal, the means never mattered. He hadn't even thought about it.

But now?

Now that everything was over?

He wanted to crawl into a hole and die of embarrassment. He was multiple times more ashamed than he was before.

'Goddammit... I was like a shameless beast out there...'

His fists clenched loosely at his sides as he tried—and failed—not to show how flustered he was.

Still... despite the teasing, Ryker couldn't deny the other feeling swelling inside him.

He was... popular.

For once in his life.

He, the most unpopular guy in class—the orphan with no family name, no background—was actually standing under the spotlight.

He had fought.

He had bled.

And now, they noticed him.

...Even if a large part of that was because they recognized the future he now held.

While Ryker himself didn't fully grasp it yet, as he had lived in the orphanage for most of his life, many of his classmates had already been taught by their families:

Build connections early.

Tie yourself to promising figures.

In a world dominated by Labyrinths and Dungeons, surviving wasn't just about strength.

It was about alliances.

About knowing the right people. Making good connections.

Even some of the girls who felt disgust at Ryker's actions still brought it upon themselves to approach him with bright, polished smiles.

"Congratulations, Ryker! You were incredible out there!"

"You really caught everyone off guard—in a good way! I bet everyone's going to be talking about you after this."

"I'd love to work with you sometime... Maybe we can train together? Can I get your contact?"

Ryker was dumbfounded. He wasn't dumb—he understood their motives, and he found it funny.

With a forced smile, he exchanged pleasantries with them, giving them what they wanted; his contact number.

Soon they were done and moved to their next target—Ethan Drakethorne.

They still hadn't forgotten Ethan—of course not.

He was a Drakethorne.

Ethan was priority number one.

Not only did he win first place, but he also had higher potential and held more value as Gareth Drakethorne's son.

They made sure to approach him as well...

Even Selene Evernight, who got third place, was not forgotten. Despite getting third, she held more value than Ryker, who had gotten second place.

That was to be expected—after all, she was the daughter of the Evernight family.

To some people, she's their second priority after Ethan.

Then there was David Fangblade who hadn't won, he impressed many people during the match, they saw it, he was the only one who was that close to defeating Ethan. He was just a few seconds away from defeating Ethan, but Ethan was faster...

They were other popular figures and friends whom met each other to make acquittance.

They were all left to do this—it was part of the ceremony after all. After this ceremony, they'd only be able to meet each other on rare occasions. This was the best time to make acquaintances.

The arena bustled with congratulatory chatter, energy buzzing like static through the air.

Today wasn't just about winning or losing anymore.

It was the beginning of something bigger.

And Ryker, standing awkwardly in the center of it all, couldn't help but grin wryly to himself.

'...Guess things really are changing.'