Chapter 37: 36

Chapter 36

Woodridge Academy is bustling as it finally releases an announcement regarding the results of the students' quarterly exams.

Students anxiously gathered in front of the school's bulletin board to check their names, and current rankings. Another thing is, official grades won't be posted to avoid facing social isolation, and discrimination.

Rankings are divided into three categories: theoretical, practical, and overall.

Students who excel theoretically are those who usually get nearly-perfect exam scores, and represent the student body in quiz bee competitions. It goes without saying that the names included on the list, rarely move their rankings.

They're smart, and it shows.

Meanwhile, practical exams are a whole lot different from the former.

If written exams are something that students can maintain, and try to manipulate to stay on their spot, practical exams are highly volatile—which means that every quarter, there can be drastic changes on its ranking list.

Those at the top can experience a huge drop from their spots, and be replaced by other students who have gotten stronger as time passes by.

The application of the theories is important because that will determine your status once you're on an actual field.

The practical category is largely composed of representative athletes of Woodridge Academy.

Basically, both brains and brawns will be recognized for their hard work.

The Board of Directors created a division, so everyone would receive the appreciation they deserved for their specialties.

Still, there's a few werewolves, although rare, that can ace both categories like a boss—thus, the establishment of the overall ranking list.

The twins from the River Severn Pack are a consistent representative for that category. There wasn't a time where both of them weren't in the Top 20.

The Top 10 mostly consists of upperclassmen, though.

Those students are far more experienced in many aspects, and others don't dare look down upon them.

Theoretical:

#113

Practical:

#5

Overall:

#59

Name: Amber Santiago

'Oh, I ranked up?' Amber smiled sheepishly, and nodded to herself—content.

Even if she's not the strongest in school, she can't help but feel satisfied by her performance. There's always room for improvement.

As long as she doesn't get dropped from her spot, it already means a lot to her.

It's one of her personal indicators that she's not slacking off nor lagging behind from anyone when it comes to training.

From her previous spot, she climbed up one rank higher this time.

She's glad that her hard work is paying off.

To be honest, she couldn't care less about all the other categories.

The results of her quizzes… they were hopeless. Her answers were always off the mark, and she could only redeem herself in the essay section—if there was!

Not to mention, she was absent for a little over a week to complete a mission. Of course, the make-up lessons were rushed.

The instructors recklessly threw many topics in one session, her brains stopped functioning, and experienced an overload. That should explain why she couldn't even remember what she wrote on the make-up tests…!

'I was confident in my answers, then…' she wondered, her lips forming a pout.

How embarrassing.

Such false confidence…!

The teacher must be thinking she just rushed the quizzes, and didn't even take them seriously.

Just for the sake of compliance.

"Wow! Top 5?" Pepper wrapped an arm over her shoulder, ecstatic. "Plus, you're the only female in the Top 10! You're setting the bar high for us, girls, Amber! Have mercy on us!" she giggled like a kid.

Pepper was all smiles—there was no hint of jealousy, and hidden meaning in her playful gaze. She really holds Amber in high regard for the milestone.

Unfortunately, Salt and Lukas weren't around.

Amber heard that their respective clubs were holding an event soon, so… they were a little busy these days.

Lukas placed third on the practical rankings.

Yes, he was that… remarkable.

And being the Alpha's heir had nothing to do with it. He had indisputably earned his keep on this one.

Amber knows that, sooner or later, the two of them will have to face each other head-on, but there's no point in worrying over something that has yet to happen, is there?

Her only competition here is herself.

Everyone has their own goals that they wish to fulfill.

People often misunderstood Amber's grit, saying that—she was too ambitious for an orphan; that she was aiming for the top because 'recognition' could take her somewhere.

Because if she remains as she is, no one will bother to give her a second look.

Being an achiever is what she only has, and if she doesn't want to be left behind, she needs to work harder than everyone else.

They got some things right about that.

And they also got many things wrong.

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It's normal for people to question someone's abilities if they're clueless about that person's background.

Humans have the tendency to obsess over requirements or standards, after all.

They can gulp down the fact that somebody shows more potential than them, but only if that person comes from a prominent family or holds a higher status than them.

But if that person fails to meet their standards, he or she will be subject to… irrational hatred and criticism.

"That's… Amber, right? She's with the cold guy's twin sister."

"You mean… Salt?"

"Is that what his name is?"

"Yes! Have you been living under a rock all this time?"

"I… I just thought it was some sort of a nickname, you know!? They're twins… they're a tandem! Hence, 'Salt and Pepper'."

"Your simplistic way of thinking never ceases to amaze me."

"Anyway, props to 'that' Amber Santiago! She actually managed to surpass the previous fifth ranker…"

"I'm really curious about her. Every time we see her play and compete, it's not like she's trying hard. Do you get what I mean?"

"I'm with you on that! She makes everything look easy. She's so… adaptable."

"Do you think she will take us as friends? I feel like I'm going to learn a lot of things from her—things that aren't taught here at school!"

"No one dares carelessly approach her, though."

"That's because of that hot-headed guy."

"I know. He has been protecting her from behind the scenes all these years. Don't you know? He has been terrorizing those other guys who are interested in Amber. Do you think she's his mate?"

"Is he of age yet? He's not supposed to know until he's eighteen, though."

"Well, it's not unusual for him to be smitten with a girl like Amber Santiago. I'm not sure if the rumors were true, but I heard that her first kill as a wolf was a rogue! It does seem a bit of a stretch… but if that were really the case, then she's a total package! I don't understand why some people hate her guts. Like, hello!? What's to hate?"

The blazing mid-day sun bathed the school grounds in its stifling heat.

The werewolves had been wearing thinner layers of clothes lately, and some took advantage of the season to break the dress code, and wear their desired outfits in school.

It has become a practice for the students, so the school management decides to let it slide from time to time.

Amber usually has her long hair down, but with summer heat… it was all tied up into a messy bun now.

Her current hairstyle has emphasized her angelic features and strong jawline—and the boys are all for it. The tip of her small, upturned nose suits her, making her look more attractive. Her lips are soft-colored roses that can send any healthy male into a titillating trance.

However…

As they say, one can't simply have it all.

It's such a pity that she has to be an orphan, and her personality is as dubious as her bloodline.

The only reason behind the pack members' respect for her is their Alpha's adoration for the said girl.

Casting aside Alpha Severus' support, Amber Santiago will be pretty much held in contempt!

"Should we visit some clubs on our way to the rooftop?" Pepper suggested excitedly. Her eyes shone brightly as she looked at her, determined. They're planning to spend their lunchtime on the building's rooftop along with Salt and Lukas.

The boys took care of the area earlier, and saved the spot that was opposite to the direction the sunlight was facing.

The cafeteria is full. Outdoor tables are already occupied. And it's also awkward to come into someone else's classroom together, considering they don't share any class with each other at all.

The rooftop should be vacant because of the scorching heat. Besides, they also took face fans with them.

Just because wolves like the cold, doesn't mean they can't tolerate high temperatures.

They can withstand certain levels of heat. Besides, the wall's shadow should be able to shelter them from the sun somehow.

"Why? Are you changing clubs?" Amber asked back, curious.

Werewolves are creatures of virtuous commitment.

Once they put their mind to it, gradually losing interest is a major blunder.

Changing sport clubs isn't forbidden per se, but it rarely occurs.

"No." Pepper beamed at her. "I'm planning to join another club. Do you think it's possible?"

"It's possible…" Amber trailed off, "…as long as you can provide equal commitment to both." She heard it was draining, but saying that to Pepper would sound discouraging. Therefore, she must choose her words carefully—while giving an honest input at the same time.

"It's not yet final, and there's a lot to consider…" Pepper pecked her cheek, and grinned at her, "but thanks for believing in me!"

"That's not something you should be grateful about. Thank yourself for being capable."

Pepper squealed, jumping. "Don't flatter me!"

"I don't do flattery."

"Now, you're trying act cool."

"Save that line for Salt."

"You always know what to say!" Then, suddenly—Pepper turned serious, and spoke to her in a much lower voice. "Did you accept the Taekwondo Club's invitation?"

Amber's forehead knotted. She heard about that, too?

Well…

"Why would I?"

"Why wouldn't you?"

A brief smile painted her lips.. "It's not for me."

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