Skills with no cooldown? I become the Undead Scourge! - Chapter 8

Liang Shaoyu had deliberately forced other students away from Lu Ran’s side, ensuring he could sit right next to him when the rookie rankings were announced—the perfect position to humiliate him.

Wang Yujiao sat on Liang’s other side, while nearby classmates watched with amusement, eager to witness Lu Ran’s downfall.

None of them actually held a grudge against Lu Ran.

They simply relished seeing the once-untouchable prodigy—the guy they’d all looked up to—brought down to their level.

Finally, the stage filled as faculty and class representatives took their seats.

At the center sat Principal Jiang Zhenbei—and surprisingly, beside him was Qin Lie.

“Isn’t that Qin Lie? The Grand Steward of the Heavenly Path Guild’s Blackfire City branch?”

“Yeah, Qin Wuyao’s father. Didn’t you know?”

“If the Heavenly Path Guild’s here, someone’s about to make waves in the rankings.”

“It’s just Day 1. The gaps aren’t even that big yet.”

Amid the murmurs, Principal Jiang cleared his throat, waiting for silence before speaking.

“As with every year, I’ll preside over this first assembly post-Awakening.”

“By now, you’ve all had a day to familiarize yourselves with your new classes.”

“But let me remind you—whether you’re combat, support, defense, or even a non-combat class, this is the path you’ll walk for life.”

“Today marks the debut of the Rookie Rankings.”

“Don’t fixate on them. Day 1 standings are negligible—barely a difference between ranks.”

After the usual lengthy speech, Jiang Zhenbei nodded to the backstage crew.

The academy had access to all student data, authorized to compile and display the rankings.

With his approval—

Click.

The massive screen behind the stage lit up.

Only the top 30 were displayed, names materializing one by one from the bottom up for dramatic effect.

30th Place: Duan Zonghang – Level 4 Archer

The list climbed steadily, almost entirely populated by Level 4s.

Those at the same level were sub-ranked by their EXP progress.

22nd Place: Liang Shaoyu – Level 4 Berserker

Liang’s eyebrow twitched as he leaned toward Lu Ran.

“See that? Day One, and I’m already Top 25. The gap between us will only widen. You’ll always be trash compared to me.”

Lu Ran stayed silent.

Internally, he sighed. He wasn’t one for the spotlight—yet fate seemed determined to thrust him into it.

The rankings were beyond his control.

21st Place: Wang Yujiao – Level 4 Arcane Archer

She and Liang were practically tied, but Wang Yujiao’s expression darkened.

Among the five rare-class awakenings competing for two Heavenly Path Guild slots, her position was mediocre at best.

Still, it was faster than if she’d grinded alone—or worse, with Lu Ran.

Or so she told herself.

“See? Yujiao and I, neck and neck. What hope do you have?” Liang sneered.

Lu Ran continued ignoring him, letting the taunts wash over him.

The rankings ascended, all Level 4s until—

8th Place: Yuan Ziqin – Level 5 Hydromancer

“Eight Level 5s this year? Impressive,” Qin Lie remarked approvingly.

“Last year, we only had six on Day One,” Principal Jiang added.

Further up, the other four rare-class holders appeared—all from well-resourced families with optimized leveling setups.

Only Wang Yujiao lagged behind, her efficiency crippled by Liang Shaoyu’s deadweight presence in their party.

Her fists clenched.

As one of the five rare-class awakenings, her 20s ranking was a silent humiliation. Resentment toward Liang simmered—last night’s sacrifice had clearly not paid off.

But she swallowed her pride. Without Liang, her progress would crawl.

Then—

2nd Place: Qin Wuyao – Level 5 Voidwalker

The crowd erupted.

“Qin Wuyao’s second**?!”

“How? With the Qin family’s resources?”

“Who the hell is first?!”

Qin Lie himself blinked in surprise.

Earlier, Qin Wuyao had insisted she wouldn’t top the rankings. He’d dismissed it as modesty—but apparently, she’d known something.

Yet she hadn’t mentioned this dark horse.

More puzzling—with all hidden and rare classes accounted for, the #1 spot belonged to a standard-class student.

Not that it mattered. Day One rankings were rarely self-earned anyway.

Principal Jiang mused, “Well, this is unexpected. This cohort has hidden depths.”

All eyes locked onto the screen as the final name materialized—

1st Place: Lu Ran – Level 8 Necromancer

Silence.

A breeze could’ve been heard as the entire field froze.

Then—chaos.

“LU RAN?! The 130 Spirit guy?!”

“He did awaken as a Necromancer, but—EIGHT?!**”

“What kind of black magic is this?!”

“In the entire history of Blackfire Academy, has anyone hit Level 8 on Day One?!”

“Level 6’s rare enough! We’ve never even had a seven!”

Onstage, Qin Lie, Jiang Zhenbei, and every faculty member shot to their feet, staring at the screen as if their eyes betrayed them.

Principal Jiang narrowed his gaze, murmuring, “Lu Ran… Level 8…”