[AN:

Thank you for all the reviews, favs and follows! They are that what keep me going.

***

Mersa had a worried look as she tightened her grip on Vorst's hand. The monitor displayed the progress of the battle. Three of the alliance's M-Gods were defeated in the span of a minute. And just as the Red Lion was about to pierce Elven's M-Gods chest she suddenly buried her face in the immature chest of the boy.

[Vorst: It's fine. Mistglan-sensei made it.]

He spoke with reassuring voice as he embraced her. Hearing that Mersa like a scared animal first took a small glance at the holo-monitor, but after confirming the truth from green eyed boy words she gazed at the silver Liger with great interest.

[Mersa: That's Principal-sensei?]

[Vorst: Uh-huh.]

With her in his arms they watched the unfolding events...

[Mersa: Will he be okay?]

He saved the elf but the situation was still 1v3. A worry was painted on her small face.

[Vorst: It's fine. He is strong. Way stronger than those six...]

Mersa didn't know why she completely believed Vorst's answer, even if they were some baseless lines the way he spoke them, had that force that made it sound like truth.

Marc didn't have a method to directly measure power. No, he didn't needed it. He can easily determine target's power level looking at them. Measure the way person moved, the way he breathed, the way he stood, the way his eyes moved... Their confidence. Their air..

The instant he saw Mistglan's relaxed expression this morning as Rankers appeared from the shuttle, he knew that the former principal was an extremely strong person in this world...

***

For an unknown Ranker to suddenly appear was shocking material! After all in the whole universe there are less than two hundred of them. Out of thousands of billions there are less than 200 Rankers. Piloting the M-Gods all of them are well known. Every single Ranker had knowledge of all other Rankers, their M-Gods, their abilities, their skills, especially the military. For example the Kollos alliance knew all of the positions of all the top Rankers of the opposite side in real time, same applied to the Crimson Empire. Top Rankers are the ones with Class 'C' and above, and throughout the universe officially there are only 19 of them.One and only 'S' rank, 2 'A' ranks, 8 'B' ranks and 8 'C' ranks.

At this moment according to the official version, in this battle Alliance had a 'C' rank and two 'E' ranks, while Empire had 2 'E' ranks and one 'F' rank. At a glance there was a considerable difference in power but no one expected the outcome! A 'F' rank completely dominated the battle!

The truth was that Redwan/Erdia was considered a 'F' but his real power was of 'C' Rank!

After Crimson Alliance took him in he was carefully hidden, with a forged background he enjoyed the life free of the struggles and full of pleasures. The only rule they imposed on him was that he was to keep up with his training and at least retain previous rank. According to the official record Redwan was born 500 years ago and achieved the Ranker status less than a hundred years ago, but never advanced from the 'F' rank and rarely participated in any war struggles. He was the Crimson Empire's triumph card! And they chose to let him act now. To eliminate the White Wolf Princess...

A hidden ace that was nurtured for the past 700 years was played.

[Redwan: Mistglan...]

[: MISTGLAN! You bastard! How the hell are you alive?!]

A thunderous voice was released out from Crimson Lion's God mouth

[: Huh, Erdia, I'd love to repay you for a favor from the last time...]

Mistglan was (or is) a War Hero, a legend from the history. An outstanding genius raised by Athena's Institute, one of the youngest to attain the power of the Ranker, and youngest in history to gain a 'B' Class Rank.

One upon a time, Kollos Alliance crashed with the Elzeath Empire, and in one battle they received enormous damage. Over 20 rankers were injured and their fleet was fleeing. Just as pursuers were about to catch up, Mistglan made a decision to secure their escape.

No fleet can seriously ignore a ranker, even a single one.

The silver M-God unsheathed his white blade and charged straight at them, and he was received by 10 other Rankers! In that hopeless situation desperate Mistglan performed a miracle, 6 Rankers fell from his hand, 3 M-Gods were incapacitated, which he traded for his M-God and supposedly his life. Thanks to this sacrifice the Alliance's Rankers had time to recover and in the end they won the war.

Redwan couldn't believe his eyes, because he was one of the ten that fought and killed that war hero. But now, again that imposing silver Liger appeared before him with that unique aura.

That was Kollos Aliance's Triumph Card! Mistglan!

Redwan immediately switched to the private channel.

[: You two, prepare for retreat.]

[: What are you talking about? We have mission to accomplish.]

[: Redwan, it's three versus one, are you perhaps afraid?]

[: F*cker, do you even know who he is? Before we could take him down he KILLED two 'B' Class and four other Rankers right before my eyes, and f*ck he is still alive.]

[: ... *cold sweat*]

Redwan/Erdia completely lost his composure as he focused all of his nano-photons to his movement system.

Meanwhile...

[: Victor. You there? What's your M-God status?]

[: Wh-wha? Is that you, former Principal of Heran? H-How?]

[: Explanations can wait, your status?]

[: 23% operational, weapons systems down, most of armor gone, but movement system still works.. a bit.. somehow..]

[: Good. Provide cover for those two, they should change to their M-Colloses and move back to the hangar.]

[: But, it's three against...]

[: Move it.]

[: ... Roger...]

Elf noticed that enemies weren't moving despite having a number advantage. In this situation he decided to follow the directions of mysterious silver Mechanical God.

Redwan was looking at the charging bar.

[: Remember, as long as he charges at us fire at those white wolves. That will force him to go back.]

[: Roger.]

70%...

80%...

90%...

92%...

95%...

96%...

Victor and White Wolves suddenly started moving towards the hangar.

97%...

Elf immediately moved in front of them them and created a psychic barrier.

98%...

[: F*ck! But we can make it! Fire! Fire! Fire!]

99%... Pew Pew Pew... Three super charged lasers pierced the space. But were repelled by either Silver M-God or elven psychic barrier.

100%

That's it! Redwan was overjoyed and all three of them started an escaping sequence.

Just as they were going to turn into the blurs and appear hundred light years away a terrifying sight entered his vision. In a blink of an eye Silver M-God appeared in front of one of the other M-Gods... And with a white flash it was cut open...

[: ... No way... No way... An 'A' rank? IMPOSSIBLE!]

With eyes full of disbelief he and the other M-God disappeared from the sight.

***

According to the rules of the alliance the tapes of all of the battles were released to the public. Although it was prohibited to show it to the children all adults were free to watch them unedited, most of the people preferred to watch them after the media polished them up thoroughly into the children-friendly version. But in this special case it was completely different.

[Have you seen the Silver Liger?!]

[Wow, he was so good!]

[ I bet he is handsome]

[Silver Liger! Silver Liger!]

[Silver Liger protected the White Wolf Princess. He is like a white knight appearing the princess is in trouble. Silver Knight-sama!]

[Silver Knight-sama~~ I need rescue~]

Billions of the citizens were swarming through the official government site to see the rumored silver Liger. A new Ranker suddenly appeared and saved a day! And he was extremely powerful too!

In the span of next few hours thousands of fan clubs of the Mistglan were created and toys of his M-God were already on production line even before Alliance released his official name...

***

[Mersa: Hehehe, I never would have thought that Mistglan-sensei was a Ranker.]

White Wolf Princess was in excellent mood. As Mistglan returned he found out that the relationship level between those two increased even higher. Right now wolf girl head was laying on his lap, and emerald eyed boy was leisurely petting her. Her wolf ears and fur on her head were truly a pleasurable things to touch.

Giggle escaped her mouth with the "That tickles~~ Hehe~" pink space was created and painfully stabbed all of the singles on the board. Naturally only Mistglan who was sitting next to them suffered...

Liger rolled his eyes as he stared at the ceiling... He will have to endure all those stares of the ship crew for the next seven days! He was completely exhausted and the trip just began few hours ago, and it wasn't because of that battle! It was his spirit, his spirit was drained...

***

The rest of a journey went without a hitch. With the four Rankers with an incredible Silver Knight included crimson empire completely gave up on the White Wolf Princess. Since boys weren't allowed in female quarters, nor females in male quarters, children were spending most of their time in the 'public' space... Belien could only grit his teeth as he watched the 24/7 pink space that was occurring inside the Arcadia Warship everyday. After all they were accompanied by that 'A' Class Ranker, what a mere Upper Circle Tier like him could do? A Man cannot go against a God.

Well not only him, 98% of the males of the ship crew cursed them with words similar to "Why that powerless?!" Mistglan could nearly see all that malice materializing around the boy who simply ignored it all.

***

[Time: Seven days later]

Silver haired elf was similar to a picture. Beautiful, gallant with a gentle note to her. Slender figure with delicate face features she showed a brilliant smile as she greeted them as they left the shuttle...

***

Mistglan fell down on the sofa. He was in the private room of the Headmistress of the Athena's Academy.

[Mistglan: So tired...]

[Claire: You made a big show out there but I don't think that it would seriously made you tired. Are you perhaps growing old?]

[Mistglan: I don't want to hear that from a woman who is several thousands years old.]

[Claire: Woman's age is a forbidden topic. In that subject you lack a lot, at least try to get it on the level of that boy.]

[Mistglan: *critical damage* Geh.]

With a gentle smile on her face she knew where to hit to make it hurt.

She recalled the image of the 'powerless'. As they were leaving the shuttle she received reactions that she expected. Besides one.

***

As now officially one of three (formerly two) of the 'A' Class Rankers she was received by everyone in full admiration and respect. The true legend. Pilot of the first Collos, and also the first to arrive at the peak of power and utilize the very first M-God. Definitely strongest in the Kollos Alliance, so powerful that Mistglan knew that despite having the same rank he would lose 10 out of 10 tries if he tried to duke it out with her.

Respectful bows from four Rankers, a look full of admiration from the Wolf Princess... then... then was he. In contrast to everyone present he leisurely walked with carefree but steady steps. Claire was especially sensitive when it came to seeing through people's true nature... And the boy... He wasn't just showing off. His aura was full of arrogance. At first she brushed it off as childish pretentious attitude as he had the support of the White Wolf Princess, but then she realized... It was confidence. That overwhelming confidence. Confidence in himself. And with every single step it was simply pouring out of him.

As their eyes met, he simply nodded as a greeting. Not in the subservient way. No, it felt as it they were on the same level.

***

[Claire: How was is?]

[Mistglan: Wolf Princess experienced the sub-trans as she saw the boy.]

[Claire: His core reformed right?]

[Mistglan: Yes, but reforming the core won't be much of an use. You saw the results, he lost all of his power and the aptitude also decreased. If the price for reformation are those two it's not worth it.]

[Claire: Indeed. Hmm how was her reaction towards the battle?]

[Mistglan: At first it was usual, but thanks to the boy she overcame the initial fear, I'd say his presence is incredibly beneficial to her.]

Boy again huh...

[Claire: I see. Boy himself is still hopeless huh?]

[Mistglan: It can't be helped, a powerless, and his aptitude decreased even further after that incident...]

[Claire: I see... "That confidence he showed though..."]

[Mistglan: Although he has a great influence on her, are you sure about this arrangement?]

[Claire: I don't see anything wrong.]

[Mistglan: Truly, this is an all girl's school...]

[Claire: Mist, dear Mist, you need to start looking at the large picture. Mersa one day will definitely become a Ranker, and with her aptitude one day she might even surpass you. For her to have a pet or two is nothing.]

Mistglan hearing the comparison frowned... but it was the truth. Athena's Institute has several classes, each for every major Power level. LST, HST, Lower Circle, Mid Circle, and Upper Circle. Among those classes there is a clear division between an A class where the most talented are gathered and the rest (B C and D) who were enrolled thanks to the connections or because a family member is currently attending Athena's or Mars'.

Just as she said that inside Claire's mind the picture of master/pet relationship appeared, and surprisingly (or not) Mersa was put in the pet position. Her intuition was telling her something but hard facts are hard facts so she decided to ignore it.

[Claire: Here is your assignment. LST D-class.]

[Mistglan: This is intentional right?]

[Claire: Right, we need someone to protect him. I will keep an eye on Wolf Princess myself. If by any chance he will advance to HST before she becomes a Ranker I'll promote you too...]

[Mistglan: ... That's very reassuring...]

[Claire: Train them well...]

[Mistglan: ... Please excuse me...]

He received the worst bunch of them all!!! Among the children attending to the academy D class only had Mid tier subs! They all were the children that got accepted into the Institute thanks to their siblings who had something close to UHigh aptitude. To let the most promising students train without worry the academy also takes care of their siblings. D class was known as the Failure class... Sigh, the reality was too cruel...

***

Meanwhile Vorst and Mersa were sightseeing the academy city completely oblivious to the misfortune that befell their former principal...

All of the student body was warned by the Claire-sama herself. No one was allowed to bully the 'powerless', breaking the rule meant immediate expulsion from the academy...