"We've all decided to appoint Noah Obsidian as the leader of our team and agreed to support each other during our stay in the Heavenly Star Academy," declared Silvia. However, her tone carried a hint of arrogance, as if she were issuing an order rather than proposing a collaborative decision.
Awaiting Alex's response, the room fell silent. Lucas turned his head toward Alex and stated, "I'm going to follow your decision, Alex."
Nodding, Alex turned towards Silvia and calmly said, "Let's forget it. I prefer to go solo."
Silvia, on the verge of protesting, heard a cold voice break through the tension. "Silvia, don't overstep your boundaries," it warned, causing the entire hall to fall silent.
As Silvia turned, she saw a handsome young man in red clothes walking towards them, a frosty look in his eyes. Silvia pouted, revealing her frustration.
"Sorry about that," Noah apologized, turning towards Alex. "Also, take care of yourselves during the academy," he added, before walking towards the other side with Silvia still clinging to his arm.
"If you hadn't come, I would have taught that brat a good lesson," Silvia complained to Noah.
"Hmm," nodded Noah. However, only he knew that if he had arrived a second late, the situation might have reversed. He sensed Alex's powerful aura when Silvia was about to insult him.
"He definitely reached the extreme level in the basic body refining technique, which is more than perfect," thought Noah. He, too, had reached the extreme level, but there was an undeniable sense of danger emanating from Alex, as if Noah might lose to him in a confrontation.
As Noah moved away, the crowd surrounded him, leaving only Alex and Lucas.
Loosening his grip on his sword, Alex pondered, 'As expected of the main antagonist; he gave me a slight sense of danger.'
Lucas, unaware of the silent confrontation, asked Alex, "I didn't think you would reject them, but I respect your opinion. I also didn't like Silvia; she's acting too arrogant."
"It's okay; she's just a young child," replied Alex. When Lucas heard this, he wanted to shout, 'You're only one year younger than her,' but refrained, accustomed to Alex's nonchalant perspective.
Suddenly, the massive doors of the central hall swung open, revealing an old man donned in white attire, accompanied by two young men in matching white robes.
Behind them, Elder Whitlock, who had played a significant role in the Obsidian clan's awakening ceremony, guided them into the hall.
"Senior Ethan, these are the young men and women from my Obsidian clan who would be attending the academy this time," Elder Whitlock announced, a sense of deference in his tone.
A hushed silence fell upon the hall as all eyes turned toward Senior Ethan, a figure of immense respect. The attendees rose to their feet, a unanimous display of reverence toward this senior from the renowned Heavenly Star Academy in the Central Continent.
"Greetings, Senior Ethan," echoed through the hall, a chorus of respect from the gathered individuals.
Senior Ethan nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping over the assembly. He then directed his attention to Elder Whitlock,
"Your Obsidian clan is always filled with talented individuals every time I come," he remarked commending the Obsidian clan for its consistently talented members.
"You are being too generous in your praise; they are still very young, and there are numerous geniuses outside. If they don't work hard, their talent won't be enough, and they might amount to nothing," said Elder Whitlock humbly, his words emphasizing the importance of diligence alongside inherent talent.
Senior Ethan's discerning eyes scanned the crowd, eventually focusing on two individuals, Noah and Alex. A smile played on his lips as he acknowledged their extreme levels in the body refinement and exceptional demi-god talents.
"You two, there is no need for you to participate in the test," he declared, granting them a special exemption due to their remarkable abilities.
"Yes, Senior," Noah and Alex responded in unison, their respect evident.
As this unfolded, the inner disciples behind Elder Ethan were initially surprised but quickly accepted the reality, acknowledging that such extraordinary talents deserved direct admission.
Soon Senior Ethan's tone turned serious as he issued a warning to those considering joining the academy. "No one is allowed to leave the academy by themselves until you graduate without permission, with the only exception being that you have formally accepted an academy mission."
He then called upon those willing to enter, urging them to step forward. Alex and Noah led the way, their decision clearly made. The rest followed suit, understanding and accepting the academy's rules.
Elder Ethan, pleased with their resolve, faintly smiled and announced, "Good. Then all of you can come outside the palace; it's time to leave."
As everyone arrived outside the garden they marvelled looking at the Griffin, its enormous size casting a shadow over the garden. Golden feathers, iridescent in the sunlight, cover its robust frame.Intricate patterns of azure and silver adorn its wings, shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
Elder Ethan ignored everyone's stunned gazes as he walked towards the huge Griffin and petted it gently on the head before saying
''This is our ride to the academy
All of you, get on.''Elder Ethan said and although these kids were a bit afraid of sitting on such a big beast, eventually everyone climbed on top of it.
When everyone was finally on it, Elder Ethan patted the bird's head as he said ''let's go''.
The Griffin's eyes snapped open as a terrifying pressure emanated from its body which made everyone startled including Alex.
The Griffin then stretched open its giant wings and as it flapped them, strong gusts of air hit the ground and blew away everyone in its perimeter that had dared to stand underneath it.
Elder Ethan was standing atop the Griffin's head as he explained to these soon-to-be disciples of the academy
''This is a Dragon-winged Griffin, a Intermediate rank Demon Lord magic beast. It can even fight head-on against a Soul resonance Apex stage expert so it's power is truly terrifying.''