As Alexander approached the world stone, the murmurs of the crowd grew louder, eyes fixed on him. A girl in the crowd whispered excitedly, "Look at him! He's so hot!"
Another voice chimed in, "Damn, I've never seen him in the city. He must be from outside."
"Handsome and a genius, I bet," another girl added, admiringly.
However, not everyone was impressed. A boy in the crowd scoffed, "What's the use of being handsome? This world's a jungle—only the strong survive."
His remark was met with fierce criticism from the girls around him. "Your heart is as ugly as your face," one snapped. "Hmph, as a man, you can't even face your own weakness," another said with disdain.
Alexander, unfazed by the comments and attention, calmly ascended the stage. His eyes locked onto the world stone, indifferent to the crowd. With a focused expression, he placed his hand on the stone, ready for what was to come.
As Alexander touched the world stone, a flash of light surged from it, and a system interface appeared before him:
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Name: Alexander
Cultivation: 10th Stage of Body Tempering Realm
Bloodline: Unnamed (???)
Physique: Origin Body (???)(Sealed)
Talent: Defyer (???)
Legacy: Misfortune's Embrace ; (???)
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Alexander's eyes briefly flashed with surprise, but his expression remained calm and unreadable. The middle-aged man overseeing the awakenings, intrigued by Alexander's dominant aura, activated his identification skill. He was curious to see what level of talent this boy possessed. However, much to his shock, his skill failed to glean any information. This only happened if the talent awakened was beyond B-grade, as his skill's quality was too low to assess higher levels.
The man frowned, shaking his head, and tried once more to confirm. This time, some information appeared:
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Name: Alexander
Talent: Unyielding Force (B-grade)
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The crowd waited eagerly, unaware of what had just transpired behind Alexander's composed face. The man, still puzzled, glanced at Alexander, unaware that the true depth of his abilities remained hidden.
The middle-aged man, after glancing at the information, announced loudly, "B-grade talent!" Even though he couldn't retrieve much else, it wasn't unusual. Strong individuals, those with rare artifacts, or those with exceptional talent often had abilities beyond the reach of normal identification skills. He could detect the B-grade talent only because his own cultivation level surpassed that of the awakening participants.
The crowd erupted into murmurs. Many eyes focused on Alexander with newfound admiration. The girls in the crowd had stars in their eyes, enchanted by both his handsome appearance and his impressive talent. Even members of noble families began to take notice, whispering amongst themselves. B-grade talent was rare, and those who possessed it had a solid chance of breaking through to the Astral Void Realm, something highly coveted in the Azure Kingdom.
Alexander, however, remained unfazed, his expression calm as ever. He had expected something like this.
Alexander's mind raced as he absorbed the information about his talent, Defyer(???): At your current level, you can bend some rules (Note: Your talent level exceeds SSS-grade, which is the limit of your current World System).
It was fortunate he had managed to change his displayed talent; otherwise, it could have jeopardized his plans. He slid his hands into his pockets and strolled down the stage, exuding an air of nonchalance. As he did, he sensed several powerful auras approaching.
Three men and one woman stepped forward, their expressions a mix of interest and determination. One of the men, tall and imposing, spoke first. "Boy, your talent is impressive. How about joining my academy? We will provide full resources for your upcoming Azure Kingdom Entrance Exam."
The others chimed in with similar offers, each eager to court him. The crowd looked on in shock but quickly understood the significance of the moment. Producing a genius with the potential to excel in the Entrance Exam would elevate their academy's reputation. Furthermore, securing the goodwill of a talented individual without a strong background could pay dividends in the future.
Alexander felt the weight of their offers but maintained his composure. This was just the beginning;
As the four academies' representatives vied for Alexander's attention, a powerful aura descended upon them, forcing them to halt their bickering. An old man, dressed in traditional robes and adorned with a long beard, soared down on a sword, exuding an air of authority. He laughed heartily, his voice echoing through the crowd.
"As the Headmaster of your respected academies, I must say, fighting in public over a single person is rather unbecoming," he remarked, his gaze shifting to Alexander. A warm smile spread across his face. "Not bad! Even under my pressure, your expression remains unchanged. How about joining my academy, boy? It's the best in the whole city, and several cities around!"
The old man's admiration for Alexander was evident. He recognized the calmness that radiated from him, a testament to Alexander's character. The Rising Academy was among the top ten junior academies in the entire Azure Kingdom, known for its rigorous training and elite resources. For the old man to extend such an offer indicated the high regard in which he held Alexander's potential.
Alexander considered the proposal. The Rising Academy's reputation was undeniable, and the resources it could provide would be beneficial. However, he needed to tread carefully. Joining an academy was a step, but it had to align with his greater goals.
"Thank you for your offer, Headmaster," Alexander replied coolly, his voice steady. "I'll consider it."
The old man nodded, satisfied. "That's all I ask. The door to Rising Academy is always open to talent such as yours."
As the crowd buzzed with excitement at the unfolding drama, the representatives from the other academies exchanged glances, realizing they had lost their chance to sway Alexander.
As the old man ascended back into the sky, the crowd watched in awe, wondering if he had truly departed or remained hidden among the clouds, observing from above. The four representatives, now a bit flustered but eager to make their mark, began showering Alexander with praise and congratulations, each vying for his favor in their own way.
Alexander offered a polite nod, his mind still considering the implications of the headmaster's proposal. But his focus soon shifted as he scanned the stage for Melina. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and he felt a sense of curiosity about her results. Despite having only known her for a short time, he sensed there was something intriguing about her.
Alexander looked at Melina, who was standing in front of the world stone, appearing nervous and excited at the same time. Her red eyes sparkled with anticipation as she took a deep breath, preparing to reach for the stone. The crowd's whispers faded into the background as he focused on her.
With a determined expression, Melina stepped forward, placing her hand on the world stone. The air around them seemed to charge with energy as everyone held their breath, waiting for the results to appear.
To be continued…