Chapter 29: The Final Choice [2]
"We offer the same," the representatives of the Legion Military Academy and Northern Bastion Academy said in unison. "SSS-Rank Treatment."
Judging by Alex's current potential, he was absolutely worth the highest SSS-Rank treatment!
Principal Higgins, standing by the door, felt his heart pound. Four SSS-Rank offers.
This was unprecedented!
Usually, only the direct descendants of those ancient monsters in the Capital or Arcane City were worthy of SSS-Rank treatment!
Alex's gaze slowly shifted to the last representative, waiting for her offer.
Looking closer, he couldn't help but be slightly surprised.
Seraphina Frost wore a tailored women's suit, the cut elegant and the lines smooth, accentuating her figure without being overt.
Her skin was as fair as snow, delicate as silk, and lustrous like fine jade.
The corners of her mouth curved up in a faint smile that seemed both present and absent. A touch of wine-red eyeshadow at the corners of her eyes added a hint of allure to her otherwise cold and noble temperament.
Seraphina remained silent for a few seconds, her gaze locking with Alex's.
"I can give you SSS-Rank Treatment," she said, her voice calm but carrying weight. "In addition to that... I can give you the two things you want."
Alex's eyes lit up instantly. This offer is too good to refuse!
"I need a cultivation technique capable of increasing my internal Origin Energy capacity, and a Darkness Combat Skill book of Tier 5 or higher. Is that possible?"
Alex stated his demands clearly.
For him, increasing his Origin Energy capacity was the most urgent need! His skills were powerful but drained him too quickly.
As for combat skills, naturally, the stronger the better. Tier 5 was a significant leap from what he had now.
Hearing Alex's demands, an internal war waged in Seraphina's heart.
On one hand, these demands were excessive for a freshman, even an S-Rank one. A Tier 5 Skill Book was a treasure that even instructors coveted.
But on the other hand, looking into Alex's confident eyes, she felt that perhaps this young man truly had the ability to create value far exceeding these costs.
After a fierce internal struggle, Seraphina finally made up her mind. She slammed her hand on the table.
"Deal! I agree!"
However, as soon as her words fell, Gideon Lance's eyes filled with shock.
The Capital Warrior Academy is actually offering this much?
"Seraphina, are you crazy?" Gideon barked. "The extra conditions you just agreed to are enough to recruit another entire S-Rank student!"
Gideon thought she had lost her mind.
Even if Alex was strong now, who could guarantee he wouldn't meet with an accident later?
The path of martial arts wasn't smooth sailing. Seraphina was essentially betting the entire pot on a single hand!
Facing Gideon's questioning, Seraphina felt a bit of panic internally, but outwardly she maintained her cool. "So what?"
Seeing her resolve, Gideon slumped back into his chair. "Hmph. I'd like to see how you explain this to your Principal when you get back."
The other representatives saw this and sighed helplessly. They stood up one by one.
"Since Alex has decided to join the Capital Warrior Academy, we won't disturb you any longer."
Their faces were full of regret.
This kid, Alex, had immense potential!
Unfortunately, their maximum authority was limited to SSS-Rank treatment. They couldn't add extra conditions like Seraphina did...
"Wait!" Alex suddenly shouted loudly.
Everyone stopped in their tracks, turning to look at Alex with confusion.
"Alex? Did you change your mind?" Professor Alaric asked curiously.
Alex shook his head. "No. I just hope that when you consider recruiting Elara Vance, you don't look at her through colored glasses. Her father is her father, and she is herself. The two shouldn't be confused."
The one in the wrong had always been Victor Vance. Elara had given him millions in resources and apologized sincerely. Birds of a feather might flock together, but sometimes a phoenix is born in a chicken coop.
It could only be said she was born into an unfortunate family.
The four representatives looked at each other, then nodded in unison, casting admiring glances at Alex.
Magnanimous.
Then, they turned and left, leaving Alex and Seraphina in the office.
Seraphina revealed a faint smile. "Alex, sign this admission application and the related agreements, and you will officially become a freshman of our Capital Warrior Academy!"
Alex took the admission forms and the SSS-Rank contract. He picked up the pen and signed his name with a flourish.
Scritch... Scratch...
"Done, Teacher Seraphina."
Alex handed the signed documents back to her.
She took the files with satisfaction, smiling. "Welcome, Alex. From now on, you are officially a member of the Capital Warrior Academy!"
"I am also honored to join your prestigious school," Alex said humbly.
However, just as Seraphina was about to say more, her phone rang.
Ring... Ring...
She answered the call, her expression instantly turning grave.
"A riot in the Demon Cave near the Capital? ...Mhm, I understand."
Seraphina hung up the phone and looked at Alex. "Alex, something sudden has come up at the school. I need to rush back to handle it. Do you want to come to the Capital with me now?"
"Give me a few days. I haven't settled things here yet."
"Not settled" was one reason. The other was that he planned to hunt more beasts before leaving to farm points.
"Alright. The Martial Exam is in a week. I'll send someone to pick you up then. As for your enrollment rewards, I'll give them to you when you arrive at the Academy. I have an urgent matter, so I must leave first."
A riot in the Demon Cave... she had to go back to lead the suppression team.
300 years ago, Origin Energy from the universe swept across the Blue Star, mutating animals and plants into beasts.
In addition, other races came to the Blue Star through underground spatial rifts, forming three major Alien Demon Caves!
These Demon Caves required constant suppression and clearing; otherwise, alien races would escape and cause destruction.
The Capital Warrior Academy was located near the second largest of the three—the Blood-Barbarian Bull Demon Cave. She hadn't expected another riot so soon after the last one.
Could it be that the Blood-Barbarian Bulls sent reinforcements through the underground rift again?
Alex looked confused. "Teacher Seraphina, is it serious?"
"The Blood-Barbarian Bull Clan's Demon Cave is rioting. I need to go back and organize the students for a clearing mission."
Hearing this, Alex realized his knowledge about Demon Caves was lacking. He asked curiously, "Um, could you explain what a Demon Cave is?"
Seraphina smiled and shook her head. "It's complicated to explain quickly. You can ask Principal Higgins. I have to go. Someone will pick you up in seven days with your admission letter."
After speaking, her body dissolved into shadows, vanishing instantly.
Whoosh.
Seeing her leave, Alex turned his gaze to Principal Higgins. "Principal, can you explain it to me?"
Higgins nodded, his expression serious.
"Three hundred years ago, when the cosmic Origin Energy descended on the Blue Star, beasts mutated, and humans awakened abilities.
"But that wasn't all. Several spatial rifts also opened deep underground. Alien races from the universe used these rifts to send their kin to the Blue Star's subterranean world, forming what we call Demon Caves.
"However, because the underground spatial rifts can currently only accommodate aliens up to Tier 10, our world hasn't been destroyed yet!"
Alex nodded slowly. So that's how it is.
But he didn't care about the history. He cared about whether killing those aliens gave Slaughter Points!
"System? Do they give points?"
[Ding! Yes, yes. Theoretically, aliens count as both 'people' and 'beasts'.]
Alex relaxed. This is great!
The aliens in the Demon Caves were much denser than the beasts in the wild!
"However!" At this moment, Principal Higgins suddenly changed his tone. "The underground spatial rifts are constantly expanding. Within five years, they will be able to accommodate alien powerhouses above Tier 10. When that happens, the Blue Star will be in imminent danger. We need a Super Powerhouse!"
Higgins sighed. If no one broke through the Tier 10 limit within these five years...
Then humanity was doomed.
Alex clenched his fists, a sense of crisis rising spontaneously.
Five years...
I estimate I can definitely reach Tier 10 in five years, right?
Currently, the record for the fastest person to reach Tier 10 in the Federation was... 18 years.
With the System... five years isn't too much to ask, is it?