After that, he concentrated on his main objective.
Flying.
Alex stood in the center of his room and raised his wrist. His mind connected to the omni-weave. With a single thought, he imagined it stretching, flattening, and shaping itself into a board.
Instantly, the omni-weave changed.
It became a one meter long silver surfing board. Its surface was smooth and faintly glowing, as if it was alive.
Alex swallowed lightly.
He stepped onto it carefully and wrapped the board with his spirit energy. The board trembled for a moment, then slowly lifted from the ground.
Alex almost fell.
His body tilted sharply, and his heart jumped. He hurriedly adjusted his balance, spreading his spirit energy evenly. After a few shaky seconds, his posture stabilized.
He was standing in the air.
Alex froze.
This feeling was completely different from controlling flying knives. His whole body was involved now. The slightest mistake could send him crashing down.
He slowly willed the board to move forward.
It drifted ahead.
Then backward.
Then sideways.
At first, the movements were stiff and awkward, like a child learning to walk. But Alex adapted quickly. His instinct sharpened, and his spirit control became smoother.
Within ten minutes, he could move freely.
He smiled.
This was a whole new experience. Flying had always been humanity's dream. In his previous life, people flew using machines, planes, and vehicles.
But here, humans could also fly willingly.
Normally, only martial lords and above could truly defy gravity.
But Alex did not want to wait that long.
As a Spirit Master, this was his privilege.
After moving around for a few more minutes, he gently lowered himself and landed on the ground. The board dissolved back into the omni-weave around his wrist.
Tomorrow, after finishing the recruitment test, he would visit the alliance hall to upgrade his wristband.
He wanted it to form at least over one hundred tiny flying knives.
Not just simple weapons.
He wanted something like nanobots. Countless tiny particles that could form a weapon, then scatter and reform into something else.
The wristband was already made of nanobots, but it could only create one structure at a time.
He just needed them to evolve that function.
Everything else would be easy.
The next day arrived.
Alex woke up early.
Today was the recruitment day of the Aurora Martial Institution.
He washed up, got dressed, and went to have breakfast. Elizabeth was already sitting at the table.
She looked at him warmly.
"Do you want me to come with you?" she asked.
"It won't be necessary, mom," Alex replied with a small smile. "I'll be fine by myself."
Elizabeth nodded, though her eyes were filled with pride and worry at the same time.
After breakfast, Alex walked outside.
Without hesitation, he activated the omni-weave.
The silver surfing board formed beneath his feet, and he stepped onto it. The board lifted smoothly, floating into the air.
Inside the restaurant, Elizabeth froze.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Outside, the guards, Sword Saint William, and the ten martial monarchs all stood stunned.
"He is a Spirit Master?" William muttered. "How many talents does this boy have?"
For a moment, even he found it hard to believe.
Then he calmed down.
It was a good thing.
Alex was the Grade 0 elite of the Alliance. The future pillar of humanity.
The stronger he was, the better it was for everyone.
William immediately sent a report to the vice president.
"That brat didn't even tell his mother or me about this," Arthur thought as he read the message. A smile appeared on his face. "I am really looking forward to how many more surprises you will bring."
"Protect him properly," Arthur replied. "If you need anything, contact me immediately."
William acknowledged the order.
He followed behind Alex from a distance.
Alex flew fast, but he was still not fully used to balancing while moving at high speed. The board swayed slightly from time to time, forcing him to adjust constantly.
In front of the Aurora Martial Institution.
Thousands of candidates had already gathered. The massive gates stood tall like ancient guardians.
The test would begin in an hour.
Excitement filled the air.
"I have secret information," a young man whispered proudly to his friends. "Don't tell anyone. I heard this from my uncle's father-in-law's sister's son-in-law."
The others leaned closer.
"There are three or four SSS rank talents participating this time," he said. "This mid-year recruitment is not only for Sir Alex."
"Are you serious?" another boy said excitedly. "This year is really special."
"I just hope we can get in," someone else said dreamily. "And maybe be in the same team as Sir Alex."
"Dream on," another laughed. "Even if he leads a team, it will be full of SSS rank monsters. We small fries won't qualify."
"I am sure Sir Alex's team will be the first X rank team in Earth's history," one of them said with admiration.
They had all seen Alex on the broadcast. His otherworldly temperament left a deep impression on everyone.
In the Light Domain, there was a strict rule.
No one was allowed to hunt alone outside.
Everyone needed a team.
The outside world was too dangerous. Humanity could not afford to lose even a single elite.
So everyone knew Alex would form a team.
The only question was who would stand beside him.
While most people were distracted, a shadow slipped quietly into the crowd.
It moved without form, blending perfectly with the darkness.
Aren Nightveil had arrived.
"X rank team?" Aren thought coldly. "First, he has to defeat me."
Boom.
Suddenly a massive lion appeared at the edge of the crowd.
Flames danced around its mane.
Someone was sitting on its back.
"That's the Fire-Maned Lion," people shouted. "It's the pet beast of the Valentina family."
"Lady Selena is here."
"She must be at least SS rank," others whispered.
Selena stepped down from the lion. Her red, flame-like hair shimmered in the light. She stood there like a fierce beauty, her expression cold and proud.
"Where is Alex Moriarty?" she thought. "I hope he doesn't run away."
Soon after, another young man arrived quietly.
He did not cause much noise, but his confident posture drew attention nonetheless.
Rey Rosario.
The crowd grew louder.
Both Rey and Selena were famous even before awakening. Now, their talent information was sealed. That meant they sure had some super special talents.
Suddenly, the sky darkened.
Boom.
An airship descended.
"Is that an Emperor-class Vulture airship?"
"An emperor is here?"
The students went crazy.
The hatch opened.
Ten bodyguards stepped out and stood in the air, forming two lines.
Their aura shook the space.
Everyone of them were saint level martial artists.
Then someone appeared.
She wore a purple gown. Her face was hidden behind a veil. Her long black hair was tied in a soft ponytail.
She stepped down slowly, supported by glowing pedestals.
Between ten saints, she walked like a divine queen.
Anna Celestus entered the scene.
Selena clicked her tongue.
"What an attention seeker," she snorted.
Anna ignored everyone.
"Is Alex Moriarty here?" she asked calmly.
"I don't sense him here, my lady," a female saint replied.
"Alright," Anna nodded and stood quietly.
The entire place fell silent.
No one dared to speak.
5 minutes later.
A sharp sound cut through the air.
Everyone looked up.
A silver figure descended from the sky.
Alex stood on a silver surfing board.
His silver hair was fluttering in the wind.
He did not land.
He stood calmly in the air, hands behind his back, looking down at the crowd.
Like a celestial being gazing upon mortals.
All four SSS talents looked at him instantly.