It felt like trying to measure the depth of an endless ocean using a fragile rope. No matter how far they probed, there was no clear limit. Instead of sensing a human soul master, they felt as though they were staring into a vast abyss that quietly swallowed everything.

Albert frowned slightly.

"We cannot sense your cultivation," he said slowly. "What level are you exactly?"

Alex casually waved one hand dismissively. "That is not important right now. Instead, tell me something else. What level must a person possess to become a teacher in this academy?"

For a brief moment, silence filled the entrance area. Then the red haired teacher burst into loud laughter.

"A teacher?" he repeated mockingly. "Do not make me laugh. Suppressing a few guards does not qualify you to become a teacher here."

His eyes narrowed arrogantly as he continued speaking. "Outer academy instructors must possess cultivation between level seventy five and level eighty nine. Every inner academy teacher is above level ninety. This academy is not a place where random wanderers can walk in and become instructors."

Alex’s expression did not change in the slightest.

"I see," he replied calmly. "You are level eighty five, correct? A fire attribute soul sage. If I defeat you, can I become a teacher?"

The laughter stopped instantly.

The red haired teacher stiffened visibly as his pupils contracted sharply. Even the other teachers looked surprised, while Albert’s eyes narrowed with interest.

None of them had revealed Rowan’s cultivation level. Yet Alex had identified not only his exact rank but also his elemental attribute in a single glance.

Rowan’s expression darkened immediately. "Who exactly are you?"

Before the atmosphere could become more hostile, Albert raised his hand slightly and interrupted. "It is not that simple," he said calmly. "Even if you possess sufficient strength, becoming a teacher requires approval from the academy board."

Alex looked mildly curious. "And who decides that?"

"The board consists of councilors from the ten supreme clans of the empire," Albert explained patiently. "Even outer academy teachers require at least fifty one percent approval from the council."

He paused briefly before continuing. "Furthermore, strength alone is not enough. Criminals and mercenaries also possess strength. A proper teacher must possess integrity, patience, righteousness, and the ability to guide students responsibly."

Alex’s lips curved slightly upward. "Oh? Then how do you determine whether someone is righteous?"

Albert’s voice remained calm but firm. "The academy has methods for evaluating character. Those methods are not something we discuss openly."

For several seconds, Alex remained silent while studying the older professor carefully. Then he sighed softly.

"That sounds troublesome," he admitted. "In that case, enroll me as a student instead. I assume the academy possesses capable students worth meeting."

Albert nodded slowly. "The inner academy possesses students above level eighty. Some are considered future pillars of the empire. However, there is no direct path toward entering the inner academy immediately. Every student must first pass through the outer academy examinations before advancing further."

"Very well," Alex replied casually. "Then I will begin in the outer academy. When does the entrance test begin?"

"It will take place next month," Albert answered. "Before that, we need to record your martial soul and cultivation."

The moment those words were spoken, Rowan immediately stepped forward again.

"Professor Albert, are you seriously considering enrolling him without investigating his background first?" he asked sharply. "This person possesses no identity card, no registration, and no confirmed origin. What if he is a spy sent by another empire or some hidden faction?"

Albert’s expression remained completely calm.

"The academy is fully capable of handling a few spies," he replied evenly. "Even if he truly is one."

His confidence was absolute. The academy had existed for centuries and stood at the center of the empire’s power structure. Hidden experts, powerful formations, and divine beings protected this place constantly. Few organizations in the world possessed enough confidence to ignore potential spies so casually.

Albert then shifted his attention back toward Alex.

"Show us your martial soul."

Alex smiled faintly. "Are you certain you wish to see it? Some people find it overwhelming."

Rowan snorted dismissively. "Stop pretending and summon it already."

Alex nodded slowly.

"Very well," he said calmly. "Then all of you should prepare yourselves first."

The next moment, spiritual power erupted from his body.

A brilliant golden light exploded into existence behind him and illuminated the academy entrance instantly. The surrounding air trembled violently as an enormous figure slowly manifested above the ground.

It was an angel.

However, calling it merely an angel felt completely insufficient.

The being resembled a divine existence descended from ancient legends. Endless golden radiance surrounded its body like a miniature sun, and enormous wings stretched outward behind it. Alex had already suppressed the martial soul heavily, yet the figure still towered above the academy buildings like a god overlooking mortals.

Normally, the Angel of Creation possessed fifty four pairs of wings.

Now, only a fraction of them remained visible.

Even so, the martial soul still exceeded the height of a ten story building.

The world suddenly became silent.

Then Alex released his aura.

The entire academy city shook violently.

Buildings trembled as invisible pressure spread through the surroundings like a natural disaster. Windows cracked, the ground vibrated faintly, and countless students within the academy froze in shock.

The pressure was not directed toward anyone intentionally. This was merely the natural aura leaking from Alex’s body.

Yet even that was enough to suffocate everyone nearby.

He matched his aura to a level 95 spirit master. A level ninety five spirit master stood near the absolute peak of this world. Across entire empires, such existences could almost be counted on one hand.

However, Alex’s martial soul amplified the pressure to a horrifying degree. The aura he released felt closer to level ninety seven or even level ninety eight.

Rowan collapsed immediately.

His knees slammed heavily against the ground as his face turned pale. Both hands pressed desperately against the earth while sweat poured down his forehead uncontrollably.

The remaining teachers were not much better.

Their breathing became labored, and several staggered backward while resisting the pressure with everything they had. Only Albert managed to remain standing properly, though even he had to plant his feet firmly and clench his jaw to endure the terrifying aura.

Then they noticed something even more horrifying.

There were no soul rings surrounding the martial soul.

No white rings.

No yellow rings.

No purple rings.

No black rings.

No red rings.

There was absolutely nothing.

Shock appeared in Albert’s eyes instantly.

That could only mean one possibility.

Alex was most likely a dual martial soul wielder who was intentionally hiding his primary martial soul while displaying a secondary one.

Before anyone could recover mentally, Alex calmly retracted the Angel of Creation back into his body.

The overwhelming pressure vanished instantly.

The teachers inhaled deeply as though they had nearly drowned moments earlier. Rowan still remained kneeling on the ground, and the arrogance from before had disappeared completely from his face.

Alex looked toward them with a gentle smile.

"So," he asked calmly, "what do you think now?"

Albert opened his mouth to answer. However, before he could speak, his expression changed slightly.

Two powerful auras were approaching rapidly from deeper inside the academy.

One belonged to a level ninety five existence.

The second aura was even stronger and possessed the pressure of a level ninety six spirit master.

Albert quietly released a breath of relief.

The headmasters had arrived. Both the outer academy headmaster and the inner academy headmaster were personally coming to the entrance.

Alex also sensed the approaching figures. A faint smile appeared on his face as he turned toward the distant academy buildings.