SSS-Rank Talent: Super Upgrade System-Chapter 112: Official Welcome

The gentle twilight of the third-and-a-half-level resting platform cast long, soft shadows across the bustling streets.

The air hummed with a sense of peaceful activity, a stark contrast to the brutal reality of the Verge they had just left.

Many Awakened who had survived Level 3 were now mingling, discussing their future.

Some, traumatized by the ordeal, openly declared their intention to settle down in this peaceful hub, seeking a quiet life away from the endless climb.

They drifted towards the residential districts, their eyes scanning for available housing or peaceful jobs.

Others, their ambition undimmed, were already queuing at supply shops or advanced training facilities, eager to prepare for Level 4.

Ayra, ever practical, was already dragging Lia towards a large building marked Culinary & Recreation Hub.

"Come on, Lia! I smell real food!"

Lia, with her usual serene grace, allowed herself to be pulled along, a faint smile on her lips.

"Perhaps some proper nourishment would be beneficial, Ayra. I confess, I’m weary of beast jerky and ration paste."

Daniel, however, held back, his S-Grade [Aura Sense+] constantly sweeping the new environment.

While the platform radiated peace, his instincts, honed by constant vigilance, cautioned him against complacency.

He observed the subtle energy signatures of the various residents: some felt strong, seasoned veterans; others were weak, clearly having given up the climb.

He noted the pervasive technology, the silent flying cars, the glowing power conduits integrated seamlessly into the very architecture.

This place was far more advanced than any he had seen since entering the Stargate.

As he stood observing, a figure approached them.

She was a woman of striking beauty, perhaps in her late twenties or early thirties, with long, flowing dark hair and sharp, intelligent eyes that missed nothing.

She was dressed in a sleek, elegant business suit, utterly out of place amidst the rough fatigues of the Awakened.

She radiated an aura of calm confidence and authority.

She stopped a few feet from Daniel, her gaze sweeping over him, then Lia and Ayra.

A faint, knowing smile touched her lips.

"Aspirant Daniel Vance, I presume?" she asked, her voice smooth and melodic, like flowing water.

"And these must be Aspirant Lia and Aspirant Ayra. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you."

Ayra paused her eager stride towards the food hub, her brow furrowed.

"And you are?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

The woman inclined her head slightly.

"My name is Olenna Houten. I am an official guide from Astralis Academy’s Upper House.

I have been sent to personally receive your team." Her gaze lingered on Daniel for a moment, a flicker of deep interest in her eyes.

"Your performance in Level 3 was... extraordinary. Truly unprecedented."

Lia’s eyes widened slightly. "Astralis Academy’s Upper House?

Then this must be more than just a resting platform. This is a true hub of advanced Awakened."

She turned to Daniel, a question in her eyes.

Daniel remained silent, his expression unreadable.

He had heard of Astralis Academy from the initial briefings, a prestigious institution dedicated to training elite Awakened for the higher levels of the Verge.

But he hadn’t expected a personal welcoming committee, especially one who seemed to know their names and their Level 3 exploits in such detail.

His S-Grade [Aura Sense+] probed Olenna Houten’s aura. She was strong, certainly, a seasoned Awakened, perhaps Level 15 or 20, but not transcendent.

Her energy felt controlled, disciplined, with a subtle, almost imperceptible undercurrent of something... else.

Ayra, however, was already charmed by the flattery.

"Extraordinary? Oh, you should have seen Daniel! He’s the one who killed the giant fish! I just smashed some smaller fish-wannabes!

And Lia here healed everything! We’re quite the team, really! He’s our captain!"

She puffed out her chest proudly, gesturing dramatically at Daniel.

Olenna’s smile widened as she looked at Daniel, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Yes, Aspirant Ayra, I am quite aware of Captain Vance’s... unique capabilities.

His reputation precedes him, even here."

She then turned her full attention to Daniel, her gaze thoughtful.

"Your quiet demeanor is quite interesting, Captain Vance. Most Awakened who achieve such feats are far more... boisterous."

Daniel offered a small, noncommittal smile.

"I prefer to let my actions speak for themselves, Ms. Olenna. And as for my deeds, they simply reflect the opportunities the Verge presented."

He wasn’t about to give away any more details about his SSS-Rank [Soul Assimilation] talent than the Academy already seemed to know.

Olenna’s gaze lingered on his unreadable expression for a moment longer, a flicker of something unreadable in her own eyes.

"A very wise approach, Captain. Especially in a place like this."

She then gestured towards a nearby, elegant building. "It’s getting late.

The Academy has prepared a comfortable homestay for your team.

You must be exhausted after your arduous journey through Level 3. We can complete the formal reception at the Academy proper tomorrow morning.

Would that be acceptable?"

Ayra’s eyes lit up at the mention of a "comfortable homestay." "Real beds?! And not a smelly cave?! Lead the way, Ms. Olenna!

I’m ready to finally get some decent sleep!" Lia, too, looked relieved at the prospect of proper rest.

Daniel, however, felt a faint prickle of suspicion. A personal guide, a prepared homestay... it was all a little too smooth, a little too attentive for what was supposed to be a simple resting platform between Verge levels.

Astralis Academy was clearly taking a very keen interest in them, especially in him.

But he had his team’s well-being to consider. And a comfortable bed did sound tempting after the grim realities of Level 3.

He gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "That would be acceptable, Ms. Olenna.

Thank you for your hospitality."

Olenna smiled, a flash of triumph in her eyes that was quickly masked.

"Excellent! Please, follow me."

As they walked through the bustling streets towards their assigned "homestay," Olenna subtly began to probe their experiences in Level 3.

"The Taiji Basin is indeed a challenging environment," she remarked, her voice casual.

"Many Awakened struggle just to acquire a single matched pair of cards. I understand your team managed to secure quite a... substantial collection?"

Ayra, ever eager to boast, immediately launched into a vivid, dramatic retelling of their exploits, emphasizing her own heroic battles with various monstrous beasts and the ruthless thugs they had encountered.

"Oh, you should have seen us! I was smashing those hairy apes! And the giant, scaly fish!

Daniel, he’s good with the invisible sneaky stuff, and Lia here, she just kept patching us up like we were new!

We gathered tons of cards! More than anyone, probably!"

Lia, beside her, offered calm, modest affirmations, occasionally adding details about the types of threats they faced and the strategic choices they made, subtly supporting Ayra’s claims without exaggerating.

She mentioned the S-Grade Dark Cloud Leopard and the Level 18 Umbral Lynx, impressing Olenna with their ability to identify such high-tier threats. fгeewebnovёl.com

Olenna listened with polite amusement, her eyes constantly flicking to Daniel, trying to gauge his reactions.

She confirmed her initial assessment: this team was indeed immensely strong, likely rich in both Yin and Yang cards.

She was particularly curious about the quiet Daniel, whose actual contribution seemed to be a mystery.

His teammates spoke of him as their "captain" and credited him with "invisible sneaky stuff" and killing the "giant fish," but his true power remained shrouded.

She tried to engage him directly. "Captain Vance, your silence is intriguing.

Your teammates speak highly of your abilities. What, specifically, did you find most challenging or most rewarding about Level 3?"

Daniel’s face remained impassive. "Level 3 had its moments," he replied evasively, his voice calm.

"The rewards were... commensurate with the challenges.

As for specifics, every Awakened finds their own path. My experiences were simply mine." He offered a small, polite smile that gave nothing away.

Olenna’s smile tightened almost imperceptibly.

She was clearly frustrated by his evasiveness, but she maintained her professional demeanor.

She would get her answers. Sooner or later.

For now, she needed to get them settled. She led them towards a quiet section of the platform, where elegant, modern buildings gave way to lush, artificial forests.

Daniel’s senses flared faintly, a subtle shift in the ambient energy, a feeling of unease that he couldn’t quite pinpoint.

He remained vigilant, his S-Grade Blade of The Night still humming silently in his storage ring.

The promise of a comfortable homestay was tempting, but his instincts whispered caution.

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