SSS-Rank Talent: Super Upgrade System-Chapter 123: At Crossroads!

The brilliant white glow from the Truth-Seeker Orb that had validated Daniel’s will finally subsided, leaving a stunned silence in its wake across the vast plaza of Astralis Academy’s Upper House.

One hundred points. An unprecedented score. Even Director Gareth Sterling, a man who had seen countless prodigies pass through these halls, looked momentarily speechless, his usual stern look gave way to a deep, almost uneasy, expression of thought.

The whispers among the gathered aspirants, already stirred by Daniel’s earlier record-breaking feats, now swelled to a crescendo of awe and disbelief.

"A perfect hundred? Is that even possible?"

"He’s not just strong; he’s got the will of a saint! Or a very convincing liar..."

"Protect humanity? Unravel universal mysteries? Sounds like he’s aiming to become the next Stargate Messiah!"

Ayra, her S-Grade Crystal Gloves gleaming, just shook her head, a bewildered grin on her face.

"Vance, you magnificent, lying weirdo," she muttered under her breath, loud enough for Lia to overhear.

"I swear, if you weren’t so good at punching things into other dimensions, you’d make a terrifyingly effective politician."

Lia, her A-Grade Staff of the World Ash pulsing with a soft, amused light, offered a serene smile.

"Perhaps, Ayra, his intentions are indeed as noble as he states. Or perhaps," her grey eyes twinkled, "his [Deception] skill is simply SSS-Rank as well."

Daniel, ignoring the renewed wave of intense scrutiny, simply stepped back from the pedestal, his expression calm and unreadable.

He had played his part, secured his place.

The first test was over. He was more interested in what came next.

As the final aspirants completed their tests, most earning scores between the barely acceptable sixties and the respectable eighties, a few with truly malicious or entirely self-serving intentions were promptly exposed by the orbs and dismissed with a disappointed frown from Director Sterling. Gradually, the plaza fell silent once more.

The Director cleared his throat, his gaze lingering on Daniel for a moment longer before sweeping across the remaining hopefuls.

"The first trial has concluded," Director Gareth announced, his voice regaining its usual stern authority.

"Approximately one hundred and seventy-three aspirants have been... deemed unsuitable... for further training at Astralis Academy.

For the rest of you, congratulations. You have demonstrated a will compatible with the arduous path ahead."

He paused, letting the weight of their first collective failure sink in.

The number of expulsions was significant, a harsh culling that underscored the Academy’s exacting standards.

"Do not grow complacent. This was merely the first filter. The true tests of your capabilities are yet to come."

He gestured towards the center of the plaza again.

The Truth-Seeker Orbs silently retracted into the polished floor, replaced by a series of tall, sleek holographic projectors.

"The second test," Director Gareth declared, is the Battle Record Display.

Your Nexus Interfaces, as you are well aware, meticulously log every encounter, every kill, every assist, every strategic decision you have made since stepping through your respective Stargates.

This data provides an unvarnished, objective assessment of your practical combat experience, your survival instincts, and your ability to adapt and overcome the myriad threats of the Verge."

A new wave of anxiety rippled through the aspirants. freewёbnoνel.com

Those who had relied on luck, on scavenging, or on the strength of their teammates, suddenly looked very nervous.

The Nexus logs were unforgiving, brutally honest. There would be no hiding mediocre performance here.

"The purpose of this test is twofold," the Director continued.

"Firstly, to screen out those who have advanced thus far through fortunate circumstance or by exploiting the efforts of others, rather than through genuine skill and contribution."

His gaze hardened.

"Astralis Academy has no place for parasites or glory-thieves. Secondly, and more importantly, your battle records will be used to provisionally assign you to one of our four primary schools of advanced training: the Combat Techniques School, the Command School, the Weapons and Armaments School, and the Logistics and Support School."

The holographic projectors flickered to life, displaying the insignia of the four schools: a clenched fist wreathed in fire for Combat Techniques; a stylized, intricate command interface for Command; a crossed hammer and energy rifle for Weapons; and a shield intertwined with a healing caduceus for Logistics.

"Each school offers specialized training, unique resources, and a distinct path towards mastering your chosen role within the Verge," Director Sterling explained.

"While your initial assignment will be based on your demonstrated aptitudes from your battle records, you will have an opportunity to express your preference.

However, the final decision rests with the Academy, and more specifically, with the Vice-Principals of each school, who are present here today to observe your potential."

As if on cue, four new figures materialized silently on the dais beside Director Gareth.

Each radiated an aura of immense power, clearly high-level, seasoned Vanguards.

Daniel’s S-Grade [Aura Sense+] immediately assessed them.

The first was a man with a lean, wiry build, his face a roadmap of old battle scars, his eyes burning with an almost feral intensity.

This was Travis Standen, Vice-Principal of the Combat Techniques School, renowned for his brutal training regimens and his ability to forge raw talent into peerless warriors.

His aura felt like a contained inferno, thrumming with suppressed kinetic energy.

The second was an elderly woman, her silver hair pulled back in a severe bun, her expression thoughtful and serene, yet her eyes held a razor-sharp intelligence that missed nothing.

This was Aslaug Winnick, Vice-Principal of the Command School. Her aura was less overtly powerful, more like a vast, intricate network of interconnected thoughts, radiating an almost palpable strategic acumen.

The third was a tall, aloof man with a perpetually unimpressed expression, his arms crossed, his gaze sweeping over the aspirants with cool detachment.

This was Robb Naharis, Vice-Principal of the Weapons and Armaments School, a master craftsman and legendary weaponsmith. His aura felt like a forge, hot and precise, resonating with the power of creation and destruction.

The fourth was a surprisingly young woman, her beauty almost ethereal, with long, flowing emerald-green hair and eyes that sparkled with kindness and compassion.

This was Yara Fairley , Vice-Principal of the Logistics and Support School. Her aura was a comforting warmth, a gentle river of healing and protective energy.

The presence of these four powerhouses immediately escalated the tension in the plaza.

Gaining the favor of a Vice-Principal could mean access to exclusive training, personalized mentorship, and a fast track to the higher echelons of Astralis Academy.

Daniel mentally reviewed the four schools.

The Command School held little interest for him; he preferred direct action to strategic planning.

Logistics and Support, while vital, wasn’t his forte, though Lia would likely excel there.

That left Combat Techniques and Weapons.

The Combat Techniques School appealed to his desire to constantly refine his S-Grade skills and acquire new, devastating martial arts.

His SSS-Rank [Soul Assimilation] could likely turn any A-grade technique they taught into an S-grade monstrosity.

The thought of new skills to enhance and fuse was undeniably tempting.

The Weapons and Armaments School, however, had a different, perhaps even stronger appeal.

He had already seen the incredible power of his SSS-Talent when applied to upgrading equipment.

His S-Grade Blade of The Night and Flying Cloud Mystic Bow were testaments to that.

Learning the secrets of Verge metallurgy, energy channeling, and artifact creation from Master Robb Naharis, then combining that knowledge with his [Soul Assimilation]... he could potentially forge weapons and armor that would make even S-Grade items look like children’s toys.

The thought of crafting his own SSS-Grade artifacts was a heady prospect.

He was torn. Both schools offered pathways to immense power.

His decision would likely depend on the specific opportunities and resources each presented.

For now, he would observe, assess, and let his battle record speak for itself.

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