Everyone in the audience could sense the anger in Aegon’s voice, and his shadow could feel it too, but she didn’t erge. After all, her Boss had already given her clear instructions.
’Don’t bother. I know what I’m doing. It’s not enough for you to take action.’
Aegon strolled forward and stopped before the testing stone. Under the heated gazes of the audience, he calmly placed his hand on the plain surface.
’Let’s see how good you really are.’
Nothing appeared on the stone, leaving everyone confused. They had expected sothing grand after his bold declaration yet nothing happened at all.
It was as if he didn’t even possess an Affinity.
Many were puzzled by the situation, wondering if Aegon was truly lacking in this aspect. But it was difficult to accept that notion considering his other achievents and his confident declaration.
Then, they heard a startled voice from the main seats.
"Wait! That’s—"
Amon couldn’t even finish his sentence as his lips quivered and his hand slipped from the armrest. His eyes, magnified behind the monocle, trembled in disbelief.
Just as everyone grew even more confused by the Dean’s reaction, sothing completely unexpected happened on the platform, sothing that shook every soul present.
The ancient stone, which had endured thousands of years and recorded countless Affinities without a single scratch, began to crack from top to bottom.
With every passing second, the cracks deepened, spreading like lightning bolts across its surface. Then, before the stunned faces of the crowd, the testing stone exploded with a deafening boom, sending fragnts and dust flying in every direction.
The examiner and Aegon were the closest to the blast, yet both stood unhard, protected by the defensive formations that also ensured no debris struck the audience.
At that mont, silence blanketed the entire stadium. It was so quiet that one could even hear the faint current of air swirling through the shattered space.
Then, chaos erupted.
"What the fuck? Did the academy put the wrong stone up there?"
"Idiot! If it was the wrong one, then how did it work for everyone else?"
"T-Then how do you explain the explosion?"
"How the hell would I know? Do I look like a Seer?"
"Yeah? Didn’t you once say you were a blind Seer? Why don’t you tell us what happened then?"
"Hmph! My inner sage is awakening, and he says it happened because sothing exploded inside."
"I swear, I can’t control my emotions after seeing this, and you’re still spouting nonsense. I’ll kill you!"
"My inner sage says you’ll beco a Solar Priest and forgive ."
"Priest my ass!"
While the audience was losing their collective minds, the nobility and even the royalty weren’t faring much better. They simply stared in disbelief as the dust settled and the remains of the shattered stone ca into view.
’This... what is the aning of this?’ Raphael’s eyes widened as he stared at the destruction. ’No, what really happened here?’
’This talent... he’s too mysterious,’ Gabriel thought with a deep frown. ’He knew this would happen. That’s why he played along with my provocation. But what exactly is your Affinity... or perhaps, Affinities?’
Only a few people understood the truth of what had occurred and one of them was Amon.
’This is absurd!’ he thought, echoing what everyone else was feeling. ’The testing stone couldn’t handle the number or quality of his Affinities... That’s impossible! An ancient artifact like that?’
As the Dean of the Academy, Amon was fully aware of that stone’s capabilities and the imnse endurance it possessed. Unless soone deliberately used destructive force, no one had ever been able to damage it.
’Aegon... you truly are the walking balance of this world,’ Amon thought, his eyes glimring as he smiled faintly. ’Truly fascinating.’
No one dared to speak directly to Aegon, but their thoughts were written all over their faces. Everyone knew that this single event would send shockwaves throughout the human domain.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the human with the greatest potential stood right here in the Academy and his na was Aegon Valeria Augustus.
anwhile, Aegon calmly scanned the crowd, his gaze eventually settling on Amon. He spoke with an easy tone, "I’m sorry, Sir, for breaking the stone. But I did warn everyone beforehand, so technically, it isn’t my fault."
"It’s fine," Amon replied with a casual wave of his hand, his expression returning to its usual relaxed state. "I was the one who insisted, so it’s my responsibility."
"Uhh, but if it can be bought, I’m willing to pay for it," Aegon said, glancing at the debris with a thoughtful look. "I did destroy it, after all."
"Haha! It’s not sothing money can buy," Amon laughed. "Anyway, I can roughly guess your results, so there’s no need for you to test your Affinities any further. Not that we have another testing stone left."
It was then that Amon realized sothing. ’He knew this would happen... He knew he’d be provoked into taking the test, so he deliberately went last to ensure this exact outco. Smart boy!’
Aegon smiled faintly at Amon’s words and stepped down from the platform. He could feel countless questioning gazes fixed on his back, but he ignored them.
Fortunately, no one dared to speak their thoughts aloud.
[You weren’t that angry, Master?]
’I was angry, but one thing Xiu taught well is to use my head even when I’m angry.’
[Well, Chief certainly is good at that. She’s always half-angry yet still manages to make the right decisions.]
’Only you praise her that much.’
Aegon had read enough novels to know better than to fall for an obvious provocation. Still, he couldn’t just back off after his family was insulted.
That was why he took the test because he knew the stone wouldn’t be able to withstand the sheer number of Affinities he had gathered over the years.
It was simply impossible. He knew because he had already tried it once before.
This event also put Gabriel in his list of people he disliked.
’Well, I’m getting bored of this now,’ Aegon thought as he glanced up at the sky. ’The tournant will probably be boring too. Forget it.’
He turned toward the examiner and asked before the next phase could begin, "Sir, I’m admitted, right?"
He already knew the answer, but he asked for the audience’s sake.
"You are!"
It was Amon who responded, prompting Aegon to look up toward him again.
"Then, can I leave?" he asked, once again leaving everyone bewildered.
"What about the tournant and resources?" Amon asked, his tone laced with amusent.
"I have my reasons," Aegon replied with a light shrug. "As for resources, I’m sure you already know my answer, Sir."
Amon laughed softly and said, "You’re an interesting kid. I’m curious to see how your ti in the Academy."
"Then I hope I entertained you enough today," Aegon smiled.
"I’m sure I can find better words for what you did, but whatever you say," Amon replied. "You may leave if you don’t care about the tournant."
Aegon had been waiting for those words. He nodded and turned his gaze toward Gabriel, who was still observing him silently. His smile faded as he said, "I hope Your Highness doesn’t speak so carelessly before other mbers of my family. It surely won’t end well."
"Are you threatening ?" Gabriel asked, her golden eyes narrowing.
"I’m rely advising you and telling you that I’m the calst one among us," Aegon chuckled. "I don’t think I need to explain about the others, so I’ll leave it at that."
He wasn’t lying. All the mbers of House Augustus were known for their fiery tempers, especially when it ca to family. If Xiu had been in his place, she would have punched the Princess ten tis over without hesitation.
And Arnold? He would’ve supported her actions completely because the Augustus family valued loyalty and kinship above all else.
Gabriel was about to speak again when she suddenly stopped. A conflicted expression flickered across her face before she sighed softly. "I apologize for my earlier words."
"Apology accepted, but please rember it next ti," Aegon said with a polite smile before walking toward the exit, still feeling dozens upon dozens of powerful gazes following him.
All of them were filled with questions, curiosity, and emotions he couldn’t care to na but none dared to approach or ask him anything.
So, he simply ignored them and walked out of the stadium.
This was who he was and how he had chosen to live his life. Life was short, and he wanted to enjoy every bit of it. If sothing beca boring, he would simply move on and choose another path.
This was how Aegon lived.
He had no need for the things the world so desperately longed for because he already had them all.
’Thanks, system. You really made my life great.’
[Host doesn’t need to say that so often. The system was designed to make your life easier.]
’Whatever the case, I’m indebted to you, and I think I should express my gratitude regularly. You’re the reason I can live so lavishly, after all.’
[...I see. Gratitude. Understood!]
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