Everyone listened in silence, not a single person spoke.
John's gaze flickered.
The assessnt at Star Cluster Academy was indeed extraordinary, openly allowing the seizure of other participants' points.
This essentially encouraged a form of combat among the candidates.
No wonder the academy managed to cultivate so many geniuses.
However, he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to it.
As expected, after a brief pause to let everyone digest the information, Benedict's gaze turned icy as he announced, "The only difference this year from previous ones is that Star Cluster Academy will only admit the top 100 scorers. The rest will be eliminated."
This statent plunged the entire sports field into silence.
You could hear a pin drop.
Then, the crowd erupted into an uproar.
An audience mber expressed disbelief, "This must be a joke, right? Only admitting one hundred students, when there are over ten thousand people participating in the assessnt!"
A powerful figure was stunned, "The number of students this year at Star Cluster Academy is already higher than in previous years, and the overall quality of the candidates has also significantly improved from last year.
Under normal circumstances, they would be increasing the number of admissions, not limiting it to only a hundred?"
A student despaired, "Out of ten thousand people, only one hundred will be selected? Does that an 99% of us will be eliminated?"
Another student lanted, "I barely passed the preliminary test, hoping to make a push in the assessnt. But now, before it even starts, it feels like us at the bottom are already being filtered out."
Yet another student voiced their anger, "Isn't Star Cluster Academy supposed to treat everyone equally? Then why set such an assessnt criterion?!"
The sudden revelation of the rigorous and highly selective nature of the assessnt sent shockwaves through the participants and the audience alike, highlighting the intense competition and high stakes involved in securing a place at the prestigious academy.
...
The sports field was engulfed in tumultuous noise, as if the clamor alone could lift the entire stadium off the ground.
Yet, Benedict's deanor remained utterly calm, silently observing the scene.
An invisible aura emanated from him, gradually quelling the noise as ti passed.
Despite the eventual quiet, frustration and confusion still marred so students' faces.
Benedict waited patiently until the over ten thousand participants had fully quieted down before he spoke again.
"Star Cluster Academy has never had a rule about treating everyone equally. On the contrary, the spirit of Star Cluster Academy has always been about competition. The old headmaster's famous saying ant that diocrity arises from being content with one's class, while a true genius can shine bright regardless of their class."
His gaze swept over the crowd as he continued coldly, "Star Cluster Academy has no place for diocrity. Even the first chancellor, at the very establishnt of Star Cluster Academy, segregated those students unwilling to strive into a different class. If anyone has a problem with that, you can withdraw from the assessnt now to save ti."
Upon hearing Benedict's words, silence enveloped everyone.
John's eyes, however, sparkled with interest.
He had heard a similar sentint from Victor.
The essence of Victor's words closely matched Benedict's: Star Cluster Academy is willing to accept students with lesser talents, but not those devoid of rit.
Talent can be diocre, but the individual must not be.
As for any rule about treating everyone equally, that was a fantasy concocted by idle outsiders.
If one were to say that Star Cluster Academy upholds any philosophy, John believed it would be that hard work is rewarded by the heavens.
...
anwhile, atop the highest level of the gymnasium, in an open-air garden, Sophia, with her doll-like appearance and golden hair, was ditating, seemingly oblivious to the world's changes around her.
Behind her, Vice Chancellor Geoffrey and a group of academy instructors were hesitating, wanting to speak but holding back.
However, Sophia seed utterly unaware of their hesitance, her eyes remaining closed.
Eventually, Vice Chancellor Geoffrey mustered the courage to step forward, saying, "Headmistress, should we consider expanding the number of admissions? Continuing this way might harm Star Cluster Academy's reputation."
The other instructors nodded in agreent, believing Sophia's decision this ti might have been a bit misguided.
Admitting only one hundred students out of ten thousand was exceedingly few, and the remaining talents and geniuses would likely be absorbed by other institutions.
Sophia slowly opened her eyes, her golden irises shimring with starlight, exuding an otherworldly aura.
She turned her gaze to Geoffrey and said, "Since when did Star Cluster Academy start to worry about its reputation? What has happened recently?"
This was genuinely Sophia's confusion.
Given Star Cluster Academy's status, they normally wouldn't need to concern themselves with such matters unless there was a special reason.
However, Sophia rarely involved herself in the school's administrative affairs, leaving most to Vice Chancellor Geoffrey and others, so she was unaware of recent developnts.
Upon hearing Sophia's words, Geoffrey and the other senior mbers of the school showed signs of embarrassnt, uncertain of how to respond.
Ultimately, Vice Chancellor Geoffrey sighed and began to explain, "The defection of Owen to the Dusk Sect a few years ago had initially faded into the background. However, recently, the Dusk Sect has stirred significant trouble in Stellarburg, and Owen was seen there."
With a bitter smile, Geoffrey continued, "Although Victor killed him on the spot, the incident still greatly impacted our reputation. Moreover, we haven't participated in the Academy Competition in recent years, and we haven't had any notable students, leading to the Federal Finance Departnt cutting our funding by 30%.
If this year we only admit 100 students and fail to produce results, our funding might be reduced by more than 50%."
The senior mbers present, including the vice chancellor, hung their heads in sha.
However, Sophia appeared unconcerned.
She smiled lightly, "If they want to see results, we'll show them results. You don't need to worry about this; I'll find a way to deal with it when the ti cos."
Geoffrey and the others exchanged glances, visibly relieved.
They knew that with Sophia's capabilities, her assurance ant there would be no problem.
Sophia waved her hand dismissively, "The admission rules will remain unchanged. Star Cluster Academy seeks talent. If we cannot find it, I'd rather not admit anyone at all than fill our ranks with diocrity."
This ti, Vice Chancellor Geoffrey and the others said nothing more.
With Headmistress Sophia claiming she had a plan, they felt no need to fret over the matter any longer, their minds considerably eased.
As they were conversing, Benedict's voice suddenly resonated in their ears.
He said, "Headmistress, everything has been settled down here, and we are ready to begin the assessnt."
Upon hearing Benedict's words, Geoffrey and the others felt invigorated.
Although they were admitting fewer students this year, among them were a few promising talents.
These individuals would stand out as geniuses anywhere in the Imperial Capital.
They were eager to see how these students would perform in the upcoming assessnt.
Sophia rely humd softly in response, making no grand gesture.
With a delicate flick of her finger through the air, the space in front of the over ten thousand candidates in the sports field began to warp.
Shortly after, a magnificent and enormous silver mirror slowly materialized before everyone's eyes.
Through this giant mirror, one could see vast forests and rolling mountains.
John curiously observed the silver mirror in front of him, sensing an oddly familiar aura emanating from it.
After a mont of thought, he realized this silver mirror must be Sophia's key of realm, similar to his Bloodthirsty Blade, essential for accessing the Crimson Realm.
However, unlike Sophia's domain, the Crimson Realm was likely a level higher than the domain within the silver mirror.
Upon reaching the sage-tier, an awakener can obtain a domain where their power is significantly enhanced.
The Divine Realm is an upgraded version of these domains.
Regrettably, John's strength was too weak to control the Crimson Realm as of yet.
He understood such things could not be rushed and required patience and ti.
Before John could ponder any further, Benedict's voice echoed throughout the entire sports field.
He announced loudly, "The Stellar Assessnt officially begins now.
All candidates participating in the assessnt, enter the dungeon imdiately to start!"
As Benedict's voice faded, everyone in the sports field, including Benedict himself, was enveloped in a silver-white light.
"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"
Before they could even react, figures began disappearing from their spots.
In just a few breaths' ti, the tens of thousands of people in the sports field, Benedict included, vanished without a trace, leaving no one behind.
Then, the giant silver mirror started to shimr.
Pieces of smaller silver mirrors materialized out of thin air, floating in front of every spectator.
These mirrors appeared to be miniature versions of the large silver mirror in the sports field, displaying the sa world they initially saw.
Simultaneously, ripples like water waves spread across the large silver mirror's surface.
Once the ripples faded, the scene within the mirror disappeared, replaced by a leaderboard.
This list displayed the nas of every candidate participating in the assessnt.
Currently, zeros followed everyone's nas, likely indicating a ranking leaderboard for tallying points.
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