The Imperial Capital Academy stands as the Federal's pinnacle of educational resources, boasting the finest instructors and training materials available.
However, unfortunately, the academy exclusively enrolls children of federally recognized nobility and officials, leaving common citizens out of the equation.
Furthermore, attendance at the Imperial Capital Academy necessitates a hefty annual fee alongside various charges, amounts far beyond the reach of the average individual.
That leaves the Star Cluster Academy as the remaining option.
Unique within the Federal, this institution imposes no prerequisites for admission: no need for exceptional talent, academic achievents, or even citizenship status.
Yet, this lack of requirents translates to fierce competition, as the academy only admits the top 500 scorers from its entrance examinations each year, automatically disqualifying everyone else.
Considering the Federal comprises 36 secure zones, 8 military fortresses, and 103 cities, with a total population nearing one billion, and millions of new awakeners erging annually, a vast number of aspirants vie for a spot at the Star Cluster Academy.
The desire to attend this academy is common among those with even the slightest ambition, making the admission process exceptionally competitive, truly a selection of one in a thousand.
If John's mory serves correctly, Victor is an alumnus of the Star Cluster Academy.
After so contemplation, John expressed his gratitude to Theodore, "Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Theodore. However, I wouldn't want to trouble you further. If all goes well, I plan to earn my place at the Star Cluster Academy through their entrance exams."
Upon hearing John's intention to gain entry into Star Cluster Academy on his own rit, a subtle ease washed over Seraphina, and she seed to breathe a sigh of relief internally.
She said, "I'll likely be attending Imperial Capital Academy. Don't fall behind."
Given Seraphina's status and talent, Imperial Capital Academy was the most fitting choice, offering the best environnt for her abilities to flourish maximally.
John wasn't surprised by her choice and responded with a light-hearted challenge, "Do your best. Just make sure you're not lagging so far behind that you can't even catch my shadow next ti we et."
Seraphina, typically reticent to engage in banter, didn't retort this ti.
Deep down, she harbored a slight worry that John might soon outpace her significantly.
John's rapid progress was astonishing, bordering on the unbelievable.
Theodore, perceiving his daughter's concern, internally exhaled a heavy sigh.
Although Seraphina was exceptionally talented, compared to a prodigy like John, she had a long way to go.
However, he wouldn't discourage her; having a goal to aspire to was beneficial.
With genuine goodwill, Theodore remarked to John, "Since you've made up your mind, I won't say more. I hope by the next ti we et, you will have surpassed and beco a cornerstone for the Federal, making all of Stellarburg proud."
The sincerity in Theodore's words resonated with John, prompting a knowing smile between the two.
As they departed, John escorted them to their vehicle.
Just before leaving, Seraphina, as if recalling an unfinished matter, handed John a sleek black bank card.
"This is the compensation I promised you back in the Crimson Realm, a token of gratitude for saving my life," she explained, her expression remaining cool though a trace of blush tinted her cheeks, leaving one to wonder what thoughts crossed her mind.
John was taken aback, not expecting Seraphina to rember their initial agreent.
After a mont of silence, he accepted the card.
With a smile, he said, "Don't worry, I'll pay you back soday. And if I can't, I'll go to House Winters and work off my debt."
Suddenly, Theodore chid in with a chuckle, "Why not just beco my son-in-law instead? That way, the entirety of House Winters would be yours."
Seraphina's cheeks flushed crimson.
She shot Theodore a fierce glare, turned her head away, refusing to look at John, and coldly retorted, "You don't need to pay back. I'm not interested in having you work for ."
With that, she slamd the car window shut, and the hovercar sped away.
John watched the tail lights fade into the distance, holding the black bank card in hand, sowhat lost in thought.
"Just parted ways and already missing the lady?" A teasing male voice sounded from behind John.
Startled, John turned to see Victor standing there unexpectedly.
Dressed in a taupe trench coat, casually dangling a cigarette, his slightly unkempt hair and stubble added a rugged charm that contrasted with John's polished appearance.
Victor's presence, no doubt, carried an allure for won distinct from the young and handso John.
Victor eyed John amusingly, half-smiling, "So, what? Got a thing for Theodore's daughter?"
Relieved to see Victor, John exhaled deeply.
Ignoring the question, he complained, "Captain, sneaking up on like that, were you trying to scare to death?"
Victor snorted, "I called out to you a few tis. It's your own fault for being too lost in thought over the girl."
Taking a drag from his cigarette, Victor paused before adding, "And stop calling captain. I've left Hidden Stars."
Victor's revelation made John's heart skip a beat.
Incredulously, he asked, "Have the people from House Wilson lost their minds?"
Victor held a high reputation within Hidden Stars for his exceptional strength and capabilities, not to ntion being one of the heroes who saved Stellarburg.
Even if House Wilson managed to suppress his achievents, it seed utterly irrational to push Victor out of Hidden Stars.
Witnessing such unfair treatnt towards Victor, even soone as composed as John couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.
Victor gave John a peculiar look and corrected, "Who told you it was House Wilson's doing? I chose to leave Hidden Stars on my own."
John's expression froze.
After taking a deep breath, he voiced his frustration, "If not captain, then what? Can't you just explain everything all at once? And why would you leave Hidden Stars voluntarily? How are we supposed to carry on without you in our squad?"
Their entire squad relied on Victor as the sole powerhouse.
Frankly, everyone was clinging to Victor's coattails, with John being the most dependent.
However, Victor's next response left John completely dumbfounded.
Victor stated nonchalantly, "It's fine. I've also disbanded the squad. Dark Fox and the others will join in heading to the Southern Sea Fortress."
At the ntion of this na, John furrowed his brows.
Located at the southernmost edge of the Federal, bordering the South Sea, the Southern Sea Fortress was one of the eight major fortresses of the Federal, akin to the Northwest Citadel.
It was also known as one of the most chaotic fortresses among the eight.
The Southern Sea Fortress is a virtually abandoned stronghold, devoid of military presence, law, or order.
What it harbors are countless monsters, dungeons, and secret realms, along with an uncountable number of criminals, pirates, and rcenaries.
John turned to Victor, questioning, "What are you planning to do there? And what about if you're disbanding the team? I haven't even been officially inducted yet!"
The chaos that reigned in the Southern Sea Fortress, with its mix of good and bad, essentially made it a city of sin.
Being sent there was almost akin to being exiled.
Unexpectedly, Victor seed prepared to willingly head there.
Instead of answering John's question, Victor pulled out a storage ring and handed it to him.
Noticing John's puzzled look, he explained, "Recently, I reported your achievents, and the rewards have been issued. You're now a silver-tier Hidden Stars Red Glove and have the authority to form your own squad."
John couldn't help but twitch at the corners of his mouth.
Was this really addressing the crux of his concerns?
Clearly, Victor had no intention of elaborating further, so John didn't pursue the matter.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, John opened the storage ring and peered inside with his Mind power.
Within the ring, there was a set of Hidden Stars uniform, a silver dal, a pair of red gloves, and so federal coins.
After counting, there were about one million federal coins in total.
John's lips curled slightly, remarking, "Is this all the reward amounts to? Isn't it a bit stingy?"
A million federal coins weren't even enough to purchase a single skill.
Victor shook his head, saying, "Those are just formalities. The real valuable reward is the 100000 rit points under your na. These rit points can be exchanged for resources you need in the Federal military's resource depot. As long as you have enough rit points, you could even purchase a divine artifact."
John was astounded, questioning, "Really? Even divine artifacts can be exchanged?"
Every divine artifact represents a deity, making acquiring one incredibly difficult.
The Bloodthirsty Blade in John's possession, rely a damaged divine artifact, was already overwhelmingly powerful.
Imagining the strength of a true divine artifact was almost beyond belief.
Victor calmly stated, "Of course, it's true. So just stick with Hidden Stars. Additionally, since I'll be staying in Stellarburg for another month and don't have much on my plate, I'll take the ti to train you properly. It'll prevent you from carelessly losing your life on a mission in the future."
John, still processing, asked, "Train... what kind of training?"
Victor's lips curled into a smirk as he declared, "Naturally, it'll be hellish training."
Observing Victor's half-smiling expression, John suddenly shivered, a foreboding feeling washing over him.
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