[Talent: Time Paragon - EX Rank (Restricted)]
[Talent: Devouring Paragon - EX Rank (Restricted)]
[Talent: Space Paragon - EX Rank (Restricted)]
[Class: Ultima - Grade 10]
"I need to report this to Marcus," Lucas muttered as he stared intensely at Daniel, his devilish blue eyes pulsing slightly as if trying to uncover the mysteries behind the Tri-Talent Anomaly.
'Should I go for it? Marcus would probably kill me if he found out I broke the treaty, but this anomaly absolutely cannot be allowed to enter another faction. I can always kill him if he refuses to join us.'
A flicker of killing intent passed through his eyes. He hoped nobody had noticed it, but to his misfortune, Daniel's keen senses picked it up easily.
'Why is the principal staring at me like that?' Daniel wondered, trying his best not to meet the man's gaze.
Only a few seconds had passed since the orb announced Daniel's results and their brief interaction. The crowd used that time to process what they had witnessed.
Then chaos erupted.
"Oh my god, he awakened three EX Rank Talents along with a Grade 10 Class. It's synchronization. We are in the presence of an Absolute!"
"How does he have such good luck?"
"Heh, three talents? Good luck mastering all of them."
"Why couldn't it be me?"
The voices of the students surged together. Envy, jealousy, and greed quickly spread through the crowd. A few students with powerful backgrounds immediately called their parents to report the anomaly.
"Silence!"
Lucas's voice thundered through the hall like a storm, instantly silencing everyone. The pressure behind his words alone caused several weaker students to pale.
The old principal slowly descended from the floating platform before walking toward Daniel with measured steps, his wooden cane tapping softly against the fractured floor.
Stopping in front of him, Lucas carefully looked Daniel up and down once more, as though trying to measure the true worth hidden beneath the young man's calm expression.
"Daniel," he began, his tone far gentler than before, "I would like to formally recruit you into the Archbound Legion. We possess some of the finest cultivation resources in the kingdom, along with exclusive access to numerous dungeons and training grounds. With your talent, your growth under us would—"
Before he could finish—
BOOM!
A violent earthquake erupted beneath the academy.
The entire building trembled as massive cracks spread across the walls like spiderwebs. Several support pillars collapsed instantly, sending clouds of dust and debris exploding through the hall. Panicked screams echoed out as teachers hurried to protect the remaining students.
At the same moment—
A gigantic burning meteor tore through the roof.
Flames exploded across the upper floors as molten debris rained down from above, destroying several stories of the academy in mere seconds. Fortunately, most of the students had already left after the awakening ceremony, otherwise the casualties would have been catastrophic.
"Hahaha! You old bastard, trying to break the treaty now, are we?"
A booming voice echoed from the skies.
High above the ruined academy, a man floated in midair before slowly descending through the smoke and flames.
His fiery red hair danced like living fire while his crimson eyes pulsed with intense heat, causing the surrounding mana to distort faintly. Every breath he took radiated terrifying pressure, making him resemble a god of flames more than an ordinary human.
"You know I can have your head for this," the man continued with a grin, "and Marcus wouldn't dare utter a single complaint."
Lucas narrowed his eyes.
"James Greyborn."
Before either could continue, another voice drifted through the hall.
Soft and seductive. Yet strangely dangerous.
"My, my... James, now is that any way to greet old friends?"
Everyone turned in shock.
A slender woman slowly rose from the ground itself, blooming flowers spiraling around her feet as emerald mana danced through the air. Her flowery robes perfectly complemented her graceful figure, giving her an almost dreamlike appearance.
Her hazel eyes shimmered with shifting shades of honey, amber, and moss, changing subtly beneath the light like autumn leaves touched by the evening sun. Warm yet mysterious, gentle yet impossible to ignore. Her ruddy lips curved into a faint smile capable of making hearts race uncontrollably.
"Elizabeth..." James muttered, his expression immediately souring.
"Se-Seductress Elizabeth!" one of the teachers exclaimed in horror.
James visibly stiffened as he stared at the woman before him. Even though he was the Guild Leader of the Crimson Dwarves and possessed status equal to hers, Elizabeth Flareborn terrified him far more than most monsters ever could.
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed slightly as she smiled sweetly.
"Oh? Won't you greet your sister-in-law properly?" she asked in a bitter tone. "Should I perhaps tell Ash you ignored me again?"
The moment Ash's name was mentioned, James' face twitched violently. His fiery aura immediately weakened by half.
"H-Hey now, there's no need for that..." he muttered cautiously.
However, before the argument could continue—
"Could you two idiots stop flirting for five seconds?"
Lucas rubbed his forehead in irritation. Lightning crackled faintly within his eyes as mana surged around his clenched fists.
"Let the boy decide which guild he wishes to join."
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Lucas understood exactly how dangerous the current situation was. Normally, someone like Daniel would have quietly been recruited long before news of his talent spread. But now, with two individuals whose power and influence rivaled his own standing here personally, things had become troublesome.
James snorted before immediately stepping forward.
"Daniel," he said, placing a heavy hand on the boy's shoulder, "I am James Greyborn, Guild Leader of the Crimson Dwarves."
His voice carried immense confidence.
"If you join us, you will gain access to every dungeon under our control appropriate to your rank. All purchases within our guild will receive a twenty percent discount, and I will personally assign you an Adept Rank bodyguard."
James firmly shook Daniel's hand before grinning.
"You've got a good grip, kid. I like that."
"You dirty old man, move aside."
Elizabeth shoved James away with visible disgust.
"I'll even pay you one Origin Stone if you stop talking."
"Wha—!"
Ignoring his outrage entirely, Elizabeth gracefully stepped in front of Daniel.
"Hello, Daniel," she said softly. "I am Elizabeth Flareborn, Guild Leader of Celestial Reign."
Her smile became dazzling.
"I will match every offer this brute made. Furthermore, I'll grant you the position of Celestial Maxus within our guild."
The surrounding teachers gasped.
A Celestial Maxus held authority comparable to an Adept Rank member despite not possessing the required strength. Such a position was almost never given to outsiders, much less a newly awakened student.
Elizabeth leaned slightly closer.
"And naturally," she whispered with a teasing smile, "you'll receive special treatment from me personally."
"We'll do the same!" James immediately roared from the side.
Lucas stared at the two of them speechlessly.
The leaders of two of the most powerful guilds were practically fighting over a high school student in broad daylight.
After a long sigh, Lucas finally stepped forward once more.
"Daniel," he said, "I will offer you ten Apprentice Rank Origin Skill Books and one Adept Rank Skill Book in addition to everything already mentioned."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"I hope you make the right choice."
James nearly cursed aloud.
"You shameless old coot!"
Elizabeth's smile also twitched.
"So the old man finally stopped pretending to be poor."
"Very well," she declared. "I offer the same."
The pressure within the hall grew heavier and heavier as the three guild leaders stared at one another.
Then suddenly—
"Daniel," James said firmly, his blood-red eyes glowing intensely, "this will be my final offer."
He slammed his massive war hammer onto the floor.
BOOM!
Cracks spread instantly beneath his feet.
"In addition to everything mentioned previously, I will personally grant you another chance to enter the Origin Domain upon ranking up so you may choose a second class."
The entire hall fell silent.
Even Lucas and Elizabeth looked shocked.
An opportunity to re-enter the Origin Domain was priceless. Countless powerful awakeners would go mad for such an offer.
Daniel himself felt his heartbeat quicken slightly.
Yet before he could even think—
All three Guild Leaders suddenly turned toward him simultaneously. Their overwhelming gazes locked onto Daniel like predators staring at prey.
The pressure became suffocating.
Many teachers nearby unconsciously retreated several steps. James tightened his grip on his hammer. Elizabeth's smile became dangerous. Lightning flickered across Lucas's eyes.
"Ok," Daniel finally said softly.
The instant those words left his mouth—
The three terrifying figures stared at him as though ready to devour him whole.