章 88: Rising Talent
Moving to the third floor of the Adventurer's Guild, Alex decided it was time to replenish his depleted resources. His trip to the Poison Mist Forest had been dangerous, but the spoils were more than enough to make up for it.
First, he headed to the Guild's trade counters to sell his loot. Alex had meticulously gathered over 200 F-rank monster cores, ensuring he didn't leave a single Carrion Rat's core behind.
In addition, he had acquired 30 to 40 E-rank monster cores and 4 D-rank monster cores. The latter he decided to keep for himself, intending to use them for his magic training.
The monster materials he brought back fetched a surprisingly high price.
The Poisonous Marsh Lizard carcasses sold for an impressive 5,000 relies each, their rarity and potent venom making them highly sought after by alchemists and researchers.
Moving to another counter, Alex unloaded his stash of Venomthorn Vines, Vileweed, and various other poisonous plants.
Though the familiar lady who usually handled such transactions wasn't present, he still managed to strike a favorable deal, earning him a tidy sum.
By the time he was done, the total came to a staggering 450,000 relies. Alex couldn't help but smile as he pocketed his earnings. "Now this," he muttered under his breath, "makes the whole ordeal worthwhile."
With his finances in good shape, Alex mentally prepared a list of essentials to restock and potential upgrades to purchase.
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While Alex was away on his perilous journey to Opal Village, Star Shine Academy was anything but quiet.
Among the many happenings, the most peculiar was Aurora, the enigmatic spirit (or witch), wandering the old dorm's backyard with a determined gleam in her eye.
Her eyes darted around, scanning the ground below as she hovered in the air, occasionally pausing to inspect a specific spot. Despite her seemingly aimless movements, her intent was clear: she was searching for something
"Hehe hehe, I can't wait for him to come back!" Aurora's melodious giggle had an eerie undertone, her lovely face alight with anticipation. However, the slight curve of her lips carried a dangerous charm that would make most uneasy.
Her thoughts flitted back to Alex, and her excitement only grew. 'If I finally do this, I wonder how he'd react? Hmm... Surprised, shocked, or maybe speechless...' The mere thought sent a thrill through her as she envisioned his expression.
Her feet carried her to another patch of ground, her voice humming faintly as she scanned her surroundings. "No, not here… Let's check over there…"
The mystery deepened as Aurora continued her search, her thoughts scattering between her plans and Alex's impending return.
Whatever she was plotting, it was clear it would be nothing short of extraordinary—and perhaps a little unsettling.
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Meanwhile, on the other side of campus, Sherry—the academy's prodigious researcher— was immersed in yet another intricate researches.
Her laboratory was a symphony of research equipment, and scattered notebooks, each bearing the mark of her relentless pursuit.
As always, her research focused on uncovering a lead about her missing parents, a personal quest that had consumed her for past three years.
But even amidst her laser-focused work, her thoughts occasionally drifted elsewhere.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she paused, her gaze growing distant. Why does he keep popping into my head like this? She wondered, her fingers absently toying with a strand of her hair.
Her thoughts lingered on the memory of a certain someone—his teasing grin, his subtle, unconscious gestures that somehow always drew her attention.
She shook her head, forcing herself back to reality. "Focus, Sherry!" She scolded herself, her cheeks still faintly pink.
With a determined sigh, she buried herself once more in her research, promising herself that distractions—no matter how charming—wouldn't slow her down. Yet, a small part of her couldn't help but wonder what he was up to at that very moment.
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Over in the faculty chambers of the Knight Department, the atmosphere was markedly more serious. Almost the entire teaching staff had gathered for an intensive session to evaluate the results of the recently concluded mid-term tests.
Piles of reports and data sheets lay spread across the large oval table, each one detailing the performances of individual students.
Professors exchanged observations, their discussions blending constructive critique with earnest concern for the students' growth.
After every exam, Star Shine Academy prided itself on conducting a detailed, student-specific analysis. Each student's results were scrutinized to uncover strengths, weaknesses, and untapped potential.
Personalized improvement plans were then drafted for every student to ensure focused guidance tailored to their unique needs.
To enable this exhaustive review process, the academy had instituted a strategic one-week break after mid-terms. During this interval, teachers dedicated their time entirely to dissecting results, evaluating progress, and designing plans aimed at maximizing student development.
The results and improvement strategies were then shared during a week-long feedback session. This period was critical, as it involved not only announcing scores but also detailed one-on-one discussions between teachers and students.
Only after these critical phases did the academy transition into its month-long vacation, allowing students to rest and prepare for the challenges ahead while keeping their improvement plans in mind.
This structured and intensive approach wasn't just a tradition but one of the many reasons Star Shine Academy maintained its stellar reputation.
The teachers' discussion took an unprecedented turn as they delved into the topic of Alex Blanc, a Grade 1 Beginner Class student who had achieved the unthinkable—skipping Intermediate Class entirely to join the Advanced Class.
"How long has it been since something like this happened? A century?" murmured one of the senior teachers, the disbelief palpable in their voice.
It wasn't every day, or even every decade, that a student managed such a leap.
"I can't wait to teach that guy!" boomed Max, a burly, muscular instructor with an unruly beard and a laugh that could shake walls. "He just needs to grow some muscle, and he'll become a fine warrior like me in no time!"
Several teachers groaned or sighed audibly at Max's words, knowing his fixation on brute strength often overshadowed other aspects of a knight's training.
"Max," one of the other combat instructor interjected with a weary tone, "that boy's going to have a hard time now that he's caught your attention."
The room chuckled softly until Cyrus, the ever-serious and notoriously sharp instructor of Strategic Arts, adjusted his glasses and cut in with an unusually pointed observation. "He is not a brute like you, Max," Cyrus said, his measured tone silencing the room.
"He is fit to be a strategist. Take a look at his written answers—his grasp of tactical theory and application is remarkable. Even I found myself impressed, and that is not something I say lightly."
The room fell silent for a beat. Cyrus was infamous for his high standards and scathing critiques, especially toward the Knight Department students, whom he often dismissed as "brawn over brains." For him to praise Alex so openly was almost unheard of.
Max scratched his head, looking uncharacteristically sheepish, while the other teachers exchanged glances of awe and newfound interest.
The truth behind Cyrus's remark lay in Alex's unconventional knowledge and perspective. While not formally trained in the strategic principles, Alex's exposure to Earth's historical warfare—combined with his system-bestowed skill, Beginner Combat Expert—had given his answers a depth and ingenuity that stood out starkly.
The teacher who had corrected Alex's science answer papers noted his innovative thinking. His solutions often had a creative flair, showing not just comprehension but an ability to adapt concepts to new contexts.
Meanwhile, the teacher who corrected Alex's history and literature papers was equally astounded. His writing stood out as both thoughtful and compelling, elevating the material far beyond her expectations.
In the corner of the faculty meeting room, Sam, the youngest teacher, found himself hurled with praise and questions about how he had taught Alex. "Did you provide him with some extra coaching? Special attention?" an older teacher asked curiously.
Sam, flustered, stammered, "I-I honestly don't know how to answer that. He just... pays attention and asks the right questions in class."
Julia, Alex's sword instructor, shared Sam's disbelief. She had expected Alex to reach the Intermediate Class after consistent effort and training, perhaps climbing the ranks over time. But to skip directly to the Advanced Class? It left her overwhelmed with shock.
"This student, Alex," one of the senior teachers chimed in, flipping through notes, "barely scraped into the academy. I checked his records, he ranked the lowest in physical assessment during the entrance exam. He was only accepted because of slightly better-than-average academic scores. How do we explain this sudden transformation?"
The room fell silent as the question hung in the air. Many wondered if they had misjudged Alex's potential during the entrance exams or if something extraordinary had happened after his admission.
Faced with expectant stares, Julia and Sam exchanged uncertain glances. Sam finally cleared his throat and spoke.
"Alex has always been attentive in class. In fact, he's the only one in the class who bothers to ask questions and do his assignments. I've also seen him regularly visiting the library."
Julia hesitated before continuing. "To be honest, I started noticing the real changes in him a month or two ago. There was this duel he had with Marcus..." She detailed the incident and Alex's shocking improvement in strength and combat skills.
The room buzzed with murmurs as the teachers digested this information.
"So," one teacher finally concluded, "he was basically a hidden gem. He just needed the right amount of pressure and opportunity to polish himself and shine."
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