With Abby choosing the Holy Abyss Academy, mentors from the other academies gave up hope and had no choice but to recruit other students.
Naturally, the perks offered were significantly diminished from what was initially promised.
Many students grumbled inwardly about this turn of events.
Sadly, their voices held little weight and they were left to silently endure their fates.
The enrollment ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner, with no repeat of the fervent mentor-student tug-of-war that had marked Howard’s recruitment.
Howard’s unique situation became legendary, turning him into the object of envy for all male students.
Yet, those students who had leveled up under Howard’s guidance bore no jealousy.
They recognized that Howard’s demonstrated abilities were even more formidable and terrifying than Abby’s. As for awakened talent rankings?
They paled in significance when placed beside raw power.
Time ambled on.
An hour later, the restless duo, Howard and Abby, finally heard the voice of Rick Suleiman.
All the students who had passed the tests were gleaming with joy, having successfully joined their chosen academies and mingling with their mentors.
The rejected candidates, on the other hand, left dejectedly, their heads hanging low.
In a world where the strong were revered, failing to enter an Advanced Academy meant drifting away from the path of power.
Unless they could forge their own destiny, they would forever remain mere commoners.
For those proud souls, such a fate was unbearable.
The next step involved the students signing contracts with their respective academies.
Once the pact was sealed, they couldn’t leave or betray their academy until graduation.
As the contracts were finalized, streaks of golden light illuminated the square, bathing it in grandeur.
With all formalities concluded, Rick Suleiman slowly rose, his gaze fixated on Headmaster Jay.
The intensity of his stare made Headmaster Jay shudder.
Even after years of peace, the psychological strain of being watched by a powerful adversary was immense.
The other headmasters surrounding Jay were quick to comment. “Headmaster Jay, congratulations are in order this time!”
“Indeed! Having Abby emerge from your academy will surely earn you numerous rewards.”
“Heh heh, remember to give us a leg up when you climb the ranks!”
Upon hearing the words of the other headmasters, Jay forced a smile, but his heartbeat quickened.
He prayed silently, “Rick doesn’t know about those past events. He’s here just for the academy recruitment. Yes, I was fine a few days ago. He surely doesn’t know.”
“Headmaster Jay,” began Rick Suleiman, “Thank you for discovering a student with an S-level awakened talent for the Alliance. In gratitude for your contributions, the Alliance has decided to reward you with 100 gold coins and the title of ‘Saint City Advanced Educator’.”
Rather than immediately confronting Headmaster Jay, Rick offered him hope first.
As expected, at Rick Suleiman’s words, a look of elation crossed Headmaster Jay’s face.
As applause from other headmasters and mentors rang out, he proceeded to the stage to receive his reward.
True to his word, Rick Suleiman pulled a stack of gold coins and a golden certificate from his Storage Bag.
This act dispelled any lingering doubts in Jay’s mind. Grinning, he approached Rick and said, “Thank you, Inspector General. I’m grateful for the Alliance’s trust in me. I promise to continue discovering more talents and contribute to our Alliance.”
Having received the reward, Headmaster Jay was overjoyed, nearly bursting into laughter.
However, as he turned to leave, Rick Suleiman’s gaze turned icy.
With a swift move, Rick struck Jay, sending him to the ground, convulsing.
“What the hell?!”
“What’s going on?”
The scene shocked everyone present.
Only Howard looked on with a sly smirk, eyeing Headmaster Jay with amusement.
Hanno Bass and Hacks Roger, taken aback, quickly asked, “Inspector General, what is the meaning of this?”
Headmaster Jay, with wide eyes, stared intently at Rick, sheer terror evident in his eyes. His hands trembled as he struggled to get up.
A single thought consumed him: It’s over. He must’ve discovered the events from years ago!
Rick Suleiman scanned the crowd, noting the collective astonishment.
With a mere thought, he presented the evidence, stating coldly, “Fifteen years ago, Headmaster Jay assaulted and murdered a young girl. To hide his crime, he massacred her entire family. Now, with irrefutable evidence at hand, how should he be dealt with?”
“What?!”
“He slaughtered an entire family?”
Upon hearing Rick’s revelation, murmurs of disbelief filled the air.
Everyone found it hard to fathom that Headmaster Jay, who appeared so benign, could commit such heinous crimes.
But with Rick Suleiman, the Inspector General, presenting evidence, there was no room for doubt about the veracity of the claims.
Hanno Bass couldn’t help but murmur, “According to the Alliance regulations, those who kill fewer than three people should be handed over to the judgment hall. Those who kill three or more can be executed on the spot.”
Whispers filled the crowd, but no one dared to obstruct Rick Suleiman.
They had no particular affinity with Headmaster Jay, and it wasn’t worth it to confront a strong being for his sake.
“Execute on the spot?” Rick Suleiman, a smile on his face, slowly approached Headmaster Jay.
His footsteps sounded like thunder, continually striking Headmaster Jay’s heart.
In this moment, Jay finally reacted, desperately shouting, “Save me, everyone save me! He… he is lying! How could I possibly be a murderer?!”
Despite his screams, as Jay attempted to struggle to his feet, Rick Suleiman waved his right hand.
The fierce palm wind, sharp as a blade, violently swept across Jay’s wrist.
“Ah!”
A harsh scream followed. Headmaster Jay’s wrist was neatly severed.
Without the support of his wrist, he collapsed once again onto the stage.
The bloody scene made everyone involuntarily avert their eyes.
Only Howard wore a smile.
This old scoundrel Jay, who dared to plot against him, deserved to be beaten to death!
Sadly, Howard couldn’t personally act.
He could only hope that Rick Suleiman wouldn’t let Headmaster Jay die too easily.
Actually, without Howard’s reminder, Rick Suleiman would not have let Headmaster Jay go.
The ingrained hatred that had lasted for over a decade fueled his actions.
In front of everyone, Rick gruesomely tortured Headmaster Jay.
The chilling screams echoed continuously, yet not a single person dared to step forward or even speak.
Now, Rick Suleiman radiated an astonishing murderous intent, leaving others fearful of being implicated.
Especially the lackeys of Headmaster Jay, who, consumed by fear, retreated, hoping to blend into the crowd and escape Rick Suleiman’s notice.
Not until Headmaster Jay’s breath utterly ceased did Rick Suleiman stop.
Taking a deep breath, he turned to Hanno Bass and said softly, “Hanno Bass, as the Mayor of Saint City, allowing a significant evil to roam free for so many years, you should be punished. However, considering your diligence in contributing to Saint City’s respectable development, I will spare you this time.” 𝑖.𝑐ℴ𝑚
“Hacks Roger, you are temporarily unsuitable for the position of Chief Educator. After I report back to the councillors in Jano Province, your appointment or dismissal will be decided.”
As Rick Suleiman’s words fell, Hanno Bass wiped the sweat from his forehead, while Hacks Roger turned deathly pale.
Everything had come to an end, but the crowd remained in a daze for a long time.
It must be said, the impact of today’s enrollment ceremony on them was profound!
First, there was Howard, who had awakened an F-level talent, continually being courted by top academies and even chosen by a formidable figure to become his disciple.
Even Abby and those who had awakened a B-level talent paled in comparison to Howard’s presence, not even amounting to one percent of his significance.
Then there was the exposure of Headmaster Jay’s wicked deeds, his execution on the spot, the gruesome scene of his torture – it completely shocked them.
By the end, everyone had become utterly numb. Only when Rick Suleiman departed did the discussions resume, and they gradually left Soulspark Academy.
Howard and Abby, alongside other admitted students, followed Daniel and left.
“Howard, why do you seem so happy?” Abby, noticing Howard’s joy on the way, voiced her confusion.
Howard ruffled her hair, smiling, “We’ve been accepted by the same academy. It’s natural to be elated during happy occasions.”
At this response, Abby’s cheeks turned a shade rosier, a touch of shyness in her heart. This scene did not go unnoticed by Caitlin, who felt a hint of discomfort.
With a glint in her eye, Caitlin strutted over with her proud posture, sidling up to Howard and playfully said, “Darling, why didn’t you tell me last time that little sister Abby was your classmate?”
In an instant, everyone from Holy Abyss Academy seemed as if they had been petrified, frozen in place!
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