SSS-Rank Talent: Super Upgrade System-Chapter 138: The Final Verdict!

The silence in the plaza was absolute. Principal Alistair Finch stood on the dais, his unassuming presence radiating a quiet authority that dwarfed the combined might of his four bickering Vice-Principals.

They stood before him like chastened students, their earlier passionate arguments forgotten, their gazes now fixed on their leader, awaiting his final verdict.

The Principal’s ancient, wise eyes slowly swept over the assembled aspirants, a faint, almost sad smile touching his lips as he took in their anxious, hopeful faces.

Then, his gaze settled on Daniel, and the smile became one of genuine warmth and profound interest.

"Aspirant Vance," the Principal began, his voice calm yet resonating with a power that seemed to vibrate in the very air.

"You have, in the short time since you have arrived at our academy, caused a considerable amount of... excitement.

You have shattered records that have stood for decades. You have displayed a level of power and potential that is, frankly, beyond the scope of our established metrics.

And you have given my Origin Power Core a rather severe case of existential anxiety."

A few nervous chuckles rippled through the crowd, breaking the intense silence.

"I have reviewed your records," the Principal continued, his gaze piercing, yet not unkind.

"Not just the logs of your kills and achievements, but the nuances of your actions.

You are powerful, yes. Devastatingly so. But you are not arrogant.

You are ruthless when necessary, yet you have also shown restraint, even compassion.

You have nurtured your teammates, shared your spoils, and faced down overwhelming odds not just with brute force, but with cunning and a clear, analytical mind.

You possess a maturity and a quiet humility that is exceptionally rare in one so gifted."

He paused, letting his words sink in, not just for Daniel, but for all the aspirants present.

"Such a talent," he said, his voice dropping slightly, "such a unique combination of power, intellect, and character, cannot be confined to a single path.

To do so would be to limit your potential, to try and fit a rising star into a small, predefined box.

And that," he declared, his voice firm, "is not the way of Astralis Academy."

The four Vice-Principals looked at each other, a dawning understanding on their faces.

"Therefore," Principal Finch announced, a decisive finality in his tone, "I have made my decision.

Aspirant Vance, I will be taking you as my personal disciple. I will oversee your training directly."

A collective gasp swept through the plaza.

Personal discipleship under the legendary Principal Finch? It was an honor so rare, so unprecedented, that it was considered a myth.

It was the highest possible recognition the Academy could bestow.

Travis Standen, the fierce head of the Combat Techniques School, opened his mouth to protest, a look of profound disappointment on his scarred face.

Aslaug Winnick’s serene expression faltered. Robb Naharis looked almost crestfallen, and even the usually cheerful Yara Fairley seemed saddened.

But the Principal raised a single, frail hand, silencing them before a word could be spoken.

"Do not misunderstand," he said, a twinkle in his ancient eyes. "I am not taking him from you. I am... sharing him."

He turned his full attention back to Daniel.

"Your training will be unique, Aspirant Vance. It will be an all-rounder-focused curriculum, designed to nurture every facet of your prodigious talent.

You will not belong to a single school. You will belong to all of them."

The murmurs in the crowd now turned to sounds of utter bewilderment.

"Your weekly schedule," the Principal elaborated, a plan clearly already formed in his brilliant mind, "will be as follows.

One day, you will spend in the Combat Techniques School, honing your S-Grade martial arts under the... enthusiastic... tutelage of Vice-Principal Standen.

The next day, you will be in the Weapons and Armaments School, exploring the secrets of the forge with Vice-Principal Naharis.

The following day, you will attend the Command School, sharpening your strategic mind with Vice-Principal Winnick.

And on the fourth day, you will learn the arts of support and resource management with Vice-Principal Fairley at the Logistics School."

He paused, letting the unprecedented arrangement sink in. "That accounts for four days of your week.

The remaining three days," he said, a genuine, excited smile gracing his lips for the first time, "you will spend with me. In my private workshop.

We will delve into the deeper mysteries of the Verge, the nature of Origin Power, and the true, unspoken potential of your unique SSS-Rank talent. We will conduct... special training."

The Vice-Principals stared, their earlier disappointment replaced by a swelling excitement.

They wouldn’t get him exclusively, but they would all get a piece of him, a chance to mold and learn from this once-in-a-generation genius.

It was a perfect compromise, a solution so elegant and audacious only Principal Finch could have conceived it.

"This arrangement... is acceptable," Travis Standen grunted, a grin returning to his face.

"Indeed. Most satisfactory," Aslaug Winnick agreed with a nod.

Robb Naharis simply gave a curt, almost eager, nod of his own.

Yara Fairley clapped her hands softly, her emerald eyes sparkling with delight. "Oh, this will be wonderful!

I’ll have the best snacks ready for your day, Daniel!"

The entire plaza now looked at Daniel, not just with awe, but with a profound, almost overwhelming envy.

He had been given the keys to the entire kingdom, access to the knowledge and mentorship of all four of the Academy’s greatest masters, and the personal guidance of the legend himself.

Daniel, for his part, was genuinely pleased.

This was perfect. It allowed him to explore every avenue of power, to learn combat, crafting, strategy, and support, all while continuing his own, private path of [Soul Assimilation].

It was the ultimate opportunity for growth.

He stepped forward and bowed his head respectfully to the Principal.

"I am honored, Principal Finch. I gratefully accept your arrangement."

The Principal smiled, a deep, knowing look in his ancient eyes.

"Excellent. Then let the real training begin.

Welcome, truly, to Astralis Academy, young Vance. I have a feeling you are going to make things very, very interesting around here."

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