Chapter 135: Chapter135-Isabella
John was genuinely perplexed this time.
He complained, "Damn, the quality of these Crystal Balls is too low. How come they explode with just a bit of force?"
The student in charge of registration was equally baffled, unsure of what was happening.
John, now frustrated, grabbed two more Crystal Balls to test again.
But the result was invariably the same.
As soon as his power was channeled into them, the Crystal Balls would instantly shatter into pieces.
Everyone present was dumbfounded.
"What kind of person is this, touching a Crystal Ball and making it explode?" Even Albertus was shocked.
This was the first time he realized John had the peculiar ability to make Crystal Balls explode on contact.
John was also deeply exasperated.
If he couldn't complete the test, how was he supposed to participate in Star Cluster Academy's assessment?
Seeing John's determined, yet disgruntled face, wanting to test again, a student from Star Cluster Academy quickly stepped forward to stop him.
With a gloomy expression, he pleaded, "Bro, please, no more testing. If you keep going, we'll run out of Crystal Balls."
John immediately became displeased.
Angrily, he said, "How can I enter the assessment without completing the test? I came all the way from Stellarburg to participate. You can't just let me go back empty-handed."
The student in charge of testing John pleaded with a sorrowful face, "You've passed, I declare you've passed the preliminary test. Please, just go ahead and join the assessment."
Saying so, he hurriedly pulled out an identity card emblazoned with the Star Cluster Academy's emblem from his storage ring and clumsily stuffed it into John's hands, as if afraid John would refuse it.
John was somewhat bemused by the situation.
Everyone else was stunned.
Could it really be that easy?
John looked at the card in his hand and sighed.
Although the process was somewhat convoluted, he could finally participate in the assessment.
Albertus, with an admiring look, gave him a thumbs-up.
He remarked, "I've seen people crack the test crystal before, but someone making it explode with just a touch, that's a first for me."
John was speechless.
He didn't understand why it happened either.
During his awakening, he hadn't noticed any issue like this.
Shaking his head, unable to figure it out, John decided not to dwell on it.
Just as he was about to say goodbye to Albertus and head to the assessment location at Star Cluster Academy, a commotion caught his attention.
Simultaneously, a blinding red light shot into the sky!
The sky turned red, and a wave of heat swept over.
The temperature across the plaza seemed to soar in an instant.
John paused and turned to look.
Near him, at another registration desk, stood a beautiful girl in a red dress, her hand placed on a Crystal Ball.
The blinding light was emanating from the Crystal Ball.
The desk in front of her had been scorched black by the high temperature.
In just the blink of an eye, the desk turned to ashes.
With a gust of wind, the ashes vanished without a trace.
The student responsible for testing was visibly shocked.
He exclaimed, "Is this... S-level?!"
"Bang!"
The Crystal Ball fell to the ground, the red light disappeared, as if nothing had happened.
But the hot temperature lingering in the air and the cracks on the Crystal Ball proved to everyone that everything they had just witnessed was real.
Unperturbed by the crowd's gaze, the girl saw the tester standing frozen and, frowning, coldly asked, "What are you staring at? Did I pass or not?"
The student responsible for testing snapped back to reality and hurriedly announced, "Isabella, preliminary evaluation: S-level aptitude, test passed, proceed to the next phase of the assessment!"
His words set the whole place abuzz.
Someone exclaimed in shock, "My god, an S-level aptitude!"
Another remarked, "This seems to be the second S-level newcomer today."
And another lamented with a bitter smile, "The competition at Star Cluster Academy this year is terrifying. In the past, having one S-level assessment per year was already impressive, but this year, we've had two just this morning."
The crowd was buzzing with discussions.
Feeling the aura emanating from the girl, John's eyes instinctively narrowed.
He hadn't expected to encounter someone with S-level aptitude so soon.
Truly, Star Cluster Academy lived up to its reputation as a gathering place for geniuses.
Albertus, who had also witnessed the scene, couldn't help but express his surprise upon seeing the girl's appearance.
"Why is she here?" he wondered aloud.
John, curious, asked, "You know her?"
Albertus nodded, explaining, "Yes, she's the second daughter of House Medici, Isabella. House Medici is well-known in the Imperial Capital. They possess a strong fire-based inheritance class. However, their family members usually attend the War Academy. What is Isabella doing at Star Cluster Academy?"
John naturally didn't know why.
He offhandedly said, "Maybe she wanted to experience life a bit differently."
Just as John spoke, the girl Isabella, despite the distance, suddenly turned her icy gaze towards them.
Her fiery red eyes seemed to burn with intense flames.
Locking eyes with her, John suddenly felt a burning sensation in his eyes.
Frowning, his magic surged throughout his body.
In just an instant, this sensation was dispelled by John's magic.
Observing Isabella, a cold light flickered in John's eyes.
If it had been an ordinary awakener, just that brief encounter would likely have resulted in eye injuries due to Isabella's power.
Merely mentioning her, this woman dared to harshly retaliate in full public view.
Her arrogance and domineering nature were evident.
Noticing John remained unaffected by her power, Isabella let out a light exclamation of surprise.
A hint of astonishment appeared in her eyes as she said, "I didn't expect you to have some skill. What's your name?"
John frowned, offering no response.
He greatly disliked her condescending attitude.
Albertus whispered, "The Medici family, influenced by their inheritance class, tends to have a bit of a volatile and overbearing personality. You don't need to stoop to her level."
John was noncommittal.
If she didn't provoke him, he naturally wouldn't bother seeking trouble.
But if this woman failed to recognize her limits, John wouldn't mind teaching her a profound lesson.
Seeing John unwilling to speak, Isabella turned her attention to Albertus.
She raised an eyebrow, "Albertus, is this person your friend?"
Albertus sighed, "Isabella, do me a favor and let it go. John didn't really say anything, let's just drop it."
"John? Sounds familiar." Isabella didn't respond to Albertus directly but scrutinized John from top to bottom.
Then, as if realizing something, she said, "I've heard about you. You're the one who, through sheer luck, claimed Rean's head."
Pausing, her tone dripping with disdain, "I heard some people call you the Federation's top genius?"
With that, a trace of mockery appeared in Isabella's eyes.
Feeling the hostility from the other side, John couldn't help but frown.
Indeed, those reports had brought him trouble.
However, since the challenge was thrown down, he saw no reason to back down.
He calmly said, "Although the words of the media cannot be taken seriously, if you wish to test me, I don't mind giving you a chance to witness my capabilities."
Hearing John's words, the flames in Isabella's eyes seemed to burn even more fiercely, causing the air around her to distort.
Some people close to her felt the intense heat.
Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two, Albertus couldn't help but curse under his breath, "Crazy woman, I'm trying to help you, and you don't even appreciate it."
Albertus knew John's strength well and was aware that Isabella had no chance against John.
Even with John currently injured, she wasn't someone who could provoke him, a canary raised in a gilded cage.
Of course, Isabella was unaware of Albertus's thoughts.
She coldly stared at John, seeing that he did not flinch from her gaze.
Isabella frowned slightly, recognizing that he was no simple individual.
Yet, she did not back down, her eyes filled with a strong desire to fight.
Isabella chuckled, "You're not bad, but whether you deserve that title, I will personally find out during the assessment."
John remained composed, replying indifferently, "I'll be ready whenever you are."
Isabella gave him a deep look, then turned and walked towards Star Cluster Academy without looking back.
The onlookers outside naturally witnessed the confrontation between the two.
One person exclaimed in astonishment, "This guy must be insane, daring to face off against an S-level talent."
Another voiced confusion, "Does he not realize how he got his assessment spot? If he hadn't used tactics to destroy the testing Crystal Ball, he probably wouldn't even have a chance to be assessed. And now, he's actually challenging an S-level genius?"
Someone sneered, "Truly a fool courting death. When he faces the terror of an S-level aptitude in the assessment, I hope he doesn't end up regretting it to the point of tears."
Everyone doubted John's chances.
After all, the power of an S-level aptitude was well recognized.
And John, aside from a battle record whose authenticity was questioned and a test that wasn't passed conventionally, naturally faced disdain.
John was indifferent to this, already accustomed to skepticism.
Albertus sighed, understanding that a clash between the two was inevitable.
He was about to caution John to keep a measure and not to make an enemy out of House Medici.
However, John waved his hand dismissively.
He calmly said, "Don't worry, it's just a little girl. I won't be harsh on her."
Hearing this, Albertus breathed a sigh of relief.
He had been genuinely concerned that John, in a moment of anger, might actually kill Isabella during the assessment.