The audience erupted with excitement as they watched Aster single-handedly wipe out two entire teams.
"What the hell?! He just defeated two whole teams by himself?!"
"He doesn’t carry the team... HE IS THE TEAM!"
"This tournament has turned into an Aster showcase!"
"At this point, they should just hand him the trophy already!"
The principals of both defeated colleges stared at the arena in disbelief. "How did we lose even after working together?!" the principal of Pine Hill Martial Art College exclaimed before facepalming.
"This Aster... How can he be this strong?" The principal of Saint Helena, clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white "We should have avoided him. Now I’m afraid we won’t even secure second place."
He glanced at General Cassius. "Damn that Military Martial Art College... What kind of monster did they recruit this year?"
The eliminated students were escorted away by instructors while the healers treated their injuries. "Krrrk... Aster..." Veyl gritted his teeth as healing magic covered his body. "This was supposed to be my grand debut... but you ruined everything. I’ll make you pay for this."
After eliminating both teams, Aster and his teammates continued hunting monsters until the time limit expired. Soon, every student exited the hunting grounds.
The referee stepped onto the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The College Ranking Tournament has officially come to an end, and the final results are ready!"
"The fifth place goes to Pine Hill Martial Art College with 2 Ranking Points!"
"The fourth place goes to Lincoln Martial Art College with 9 Ranking Points!"
"The third place goes to Saint Helena Martial Art College with 10 Ranking Points!"
"The second place goes to Broad River Martial Art College with 13 Ranking Points!"
He paused dramatically before shouting,
"And the champion of this year’s College Ranking Tournament..."
"Military Martial Art College with a total of 40 points!!"
"YEAHHHH!!" The entire stadium exploded into cheers. General Cassius laughed proudly. Captain Lyra smiled gently. Adrian, Alas, and Yor celebrated excitedly.
Meanwhile...
Aster wasn’t paying attention at all. His eyes were fixed on the floating System Window.
System
Class: Lazy Sovereign
Level: 18
Attack: 138
Mana: 105
Intelligence: 48
Speed: 95
Vitality: 95
Stat Points: 20
Talents
Infinite Weapon Manifestor (SSS+)
Sloth’s Authority (SSS+)
Lazy Inspection (SSS+)
Sloth’s Inventory (SSS+)
Slumber Domain (SSS+)
Skills
Slash Lv.40: Manifest 5 slashes per second while holding a sword. Range: 115m
Strike Lv.25: Manifest 5 strikes per second while holding a staff. Range: 40m
Parry Lv.25: Manifest 5 parries per second while holding a greatsword. Range: 40m
Bind Lv.25: Manifest 5 binds per second while holding a chain. Range: 40m
Grapple Lv.25: Manifest 5 grapples per second while holding a grappling gun. Range: 40m
Solar Slash Lv.25: Manifest 5 Solar Slashes per second while holding the Sunbreaker. Range: 40m
"Solar Slash is already incredibly powerful. Now that I can cast it much faster, my mana has become my biggest weakness. Let’s put every stat point into Mana."
System
Mana: 125
After the ceremony, Aster headed back toward his room. "Finally... I can go back to the Military college and sleep in my own bed." However, as he approached his door, he noticed two men in black suits standing in front of it.
System: Lazy Inspection
Level 52
Level 53
Aster walked over. "Excuse me... you’re standing in front of my room."
Before either guard could answer, a woman’s voice came from inside.
"Let him in."
Aster froze.
"Someone’s inside my room?"
The two bodyguards stepped aside and opened the door. Inside, a beautiful young woman with long black hair sat comfortably on his bed as if she owned the place.
"Come in, Mr. Aster Vale," she said with a charming smile. Aster glanced at the guards before hesitantly stepping inside. "May I know who you are... and why you’re in my room?" The woman smiled. "My name is Quinn Ashbourne, Guild Master of the Hollow Moon Guild."
Aster’s mind clicked instantly "Ashbourne?" Aster’s eyes widened. "Is she related to Captain Lyra Ashbourne?"
The woman continued, "As for why I’m here..." She crossed one leg over the other. "First of all, I apologize for entering your room without permission. Unfortunately, my little sister has been preventing everyone from meeting you. Hiding in your room was the only way I could think of."
"Little sister... So she really is Captain Lyra’s sister." So, Aster asked, "why did you want to meet me?"
Quinn smiled. "Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to invite you to join my guild."
Aster blinked "Join a guild? But I’m a Military Martial Art College student. How could I possibly join one?" Quinn laughed softly. "You’re even more naïve than I heard."
She explained "Being a student of the Military College doesn’t make you a military officer. After graduation you can choose to join the military... or a guild... or even create your own guild."
Aster looked surprised. "I can really do that?"
"Of course." She slowly stood up. "And compared to every other top guild... We can offer you the best salary, the best resources, the highest status..." She took another step closer. "The most beautiful women..." Another step. "...and..." She slipped a finger beneath his chin, gently lifting his head until their faces were only inches apart "...even me."
Aster’s face instantly turned bright red. "So..." She smiled seductively "Will you join my guild?"
Aster’s mind went completely blank. Before he could answer,
BOOM!!
The two bodyguards standing outside suddenly flew through the doorway and crashed beside Quinn. She blinked. "...Huh? Did something just fly past me?"
She turned around and saw both bodyguards unconscious on the floor. The instant she turned back
BAM!!
Captain Lyra clasped both hands together and smashed them onto the back of Quinn’s neck, driving her face first into the floor.
"WAIT! IT’S ME! IT’S ME!!"
Quinn cried out. Captain Lyra looked down. "...Sister?" She immediately released her. Quinn stood up while rubbing the back of her neck. Captain Lyra asked "What were you doing in here?"
Quinn replied "This is all your fault." She pouted "You’ve been guarding this boy so carefully that sneaking into his room was the only way I could meet him."
Lyra said "What exactly are you trying to do?" Lyra crossed her arms. "Aster is a first year Military College student. You aren’t allowed to recruit him yet. So leave."
"Hmph!" Quinn puffed out her cheeks. "Fine! Fine! I’m leaving." As she walked past Aster, she leaned toward his ear and whispered, "I’ll be waiting for your answer."
A shiver ran down Aster’s spine.
After Quinn left, Captain Lyra turned toward him.
"Pack everything."
"We’re returning to Military Martial Art College immediately."
"Yes, Captain!"