Chapter 88: The Geniuses

**Chapter 88: The Geniuses**

Based on publicly available information, Kaelern was considered a support specialist.

He excelled in runology and array formations, controlling multiple elemental systems, capable of rapidly constructing complex elemental arrays to unleash devastating, wide-ranging sorcery.

He harbored a deep academic curiosity for all unknown forces and phenomena.

His only flaw: his curiosity was perhaps excessive.

Even now, Kaelern’s gaze roamed among the apprentices.

Beneath his refined exterior burned an irrepressible fervor, as if searching for “specimens” worthy of study.

Following him was Anya Starfall from Noren Academy 3.

Petite, with long silver hair and clear blue eyes, she carried an innocent yet powerful charm.

Surrounding her were several shimmering spiritual entities and elemental sprites, dancing joyfully, bringing a lively air to the solemn plaza.

Anya excelled at summoning and controlling spirits and magical beasts, with an extraordinary sensitivity to life and souls.

“Kaelern’s elemental arrays, if fully deployed, could shift the tide of a small-scale war.”

“As for Anya’s spirit summoning… its core is her control over life and souls. That charm hides immense manipulative power. She’s likely the most gifted among them all.”

Jie Ming couldn’t help but marvel. Among these super-geniuses, Anya’s aptitude stood out as the greatest.

Only high-level alchemists could achieve mastery over flesh and souls, yet she accomplished similar feats through raw talent.

Even with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, Jie Ming’s alchemy hadn’t yet reached the level of manipulating organic matter.

Anya’s gaze inadvertently swept over Jie Ming, her clear eyes pausing at the subtle yet potent “vitality” he exuded.

A spark of curiosity flickered in her eyes.

Jie Ming grimaced, sensing her desire to “dissect” him for study.

“None of them are easy to deal with…”

Fortunately, another figure soon diverted Anya’s attention—Rex Magnus from Noren Academy 4.

His entire body was encased in heavy, energy-radiating alchemical power armor, revealing only his eyes.

His voice, filtered through the helmet, carried a metallic, precise, and cold quality.

Jie Ming smacked his lips at the sight of Rex’s sleek armor.

“Rex, nothing special in the reports…”

According to intelligence, he was a pure mechanical alchemist, capable of crafting heavily armed puppets and siege weapons with complex defensive systems.

To Jie Ming, such a figure warranted close attention—he sensed a kindred spirit.

“These high-aptitude, research-obsessed types are the most troublesome!”

The other tenth-level super-geniuses arrived one by one, each causing a stir among the crowd.

Jie Ming stood in the crowd, taking it all in.

Perhaps because he had reached Foundation Establishment, he felt no pressure, instead observing these geniuses with appreciation.

The other super-geniuses each shone in their own way.

Jie Ming admired their displays of the wizardly path. Even without direct interaction, merely observing their power fluctuations deepened his understanding of his own path.

Jie Ming felt no psychological burden, able to view these super-geniuses as an outsider with appreciation.

But Amy, standing beside him, was less composed.

She gazed at the dazzling geniuses with complex emotions, muttering, “Tch, look at them, all high and mighty, like even their breathing carries more power. Especially that David—practically a walking boulder. Anyone teamed with him would worry about getting accidentally crushed.”

She glanced at Anya’s sprites, her envy unconcealed. “Anya’s spirits are so cute. All I can summon are fireballs. That’s real skill!”

Faced with these prodigies born to surpass most people’s lifetime achievements, even the sociable Amy couldn’t help but feel unbalanced.

Victor, standing beside her, was quieter.

Unlike Amy, he didn’t vent freely, instead staring at the geniuses with a trace of dimness in his eyes.

He knew his aptitude was considered exceptional at Noren Academy 13.

But in the top ten academies, thousands with his level of talent were recruited yearly.

Born into a noble wizard family, Victor carried an air of superiority over Amy’s newly risen wizard nobility and most others in the Academy.

Yet, his background made him acutely aware of what tenth-level aptitude meant.

These prodigies were born at the pinnacle, with privileges like Jie Ming’s second-level training agreement granted to them by birth.

Victor fell into silent contemplation, knowing his participation in this test was already fortunate. Compared to these apex figures, he felt insignificant.

The vast gap made him keenly aware of his limitations.

He clenched his fists, his heart torn between loss and a craving for power.

Even though the geniuses’ attention wasn’t on him, he felt an oppressive weight.

It was like…

Like…

Victor’s gaze shifted to Jie Ming.

Like facing this monster!

“Hm?” Sensing Victor’s look, Jie Ming tilted his head in confusion.

“Jie Ming,” Victor said, staring at him with a sudden chuckle.

“We’re counting on you! You’re the ace of our alchemy department!”

“Your tone sounds off,” Jie Ming said with a tsk.

Amid the apprentices’ varied emotions, a seventh-level wizard magistrate, clad in an ornate robe and flanked by mentors, stepped onto the central platform.

“Silence!”

His voice, amplified by sorcery, boomed with authority, instantly drowning out all whispers and reverberating across the plaza.