Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons - Chapter 176

Chapter 176: S-Class (2)
The other students soon finished their exam.

Sarah, as expected, earned A-Class again. But this time, it was clear she wasn’t happy about it. Her jaw clenched as she stepped back, her fingers curling into fists.

Arthur had been paying attention. Her skill combined multiple elemental attacks—fire, water, wind, and earth. But despite the versatility, she lacked overwhelming destructive force.

‘She’s a multi-elementalist,’ Arthur mused. ‘Her talent is probably Elemental Mastery.’

‘As expected of an A-Grade talent.’

Then came Ash.

Arthur had already expected him to get S-Class. But even then, his attack was… interesting.

Ash didn’t just use fire. His ability focused on explosions.

The moment he unleashed his skill, a flaming detonation engulfed the training dummy. Unlike Sarah’s attack, which was controlled and layered, Ash’s approach was pure annihilation.

BOOM!

A shockwave rippled through the air as the flames receded. The training dummy was still intact—but it bore deep cracks all across its surface, glowing faintly with residual heat.

Ding! S-Class Attack Power.

The instructor nodded in approval.

Ash didn’t even react. He simply turned and walked back, as if his result had been a foregone conclusion.

Arthur studied him carefully.

‘That wasn’t a normal explosion,’ he thought. ‘There was something else mixed in. Some kind of force amplification?’

Whatever it was, Ash had absolute confidence in himself.

Arthur smirked.

‘Interesting.’

And then—

“Next. Azarel.”

The instructor had begun calling the top three students by name. It was clear to the student’s present that he had acknowledged the three of them.

Arthur stepped forward.

“I need a sword,” he said simply.

The instructor didn’t hesitate. He reached into his inventory and pulled out a plain sword. No enchantments. No boosts. Just a simple weapon to serve as a medium.

“Here.”

Arthur took the sword, testing its balance.

‘It should do.’

The instructor studied him with curiosity.

“Whenever you’re ready,” he said.

Arthur exhaled.

‘Three seconds. That’s all I get.’

He had already decided on his skill—Blazing Arc.

He was sure that he could easily get S-Class attack power. He had very high attribute stats all across, and had many items that boosted them.

His mana surged.

Arthur struck.

Blazing Arc.

Flames ignited along the blade, roaring to life in an instant. The temperature spiked, waves of heat rippling outward.

His sword slashed in a single, devastating arc.

BOOM.

The attack hit.

The flames didn’t just scorch—they erupted.

A violent explosion of fire and force consumed the dummy, a shockwave blasting outward from the impact. The very ground beneath them trembled as embers scattered through the air.

And when the dust settled—

The training dummy was damaged, albeit, it was once again, slightly weaker than Ash’s attack.

Ding! S-Class Attack Power.

Silence.

A complete, stunned silence.

Even Ash’s expression shifted slightly. He hadn’t expected such firepower to come from Arthur. He could also tell that Arthur had used a rare skill.

Sarah’s eyes flickered toward Arthur, her long eyelashes fluttering softly, as she studied him with intensity.

The instructor let out a slow breath.

Then he smirked.

“Well, Azarel,” he said, voice laced with amusement. “I think the academy just found its dark horse.”

Arthur simply gave back the sword.

He said nothing.

…

The instructor handed each of them a black ID card inlaid with shimmering golden inscriptions. The surface pulsed faintly, almost as if the card itself was alive.

“This card is your official student identification,” he explained. “With it, you’ll have access to the academy’s dormitories, training grounds, and various facilities.”

Arthur examined the card, turning it between his fingers. It was lightweight but dense.

The instructor continued.

“The academy year begins in one week. You can move into your dorms at any time before then.” He paused, making sure they were listening. “This card also serves as a personal information hub. If you have a question, just think about it, and the answer will be displayed.”

A small murmur rippled through the group.

“However,” the instructor added, his tone firm, “if your question is too specific or beyond the card’s programmed knowledge, you’ll have to come to the academy yourself for clarification.”

Arthur nodded, committing the information to memory. The technology—or magic—behind this was impressive. The academy really was on another level.

The instructor swept his gaze across them one last time.

“That concludes this group’s examination. You are now officially students of the Academy of Mera. You may enter the academy or leave the premises. The choice is yours.”

With that, he turned and flew back to the podium, his robes billowing behind him.

A moment of silence followed.

Then—movement.

Ash was the first to turn away. He didn’t say a word, just pivoted on his heel and walked off. But before he disappeared into the crowd, he cast one final glance at Arthur.

It wasn’t hostile.

It wasn’t friendly either.

Arthur met his gaze, holding it for a second before Ash vanished into the busy streets outside the academy.

Sarah was next. But unlike Ash, she didn’t leave.

Instead, she headed further inside the academy grounds. A few of the other successful applicants followed her inside, their excitement barely contained.

Arthur, however, had no interest in staying—not yet.

He turned in the opposite direction, leaving the academy just as Ash had.

As Arthur stepped through the grand gates of the academy, Arthur’s eyes landed on someone.

Lucas Ashencroft.

The Ashencroft stood near the entrance, still testing new applicants, his posture relaxed yet authoritative. His sharp eyes, however, held a flicker of something else when they landed on Arthur.

Approval.

Lucas’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile, so subtle that no one else noticed.

Arthur didn’t react, merely giving him the slightest of nods before continuing on his way.

Lucas watched him go, his thoughts churning beneath the surface.

‘I knew it.’

The other instructor had already informed him. Azarel—no, Arthur—had passed. Not just passed, but dominated.

S-Class material.

Lucas had suspected it from the moment he saw the broken crystal. He didn’t suspect that Arthur had a talent with high grade than A, but he was sure that he wasn’t a normal student with A-Grade talent. And he was right.

‘He isn’t simple.’

And that was exactly what Lucas wanted.

Someone useful. Someone who could help him.

But for now, that was a matter for the future.

Lucas’s attention shifted back to the nervous teen standing before him.

His expression reset—calm, unreadable.

He flicked his gaze toward the glowing crystal beneath the applicant’s trembling hand.

A weak glow.

Ding!

D-Rank Talent.

Lucas didn’t even blink.

“Failed.” His voice was as flat as steel.

The student’s face fell instantly, his shoulders slumping.

Lucas didn’t care.

He turned away, already gesturing for the next one.

“Next.”