Chapter 121: Chapter121-Imperial Capital
Chapter 121: Chapter121-Imperial Capital
Vincent Morgan, a cataclysmic-level awakener, possesses the hidden class "Spellancer" and an A-level talent "Demonization."
At merely thirty-two years old, he has already become one of the Federal advanced Judicators.
Vincent's strength and talents are formidable, making him a renowned powerhouse among the Judicators, with a promising future ahead.
Robert cursed his luck inwardly, not expecting to encounter such a formidable figure at this critical moment.
"Demonlance" and "Celestiblade" are equally esteemed powerhouses, both hailing from Star Cluster Academy and even sharing a past acquaintance.
Among their generation of awakeners, both stand out as exceptional talents, far beyond what he could afford to provoke.
Despite his unwillingness, with Vincent present, Robert dared not act rashly.
He forced himself to calm his emotions and bowed in apology to Vincent, "It turns out to be Lord Vincent Morgan. I apologize for any offense caused just now and hope you won't take it to heart."
Vincent merely responded indifferently, "Leave."
A flash of anger crossed Robert's eyes as he clenched his fists.
Vincent's disregard for him was infuriating.
Yet, Robert dared not lash out.
Both the Judicators and Hidden Stars are special organizations, each possessing unique law enforcement rights.
Even if Vincent were to kill him on the spot, it's highly likely House Carter would have no choice but to accept the outcome.
Taking a deep breath, Robert then gave John a penetrating look.
He said coldly, "You're lucky this time. I hope you'll have the same luck next time."
Without another word, Robert turned and left without looking back.
Witnessing the scene, John breathed a deep sigh of relief, his back drenched in cold sweat.
Honestly, had this man in the trench coat named Vincent not appeared, John was prepared to fight Robert to the end.
Thinking this, John took a couple of steps forward and addressed Vincent with due solemnity, "Judicator sir, thank you for saving my life. Should the opportunity arise, I will surely repay this kindness."
Vincent, withdrawing his gaze from Robert and the intimidating aura slowly dissipating around him, looked at John with interest.
He smiled, "You must be the one under Victor's command who killed Rean, right?"
John, taken aback that the other party knew of him, nodded, "That's me. However, killing Rean was a coincidence. He had already been severely wounded by Captain Victor and General Shadowcloud. I merely delivered the final blow."
John was not one to claim sole credit for a collective effort.
Hearing John's modest response, Vincent's smile widened, his impression of the young man improving.
Rising talents were common in the Federal, but few, like John, had the clarity to understand their own role.
He glanced at the Bloodthirsty Blade in John's hands, immediately recognizing the details of the equipment.
Vincent warned, "You possess several items that House Carter covets. They won't easily give up on pursuing you. Expect further attempts against you, so be cautious. Meeting me today was good fortune on your part, but next time, you might not be so lucky."
"Thank you, I'll be careful in the future," John responded earnestly, nodding his head.
This sudden assault by Robert served as a harsh reminder for John, who had become somewhat complacent.
Had Vincent not appeared when he did, John might have found himself plunging from the sky.
With his current level of power, relaxation wasn't an option; a moment's inattention could lead him into an abyss from which recovery would be impossible.
Vincent, finding John quite agreeable, chuckled, "You're indeed impressive. No wonder Victor, that grumpy fellow, took a liking to you. Are you interested in joining the Judicators? Whatever Hidden Stars can offer you, the Judicators can provide more."
John was taken aback, not expecting an invitation to join the Judicators upon their first meeting.
After a moment's thought, he politely declined, "Sorry, I have no plans to leave Hidden Stars at the moment."
The Judicators and Hidden Stars were both special organizations, holding similar statuses.
The main differences between them lay in their responsibilities and structures.
While he might consider joining the Judicators in the future, John was not about to agree at this moment, as it would seem ungrateful to Victor's expectations.
In other words, John feared Victor's retribution.
After all, Victor had just finished training him with great effort, and if John were to immediately switch to the Judicators, Victor would likely be infuriated enough to come after him.
Vincent found it a pity to hear John's response but didn't press further.
After all, John was someone Victor valued, and if he had easily agreed to leave, that would have been more surprising to Vincent.
He thought for a moment, then pulled out a business card from his pocket and handed it to John, "To each their own. I won't insist. If you ever feel like you can't stay with Hidden Stars any longer, you can come find me in the Judicators."
Understanding John's hesitations, Vincent grinned, "You don't need to worry about Victor doing anything to you. With me around, he can't touch you. Besides, I've been wanting to have another bout with him anyway."
He pointed to the scar on his nose, raising an eyebrow, "Back in the days at Star Cluster Academy, Victor and I had a fight. That bastard didn't hold back and slashed me right on the nose. If I manage to pull you into the Judicators, consider that old score settled."
John felt somewhat embarrassed.
No wonder Vincent was so eager to recruit him into the Judicators without a second thought.
It turns out there was this old grievance with Victor he hoped to avenge by using this opportunity.
As a silver-tier awakener, John naturally felt it best not to comment too much on matters between such high-ranking figures.
He accepted the business card from Vincent and thanked him.
Later, when Vincent inquired about John's journey to the Imperial Capital and learned it was to apply for the Star Cluster Academy, his smile grew even wider.
Vincent, being an alumnus of the Star Cluster Academy, held deep affection for it.
Before leaving, Vincent advised that should John encounter any troubles in the Imperial Capital, he could seek him out.
This was his way of looking out for a junior from his alma mater.
As for John's prospects of gaining admission into the Star Cluster Academy, Vincent wasn't particularly concerned, despite the academy's notoriously rigorous entrance examination.
If this young man couldn't even pass the Star Cluster Academy's tests, then Victor had truly made a grave error in judgment.
After Vincent left, John looked at the business card in his hand and shook his head, not too concerned about it.
External assistance is ultimately just that, external.
True strength comes from within oneself.
Tucking the card into his storage space, John enjoyed a relaxing bath in the bathroom before lying down on the soft, large bed to sleep.
Time swiftly passed.
In the following days, Robert did not seek John out again, as if unaware of his presence.
Knowing Vincent was around, Robert dared not act rashly, emboldening John considerably.
He went from cautiously stepping out to, eventually, boldly lingering outside Robert's door, his audacity seemingly inflating by the day.
This brazen behavior infuriated Robert to the point of wanting to lash out and eliminate this presumptuous foe several times.
However, every time he entertained such thoughts, Vincent's presence would subtly manifest, instantly dissipating his aggressive intentions.
These days were unbearably frustrating for Robert.
To his relief, this period soon came to an end.
On the fourth day of John boarding the floating train, the Imperial Capital finally came into view.
Despite having some prior knowledge, the sight of the Imperial Capital in its entirety still left John utterly astounded.
This city, vast and immense, sprawled before him like a continent suspended in the sky.
Within it, buildings of bizarre shapes and designs towered, their surfaces aglow with neon lights and virtual images that sparkled like stars against the dim sky.
Around these skyscrapers floated circular highways, seemingly chaotic but intricately connecting every corner of the city, much like the veins of this aerial metropolis, circulating its lifeblood and nutrients.
Beneath the island, countless layers of magic arrays, large and small, were inscribed with intricate runes and patterns, emanating a mysterious brilliance and powerful energy fluctuations.
These arrays maintained the fundamental operations of the entire island.
As the floating train drew closer, the Imperial Capital loomed ever larger, making the several-hundred-meter-long train seem as minuscule as a worm in comparison.
John was utterly astounded by the sight.
Such a city, brimming with a sci-fi essence, was something he had only witnessed in movies in his previous life, and yet now, it unfolded before his very eyes.
His heart was ablaze with excitement.
The Imperial Capital, the heart and soul of the Federal, was a crystallization of technology and the supernatural.
Here resided the strongest awakeners and scholars, the cutting-edge of technology and knowledge, the most extraordinary geniuses and prodigies, and likewise, endless opportunities and boundless possibilities.
This was precisely what John yearned for.
Only in such a place could he swiftly augment his strength and shine his brightest light.