“Seems like another championship, hahaha!” Milosh laughed heartily as he looked at the results. On the screen, the result of the first year was displayed. Miles, by acquiring first place, earned the biggest points. And even others weren’t far behind him. Although Cross Academy had more people in the top five, first place was giving the most points, thus BBA got the most points.

“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Second years are still competing.” General Strankov snorted as she looked at General Tian. Both their academies joined forces with Lares Academy this year because they wanted to destroy the biggest two, Cross and BBA but, despite all their calculations, they still lost. Although the second-year competition was still ongoing, she had no hope. In the second year, BBA had Demi Orril and Eddie Wilkins. Both of which were stronger than their peers. There was even a rumor saying that Eddie was already a high-tier hunter despite being 20 years old.

“What is there to wait for?” Milosh shot a ridiculing smile, “Who in your academy can compete with my second years?”

Although it was jarring to the ears, no one could refute his claims. Beast Breeding Academy only accepted beasts and would breed beasts. There was no way for others to compete with them. It had been like this for years. The three academies were counting on first-year competition, as they had secret weapons. Yasmin May had an excellent ability that could destroy tens of her peers. Liam Khan was good at both defense and offense and could battle against large groups of monsters. Adding the other two academies, General Strankov and Tian were hopeful, but their plans had been ruined once again.

“Mercer, your grandson is so monstrous.” Milosh poked General Cross when others failed to respond back. “How come he chose my humble academy instead of yours?”

“Oh wait, I heard some rumors about it. I don’t know if they are true or not. It is said that you wanted to destroy his future by using experimental medicine on him. Later, when he refused, you forbid him to use his last name lest he ashamed you. Also, when he proved his worth, you wanted to use him to make connections with the Baretto Family.

No wonder he decided to stay as far as he can from you. No wonder.” Milosh shook his head pitifully. Mercer looked at him with bloodlust in his eyes but didn’t say anything. All of them were true, but he didn’t regret what he did. He did, so the Cross Family could live through the ages. He did it for the family.

“I should thank you, though. Miles is such a gem.” Milosh smiled brightly.

“That he is,” Mercer muttered under his breath. He and all the others were watching the competition together. As he was his grandson, Mercer was keeping an eye on Miles from the beginning. From the initial selecting Phase, he did everything impeccably. There were a few errors but they weren’t major at all.

He also didn’t know Miles had already learned how to use Virtual Room and Zone. Although these two abilities could be learned from Extol-Rank, learning one of them was already a sign of a genius, and learning two of them was a sign of a monstrous talent. It also had to be known that Miles's expertise lay in Body Branch. He probably could use Fullbody as well. Three special abilities of Extol-Rank, in Form-Rank. That was unprecedented!

“He is truly special.” The leader of the Sachiru family spoke with a sigh. He and the leaders of the Mus and Azari families were heads of Steel, Stone, and Blade Academy. Their academy wasn’t as strong as BBA and Cross, but it usually wouldn’t lose this badly. Now because of the new threat, Lares Academy, BBA and Cross joined forces. That was a juggernaut that thrashed any opposing party.

“When my son first told me he met a young hunter that failed to awaken his superpower, I thought he was surely exaggerating. I even told him to keep his distance from these kinds of people, but today seeing Miles in action opened my old eyes. I was truly blind.” The Leader of the Mus family sighed.

“Kai also praised him. Although my son was able to use Energy before he advanced to the Form-Rank, that was at the peak of the Grace-Rank. Also, it was thanks to the family art we train. But from what I heard, Miles was able to use energy when he was only a high-tier Grace-Rank hunter.”

“Hehe, that is true, of course.” Milosh basked in Miles’s glory.

“Enough chit-chat. Let’s get to the point.” General Tian harrumphed in exasperation. “What rank will we bestow upon this little Cross when he graduates?”

“Can General Milosh share if Miles would like to stay in the academy or return to Unity?” At this time the floating globe spoke. This was Mother AI. From the beginning, she didn’t comment. Only now she spoke when it was about ranking.

“He will return.” Milosh tersely said. It wasn’t a secret that he hated this AI. Not many people knew, but the reason why they left Unity and settled outside of the walls was because of this floating globe in the first place.

“That is good to hear. Mr. Miles is a hero, and Unity needs such capable people.” Mother AI praised. “His powers are commendable, but his lack of superpower limits his fighting style. He doesn’t even have an element, which prevents him from using many moves or battle formations the army uses. That is why, despite his commendable achievements, I think the rank of Second Lieutenant is suitable.”

“Hehe.” Milosh dryly laughed.

“Anything funny, General Milosh?” Mother AI asked.

“I was wondering if your gears are rusty or your codes are breaking. Do you want me to open up your insides to check it out?” Milosh said with a serious face.

“Be careful, Milosh. Your words are bordering on insults.” General Tian placed his hand on the table as he spoke.

“Bordering?” Milosh asked in surprise, “I was insulting.”

Others looked at this madman as he openly accepted that he was truly insulting Mother AI. Although she was ‘just a machine’ her standing was equal to Vice-President or Lieutenant General in Unity. Many families worshiped her as a goddess who descended to the mortal world to save them from the invasion. Her standing was higher than many family heads. To blatantly insult such an entity… What was this madman thinking?

“Any student who graduates from my academy starts in the Second Lieutenant Rank. That is not open for discussion, that is the worth of my academy. That rule has already established itself throughout the years. And now you are saying my best student will be ranked as a regular student? Let me ask again, are your codes malfunctioning?” Milosh assertively asked with a cold glint in his eyes.