As the crowd buzzed with discussion, the footage continued to y.


    The audience refocused on the screen.


    They then saw how John used the simplest Aquakinesis to dismantle the Sand Scorpion King''s natural advantage, turning the tide from an unbeatable situation to one where the Sand Scorpion King became mere prey in his hands, swiftly and decisively killed on the spot.


    The footage concluded there, and many were left in silence after watching.


    John''s adaptability and resourcefulness disyed in this segment made many feel inferior.


    Typically, awakers in battle resort to the most direct and brute force methods, with few considering using elemental counters to break an opponent''s tactics.


    Even when they do think of it, few dare to risk their lives on such tactics, especially under the harsh conditions John faced. A slight mistake could have cost him his life, which further tests an awaker''s temperament.


    Yet, John showed no hesitation, demonstrating decisive action and immense confidence.


    What John disyed, aside from his remarkable talent, was his strong adaptability and responsiveness under adverse conditions, making it hard to believe he was a neer from Hidden Stars!


    Seated atop a golden-winged lion, Alexandermented, "This young man has almost all the qualities needed to be a top-tier powerhouse. It''s a pity he''s not with our military. Otherwise, I could retire early once hees into his own."


    Hearing Alexander''s words, envy and jealousy filled the eyes of the other powerhouses as they looked at Victor.


    They remembered Theodore Winters once inquiring about John''s background.


    Victor''s response at the time was that he had picked him up casually...


    Damn, to casually stumble upon a genius of this caliber, Victor and Hidden Stars must have incredibly fortuitous luck!


    While everyone was fervently discussing John, another prompt appeared before them.


    [Someone in this round of the trial has achieved an S-level rating, unlocking a highlight rey!]


    Everyone was taken aback, with someone specting, "It couldn''t be that guy from Hidden Stars again, could it? Isn''t this clearance speed a bit too fast? It''s only been a few minutes!"


    The others were also filled with surprise and spection.


    Defeating monsters of the same level wasn''t surprising; many present could achieve that.


    But aside from Victor, no one dared im they could quickly defeat a monster at their own level.


    Some guessed, "Could it be Lord Theodore Winters'' daughter? Or perhaps Lucas from House Carter?"


    Apart from John, there were many other geniuses who entered the trial.


    Several of them were promising talents, even boasting considerable fame in the capital, and they too could potentially achieve impressive results in the trial.


    The screen slowly started ying, and as they expected, this time it wasn''t a clip of John''s feat.


    On the screen was a figure of utmost beauty in a flowing white dress.


    It was Seraphina!


    She stood atop an endless sea, her ice-blue hair moving as if alive with no wind, holding a staff that seemed crafted from ice crystals.


    Beneath her feet was the frozen surface of the sea, surrounded by sparkling snowkes.


    Before Seraphina was a creature with the head of a fish and the body of a human, its body covered in scales.


    It wielded a decayed spear entwined with seaweed, half of its body encased in frost, swiftly lunging towards Seraphina.


    Everyone watching the creature charge at Seraphina tensed up, some worried for the well-being of the beautiful girl.


    Contrarily, Theodore Winters, her father, showed no sign of worry on his face, even wearing a smile.


    In the clip, Seraphina faced the charging creature with calmness in her ice-blue eyes.


    Just as the creature''s spear was about to strike her, Seraphina''s staff suddenly glowed, and her figure gracefully slid aside, elegantly evading the attack.


    Only then did everyone notice the pair of ice skates that had appeared under Seraphina''s feet, which she had used to swiftly dodge the attack, showcasing a stunning mastery of her abilities.


    Following that, Seraphina used her ice skates and agile movements to continuously kite the creature, rapidly depleting its HP with her skills.


    Seraphina''s figure danced across the ice, moving and leaping like a sprite, untouchable by the creature''s assaults.


    Elegant, regal, dangerous, and breathtakingly beautiful!


    Before long, Seraphina defeated the fish-headed humanoid creature.


    After resting for a moment, she chose to continue to the next level.


    After watching, everyone''s gaze turned towards Theodore Winters, knowing well that the stunning girl in the footage was the daughter of the Sterburg city lord.


    Baronughed heartily, "Lord Theodore Winters, with your daughter''s strength, she''s bound to enter one of the capital''s top three academies this year, and her future is undoubtedly bright. I extend my congrattions to you in advance."


    Eldritch nodded in agreement, "Indeed, I''ve heard Seraphina has already cleared the beginner dungeon, even setting a new record for the fastest clear time. If nothing unexpected happens, she should top the entrance examination for SterSea Academy this year, easily securing a spot in one of the capital''s top three academies!"


    Maximilian, who had been quiet, seized the opportunity to offer hispliments, "Miss Seraphina truly is a favored child of the heavens, unmatched in talent and temperament within Sterburg. My son Alex, despite awakening a rare ss,cks the confidence even to enter a first-tier academy, let alone one of the Federal''s top three. Lord Theodore Winters, your guidance is admirable!"


    Theodore Winters smiled, "I haven''t helped her much; Seraphina doesn''t like my arrangements, and she achieved all these through her own efforts. I''m proud of her."


    As the group chatted andughed, another prompt suddenly appeared.


    [Someone in this round of the trial has achieved an S-level rating, unlocking a highlight rey!]


    This time, the footage featured Lucas.


    He was high in the sky, radiating a dense aura of blood, with a pair of crimson bat wings behind him.


    Before him was a creature also adorned with blood-red bat wings.


    The two shed in mid-air, visible shockwaves spreading through the air with their movements.


    Their figures were as fast as lightning, with only two streaks of crimson shing and intertwining, making the battle intensely fierce.


    Ultimately, Lucas decapitated the opposing bat creature with a single stroke of his crimson sword.


    The group of powerhouses nced at the scene before quickly diverting their attention, showing little interest.


    They were all familiar with House Carter''s inheritance ss, "Crimson Count," known to be a powerful ss.


    Lucas''s exceptional talent,bined with his specific aim for the Crimson Demon''s heritage and thorough preparation, made his achievement of an S-level rating unsurprising.


    Had Lucas not received such a rating, that might have genuinely surprised them...


    Albertus, watching Lucas in the footage, remarked, "I never realized Lucas was this formidable. Today at Corpse ins, he was so infuriated by my chase that his face turned green, yet he didn''t retaliate. I thought he was just weak, but it turns out he was holding back."


    Baron shook his head in resignation, advising Albertus, "We''re in business, and there''s no benefit in offending him like that. It could lead to resentment. Let''s avoid such meaningless actions in the future."


    Alexander smiled cryptically, "That''s not quite right. Regardless of whether Lucas secures the heritage here, at least Chief Baron will benefit in the capital. Whether or not he offends someone doesn''t really matter."


    Baron was the biggest beneficiary of this situation and had also offended House Carter the most.


    Even if Lucas didn''t secure the heritage, House Carter would have to swallow their pride and thank House Fairfax, making Baron appear as the good guy now.


    Businessmen truly have no shame.


    Though these words weren''t to be openly discussed, Albertus changed the subject, "I''ve disliked him since the capital. A bit of talent and he struts around like a peacock, expecting everyone''s admiration. Now that Lucas has been stripped of his heir status in House Carter, I naturally took the chance to kick him while he''s down. As for revenge? He''s not worthy."


    The powerhouses smiled silently, aware of the discord within the capital''s circles.


    Although there was no direct feud between House Fairfax and House Carter, their rtionship was known to be strained, which was no secret.


    Albertus was speaking the truth; Lucas''s status indeed couldn''tpare to Albertus, the sole heir of House Fairfax, and even in terms of talent, Albertus was a level above Lucas.


    Albertus was also considered a genius in the capital, but as he was usually surrounded by a group of bodyguards and rarely took action himself, his reputation wasn''t as prominent.


    But what Albertus''s current strength actually was, perhaps only the people of House Fairfax and he himself knew...


    As the group was chatting, a familiar prompt appeared before them.


    [Someone in this round of the trial has achieved an SSS-level rating, unlocking a highlight rey!]


    Albertus eximed in shock, "What, again?!"