Chapter 3
Victor got the clue and swiftly made an excuse to leave.
"Ethan Hayes, you brought great honor to our Sterling High School!"
The Principal exclaimed with a face full of excitement.
"You might not completely understand it now, but in the future, you'll realize that being an S-grade gene is like possessing a golden meal ticket!"
As he spoke, the Principal took out a piece of paper from his drawer and handed it to Ethan.
"Every year, our school gives a cash reward to the outstanding graduates. Here's a million, all for you!"
"A million?"
Ethan paused for a moment.
Given the cost of living here, that sum of money is roughly equivalent to the purchasing power of the Earth in the eighties and nineties before his transmigration.
This certainly is an enormous amount of money.
"Principal, isn't this a bit too little?"
Ethan remembered the words of Victor just now, and tentatively asked.
The smile on the Principal's face suddenly stiffened, he awkwardly said:
"You're the second student with an S-class gene at our school, how about giving you an exception and offering two million? Isn't that generous?"
Looking at the forced smile of the Principal, Ethan shook his head.
"I want five million!"
"What?" The Principal almost lost his footing.
"I said, I want five million!"
Ethan spoke firmly, his eyes flashing with determination. "Ethan, isn't this a bit too much? If you get five million, the school will have to pitch in another million..."
In his agitation, the Principal accidentally let it slip.
"Principal, are you saying that the higher-ups are also going to issue a bonus of four million to the school?"
Ethan raised his eyebrows at the Principal, his eyes flickering with suspicious light.
The Principal stuttered in explanation, "This...this award doesn't actually have much to do with the current situation..."
Ethan interrupts bluntly, "Four million, final offer!"
"The amount of four million is a bit..."
Before Principal could finish, Ethan cut him off again.
"If you don't give it to me, I'll transfer immediately!"
Hearing these words, the Principal almost lost his composure.
He steamrolled out of his nose, face showing strains of rage, but eventually, he endured it.
"Deal! Four million it is! Sign here."
While Ethan was signing, the Principal spoke again,
"Martial arts school representatives will be arriving soon, they would definitely offer you favorable terms."
"Aren't the admissions supposed to wait for the college entrance exam results?" Ethan asked suspiciously.
"You're a Class-S Gene. You go through special recruitment without looking at academic achievements."
The Principal explained with a chuckle.
"Don't rush to agree when they come. Besides the four..."
Before the Principal could finish speaking, a loud bang!
The office door was kicked open, and a muscular man in camouflage gear stormed in.
"Where's S-rank Ethan Hayes? I represent Skyfall Academy's admissions!"
The tall, dark man's voice thundered, shaking dust from the ceiling. This is Marcus.
"Marcus, are you blind? There's only one person besides Principal Ashton who could be Ethan!"
No sooner had the words fallen, a bespectacled, scholarly middle-aged man materialized before Ethan.
"Welcome to Azure University, Ethan Hayes." Professor Allen extended his hand.
Marcus swatted Professor Allen's hand aside without a second thought, "Buzz off! Ethan hasn't made up his mind yet!"
"Nonsense! Only Azure University deserves Ethan. He will undoubtedly make his mark in the Eastern Front Zone!" Professor Allen rebutted instantly.
"Oh my, you are really early, aren't you?"
As they were quarreling, a gentle voice interjected.
A beautiful woman clad in a light gauze dress, looking as if she'd stepped right out of an ancient painting, discreetly entered the office.
Upon seeing this beauty, Professor Allen and Marcus immediately restrained themselves, pretending to be stern.
"I'm Seraphina Vance from Southern Reach College." The beauty extended her hand to Ethan.
Ethan, feeling a bit embarrassed, shook her hand.
It was cool and soft. Ethan clutched onto Seraphina's hand tightly, feeling a ticklish urge to give it a light squeeze.
"I am Professor Blackwood from Glimmerbrook University."
The sudden voice of this old man gave Ethan a startle.
When did this guy show up?
"Old Blackwood! Can't you keep it down a bit? Nearly scared me to death!" Professor Allen grumbled.
Only then did Ethan realize that this old man possesses special abilities.
Professor Blackwood replied with a gleeful smile, "Come to our university, we guarantee to teach you even more powerful ones."
"Professor Blackwood, you old shameless one!"
"That's enough, Professor Blackwood!"
Seraphina finally spoke up in her gentle and calming tone, "Mr. Ethan Hayes, I believe you're clear that due to your S-ranked Superpower Gene, our four great martial academies would fight tooth and nail to have you."
Ethan nodded in agreement.
"I won't harp on about the rest," Seraphina spoke softly, "The deal offered by Southern Reach College includes: a full scholarship for four years coupled with an annual supplementary funding of 2 million, besides providing you with the materials for evolution to a Battle Master, all for free."
Upon hearing this, Ethan felt an itch in his heart.
A Battle Master!
The City Lord of Sterling was a formidable figure of the Battle Master level!
Southern Reach College actually has the resources to boost Ethan so high!
"Hey, our Azure University is not bad either! We have enough resources up to the Warlord level, and money is no issue each year. Besides, we also give an S-rank martial technique for free!"
Seeing Ethan's interest was piqued, Professor Allen quickly dropped his trump card.
"We, Phoenix Academy, might not have many resources, but we have an abundance of martial art techniques. Three S-rank ones, and you can choose any!"
Marcus's voice was loud and confident.
"Glimmerbrook University offers you 20 million cash, and you can undergo the assessment as soon as you start school to become a seed student. We guarantee to cultivate you into a War King!"
Old man Professor Blackwood said with a grin.
Listening to their offers, Ethan's heart blossomed brightly, but he was stuck in a dilemma.
The terms are all decent, which one should I choose?
The four major martial arts schools are all well-known names in the Dominion Lands, and none is superior to the other.
Just when Ethan was undecided, the Principal coughed lightly.
As Ethan turned his head, he saw the Principal's hesitant expression.
He immediately got it, the Principal definitely had something to say!
Could there be a hidden agenda?
"Principal, do you have something to say?" Ethan quickly asked.
"Well..." The Principal looked up, glancing stealthily at the four special agents, appearing somewhat guilty.
"Hmm... All the major martial arts schools aren't too shabby, Ethan, you ought to weigh your options wisely."