Chapter 100: Recommendation Admission Notice ( PLAT )

Ethan just grinned at his instructor, a playful glint in his eye. “How could that be? Actually, these things aren't that difficult. It's just that there are a lot of moves. If you want to learn, Instructor, I can teach you.”

At this, Instructor Jaeger walked over and clapped Ethan firmly on the shoulder, a look of genuine respect in his eyes. “You brat, you've really opened my eyes today. Those bizarre moves of yours are very good. They seem to have no discernible pattern, yet every single move hits with just the right advantage. An opponent simply can't predict your next move. You were spinning me in circles.”

“Then Instructor,” Ethan asked with a hopeful smile, “does that mean I've passed?”

Jaeger nodded, a gruff but genuine smile on his face. “Mm, you have proven your strength and skill. Your practical combat skills have passed.”

“Awesome!” Ethan cheered.

Marcus, Seraphina, and the entire crowd of other students were filled with a deep, burning envy. For a student, to be exempt from a notoriously brutal class like this was the ultimate prize. The free time it granted seemed more precious than gold.

So envious!

Instructor Jaeger’s gaze swept over the rest of the class. “Alright, I've promised him, and I won't go back on my word. In my future classes, he can have free time. But,” he added, his voice becoming a low growl, “he is not to disturb the rest of you while you are suffering.”

Wuhu~ Time to train! Ethan thought happily. He casually found a quiet corner, sat down cross-legged, and began to channel Aura, a satisfied smile on his face.

Instructor Jaeger looked at him with satisfaction, then turned his stern gaze upon the others. “Look at him!” he barked. “His rank has improved so much, yet he's not arrogant. I give him free time, and he immediately takes the initiative to train. What about you lot? I give you a little hard training, and you all start complaining. Now, all of you, give me four sets of push-ups! One hundred in each set! Move it!”

Groans of pain filled the gym as the students gritted their teeth and began the grueling exercise.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the school day ended.

“Hah~ puff~ So tiring!” Seraphina gasped, leaning against a wall for support, her face flushed with exhaustion.

“Yeah,” Marcus added, wiping sweat from his brow. “This instructor is really strict.”

Ethan, having just finished his own peaceful meditation session, walked over with a completely straight face. “That's right. Channeling Aura is really tiring,” he said with feigned sympathy. “My rank has only advanced a little bit.”

At that same moment, in a quiet and elegant room in another part of the city, a young girl with an extremely beautiful face asked a middle-aged man beside her, her voice filled with despair, “Dad, is there really no way?”

The middle-aged man sighed helplessly. “Isabelle, you know our family is just a second-tier power in New Veridia. Your dad doesn't have the 'face' to get you into Pinnacle University. Right now, the only way is for you to perform spectacularly in the competition and get noticed by a recruiter directly.”

Hearing her father's words, Isabelle lowered her head, her face a mask of deep, bitter disappointment.

Back at Ethan's home.

“I’m back!” he called out as he opened the door.

“You’re back!”

As soon as Ethan entered, he saw his parents looking at him with incredibly excited, almost frantic, expressions, their eyes wide and shining.

“Dad, Mom, what happened?” Ethan asked, bewildered. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Simon was so excited he was practically incoherent. “Son! You… you’ve been admitted with a recommendation!”

Ethan's eyes widened like copper bells. “What the heck! Admission with a recommendation! Me? What school?”

Sarah said happily, gesturing to a large pile of elegant-looking envelopes on the coffee table. “A whole pile of them! All the prestigious universities from across the nation have sent you recommendation admission notices! And this one,” she said, pointing to a particularly formal-looking envelope, “is from Pinnacle University!”

Hearing this, Ethan also became excited. A recommendation admission! It meant he wouldn't have to participate in the grueling college entrance exam. He could just pack his bags and go!

He excitedly grabbed the pile of letters. There were dozens of them, all from famous, high-ranking universities. He found the one from Pinnacle University, its envelope made of a fine, heavy material. Resisting the urge to open it, he decided to save the best for last. Then he saw a personal letter from his uncle, Steven, mixed in the pile. Seeing the seal of Aevum Corporation on the back, he understood. He opened that one first.

The letter explained everything. After returning to the capital, his uncle and aunt had discreetly but effectively spread the story of how Ethan, Marcus, and Seraphina had destroyed the Evolution Cult's stronghold. To the world, this was a huge accomplishment—three high school students taking down a major criminal organization. It was a great merit, and his family in the capital would also have ‘face’ because of their heroic relative. Those famous universities, on account of this great merit, had all sent him recommendation notices. It was a living, breathing PR opportunity for whichever university he chose.

Ethan randomly opened one thick envelope. Summit University! The fifth-ranked academy in the entire Global Concord.

Then, he finally picked up the letter from Pinnacle University. The contents were slightly different. It praised his heroic deeds and courage, but it didn't offer direct admission. Instead, it was written: “If you, Ethan Atherton, can obtain a top-ten ranking in the New Veridia city-wide college entrance exams, then you will be granted direct, unconditional admission to our school.”

Ethan was puzzled. Top universities always based their admissions on absolute scores, not regional rankings. In some smaller safe zones, even the best student might not meet the minimum criteria. Using a simple ranking system was unheard of.

There had to be another reason.