There were few events that garnered attention from the top echelon of the Human Domain, but even among those, only a small number could truly make them move to attend.

The entrance exam of the Supreme Apostle Academy was certainly not one of those occasions. But that didn't mean it wasn't important to them.

It took place once every year and brought many talented children into the light. Even though it was officially an exam for the Academy, in reality, it was also a way for powerful Houses and organizations to find new talents for themselves.

A Noble House couldn't form a private army unless there were special conditions, so they survived and flourished through the use of their retainers.

After all, an actual Noble House could be very small in number, so they needed to resort to such methods to maintain their influence and power.

That was why there were so many Houses represented within the Academy. The entrance exams served as a way to gauge new talents and recruit good ones before someone else did.

Because of this, some nobles did attend the entrance exams, but most still didn't think it was worth their personal time to appear in person.

But something was different about the Entrance Exam this year.

Something that managed to pull even the top nobility away from their duties and make them attend in person. Not only the nobles but also other influential figures had arrived, making the event extremely lively.

Even the massive stadium was filled to the brim, but the Academy had already anticipated such a situation and made special arrangements for all the distinguished guests who would attend.

Separate stands were built just for the nobles to sit comfortably and that's exactly what they did. Those stands were filled with many Noble House Heads who were rarely seen on normal occasions.

In one such stand, people were gossiping as usual.

"I can't believe a single person managed to bring everyone here. It's ridiculous!"

"Even you came, huh? I didn't think you'd turn into the curious type."

"Who wouldn't want to see the Last Valerian? Everyone is curious about his talent."

Ten years ago, the sky had split open right before their eyes, as if the world itself was coming to an end. They had truly thought they would die that day, but later they learned it had all happened because of a certain someone awakening his talent.

That alone was enough to make people interested in him.

"Indeed. Everyone wants to know what kind of talent it was that left that great scar in the sky."

"But did you notice something interesting?"

"What is it?"

"So many people came. So many distinguished guests. Yet not a single member of his family showed up."

"It's obvious they wouldn't come."

"Why?"

"You don't know?"

"No, what happened?"

"Were you living under a rock? The events of the Red Night did huge damage to the Augustus family. Nobody knows what truly happened, but it broke them from the inside. Olena Valeria died, the Wind Cloud Pavilion was destroyed, Lord Arnold took the youngest child away along with that monster Xiu, and then Arthur also divorced. Lady Liliana suffered backlash from her family too. Too much happened, my friend."

"Woah! I actually missed so much. So, the Augustus family is actually divided now? That hasn't happened in centuries! Even in the worst of situations, they always stood together."

"It's their internal matter, but if anyone from the outside tries to meddle, things don't end well for them. Last time, Viscount Barley made a snide comment about Aegon, and Lord Arthur flattened his entire palace. He's not even a Viscount anymore."

"Fuck! That family is really filled with insane people. I shouldn't have expected anything less."

"Indeed. Well, we'll finally get to see the youngest of them today."

"The other two are already dazzling enough. I can't even imagine how monstrous he'll be."

Similar conversations took place all around the stadium, as everyone shared the same purpose in coming here.

They all wanted to see Aegon's talent with their own eyes. Otherwise, the recruitment of retainers would have been left to their other family members.

Just as the stadium was nearly full, everything suddenly turned silent as everyone rose from their seats.

Looking closer at the entrance of the stadium, one could see two people clad in silver armor walking inside. A crest of the rising sun was engraved on their armor.

Behind them were two red-robed attendants who opened the door of a large carriage. From it, a young man stepped out, every movement radiating proper etiquette and grace.

His pure golden eyes swept across the stadium as he smiled at the gathered crowd. "Looks like there are many curious souls like me here."

"Hail, Prince of the Sun! Glory to the Fifth Prince!"

Everyone placed a hand over their chest and then raised it above their heads, greeting the young man with pale white hair.

Then, they all went down on their knees, their heads bowed low. Only the nobles didn't kneel, but even they had their heads respectfully lowered.

"Praise the Sun!" The young man smiled and said, "There's really no need for such formalities. I'm just here to see the new talents of our Empire."

Although he spoke in an amiable tone, no one was fooled. The Fifth Prince, Raphael, was infamous for his two-sided personality. He might act kind and gentle, but he was also the most ruthless among all the Princes.

There were even rumors that he was competing for the Crown itself, though the 'Kind' Fifth Prince always denied such claims with a smile.

That was precisely why nobody wanted to take any risks around him, and some even began regretting attending the event altogether. None of them had expected that even the Fifth Prince would appear here.

As if that wasn't enough, another carriage soon entered the stadium, its presence no less imposing than that of the Fifth Prince's.

Everyone instantly recognized this carriage as well.

Raphael's eyes narrowed for a brief moment before his smile returned. "I didn't think my dear sister would also come to see the new talents."

From the carriage stepped out a beautiful woman whose presence seemed to mirror the radiance of the sun itself. Her pale white hair was arranged in an elegant bun, with a few bangs left out to frame her face, enhancing her beauty even more.

She gave Raphael a sidelong glance and said in a cold tone, as if speaking to a stranger rather than her brother. "I certainly didn't expect this, Brother."

By then, every person in the stadium understood that this year's Entrance Exam would be anything but ordinary.

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