“More than just a genius—in my opinion, Charles Lincoln is very likely to become the ninth Swordmaster-level expert in our Ziyun Empire! Heh, a Swordmaster-level expert! Only the three top academies have ever produced one, and among the more than sixty intermediate academies in the entire empire, not a single one has produced a Swordmaster yet. If our academy could produce a Swordmaster, maybe His Majesty would be so pleased that we could seize this opportunity to be promoted as the empire’s fourth top academy.”

“Swordmaster!”

This shocking title instantly invigorated the spirits of all the students.

A Swordmaster—that’s truly a professional powerhouse among the continent’s elite. Once you reach that level, not only will you never have to worry about food or clothing, but it’s no exaggeration to say you could influence the nation as if you could command the wind and rain. Experts of this level would receive high-level treatment even in other empires. As long as they’re willing to serve the empire, being promoted and ennobled would be no difficult matter.

Thinking of the influence Swordmaster-level experts have domestically, everyone once again looked at William Lincoln with an almost fanatical admiration in their eyes.

This kind of pointing and whispering was everywhere, and whenever this topic came up, a crowd of students would immediately gather, enthusiastically chiming in, as if they could talk about it all day. Those who happened to be present that day and witnessed the scene became the center of attention, surrounded by others asking questions, becoming the focus of everyone’s gaze...

The academy guard students listened to the conversations along the way, glancing at William Lincoln with a bit of awe, looking as if they wanted to say something but hesitated. It wasn’t until they were almost at the vice principal’s office that one finally mustered the courage to speak: “Charles Lincoln, you should be careful. Those sore losers from Cui Can Academy have come to complain. When the principal hears about it, you might get a little punishment.”

William Lincoln snorted and laughed, “What a bunch of sore losers.” Seeing several Cui Can Academy students gathered outside the principal’s office, he waved his hand and said, “Alright, just take me here. I’ll go in myself.”

The student nodded, a bit concerned, “Be careful. If you just refuse to admit it was their fault that day, with your current prestige in the academy, I doubt those people from Cui Can Academy can do anything to you.”

William Lincoln responded, ignoring the hostile stares from the Cui Can Academy students, and walked straight to the office door. He knocked and said, “Vice Principal, you wanted to see me.”

“Mm, Charles Lincoln? Come in.”

As soon as William Lincoln pushed open the door, he immediately sensed two hostile gazes directed at him. As expected, the two team leaders from Cui Can Academy in charge of admissions, along with the vice principal of his own academy, were sitting behind the desk like judges in a courtroom, waiting for William Lincoln to arrive.

The vice principal was a man in his forties. Charles Lincoln had seen him at the opening ceremony, so he recognized him at a glance. But judging from the unfriendly look in his eyes, it seemed he had reached some sort of agreement with Cui Can Academy and wasn’t about to show him any kindness. So, he couldn’t be bothered to pay him any mind, just stood off to the side and said nothing, as if the hostile stares from everyone present were just air and didn’t exist at all.

The vice principal glanced at the unshakable William Lincoln, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He himself was now at least an eighth-level swordsman, and after years in a high position, the authority he exuded was far greater than that of an ordinary eighth-level expert. Yet the sixteen-year-old William Lincoln, who had hardly seen any major scenes, could remain completely unfazed under his intense gaze, showing not the slightest hint of fear. This secretly shocked him.

But he could never have imagined that the current Charles Lincoln was no longer the same as before. As an ancient martial artist standing at the pinnacle of martial arts, what kind of grand occasions had he not seen? Let alone the gaze of an eighth-level swordsman—even those Swordmaster-level experts couldn’t make him feel the slightest fear.

Clearing his throat, the vice principal drew everyone’s attention and spoke: “Charles Lincoln, according to reports from the students, you seriously injured a Cui Can Academy student during the admissions trial, almost endangering his life. Is this true?”

“Endangering his life?” William Lincoln felt a trace of doubt, then seemed to remember something, snorted lightly, and shook his head. “I was very measured. With his fifth-level swordsman physique, he could easily withstand my attack. It wouldn’t endanger his life—unless... unless this so-called fifth-level swordsman from Cui Can Academy is just an empty title.”

“Hmph, after beating up someone from our Cui Can Academy, you still have the nerve to make sarcastic remarks here. Robert Lincoln Principal, your academy’s students are really something.” A middle-aged man wearing a Cui Can Academy instructor badge sneered.

“Mason Lincoln Instructor, please trust our sincerity. We will definitely give your Cui Can Academy a proper explanation for this matter.” Robert Lincoln Principal nodded repeatedly, then turned to William Lincoln with a stern face: “Charles Lincoln, you fought recklessly in the academy and seriously injured a visiting student from Cui Can Academy. This is a grave offense. Especially since this incident has damaged the friendship between our academy and Cui Can Academy, you deserve a severe punishment.”