Chapter 252: Chapter252-Protection or Conspiracy?
Despite the disruption of the assessments by the Dusk Sect, the entire academy remained remarkably calm.
Some recognized John, their eyes brimming with admiration.
"Mr. John has arrived."
Someone called out, and those who hadn't noticed John nearby suddenly turned toward him, their eyes sparkling with boundless enthusiasm.
Several people ran up to John, seemingly holding back their emotions, yet also as if brewing something.
This startled John.
"What's going on?" John asked, genuinely puzzled.
If he remembered correctly, these were some of the new students.
"Why do they look so odd?"
"Mr. John, thank you for saving us. We're finally seeing you in person!"
"Yes! Mr. John, we really owe you a huge thanks. Without you, we might have died in the secret realm!"
"Mr. John, we can never repay your great kindness. From now on in school, I'm at your service!"
"Mr. John, just say the word, and I will follow your lead without question!"
Watching this group of young students so excited, John felt a mix of amusement and bewilderment.
Normally, he would have said more, but given the urgency of the situation today, he could only offer a few soothing words.
"I merely did what anyone should have done. Even if it wasn't me who received the power of control but one of you, you would have done the same."
Hearing John say this, the others grew excited.
"How can it be the same?!"
One person raised his voice, causing those around to look at him.
"Principal Sophia is the head of our school, and one of the few semigod-tier powerhouses in our alliance! Since Principal Sophia chose you, it proves that you are truly trustworthy and indeed have the strength!"
"Why else would Principal Sophia entrust the power of control to you, and not someone else? This shows that you truly are one of the strongest among us, and no one else could have handled this matter as excellently as you have!"
After this person spoke, the others nodded vigorously in agreement.
John couldn't help but smile wryly at these words, eventually shaking his head slightly.
"Alright, I've received your thanks. There will be time later, but right now, I have some things to attend to tomorrow. You go on with your own tasks."
He still didn't know what Principal Sophia wanted, and Victor urgently awaited his rescue!
So, John really couldn't afford to waste any time—he had to hurry to save someone!
"Mr. John, if you have things to do, then go ahead.
We will study hard and won't let you down!"
"Yes, having the chance to enter the school with you is an honor for us, and we definitely won't let you down."
Hearing the students address him as Mr. John, John felt it a bit odd.
"I'm about the same age as you all; just call me by my name."
What was meant as an offhand remark was met with disapproving looks from the students.
"How could we do that? You saved our lives; that's a debt of gratitude. Calling you 'Mr. John' is the least we can do."
"Yeah, my dad even wanted me to consider you as my godfather!"
At this, the corners of John's mouth twitched slightly.
That's not necessary...
"Then, call me 'Senior Brother' from now on."
The others hesitated but seeing John's demeanor, they finally nodded.
"Senior John!"
"Hello, Senior John!"
Everyone began to call him Senior John.
John nodded, then after bidding them goodbye, he quickly made his way to the principal's office.
He knocked politely and, upon receiving approval from inside, he entered, only to find Benedict was also present?
Benedict's expression was very serious, and he nodded slightly at John's arrival.
"Principal, you wanted to see me."
Principal Sophia's petite figure sat in the large chair without any incongruity, instead exuding an impressive aura.
"You cannot leave Dubhe yet!"
Principal Sophia stated this bluntly, which puzzled John even more.
"Why? Principal, do you know something?"
Principal Sophia remained silent, but it was Benedict who spoke up instead.
"I know you want to leave to save Victor."
John was slightly surprised that Teacher Benedict was aware of this.
"Teacher Benedict, if you know, why won't you let me go?"
Aren't Benedict and Victor best friends? Why would he stop me?
"You mustn't forget you've also taken on the task of investigating the Dusk Sect," Principal Sophia interjected softly.
"The task isn't completed yet. Where do you think you're going?"
John gritted his teeth.
He had accepted the task initially because he genuinely wanted to understand what role the Dusk Sect played in all this.
Why could the Dusk Sect intervene in Star Cluster Academy's decisions?
But he hadn't anticipated that accepting this task would mean he couldn't leave so soon.
If he had known, he wouldn't have accepted it!
Perhaps he could just give up on the task.
Just as John was contemplating this, he heard Principal Sophia's faint voice, "Don't think about giving up. This task was issued specifically for you guys from the start."
You guys?
John quickly seized on this word, his gaze intensifying as he looked into Principal Sophia's eyes, searching for answers.
"Who are 'you guys'?"
"The ones chosen by the higher-ups," Principal Sophia shifted to a more comfortable position as she looked at John.
"You, Isabella, Amelia, Cecilia, Archibald, Leopold, and many others. This task was specifically designed for you all."
John instantly recalled that at the time of accepting the task, it was already specified as a multi-person task with sharable information.
He hadn't understood why then, but now it all made sense.
That was the reason.
But what did that have to do with him not being able to leave?
"Why can't I leave? Can't I just not do this task?"
John scoffed, incredulous at the overbearing nature of Hidden Stars.
Since when could they dictate not abandoning a task?
Amelia's gaze landed on John, and in an instant, the office was enveloped in the overwhelming presence of a semigod-tier power.
Benedict felt his breathing become labored as the air pressure seemed to drop sharply.
He involuntarily bowed his head, his knees weakening, almost uncontrollably compelling him to kneel!
"This isn't up to you, unless you want to oppose the Military Department!"
Military Department?
John, struggling against the discomfort of the oppressive aura, managed to lift his head and look at Principal Sophia across from him.
"Once this task is completed, you can have priority entry into the military. From then on, your status will be vastly different from that of ordinary people, providing the best opportunity to change your class."
"Moreover, there was a clause when accepting the task: unless absolutely necessary, you cannot leave Dubhe during the task period! Violators will be treated as traitors of the alliance!"
What!
John clenched his teeth, his hands forming tight fists.
What kind of tyrannical clause is this!
It was his fault for not reading the details carefully before.
But who knew that Hidden Stars even had such tasks!
This was unprecedented, and naturally, he had let his guard down.
"You investigating this would be better than us doing it!"
Despite Principal Sophia being a semigod-tier powerhouse, why delegate these tasks?
Why must they investigate when Principal Sophia alone could have managed?
Principal Sophia remained silent, but her eyes sparkled with an unusual light.
Benedict felt the air pressure drop further, making it harder to breathe!
"The future of the alliance will ultimately belong to you."
Principal Sophia's soft words stunned John.
He had considered many reasons, even wondered if it was because Principal Sophia had been seriously injured and thus couldn't investigate herself?
But he had never considered this reason.
The future of the alliance... belongs to them?