Rio chatted with his friends and found out that they were all planning to spend a long time training until they all become S-rankers too.
They already have plans but they might change their plans later if they are still not able to reach rank S.
Reaching rank S is no small feat; you literally have to go beyond your racial limit and go a step further on your path to even get a chance to ascend to the higher realm.
The reason why Rio was able to ascend further so smoothly was also because of many things working in his favor.
He was not only able to confront Kevin in a sword duel; he also got to fight thousands of powerful demons and monsters while also polishing his skills and physique.
Finally, he was able to ascend further under the pressure of needing to defeat Alverto at any cost.
Even after including all these factors, the main reason was also his insanely high talent and his continuous hard work to go forward in his ’path.’
Link and the others will have to do their best if they want to catch up to him.
’They are not that far behind so perhaps they will also ascend in half a year or a year perhaps...’
It’s not that Rio is underestimating them; ascending to rank S can take time. Not everyone can be as fast as him, after all.
’Well, my name literally has the word ’Flash’ in it so it’s not weird that I faster than others...’
While thinking about these things in his mind, Rio wandered around in the party hall while sipping juice from his glass.
Rio is already 18, but he’s not much of a fan of alcohol, so he didn’t drink wine at all.
"Oh, senpai, you looked really awesome on the stage earlier! I wonder if I will be able to become like you one day!"
"Your sword intent has also reached such a high proficiency, I don’t know if I will ever reach it..."
Qi Meng, Rio’s junior, came over holding a glass of juice in one of his hands while his other arm was firmly held by a beautiful young girl.
She was clinging onto his arm just like Lia clings to Rio’s arm.
Seeing this scene, Rio was taken aback for a second, but then he gave a knowing smile to Meng, which made the other party blush a bit in embarrassment.
"Cough! Uh... this is my girlfriend; we became a couple just a month ago... cough... uh... we are in the same class... "
Rio nodded his head at the girl and patted Meng on the shoulder.
"Not bad, you little brat. I still remember when you were crying like a baby in your first year, but now you have grown so much!"
"Not bad, not bad!"
Meng smiled awkwardly as he felt overwhelmed by Rio patting him on the shoulder.
"Don’t worry, your sword intent will also reach a high level eventually as you keep practising..."
Meng is the junior who learned ’Sword Intent’ from Rio, and Rio gives him quite a bit of guidance and advice every once in a while, whenever he is free.
Even Jin and Rio trained together for a while, and Meng was also able to receive some training from Rio.
Originally, Meng wasn’t confident enough and lacked the fortitude to handle and improve ’Sword Intent’ properly, but Rio helped him improve.
Now, Meng has improved so much that he’s even got a girlfriend for himself.
This just shows how much he’s grown since the first time the two of them met. Meng will surely grow to be a strong S-ranker in the future, without a doubt.
Rio and Meng chatted for a bit before Rio made an excuse and slipped away, as he didn’t want to be a third wheel and get in the way of the two of them enjoying their free time.
Many other juniors were also present at the party; quite a few flocked over to Rio’s side from time to time.
Rio even met Lenn, Ars, and Leo, who seemed to have gained a lot of reputation for themselves among the younger students.
Just like how Rio and Link had been in the past, they have also become famous in the academy for their talent and strength.
Although there is no one among them with the insane talent to be an SS-ranker, they all can surely become S-rankers too.
Leo and Ars are related to the large information network and assassination group that used to be connected with Rio’s father.
While talking to the two of them, Rio decided to schedule another visit to that distant hidden bar where that old man resides.
’Although I didn’t want to do this before, now that I am going to become a proper assassin, I need to set up a proper link with their organization...’
’I will need a powerful information network to help me... the awakener’s association alone is not enough...’
The Awakener’s Association is a global organization that works under legal laws and rules; they can’t find information or things that involve illegal stuff.
And even if they find it, they won’t convey or tell it to others unless it’s absolutely important.
Rio can’t be a high-level assassin with such half-baked information.
’Once I am done with the graduation ceremony, I will head over there...’
’Now that I think about it, I also had to go to the dwarf kingdom to investigate about my sword...’
Rio had decided to visit the dwarf kingdom after graduation or if he had time, but things kept escalating, and he was so busy that he couldn’t go there.
’Once I am finished with all the work here and once Link’s father wakes up from coma, I will go to the Dwarf Kingdom to investigate...’
Rio can’t leave right now, as he has to help in stabilizing the unstable nation and has to deal with the roaming criminals, but once Ashtel Rex wakes up, everything will go back to normal.
At that point, he won’t have much work to do, and he will be free enough to go on an international trip.
’Sigh, I have so many things to do... my next few months are so packed up with work, I wonder when I will be free next time... I want to spend all of my time with Lia...’
Rio shook his head in disappointment, and after chatting with a few other juniors, he went over to Lia’s side again.
Lia was also chatting with the juniors, and the same was true for Link and Riya.
In fact, Riya was the one who was most popular among the younger girls; they were all asking her for love advice.
It turned out, they all wanted to know how to tame their boyfriend, like how Riya has tamed Link into being a harmless puppy.
Once, Link was famous for being a reckless and daring guy; his nickname was literally ’Berserk’ Link, and nowadays he’s like a harmless puppy who’s always taking care of Riya with a happy look on his face.
Love has changed him a lot.
"Uh... well, I-I think you just need to give him a candy and he will listen to you right?"
Riya had no idea how to explain and was too perplexed to answer anything, while Link was giggling to himself, seeing her looking so cute.
"She’s really popular..."
Lia nodded her head at Rio’s words and said,
"Well, more people prefer talking about love and cute things rather than how to effectively attack weak parts on monster bodies..."
Lia shrugged her shoulders while saying those words.
All the juniors that came to her were frightened by her, as she was talking way too much in detail on such stuff.
Rio just smiled at this, which caused him to receive a jab from Lia as a pout appeared on her cute face.