[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons":3,"chapter-online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-169":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1650428,2114,"Chapter 169 A-Rank Talent?","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-169",169,"\u003Cp>Even the examiner hesitated, his stern expression flickering with surprise. He narrowed his eyes at Arthur before silently reaching into his inventory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a subtle motion, he produced another crystal and set it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur placed his hand on the fresh crystal, maintaining a calm facade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the colours settled much faster, gradually shifting until they landed on a light green hue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A-Grade talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd buzzed with speculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An A-Grade talent… no wonder something was off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still, breaking a crystal? That's not normal! The girl from earlier also got an A-Grade talent, but hers didn't break the crystal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe the crystal was overloaded since thousands have tested their talents in such a short period of time. Also, I'm pretty sure the same crystal has been used for a very long time, so maybe that contributed to it's breaking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The examiner studied Arthur closely before nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next test,\" he said, his tone neutral, but his gaze lingered for a moment longer than necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur remained composed, but he knew—his display had drawn the attention he needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bright glow flickered across the smooth surface before numbers materialized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>15.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The examiner's voice was flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pass.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur exhaled, already prepared to move forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The examiner did not say, Proceed through the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, a barely audible whisper escaped his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ocean Domain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy silence fell over the students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, in the blink of an eye—BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of energy exploded outward, the very air twisting and warping as if reality itself had been submerged underwater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A translucent, massive sphere of deep blue formed around Arthur and the examiner, swallowing them whole. It wasn't just some ordinary skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a Domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air outside the barrier rippled—like the surface of a disturbed lake—warping and refracting light, making everything within seem distant and obscured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students watching had their eyes wide in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He used his authority…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone whispered in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stunned voice followed, \"No way… that's the Ocean Domain. The famous skill that talents above B-Rank receive when they achieve level twenty-five.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He actually activated his Domain just for a student?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murmurs spread like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does that mean…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur barely had time to process their reactions before a sudden weight slammed down on his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lungs felt heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements became sluggish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ding! You are inside 'Ocean Domain.' Your vitality has been decreased by 20%. You are 20% weaker towards water-based attacks.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur's eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Debuffs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he felt a creeping sense of weakness pressing into his very bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't just mental—it was real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scenery around him had completely transformed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where the academy once stood, there was now nothing but an endless, vast ocean stretching into the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky above had darkened, thick with rolling storm clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet… despite the boundless sea below, Arthur was somehow standing atop the water, as if it were solid ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This…This was no illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The examiner stood a few feet away, his stance relaxed, but the authority in his gaze was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur clenched his fists subtly, keeping his posture neutral. The difference in power between them was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew, without a doubt—If this man wanted him dead, he wouldn't even last a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The examiner finally spoke, his voice smooth but carrying a commanding tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you wearing that mask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur felt every ounce of power behind the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn't falter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur met Lucas's gaze head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight pressing down on him was suffocating, but he refused to show weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do I need to give a reason?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The examiner didn't blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. You do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single command. A demand for the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the examiner could see that Arthur was wearing a mask, he still couldn't see his real face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur exhaled slowly, his fingers brushing against the edges of the mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew this was coming. Knew that hiding wasn't going to last forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So—he decided to face it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a slow movement, he pulled off the mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His dark, eyes gleamed under the flickering, stormy light of the domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression remained composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence stretched between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The examiner's gaze flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ocean around them churned ever so slightly, the waves shifting beneath Arthur's feet as if the very world was reacting to his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas Ashencroft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The examiner Infront of Arthur was Lucas Ashencroft. Arthur had found out from the gossips in the line as they waited to be tested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the four elite families of Caldera—the Ashencroft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bloodline was tied directly to the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A key figure in the city's ruling structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which made his interest in Arthur even more dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur cleared his throat, keeping his voice steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, let me introduce myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas remained silent, watching. Arthur continued. \"My name is Arthur. As you can see, this is my real face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly, as if committing his features to memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur pressed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wore the mask for one reason. I have enemies.\" Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of something unreadable passed through Lucas's gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur didn't let the silence drag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't want them to know that I'm attending the academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Lucas's head tilted slightly in consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur kept his posture firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I apologize if I came off as rude. I wasn't trying to deceive the academy—I was expecting my mask to be detected. I'm not arrogant enough to believe I could hide it from someone like you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas remained quiet. The ocean around them stilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—he nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Cautious. A good trait.' Lucas thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur exhaled, but only internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't been dismissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant he still had a chance to control this conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas's gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you do know that this mask you're wearing… every instructor in the academy will be able to see through it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur didn't hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas let a pause settle between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How important is your identity being kept a secret to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arthur didn't hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very important.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was steady, absolute. There was no room for doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas studied him for a long moment.\u003C\u002Fp>",1031,"2026-06-06T12:00:36.159Z",1,"novelbin.me","6883fe6b8becf8a23ba7f114b572476c01cd0b099292930a637fcb33b6c72657","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-170","online-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-chapter-168",601,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fonline-game-starting-with-sss-ranked-summons-cover.jpg"]