CHAPTER 74: SCOUTING THE NEXT GENERATION [I]

Elsewhere, far from Maelstrom City, in a sealed grand chamber lined with top-tier mana crystals, twelve figures sat around an intricately carved table. They remained in absolute silence, their presence indistinguishable from normal mortals at first glance, yet the monstrous aura leaking from their figures shattered that illusion.

The walls buzzed faintly with incandescent light, straining to contain their overwhelming presences without collapsing under the sheer weight of their strength.

"Let the ten-thousandth Grand Ancestral Council meeting begin!" A booming voice echoed, rolling across the chamber in waves of power. The air rippled faintly, the chamber walls lighting up in resistance, struggling to contain the force behind his words.

Sigh* Orren exhaled, his icy-blue eyes scanning the figures before him. His gaze lingered momentarily on an emerald-eyed girl before he shook his head helplessly.

Power was absolute and great, but wielding as much as he did meant relinquishing certain mortal conveniences. Even when restraining the full force of his words and presence, a mere whiff of his aura was enough to crush a D-rank powerhouse to dust.

Regaining composure, he parted his lips, his voice echoing once more. "I trust you know why I convened this meeting?" The weight of the matter pressed heavily on him.

"Yes, Dean Orren, we are all well aware of the gravity of the situation." A soft yet commanding voice rang out as a silver-haired girl draped in a resplendent purple robe spoke. Her eyes lit up as she jumped at the chance to converse with the Dean.

"Very well, Selene." Orren nodded, giving her a passing glance before continuing. "Then you know a hundred years have almost passed since the last secret realm awakening.

Now it stirs once more, its awakening imminent—mere weeks away. Yet it grows more unstable with each cycle." He paused, watching their faces harden. "I have already inspected it, and this time is no different. It has weakened again. This time, it is only accessible to E-rank beings. Any higher, and it will collapse."

Pssssss* The chamber quieted instantly as sharp breaths were drawn, followed by murmurs.

"What good are E-ranks when even B-ranks failed?" A middle-aged man in enchanted warrior’s armor growled, his brows furrowing with consternation.

"Well, we can’t just give up. We all know the value of what lies inside," another voice chimed in. A woman with waist-length, silky black hair, draped in a pure white robe, murmured softly.

"Argh, damn those stupid riddles! Why can’t we just punch a hole through the goddamn secret realm and go there ourselves?" A brawny man snickered, a greatsword strapped to his back. He slammed his massive arms on the table, hairline cracks spreading across it, despite the table being refined from one of the strongest metals and reinforced with runes. The sheer force behind him spoke volumes of his strength.

"I understand your concerns and frustrations," Orren sighed, looking at them. "Riven, Aradia, Kaelen... but the inheritance of the First Ancestor lies within. I fear if we fail this time, and the realm collapses, it will never awaken again. This may be our final chance." His blue eyes glowed faintly.

Silence engulfed the chamber once more as the implications sank in. Giving up was not an option.

"Now for the next part of the plan. Did you act as I requested?" Orren asked, leaning back into his seat, his eyes regaining their emotionless glint.

"Yes, yes...we scouted for prodigies among the younger generation for the upcoming academy selections," Selene sputtered instantly, groveling at Orren’s feet. Whatever it took to secure the favor of such a powerful S-rank being was worth the effort. She sighed dreamily, lost in her thoughts as she looked at him.

"Good. Present those with the potential to reach E-rank in the shortest time, with decent talent," Orren murmured, sinking fully into his chair.

Almost instantly, as if his words lit a fire, the other council members came alive, eager to earn favor.

"I believe the talent we’re looking for is Malrik Thornveil, a prodigious youth! Just turned eighteen in Griffin City and awakened the A-rank talent: Blades of Twilight..."

"Cut the crap. A-rank is trash compared to the talent I’ll introduce. Kaelith Obryn, also eighteen, awakened with far higher potential—S-rank: Obsolete Annihilation Shield."

"Hah! What a coincidence. I was about to say the same. Crimson Spire City birthed Corvin Duskbane, awakened with the S-rank talent: Shadow Entrails."

The conversation spiraled, names thrown out one after another, but Dean Orren remained calm, unfazed. Until one name made his eyes widen in surprise.

"What did you say?" Orren groaned, turning his full attention to Selene, who now beamed, clearly pleased to have captivated him.

"Seraphiel Darkwyn! Awakened with SS-rank talent: Storm Ascendant."

"Wait...What? Did she just say SS-rank talent?" Murmurs rippled through the chamber, swelling into commotion.

"That’s incredible! The last SS-rank awakened a hundred years ago, Dean Orren!"

"Does this mean this girl could wield power equal to the Dean?"

"No, don’t be ridiculous. The Dean is a monster. Even without his talent, he’d still be unmatched. The only similarity is that this girl has a real shot at reaching S-rank in the future."

The murmurs grew louder, until, for the briefest instant, a faint smile touched Dean Orren’s lips. A spark of hope flickered deep inside him. Maybe this is what we need to finally clear that damned secret realm, he mused, nodding subconsciously. Then his brows furrowed as his gaze halted on a black-robed figure, emerald eyes gleaming with disinterest amidst the commotion.

"What is it, Seraphina?" Orren asked, his gaze softening with concealed warmth. "You don’t think an awakened SS-rank talent is impressive?" he quipped.

"I think she’s just jealous I scouted a better talent," Selene sneered, a vile smile tugging at her lips.

"Jealous?" Seraphina breathed, the word sharp and soft at once. Her eyes sparked, emerald light blazing as she fixed Selene with a gaze that froze her in place.

"N-no... I was wrong. I spoke out of turn," Selene stammered, trembling beneath the encroaching aura. Despite being in the same rank, the difference between them was monstrous. Her only bet that the Dean’s presence would shield her, but she was wrong, again.

"Thought so," Seraphina whispered. The green glow faded, and a faint smile touched her lips. "I did, in fact, find a better talent than a mere SS-rank." She whispered, her words drawing the council’s full attention, eyes widening with disbelief.

Another SS-rank? Or perhaps... SSS? The possibilities were earth-shattering. Yet the words that slipped from her lips next were reality-altering...straight out of legend.

"I found the Chosen One—the one the First Ancestor spoke of."