"Glen, you almost left us before your time, huh!" teased one of his friends, chuckling as he patted Glen on the shoulder.
"Remember, core members are not ordinary people. They're far scarier than we can imagine," another friend added seriously.
The small discussion carried on among them. Many students, especially those who rarely encountered core members, had begun to forget their extraordinary power. Some assumed they were merely lucky to be chosen by Lein. However, the recent incident served as a stark reminder that their assumptions were gravely mistaken.
Time continued to pass. One by one, the core members arrived at the hall, walking to their seats on the stage. Each arrival was greeted with warm applause from the students. They sat casually, but their aura radiated an undeniable authority.
On the bustling city streets, a large black car cruised steadily, flanked by several escort vehicles maintaining a disciplined formation. The car's engine purred softly, yet its presence drew attention. Everyone who saw the convoy instinctively moved aside, making way with evident respect.
Inside the car, a woman in formal attire sat in the front seat, right next to the driver. Her demeanor was calm, but every movement exuded strong professionalism. She glanced briefly at her watch before turning to look behind her.
"Mr. Joy, Miss Grace, we'll arrive in three minutes," she said in a flat yet confident tone.
In the back seat, two teenagers dressed in the distinctive uniforms of Star Academy sat upright. Their uniforms were navy blue with silver emblems signifying their prestigious status. Their faces reflected pride, though there was a hint of tension they couldn't quite hide.
"Thank you, ma'am," Joy and Grace replied almost simultaneously, their tone polite yet slightly awkward.
Although the woman in front of them was merely an assistant, something about her made them hesitant to act casually. Her strong aura suggested she could handle both of them effortlessly if needed. Joy and Grace exchanged glances, realizing that while their talents promised a bright future, they were still far from her level.
"Joy, do you think Master Lein will come?" Grace asked suddenly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Joy raised an eyebrow, pondering for a moment before answering. "I have a feeling Master Lein will definitely show up."
"What makes you think so?" Grace pressed, tilting her head inquisitively.
Joy leaned back against his seat and smiled casually. "Well, there's no specific reason. It's just…" He continued confidently, "there's no longer any threat, so Master Lein might have more free time now."
Grace nodded slowly, trying to digest the simple analysis. Over the past few months, their induction as core alliance members had been delayed due to significant external threats. But now, with those threats gone, there was no reason for Lein to keep postponing the ceremony.
"That sounds reasonable," Grace murmured, though doubt lingered on her face. "But I think Master Lein is too lofty. It's hard to imagine him caring about something trivial ."
Though her words sounded pessimistic, there was a glimmer of hope in her eyes. Grace recalled the moment she saw Lein in person, defeating the final assault in a duel with Joy. At that moment, she realized he was far stronger than she could ever imagine.
Joy smirked slightly, noticing the change in Grace's expression. "No need to worry. Soon enough, we'll know the answer."
The car passed through the alliance building's main gate. Security at the gate was tight, with armed soldiers and magical formations enveloping the area. When the woman in the front presented an identification card, a glowing portal appeared, allowing them to enter without issue.
Inside the alliance complex, the car made several turns, passing through heavily guarded corridors before finally stopping in front of the main hall. The hall was grand, with architecture blending luxury and strength. Massive pillars stood tall along the walls, adorned with intricate carvings of the alliance's symbols.
Around the hall, many people had already gathered. Most wore alliance uniforms that reflected their status, while others were dressed in formal attire. The sounds of conversations and footsteps created a lively atmosphere in the spacious room.
The woman in the front seat turned to face the back, her expression still calm. "We've arrived. Please follow me."
The female assistant stepped out of the car first, then turned toward Grace and Joy, who were now standing beside the vehicle. Her expression remained calm, but her aura exuded authority.
"Follow me," she said briefly but with confidence.
"Yes, ma'am," Grace and Joy replied in unison, their tone respectful.
Without wasting any time, they walked behind the woman toward the entrance of the main hall. Along the way, they passed several uniformed guards standing by the doors. Each time a guard prepared to inspect them, the woman calmly presented her identification card. The card shimmered briefly, and with a respectful nod, the guards allowed them to pass without issue.
As they entered the main hall, Grace couldn't contain her amazement. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up, admiring the intricate ornaments adorning the hall's ceiling. Elegant, bright lights hung above, casting a glow over every corner of the room. The floor gleamed, reflecting the grandeur of the hall, while several assistant robots glided smoothly, attending to guests in need of assistance.
"It's so beautiful…" she murmured unconsciously.
Joy, walking beside her, took in the surroundings with equal awe. A small smile curved on his lips. "We're truly lucky to have been chosen by Master Lein," he said with a tone of reverence.
They had seen this hall before on television and in news reports, but witnessing it in person was an entirely different experience. A sense of insignificance slowly crept into their hearts. They felt small amidst the grandeur, as if there was little they could truly be proud of apart from their S-level talents.
Yes, Lein had chosen them both because of their rare gifts. It was during a visit to the Star Academy Alliance that Lein encountered them while Grace and Joy were engaged in a friendly match. The match ended in a draw, but only because Lein had intervened to stop them.