After the initial hubbub and pleasantries had subsided, Isabelle, Damien, Townsend, and T1 found themselves settling into their seats with tea and biscuits in front of them, ready to engage in an important discussion.Clearing his throat, Townsend broke the silence with an air of admiration in his voice, "I must admit, the Xander Mercenaries have made quite the impression. Ever since your arrival, swiftly dispatching the lower-ranking mercenaries, my attention has been fixated on your group. But it's not just me; many others have taken notice."Isabelle wore a curious frown as she inquired, "Oh, really? What's piqued everyone's interest?"Townsend responded with a contemplative expression, "It's because you've done something quite extraordinary. In the past, most individuals aimed to ascend the ranks by defeating a few lower-ranking mercenaries, then gradually working their way up to the middle ranks. But your team? You've introduced an entirely new dynamic, you subdued the whole lowe

As Alexander was diligently addressing matters in Spring, and Isabelle was attending to issues in Rhode Island, a momentous event was unfolding in Fairview. Unknown to the public eye, a sleek private jet gracefully descended onto the tarmac of the local airport.Emerging from the aircraft was a distinguished figure, shrouded in an impenetrable veil of secrecy, surrounded by a phalanx of six formidable bodyguards. This level of protection mirrored the fortifications often seen shielding heads of state or several presidents, concealing not only his face but also his true identity.Awaiting his arrival were two opulent Rolls Royce automobiles, standing as a testament to his prestige. The vigilant guards escorted him to one of the vehicles, where they all promptly embarked, and the convoy smoothly departed.Their destination? None other than the residence of the mayor, where undoubtedly significant and clandestine affairs were about to unfold.The upper echelons of Fairview had been quiet

Meanwhile, over in Springs, the Star Academy stood as a beacon of opulence, setting it apart from its counterpart, the Floral Academy. While the Floral Academy boasted a modest enrollment, its students were renowned for their exceptional strength. Despite being younger than the Star Academy, it held its own unique charm.However, the distinction between the two institutions ran deeper than mere age and student numbers. The Star Academy wielded considerable influence, drawing in students from affluent backgrounds and esteemed martial arts families, not only within Springs City but beyond its borders. This level of support set the Star Academy on an entirely different trajectory compared to the Floral Academy.Amidst this backdrop, a conversation unfolded between Chris and Diana, both young adults in their early twenties in the Star Academy. Diana, her age mirroring that of Chris, approached Chris, who appeared lost in thought. She prodded him gently, "Hey Chris, why are you sitting he

Damien and Townsend were deeply concerned for Isabelle's safety. While they were certain Terry didn't intend to harm her intentionally, they knew that his love for combat could inadvertently lead to her getting hurt. Townsend, having experienced his fair share of beatings in the past, understood the risks all too well.They watched in bewilderment as Isabelle's eyes were still closed during the battle, seemingly oblivious to the imminent danger. Townsend voiced his unease, saying, "Why would she close her eyes in the midst of a battle? Doesn't she realize that a single moment of vulnerability can lead to serious injury? In a life-or-death scenario, she would have been struck down."Townsend continued, speculating, "Perhaps she's attempting to meditate, but doing so in the midst of combat is perilous unless she possesses superior strength compared to her opponent."Suddenly, chaos erupted as a deafening explosion rocked the surroundings. It wasn't solely Terry's punch that caused this

The setting transitioned to the picturesque Floral Mountains, where nature's beauty surrounded them.Amidst this serene backdrop, David found himself in the midst of a meal when he received an urgent summons from Master Tobias.Upon entering Master Tobias's chambers, David couldn't help but inquire, "You called for me?" Lately, he had been receiving personal instruction from Master Tobias, and this was for a very specific purpose – he had become Alexander's shadow .You could say Alexander was like the Emperor and he was like the prime minister.Isabelle, despite her close association with Alexander as his bodyguard, didn't exhibit any signs of jealousy upon hearing about David's new role. This was because, in the grand scheme of things, her duty was to protect Alexander's physical well-being, while David's responsibilities delved into the realm of executing tasks and decisions on Alexander's behalf in secret. David's role as Alexander's shadow meant that he could execute tasks that n