Chapter 24: A Decision

  Xie Lianhua was the only daughter of the Lianhua family. Her parents weren't native to Aurelius, having inated from a small isnd called the Frostweave Allia was a nd of perpetual winter, governed by the principles of Enviroal Democracy with transparent policymaking at its core. Many historians had specuted about the A Migaya race still residing there, and in 7050 L.C., the Global Survey Operation initiated by UG firmed that the Migaya's predecessors indeed inhabited the isnd.

  The harsh ere O had kept Frostweave isoted from the rest of Freya despite being part of the mainnd. Its discovery was credited to a sea mert named Nibad, who stumbled upon it while navigating the Almaz-Nova sea route. Following its discovery, many Frostweave natives migrated to the Freya mainnd seekier opportunities.

  Xie's parents had moved to Aurelius before her birth. As merts, they had built siderable wealth, making their family one of the most affluent in Prismara city. Xie had wanted for nothing throughout her childhood.

  In her well-decorated room, expensive Polish furniture stoed acc to a designer's vision. A cssical painting adorhe beautifully painted wall while Madam Brue Marayoor's melodies pyed softly as Xie held her m teacup.

  She let out a long sigh.

  "No matter what I try, my mind always drifts toward your words. Holy, at this point, I'm not sure I'll be able to break up with you."

  But I must, otherwise...

  A curtain of sadness masked her ethereal beauty.

  "I wonder if you would fall for some irl after I break up with you."

  The thought alone brought an ache to her heart.

  I agi, let alo happen.

  "Why am I so cursed..."

  Another long sigh escaped her lips.

  Suddenly, her body shivered as cold swept across her skin. She felt an unseen presearing at her from some dark er. When she felt a tou her shoulders, she reflexively stood up, pushing her chair away. The teacup crashed to the floor.

  Water surrounded her protectively as her light blue eyes deepened. She ted in her mother tongue, Magian:

  "ihˉ-maa'i, zi-hemˉ tei waris-yan." (Goddess of Water, protect your ior)

  Turning toward the dark er, her face torted with rage as she spoke:

  "zi-jur′ tei zi-ms mei bi-izn." (How dare you touch me without my permission)

  A faint whisper carried the smile of some unknowy that appeared and vanished before Xie's eyes. She pulled her elbows together, crossing her arms as if to shield herself from the vile air.

  "I hate my life..." she crumbled to her knees.

  In Prismara city, the capital of the Prime state, The Teo Society base of operations was bustling with more people than usual.

  "Mr. Lio, you're finally here. How is your son?" A man with a thick mustache greeted Henry Lio.

  "o see you after a month, Mr. Stark. My son? Well, you know he's not the brightest, but he retly found a girlfriend. She's a good match for him."

  "Is that so? Ah, to be young again!" Stark ughed heartily.

  "What are you saying? We're still in our prime," Lio replied.

  Stark moved closer to Lio and lowered his voice: "I heard the president has invited some special guests this time."

  "Is that so...?" Lio's eyes widened with suspi as he fell into deep thought.

  The Republic of Aurelius stood as one of the dominant nations in the Freya ti, wielding not only one of the most powerful armies but also siderable influence over other nations. As a key member of the United Gover, it held signifit power in the current epoch. Aurelius followed Teocratic democracy, seleg experts from various fields as its g body while choosing its president from a general public affairs cil, whose members were elected by majority vote. Voting was mandatory for all citizens above 22 years of age.

  The gover, eo Society after numerous iterations, prioritized public transparend g efficy. However, it had faced several rebellions due to rising prostitution, unemployment, and criminal activities across various states. Gang violence had bee onpce even in the capital city of Prismara.

  As selected members from the general public affairs cil and Teo Society took their seats, a man in his thirties appeared before the crowd.

  "Good afternoon, my fellow panions," he greeted from the ter of the discussion hall.

  Oscar Asher, president of the Teo Society and former leader of the general public affairs cil, rodigy. He held the record as the you graduate from National Intellex Uy. The former president had invited him to joieo Society after graduation, g his tributions to chemistry and physics, but Oscar had chosen the public affairs cil instead. Later, he assumed the role of Teo Society president. By rule, Teo Society members couldn't bee president, as this position was reserved for public affairs cil members. However, Teo Society members voted on presidential sele and held signifit sway over national decisions.

  "As you know, our Teo Society's primary goal is to advance our nation's development. Over the past few weeks, I've been in discussions with UG regarding a particur matter." Oscar unfolded a map of Aurelius before the assembly.

  "UG has collectively agreed to i in an expedition to this area," Oscar indicated a region north of the Prime state in Prismara.

  "Mr. President, this is too dangerous," a blonde woman interjected. "We have other pressing national issues to address before uaking any expedition. Even our stroeam ot guarantee success in the Gahara forest."

  "I uand your , Miss Rose. However, this expedition could prove invaluable. If successful, we'll acquire a material that will not only boost our iional trade but revolutionize multiple industries. UG has pledged unlimited funding for this special material. We could resolve our unemployment issues and more. But most importantly—" he turo address the wider audience, "we seek development from our very core. As experts in your respective fields, surely you uand my se."

  The hall erupted into various discussions, voices filling every er.

  "But Mr. President," Henry Lio voiced his doubts, "we don't even know what material we might find in Gahara forest, let alos potential applications."

  "Indeed, some of you may question this decision, but the nation of Intellex has achieved a breakthrough ial studies. They've discovered S(c-3)-16 which till now could be found in various things but we were never able to retrieve it due to it being in a special crystallized state, which will open numerous business opportunities," Oscar replied.

  The room grew louder as unease spread among the Teo Society members.

  "Mr. President, what is S(c-3)-16? you guaras value?" a man in a top hat inquired.

  "Thank you for asking, Mr. Ohm." Oscar's expression turned serious as he drew a firearm.

  "This demonstrates one of this element's many miracles."

  Bang.

  Oscar fired without hesitation, leaving every Teo Society member stunned.

  How is this possible? No dey?

  "Did you see, my fellow panions? This simple firearm, previously mere specution, now stands as reality before us. This element enhance bullet bustion speed and effid that's just one application. Now, is my proposal worthy of your sideration?" Oscar asked the crowd.

  Miss Rose stood. "Fasating, Mr. President. This truly revolutionizes not only chemistry but onry. With this, we take aep toward our nation's greater development."

  Cp. Cp. Cp.

  A standing ovati through the grandeur hall.

  "We must assemble an expedition team soon. Mr. Lio, may I entrust you with this case?" Oscar asked.

  "It would be my honor, Mr. President."

  This momentous decision would trigger far-reag sequences iure.

  M at the Valor Residence, everyone was busy at their own work except a certain someone.

  "rad!" a girl's voice apanied persistent knog. "Why are you still sleeping? Get up, or you'll miss breakfast!"

  Cra paused, hearing only her brother's sleeping sounds, which further frustrated her desire to share breakfast with him.

  Leona, passing through the hallway, noticed Cra still knog. She looked at her younger sister.

  "Cra, why are you still waiting for rad? I thought you hated him."

  "Huh?" Cra looked at Leona, puzzled. "rad is my elder brother, why would I hate him?"

  Leona remained silent as she walked past her sister.

  "Be careful. People don't ge easily. The sooner you learn that, the better," Leona offered these final words before entering her room.

  Cra was about to respond when the door opened, revealing a half-asleep rad.

  "Mmm... I'm still sleepy, Craaa—" rad dozed off while standing.

  "rad, wake up! Freshen yourself. Let's eat, I'm waiting," Cra tried to rouse her brother.

  Anira stayed with me all night. I couldn't get any sleep, rad mented internally bming his stubborn partner.

  "Hey!" Cra jolted him awake. "Why do you keep spag out while walking?"

  rad yawned as Cra attempted to pull him along, though her strength proved insuffit against his Essentia Body.

  I possess immense physical power. While I might not feel it before Anira, the difference is stark with others. It always fuses me.

  Fifteen mier, Cra and rad reached the kit, where a dining table awaited. Cra sat beside her brother as rad helped himself to bread and butter. Leona joined shortly after, taking her usual seat opposite rad, though she cast Cra a quice—this being the first time Cra sat across from her. Isolde, as head of the household, occupied the ter seat.

  "rad, you're free today, right? you drop me at the church school?" Cra asked.

  "Yes, I'm still suspended. I'll take you today."

  "Leona is getting promoted soon," Isolde announced, interrupting rad and Cra's versation.

  Leona, typically reserved, made her preferences clear through a rather than words. She harbored disdain for her brother and men in general, having faced siderable prejudi her career with the National Civil Guard.

  Silence fell after Isolde's annou. Leona tinued sippiea. Though Cra adored both her older sisters a particurly close to Leona, she uood Leona's aversion to frivolity. Despite being the sed-you sibling, Leona carried herself with a maturity that made her seem the eldest.

  rad had ged signifitly of te. Though inhabiting rad's body, Dev’s mind carried wisdom beyond even Isolde's years. To him, Leona remained a child.

  "gratutions, Leona. We should celebrate this success," rad smiled.

  "No need for unnecessary expenses," Leona replied ftly.

  Cra watched her brother nervously. She knew how much her elder sister didn't care for rad but in her mind rad had ged and she wished her sister to alshat.

  "Celebrating my young sister's success could never be unnecessary to me," rad met Leona's gaze directly.

  Leourned his look with emotionless eyes. This marked their first diretentional eye tact; previously, she'd regarded her brother as unworthy of attention. But something in his eyes now suggested a different persoirely.

  "Ahem!" Isolde cleared her throat, cutting through the tension in the air "I believe are some mohis month. We should ihers to celebrate. Siher's passing, we've rarely held any celebrations in this house."

  "Then it's settled. Let's anize a small party with close friends," rad agreed.

  "Saint Holy Day falls this Friday. Most people will have the day off—perfect for a party," Cra suggested excitedly.

  "Please, Leona..." Cra pleaded with her eyes.

  "Fine..." Leona took another sip of tea.