When Leon's class stepped into the arena through the hidden entrance, they were immediately struck by the thunderous buzzing of the audience and the glare of bright neon lights that could have easily overwhelmed Leon once upon a time.

After all, he had never been much of a social person, and grand events like these were never made for someone like him. But now, knowing what was about to unfold, he couldn't care less about the spectacle or his nerves.

He lifted his head, scanning the surroundings to take in a proper view of what would soon most likely turn into a battlefield.

Amber's class stood in perfect formation at the corner of the vast arena, an expanse so massive it made the football fields Leon remembered from his previous life look small.

Around them stretched colossal stands packed with tens of thousands of spectators, their cheers and roars shaking the very air as they shouted for their chosen students across every class.

They weren't alone in the arena either. From first-years to fourth-years, from the combat department to the research department, every branch of the Academy had gathered.

Many of the seniors here were already recognized as heroes of the Western Continent, lauded for their repeated triumphs against the Rifts that had threatened to swallow entire cities.

But Leon wasn't interested in the students. His eyes searched for something else entirely and soon they landed on the northern section of the stadium.

Floating boxes drifted high above, carrying the VIPs of the Conclave. From behind their black-tinted glass, they observed everything with hidden eyes.

Leon couldn't tell what kind of expressions they wore, but he knew one thing, many of these people preferred secrecy over fame. It was the reason they chose these Boxes.

'The Council of Nine isn't here yet and the Conclave won't start without them.'

His gaze rose to the empty Seats of Honor that floated higher than the rest. Reserved for the most powerful people, the Council of Nine and the Headmistress of Starlink Academy, it stood vacant for now.

As he was still looking around, a spotlight suddenly crashed down on him, and the noise in the arena exploded tenfold. The volume stabbed into his ears, deafening, as the crowd screamed his name.

'Almost forgot about this.' Leon sighed inwardly, though he still forced a smile at the masses. The moment he did, the cheers grew even more frenzied. He was already very handsome so this tiny gesture impressed them.

At present, Leon had become Earth's greatest celebrity, thanks to Starlink Academy. They had deliberately put him in the spotlight, using his fame as bait to distract both the public and the VIPs from the far more sensitive issue, the murder of Saylin's daughter.

By revealing his unprecedented talent to the world, they had painted him as the star. The result was obvious, countless eyes were fixed on him, with many harboring not-so-innocent desires. Some clans definitely dreamed of dragging him home and turning him into a breeding tool.

Of course, not everyone had such crude intentions. Many simply wanted to tie their clans' futures to his. After all, Leon could take multiple wives, and if one of those wives came from their bloodline, their chances of producing prodigies skyrocketed. A Grade 8 Talent male meant both power and survival.

It was a smart tactic, and Leon didn't mind being used in this way, he wanted the attention directed here, away from the murder. Besides, the Conclave was always going to be the stage where he revealed the truth anyway.

Turning back to the northern boxes, Leon could feel the weight of sharper, heavier gazes watching him, far more interested than the average crowd.

'I can win backing here. This stage is perfect for it.'

"You're getting famous," Bella whispered with her straight face. "Don't forget us when you're up too high. Let us hug the thick thigh."

"Agreed! Let's hug Nat's thighs instead!" Leon chuckled softly, muttering under his breath.

The spotlight moved on to others, but that single instant had been more than enough. His presence alone had already captivated the stadium.

A Grade 8 Talent. The highest potential any man had ever shown in human history.

'The burden is heavy.'

Suddenly, the air shattered as a blazing meteor slammed into the center of the arena. Fire roared, smoke billowed, and when it cleared, Amber stood revealed...cold, proud, and unflinching.

Her sharp eyes swept the stadium before she scoffed, her voice echoing to every corner, "What? Stop staring at my class, you leeches!"

Leon nearly choked. He had been admiring her perfect entrance, her terrifying aura… and of course, she just had to ruin it with her bluntness. Judging by the collective silence, he wasn't the only one thinking that.

Then again, Amber had always been like this, blunt, outrageous, and yet strangely captivating.

'Ah! Imagine announcing to the world that I'm married to this insane woman.' Leon smirked at the thought.

The entire stadium had gone silent at her outburst. It wasn't that Amber was unknown, she was practically a household name but seeing her act so directly in front of the masses still stunned people.

"Now, now! There's no need for Miss Amber to be so hostile, is there? Everyone's simply curious about your student, considering how he became a worldwide sensation."

The heavy silence cracked as a calm, authoritative voice rang out. One of the floating boxes opened its glass panel, revealing a tall woman.

Four additional arms stretched from her back, and faint scales marked one side of her face. She stepped forward with a smile that was all politeness but no warmth.

"And? Is it his fault he's extraordinary, unlike anyone from your BlackSword Academy?" Amber shot back with a scoff.

The woman's smile faltered, though she held it together as best as she could. "You misunderstand. It's only natural for people to wonder if this is truth or baseless rumor. After all, second awakenings are extremely rare, and so far there's been no proof. Naturally, the public is curious."

Her grin widened, daring.

'I knew it would come to this,' Leon thought. 'They won't accept it without proof. And honestly, who would? It's unbelievable.'

He glanced toward Amber and caught the faintest curl of her lips. Nobody else would have noticed, but Leon had began to understand her enough to recognize it instantly.

'Ohh… she's baiting them.' His heart thumped. 'She's dragging them into her pace. Then it means we'll play along.'

This was the Conclave, broadcast to the entire world. If there was ever a stage to unveil the truth, this was it. And yet, Amber clearly wanted more than that.

Standing tall at the center of the arena, her arms folded over her chest, she declared, "So, are you saying Starlink Academy is lying? Are you calling me, Amber Frost, a liar?"

Her voice iced over, sharp as a blade. "Choose your words carefully, Cha Yoori. Neither I nor this Academy will tolerate slander."

A shudder rippled through Cha Yoori before she even realized it. 'I'm at Tier 10… then why did I feel such fear?'

Still, her pride wouldn't allow her to back down. Amber's arrogance grated at her, and she had the support of others today.

Forcing a smile, she replied, "Of course not. How could anyone doubt someone with such a reputable name? We simply wish for the world to see its future strongest man. It will inspire many to work harder and even men will strive to rise higher."

"And why should he do that?" Amber asked flatly, her gaze cutting to the other floating boxes.

She knew exactly where Cha Yoori's confidence came from.

If Amber refused here, in front of so many VIPs, it would look like she was hiding something, like Starlink Academy was peddling lies. That was the trap.

It might have worked on someone else, someone weaker, someone concerned about appearances.

But Amber Frost wasn't that kind of person.

Cha Yoori faltered. What do you mean why should he? Wasn't this obvious?

"Are they paying him for their so-called motivation?" Amber scoffed. "He owes them nothing. He'll protect humanity when the time comes, and that's enough. You want more for free? You're nothing but leeches."

The stadium froze in disbelief. Her reasoning was absurd, unyielding, even shameless… and yet, disturbingly, it made sense.

People caught themselves nodding, horrified by how much her words resonated. Leon himself nearly laughedz he had braced for her wildness, but hearing it in public still rattled him.

Cha Yoori, however, was left cornered. She didn't have the power or influence to challenge Amber head-on. That was why she had resorted to indirect pressure.

But indirect tricks were useless against someone like Amber, who cared nothing for politics or public opinion. She had already saved humanity countless times, her reputation was untouchable. Even the world government wouldn't move against her just for humiliating someone in public.

They all knew, Amber Frost was too important, too irreplaceable. And she had always been unreasonable.

Leon shook his head, lips tugging upward. 'It's time for my entry.'

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