The afternoon sun slanted through the tall crystalline windows of the Alliance Core's chamber, scattering shards of golden light across the polished floor.
The chamber was silent except for the faint clink of porcelain cups as four figures, the supreme leaders of the Mystic Continent, sat in a circle with a tray of refreshments placed in their midst.
The world outside was in chaos, yet here inside, the calmness of the room was deceptive, masking the weight of decisions about to be made.
Leader Dev leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing in thought. He was the first to speak, his voice deep and steady.
"One thing we can all agree on," he began, breaking the silence, "is that everyone's Cosmic Factor level starts at ten percent. But after a single twelve-hour meditation session using the provided technique, the level increased to fifty percent — a staggering forty percent gain. We observed the trend carefully. The first five hours gave nearly four percent each hour, the next six slowed to about three percent, and the last hour yielded only two. This suggests something critical — the higher the level, the harder each step becomes. After the first day, increases will demand far more time and discipline."
Leader Li, ever calm and deliberate, folded his hands. "We must gather more reports before we treat this as an absolute truth. Still, I felt changes beyond numbers. After my twelve hours of cultivation, I felt as if my body had been washed clean. My skin felt younger, my strength greater. The exhaustion of age melted away. Most importantly, I felt no need for sleep. I sat there wide awake and sharper than I've been in years. If this technique truly replaces sleep, then we are staring at a revolution greater than any weapon ever made."
Leader Igor nodded in agreement, his towering frame radiating vigor. "Indeed. I too felt renewed. The fatigue that had plagued me for years is gone. My body feels… reborn. I can do my regular training twofold without strain. This raises an immediate problem. We must design a schedule for our armies, cultivating in batches. If everyone cultivates together, we'll lose control. If they do so in turns, we maintain balance."
Leader James tapped his fingers on the armrest, his sharp eyes glinting. "That leads us to the people. If everyone cultivates freely and realizes the truth of these gains, chaos will follow. We cannot allow uncontrolled awakening. We must hold a continent-wide press conference and release a carefully crafted statement — something that misguides the people just long enough for us to prepare. My proposal: we announce that cultivating at night yields the best results. It is false, but it creates rhythm, structure, and buys us time."
Igor's lips curved into a grin. "Excellent!"
"Great!" Li echoed, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.
Dev rose, walking toward the window where the afternoon glow fell on his silhouette. His voice was resolute. "Then it is settled. Prepare the announcement. Meanwhile, summon all branch leaders, governors, and generals to the assembly hall. We will hear their experiences and their counsel before evening." With that, he departed, the others rising behind him.
******
The assembly hall was vast, built to hold hundreds, but on this day only the chosen elite filled its seats. Cabinet members, governors from far provinces, generals with hardened faces, and branch leaders of the Alliance sat in heavy silence. Whispers died down as the four supreme leaders entered, their presence enough to thicken the air with anticipation.
Leader Li stepped forward first. His gaze swept the hall, calm yet commanding, before his voice rang out clear and unwavering.
"Good afternoon, everyone. We gather here not for routine matters but for the greatest shift in our history. The Cosmic System has awakened, and its effects are profound. Today we will confirm our shared experience and decide how to face what is coming. I will ask a few questions. If your experience differs, raise your hand."
He let the silence linger before speaking again.
"First — who among you cultivated for twelve straight hours?"
The hall remained still. No hands rose, but nods rippled through the crowd.
"Second — did each of you begin with a Cosmic Factor level of precisely ten percent?"
Again, silence, and silent agreement.
"Third — after twelve hours of cultivation, did your level rise to fifty percent?"
The same response. No dissent.
"And finally," Li's voice softened, almost testing them, "has everyone in your families experienced the same?"
This time, the entire Cabinet nodded as one.
Leader Dev stood then, his tall frame casting a long shadow under the hall's lights. "What you confirm now is more than numbers. We have all felt it — the rush of strength, the disappearance of fatigue and sickness, the sense of being reborn. This is not isolated. This is universal. Every person on this continent is undergoing the same transformation."
A ripple of murmurs surged, hushed but tense.
Dev's voice dropped lower, weightier. "Such power brings danger. With strength comes arrogance. With change comes unrest. Violence, murders, riots — all may rise as people realize what they can do. That is why we are here: to decide how to respond, to guide this continent through upheaval before it devours itself."
A general with a scarred face rose, his voice rough but steady. "Leader Dev, with respect, the physical benefits are beyond dispute. But the real threat is in the mind. For the first time, the common man sees a clear path to power. That thrill is intoxicating. It will breed arrogance, disobedience, disregard for law. We must not simply suppress this. We must guide it, or it will tear our order apart."
A governor, sharp-eyed and precise in speech, followed. "The general is right. The initial path appears equal — everyone starts at ten percent. But the gains slow quickly. Natural hierarchies will form. The strong will see themselves as chosen. The slower ones will feel resentment. Division will come. We need a system to manage this imbalance before it festers."
James interjected smoothly, "We are already considering this. For the army, we will impose cultivation schedules. For the public, we will shape perception. We intend to announce that cultivating at night yields superior results. It is not truth, but it grants us time. Time to set rules before chaos begins."
The Eastern Continent leader raised his hand asked. "But if the people discover the lie, will they not lose faith in us entirely? A broken trust may be worse than riots."
The hall stilled, the weight of the question echoing.
Li answered firmly. "Trust is not in words. Trust is in action. We will use the time gained to build a new order capable of stability. When the time is right, we will reveal the truth. Until then, deception is necessary. Better a temporary lie than permanent anarchy."
Another general rose, urgency in his tone. "Then while we think long-term, what of the short-term? The people will test their limits. Hot-blooded youth will fight, crime will surge. We must deploy forces, not as tyrants, but as watchers. We must be visible in troubled areas, ready to intervene. Our presence will remind them that authority still stands."
Dev nodded gravely. "A sound point. Yet we must not be seen as oppressors. We will guide, not crush. In every city, we will establish Cultivation Centers — places of learning, guidance, and oversight. Citizens will train, ask questions, report issues. We will watch their progress and identify dangers early."
A governor from the countryside spoke then, her voice practical. "And what of the villages? Most people live far from these cities. If they cultivate without guidance, they may become rogues. How do we reach them?"
James replied, "We will create mobile teams — military with civilian scholars — who travel to remote lands. They will spread knowledge, provide guidance, and show our presence. This is inclusion as much as control. We must win the people's trust as much as their obedience."
Igor leaned forward, his voice carrying ambition. "This is opportunity as much as danger. With Cosmic Factor levels measurable, we can design a new social order. Rank society by CF milestones. Those who reach higher thresholds gain new roles and privileges. This rewards discipline and loyalty. It also lets us identify talents early and place them where they serve best."
The Northern Continent leader, until now listening, spoke at last. "You speak of power and order, but what of the economy? The old systems are crumbling already. With no need for sleep, productivity will double. With greater strength, one man may do the work of three. Factories, farms, labor markets — all will be overturned. If we do not plan now, starvation and unemployment will rise alongside riots."
The hall hushed again as his words sank in.
Dev clasped his hands behind his back, pacing slowly. "You are right. This is no mere awakening of strength — it is the rebirth of society itself. We must create a committee devoted to economic and social restructuring. They will design new models, safety nets, and roles. If needed, we must even consider universal income to prevent collapse. We will retrain citizens for higher roles — research, advanced manufacturing, defense. We cannot let millions drift into chaos."
He turned, eyes sharp. "And to prepare, we must once again consult General Pedro. His intelligence and foresight are crucial. We cannot afford unseen dangers. His analysis may shield us from the storms ahead."
The leaders rose one after another, signaling the meeting's end. Dev's voice echoed one last time across the chamber. "We will reconvene this evening after hearing from General Pedro. Until then, prepare your branches, refine your questions, and be ready. Dismissed."
The hall erupted in low murmurs as officials stood, some grim, some inspired, all aware that history had turned a page.
The four supreme leaders departed together, their figures tall against the waning light of day, burdened by the knowledge that they alone now steered the course of an entire world reborn.