The instant Mordan heard the words "Central Academy," his mind raced with thoughts.
His earlier suspicion that the academy was created by Sir Heart felt even more certain now.
But it also meant something bigger: entering the academy would brighten anyone's future.
The academy didn't just provide a cultivation system.
It offered martial techniques, real challenges, valuable experience, and—most importantly—connections with peers and the academy itself.
If his alliance and he could send carefully chosen people there, those graduates could return and integrate into their personal forces.
Their strength would grow tremendously.
Mordan immediately ordered IC-AI to contact the leaders of the allied nations inside Eternal Ascendancy and summon them for a meeting at his residence.
He also instructed Umang to select mostly young people for the academy.
Umang complied and left to choose candidates.
Mordan had decided to prioritize youth.
Young people would blend in easily, make friends, and adapt quickly.
He also planned to send a few trusted adults to watch over them and guide them quietly.
Mordan wasn't particularly excited about the cultivation system—he already had one.
What thrilled him were the connections and martial techniques the members would learn.
He didn't know if the academy would allow graduates to teach those techniques to others.
But even if they didn't, the members could modify the techniques after growing stronger and pass them on to their countrymen.
Some hours passed.
Finally, the alliance meeting began.
The first to arrive was the Galia Dominion leader, followed by the Helvetica Union leader.
The Eurasian Union leader came last.
Mordan greeted them one by one.
They returned the greetings politely.
Then the Eurasian Union leader asked in an urgent tone, "Please finish the meeting quickly. There's so much work waiting for me."
Hearing him say this, the other three leaders sighed.
They understood why the Eurasian Union leader was acting so urgently.
His country was suffering from extreme cold.
Even though he had taken measures—telling civilians to stay indoors, use heaters all the time (electricity was free and nearly inexhaustible, generated from essence flow), and avoid going outside.
If someone needed something, they called military help. Drones and tanks delivered supplies. And later when robots get installed, the robots will do these works.
He was also aggressively recruiting his own citizens into the nation's Concord—hoping the game world would protect their real bodies from the cold.
So he had endless tasks.
And now Mordan had called a meeting without even stating the subject.
He still came because he trusted Mordan had a good reason.
Seeing his urgency, Mordan started the meeting immediately.
"I called this meeting because of an opportunity…"
He repeated IC-AI's exact words.
He watched their expressions carefully.
First confusion.
Then realization.
Then happiness.
Excitement.
And finally, bright expectations for the future.
They didn't have a cultivation system—only the breathing technique they had bought from Mordan.
Of course they couldn't offer it publicly; doing so would erase India's current advantage.
They had joined the auction for the same reason—to gain the tortoise breathing technique.
So they were thrilled to hear they could send people to the Central Academy.
Those selected members could learn, grow powerful, and potentially create new breathing techniques to teach their nation.
They weren't arrogant enough to believe their people could create a full cultivation system—that was impossibly difficult.
And even if someone succeeded, they'd likely keep it secret due to its preciousness.
Just as Mordan finished his last sentence, all three leaders stood up simultaneously.
They said almost in unison, "Okay everyone, I'm leaving. I have to select my people. And Sir Mordan—thank you for the opportunity."
If Mordan hadn't asked them to invest in the "secret project," they wouldn't have received this chance.
Every nation was trying their best to send only a single chosen individual to the Central Academy, hoping to minimize loss while maximizing gain.
And here Mordan and his alliance were sending 20 each—simultaneously.
Mordan stood up, ready to leave for his remaining work.
But the Eurasian Union leader stopped them all with a raised hand.
He said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you. I asked my special AI about creating that organization focused on building the shield around cities. It told me we can build a separate space in the eternal ascendancy just for that organisation—so the organization can work freely. It can even have its own special AI, specialized in research and development. We'll have equal control over it. But it will cost money, and I can't bear it alone. So…"
The Galia Dominion leader completed his sentence, "We want to join or not? You don't have to worry. Count me in. Your nation is suffering from extreme cold. My nation will also suffer from extreme heat in the future when seasons shift. So I'm with you."
The Helvetica Union leader added quickly, "Count me too."
Mordan nodded firmly. "Count me too."
The Eurasian Union leader heard their words and smiled warmly. "Thank you, everyone."
He knew the truth: they didn't urgently need the shield yet. They could wait.
But they agreed now because they cared about his nation's suffering.
He was deeply thankful.
He turned around and vanished—exiting Eternal Ascendancy.
The other two leaders vanished right after.
Mordan stood alone for a moment, then left to continue his work.
He wasn't free.
The installation of robots and AIs wasn't complete yet. He had to send people to monitor progress.
He also had to trade with other nations for resources.
There was just so much to do.
But with the Central Academy opportunity now open to his alliance, the future looked brighter than ever.
***
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