"High performers will be trained personally by the Harbinger?!"
Esther nodded as she looked at the message that had popped up on her device just a few moments prior.
"The strongest Awakeners will be selected to compete against one another in individual battles, while others can form teams and participate in large scale battles"
Calypso stepped forward, "Who are the ones selected for the individual battles?"
Flipping the device around, Esther allowed everyone to see the names and descriptions of those selected.
Calypso: Eclipse Squad Leader
Evocation Type Awakener (Restoration)
Ability: Open spatial gates capable of summoning otherworldly creatures
Vikir Von Augenstein: Night Weaver Squad Leader
Transformation Type Awakener (Extinction)
Ability: Transform the body into that of a red dragon, gaining its features and powers
Cinder Lopez: Nightfall Squad Leader
Manipulation Type Awakener (Restoration)
Ability: Manipulate fire into various spells
Nina Mirella: Nightmare Squad Leader
Mental Type Awakener (Restoration)
Ability: Condense mental power into solid forms, capable of phasing through solids and attack the mind
Zheng Yuxuan: Revenant Squad Leader
Evocation Type Awakener (Extinction)
Ability: Raise and summon undead creatures from the earth, keeping much of the corpses' abilities
These were the names of the five squad leaders of the Void Subjugation Corp, each powerful Restoration-Extinction level Awakeners.
Right under their names however were the ten powerhouses of the Void Reaper Squad, each monsters in their own right, wielding magic relics bestowed upon them personally by the Harbinger himself.
Given the right circumstances, they each should become Divine-Cursed level Awakeners without fail, with even the potential to reach the Saint-Supreme level someday. Of course, the squad leaders also possessed this potential, but their speed of progress and overall strength was simply at a lower level.
Esther pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly conflicted and distraught. While the Void Subjugation Corp were powerful and effective at slaying Void Creatures, that was the extent of their experience.
Their entire purpose was to kill these otherworldly creatures, not fight against intelligent Awakeners, as such even with their strength, they find the task daunting to complete. After all, an event of this scale has not occurred for a thousand years, and the reputation of the Harbinger was on the line.
"We could ask Ms. Emerald for help," a light feminine voice said abruptly. All members of the Void Subjugation Corp turned to look at the person who spoke.
A short statured young girl stood with her arms crossed and her dark brown hair cut short, the symbol of the Nightmare squad clearly etched into the back of her leather jacket. She brushed a few loose strands of hair off her childlike face.
"Its not like we are forbidden from looking for help, we've just been too stubborn to do so. Plus, I'm sure Ms. Emerald would be willing to do so for the sake of the Harbinger"
Murmurs of agreement spread through the hundreds of Awakeners present. While the individual battles only accepted the strongest, there was no shortage of motivated individuals that wished to shine in the team battles.
Seeing the wave of agreeance, Esther sighed in defeat, for she had been the biggest advocate of being independent from outside aid.
"Very well then, we can't disappoint when we are subordinates of the Harbinger after all"
She then scanned the squads, her eyes darting to dirt patches and torn cloth with slight distaste.
This was a normal sight, after all, the past few months have been filled with nothing but battles and subjugations. After fighting and killing dozens upon dozens of Void Creatures without rest, it was certain that they would be slightly unsightly after not bathing for so long.
"Let's all clean ourselves up a bit," Esther said as she took a better look at her dusted figure, "We can't go in looking like homeless freaks"
-
A few hours later…
The Void Subjugation Corp moved as a collective, their clothes now washed and fixed and their bodies clean of dirt and dust. After a few hours of travel, the Global Awakener Institute finally came into view.
Esther, who led the Awakeners, turned to her side where Nina stood with childlike innocence.
"Come with me, you suggested the idea and have the best relationship with Ms. Emerald," she then turned to face the entire Corp, "Everyone else is free to do as they please until we come back"
The duo separated from the main group which was also quickly dispersing. Walking through several pristine white corridors in silence, they passed a number of unmarked doors, the smell of lavender growing stronger as they went.
Finally, they stopped before a mahogany door with a shiny metal plate at eye level. It was the only marked door they had come across, though the rectangular plate had no words engraved upon it.
Esther raised on hand and knocked twice, the sound a faint echo across the empty corridor. A few moments later, a soft voice came from the other side of the door.
"Enter please"
Pushing open the door, Esther was met with a simplistic office room, spacious enough to move around in and holding nothing more than a wooden desk and chair.
Emerald sat on her chair, one leg crossed over the other with authoritative elegance. She pushed up her glasses, framing her perfectly cold emerald green eyes.
"What is the reason for your visit?"
Nina suddenly entered the room, her eyes scowling the corners with childlike scrutiny. She smiled innocently at Emerald, whose gaze softened ever so slightly.
"Miss Emerald, your office is a bit bland isn't it?"
The secretary sighed, her expression doused in weariness, "I don't particularly have the time to admire such things. Usually, a mountain of paperwork would block my view"
Esther and Nina glanced at the table, where sure enough there was a huge stack of papers on either side.
Emerald waved her hand in dismissal, "Don't worry about me, the bones of a Divine level Awakener aren't that weak. Rather, just tell me what you are here for"
Hearing this, Esther couldn't help but feel a slight shiver travel up her spine. Sometimes it can be hard to imagine that the carefree woman sitting before them was on the same level of strength as Bishop.
A top level Awakener that was the backbone of any force, only a step away from the Saint level. That was the identity of the person before them, not a simple secretary buried in paperwork, but a powerful individual that willingly submitted to the Harbinger.
Esther glanced at Nina, who took the hint and stepped forward.
"We need help preparing for the upcoming battle against the Saint-Supremes' forces. As much as we are good at killing Void Creatures, Awakeners are much more cunning to deal with using our usual methods"
Hearing this, Emerald paused, causing both Nina and Esther to freeze. Thinking that they had gone overboard for requesting help, Esther quickly lowered her head in apology.
"I understand if that is a difficult request to fulfil"
In reality however, the thoughts going on inside of Emerald's head were not anger in the slightest. Rather, the thought of adding more work onto her plate made her fearful.
'When will I have my dream vacation...'