The upper levels of the Central Tower were silent. Few ever walked here, and Fewer still dared to enter the Board of Defenders’ conference room uninvited.

When Adrian, Sentinel, and Aurelia pushed open its doors, only one figure sat inside.

Kael.

The commander of the Defenders sat hunched over tactical reports. His eyes lifted and widened as the trio entered.

The instant he saw Sentinel, he shot to his feet, his composure cracking. In all his years, the Guardian had never once stepped into this chamber.

And then Kael’s gaze fell upon the woman. Hooded at first, but as the light struck her face, recognition hit him.

His heart lurched, knees hitting the floor before he realized it.

“…Lady Aurelia.”

Aurelia, One of the Celestial Eleven.

“My Lord. Lady Aurelia.” His voice carried decades of reverence.

“Rise,” Sentinel commanded, his tone gentle but firm. He gestured toward the kneeling man. “This is Kael Varros. He manages Earth’s defenders and is himself an S-rank with Space affinity.”

Kael rose slowly, his legs unsteady. Adrian watched the exchange with fascination, even Kael, unshakeable in battle, trembled before living history.

“Humanity owes much to his blade,” Sentinel continued.

Aurelia inclined her head, her voice warm despite the steel of her bearing. “Then you are one of our descendants who stood when the world needed you.”

“I greet you in kind, Kael Varros.”

Kael bowed again, pride and humility tangled in his chest. Yet unease pressed against him.

Aurelia’s presence here could only mean one thing. The time had come.

For years, he had prepared others to lead in his absence, molding new S-ranks to shoulder responsibility. But whether he would join the journey to the galaxy, that decision did not rest in his hands.

Still, he braced himself. Whatever was chosen, he would serve.

Aurelia moved to the chamber’s center, her boots echoing. Maps of Earth’s defenses covered the walls, marked with outpost positions and monster territories.

She studied them briefly before turning back to the group.

“Earth cannot stay hidden any longer.” Her voice cut through the silence. “For ages it escaped attention only because its mana lay dormant.”

“Even if others noticed it, few would wander this far from galactic centers,” Aurelia continued. “But now? The galaxy will turn its eyes toward us.”

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Her gaze found Adrian. “Especially if whispers of Blackwood Ink spread.”

“Then the galaxy will step onto Earth. It will be consumed.”

Silence followed, the weight of her words settling. Kael’s hands clenched at his sides, while Sentinel’s expression remained stone.

Adrian felt the familiar burn of his Source Seed responding to his emotions. The thought of Earth stripped bare, its people enslaved, ignited something primal within him.

“The only path,” Aurelia said firmly, “is to step into the galaxy before the galaxy steps onto Earth.”

Adrian clenched his fists tighter, white-grey energy flickering beneath his skin. “Then we go.”

“Our first priority,” Aurelia continued, pacing now like a general before battle, “is to break into the Stellar Stage and establish a clan.”

Kael’s brow furrowed. The term was foreign, but the gravity in her voice made its importance clear.

“A clan is not just a pillar,” she pressed on. “It is the stones beneath it. It requires not only a leader, but blades, minds, and hearts to shape it.”

Her gaze swept across all three men. “One person cannot carry it alone. People who can bear the burdens are needed.”

Adrian understood. Power without foundation crumbled. Earth needed more than just him, it needed warriors, strategists, and builders.

Her gaze flicked to Kael, “Bring me the reports of all S-ranks.”

Kael straightened, “Yes, Lady Aurelia.”

“It is time we choose.”

Kael produced a tablet, bowing as he offered it. The device glowed, listing the names and records of Earth’s champions. Dozens of S-ranks had risen in recent years, more than any generation had ever seen.

Aurelia’s fingers traced the surface, her expression sharpening as she absorbed each profile. The silence stretched, broken only by the soft hum of the tablet’s display.

“So many,” she murmured. “Earth is safer now than it has ever been. But safety without representation in the galaxy will not last.”

She lifted her eyes from the screen. “The first is obvious. Adrian.”

Adrian inclined his head silently.

“Second,” Aurelia said, “Kael Varros. A Space affinity is indispensable, warp travel, void combat, and battlefield control. You may not yet hold Essence, but your path is undeniable.”

Kael’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the edge of the table. “I am honored, Lady Aurelia.”

His voice carried decades of preparation for this moment. Adrian saw the flash of both terror and exhilaration behind the commander’s composed mask.

“Next,” Aurelia continued, scrolling through more profiles, “Selena Valcrest. The tattoo rune alone secures her worth. To discover such innovation confined to a single planet… it proves her vision.”

She paused, meeting Adrian’s gaze. “We need more than fighters. We need innovators.”

Adrian felt a faint smile tug at his lips. Selena would have smirked at that recognition, probably made some cutting remark about finally being appreciated.

Then Aurelia scanned further, her eyes moving methodically down the list. The records brimmed with warriors, strong and hardened by Earth’s struggles.

Her finger stopped. Her eyes narrowed when two names caught her attention.

“Thomas. Elara.”

She looked up, faint amusement flickering across her features. “The parents of Adrian.”

Adrian’s head jerked up, “There are others. Many others. They don’t need to—”

Aurelia cut him with a look, not unkind but unyielding. Her voice brooked no argument.

“This is the foundation of Earth’s future clan. Would you not choose your sharpest blades?”

Adrian swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. His hands clenched beneath the table.

The logic was undeniable. His parents were among Earth’s strongest, their experience invaluable.

Then she scrolled past another name deliberately. “Ironwood is strong, yes. But not every blade must leave Earth.”

Her tone softened slightly. “Earth still needs anchors.”

She did not choose any others from the list.

At last, she set the tablet down with a soft click.

“Then it is decided.”

Aurelia straightened, her voice ringing like a decree that would reshape worlds. “Adrian, Kael, Selena, Thomas, Elara. You will carry Earth into the galaxy.”

Adrian’s chest burned with conflicting emotions, pride, dread, and responsibility crashing together like opposing forces. He wanted his parents safe, here, where the dangers were known and manageable.

But he knew the truth. Defending gates meant nothing if they never stepped beyond them.

His parents were not weak children to be sheltered. They had their own paths to walk, their own strength to prove.

And now, those paths led to the stars.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep