The Next Morning...
Levi and his squad were called to gather in the conference hall by Dominic... Tyrese, Evangeline, and the rest of the Raiders Captains were also there with their teams. The only one missing was Yanhuan.
As they were waiting for Dominic’s arrival, everyone was taking peeks here and there at Levi and his teammates, noticing the changes in their appearances.
Nurah’s hair was still as black as midnight... however, it seemed to move on its own like it carried a personal will.
It wasn’t far-fetched to call it that, as Nurah’s latest mutation was transforming her hair into a living shadow!!
Now, she no longer needed shadows around her to utilize her abilities and techniques... she could use her own hair as a shadow, unaffected by light!
A powerful addition to her arsenal... one might even say, an addition that could change her entire fighting style.
Meanwhile... Jojo’s latest mutation had her skin covered in white runic scriptures, which were connected to the tiny horn on her forehead.
No one knew yet what it did, but her increased spiritual prowess made everyone understand that she was slowly becoming a fearsome Psych Specialist.
As for Arthur? His last mutation was also internal... the only reason everyone figured out he had evolved was the tips of his hair switching from crimson to dark green.
Last but not least, Shia... she had the most obvious changes due to her dormant Gorrathi Bloodline that she wished upon from the Genie during their first Raid.
The moment she evolved, the Shadowlife seed extracted mutations from this extinct bloodline and also bestowed an Aspect that matched it.
Now... she didn’t need to act like a barbarian delinquent... her latest appearance did it for her as her crimson hair grew longer and thicker... yet still, the tips were crystallized. Her muscles grew thicker, too, and her skin showed a slightly maroon tint to it.
What sold the barbaric appearance more than anything else were her eyes.
The pupils stayed pitch-black, absorbing light instead of reflecting it... Then, they narrowed into vertical bestial slits: like a predator that had learned to walk upright.
Around those slits, the irises bled... not dripping liquid, but stained as if blood had soaked into the color itself. They spread outward in uneven currents, forming something like a slow-moving river trapped beneath glass.
When the Raiders dared to gaze into her eyes, they felt like they were staring into someone who had already decided how far she was willing to go in a battle.
And the answer was always: Further.
’How can she feel more tribal and barbaric than us... what kind of evolution did she go through?’ Ndlovu thought inwardly as he gazed at Shia.
He was the captain of the Ashen Tribunal Squad from the Southern Africa District... Eryndral’s Holy Region.
He was a well-toned, bald black man with a tribal aura surrounding him and his teammates... he wore a layered brown hide that wrapped around his torso and shoulders. Thick leather straps crossed his chest and back, pulled tight so the armor moved as one with his body.
On his lower torso, he wore strips of fur that hung from his waist and thighs, brushing against scarred legs each time he moved them.
Although he looked tribal, the outfit was actually a high-grade artifact... the runic inscriptions gave them away.
While he was attracted to Shia’s barbaric appearance, the rest of the squad leaders had their attention affixed on Levi... it didn’t matter which corner of the world they came from, the instant they saw his greenish white hair, they felt their souls tighten in dread.
They were already somewhat terrified of him after witnessing the clip of how he humiliated Yanhuan with a single illusion ability, but now... their souls wept for them to not make an enemy of him like Yanhuan. Otherwise, the consequences might be more than they could handle.
Unlike Yanhuan, who refused to accept his defeat... all the captains showed polite smiles each time they glanced in Levi’s direction, respecting his strength.
After a short while, Dominic, Feng Ling, and other high-ranked officials stepped inside the plaza, catching everyone’s attention.
"Good morning everyone..."
Dominic greeted with a faint smile, wearing the same Hawaiian outfit with flip-flops. Feng Ling was behind him, showing a content smile after spotting Levi’s new appearance.
"I gathered you here to let you know that the decision to use your rankings in the campaign as the criteria for earning a slot in the upcoming Faction War still stands." Dominic disclosed calmly, uncaring about the chatter that broke in the plaza.
Everyone had heard rumors that some missions would be involved to earn the slot... and now, they realized why it was called a rumor and should never trust such sources.
"The highest four ranked teams in the rankings will join... so, if you have any intentions of climbing the rankings, you better participate in Raids before the allocated period ends." Dominic added, "There isn’t much left... less than two months, which should give you time for at least two Raids."
Hearing this, no one really complained... although they were bamboozled by the rumors, nothing changed. They would still continue raiding and gathering points whether they earned a slot or not for the sake of guaranteeing their place in the final tournament when the qualification stage ends.
"We should start grinding Raids too... our ranking has fallen straight to sixth." Arthur said while staring at his friends.
"True... we have been too lax after we exited Ashora Empire." Nurah nodded.
"I doubt there is a need." Levi shook his head, "Dominic has personally requested our attendance in the Faction War... these rules apply to others, not us... especially, after we evolved."
"How can you be so su..."
Before Shia could finish her sentence, Dominic dropped a bombshell on everyone.
"Also... Heliodor’s Raiders have already earned their slot in the Faction War... Levi Larson will be the captain of our faction." Dominic smiled casually, "If someone has a problem with this, you are free to challenge him any time before the war begins."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The moment everyone heard the last sentence, any complaint they had was swallowed instantly... the fact that they couldn’t even see Levi’s spiritual aura made them understand that they posed no challenge to him whatsoever.
When a Psych Specialist pulled ahead too far, it was near impossible to survive against him... Tyrese, Evangeline, Ndlovu, and the rest of the captains might be powerful... but their strength was limited to Earth... unlike Levi, who was now compared to monsters like the Dealer, Drayven, the Ruiner, and such.
"Yanhuan isn’t going to be pleased with this." Li Mei murmured.
"Pleased or not... he was given the option to protest the decision." Guo Shi Shan said calmly with crossed arms, "Let’s hope Lord Zhang Wei-Lan can help him get stronger without needing an evolution."
"I hope so too... I have already sent the news to him." Li Mei sighed softly, not used to seeing her captain in such a pathetic state.
***
Meanwhile... in the Boundless Expanse: The Imperial Sun Vanguard’s territory.
A middle-aged man stood calmly at the threshold of a traditional Chinese estate that resembled an ancient emperor’s palace.
The estate had curved roofs and lacquered pillars holding it strong... it wasn’t massive, but also not small, having a beautiful garden with ponds all over. Servants were coming and going, each doing their own job to the best of their ability.
The middle-aged man ignored the servants behind him, gazing at his son Yanhuan, who was sitting in a meditation position in the center of a small array.
Zhang Wei-Lan had a tall frame like his son... he was wearing an elegant cultural robe of deep violet and black. The silk was decorated with subtle cloud and dragon motifs that shimmered faintly. If one looked close enough, they would see runic inscriptions glowing amidst them.
He had a neatly groomed beard that framed his sharp jaw. His dark eyes showed a composed depth, but his expression didn’t look too pleased.
"Dr. Isaac... how much enhancement will this array provide to my son?" He asked calmly.
Following his question, a man with a hunched back and ruined skin stepped into the light... he had scarred skin as though burned by experiments gone wrong.
Strands of unkempt hair clung to his skull, and his eyes shone with a feverish brilliance, darting restlessly beneath a crooked brow... his posture was twisted while his fingers were long and twitching, stained with old reagents and half-healed wounds, giving him the unmistakable air of a mad scientist who would do anything for the sake of scientific advancement and the pursuit of forbidden knowledge.
When standing next to the serene dignity of the bearded man and the regal Chinese estate, his presence felt like a blemish... and yet, Zhang Wei-Lan spoke to him with a respectful tone.
"I have invested so much in this brat and still... he comes home defeated and slapped by a blind boy from a region I barely remember its name." Zhang Wei-Lan added coldly, "If I let him return without any improvement, it won’t be long before he drags my lineage’s name across the dirt."
"Wei-Lan... you’re being too harsh on him." Dr. Isaac showed an intrigued smile, "I have seen the videos... your boy is good, but that Levi kid is something else... an Anomaly Class Talent in the hands of the right Daywalker is something too fearsome."
"I don’t care if he is an Anomaly Class or Divine Class... I have crushed all my enemies and built a dynasty without such talent." Wei-Lan responded coldly, "All I hear is excuses... and I hate excuses."