Charlotte and Evelyn watched the kids spar from start to finish, making their own observations. However, most of their focus was on Alexnader and the way he moved.
Throughout the spar, Alex did not use any of his energy besides that one time he spatially shifted. Everything he did from start to finish all came from his physical might alone.
'We still have no idea how strong he is.' Charlotte thought. The only thing they knew about him was that he was capable of taking on an S-Tier void creature. How he did it was still a mystery.
A few minutes after exchanging words with his friends, the two hunters felt their surroundings shift without their awareness, appearing before Alex.
Once again, Alex proved to be more than they imagined. They couldn't help but gulp in fear. If he wanted to end them, they wouldn't even see it coming.
He was that scary.
"So, what do you want to tell me?" Alex said, going straight to the point. Aside from the fact that they were Class S hunters, he didn't know them, and they weren't friends either.
Charlotte floated forward and explained. She didn't beat about the bush and made Alex aware of the leaders' demands.
"And they expect me in the capital in two days?" Alex asked, his brows furrowing as the hunters nodded in confirmation.
"But why the rush?" Julia interjected, glancing between the two hunters. "It's not like he's going anywhere."
"That's not the point, Julia," Ross said firmly. "The problem isn't about time. It's about perception. Right now, they think Alex is challenging their authority."
He paused, his gaze shifting to Alex. "Let's face it—Alex might very well be the strongest being in the universe at this moment.
"And every second he spends not pledging his allegiance feels, to them, like a deliberate show of defiance."
Charlotte and Evelyn exchanged uneasy glances but didn't argue. Ross's assessment hit uncomfortably close to the truth.
The leaders weren't summoning Alex just out of urgency—they were demanding assurance, a statement of loyalty that would safeguard their authority and the empire's stability.
"Hmph!" Julia scoffed. "In my opinion, they're acting like spoiled children."
"You don't understand, girl," Evelyn said sharply, her tone cutting through Julia's words. "What do you think will happen if Alex decides to stand apart from them?
"Right now, the empire is split, teetering on the edge of chaos. People are already debating what Alex can and cannot do, and that division is dangerous.
"Humanity cannot afford to be divided—not now, not when unity is the only thing keeping us from falling apart."
Her words carried a weight that made the void heavier. Julia frowned, lowering her gaze as she drifted closer to Alex. Even she recognized the recklessness of her earlier comment.
As someone firmly in Alex's corner, her words had inadvertently undermined the leadership's position, highlighting the very rift Evelyn warned about.
This was exactly what brought about the organization known as The Order.
"People need a figurehead," Evelyn continued, her voice softer but no less resolute. "Someone to stand above and assure them that everything will be okay. That figure can't exist if we're divided.
"And right now, the leaders need everyone to know that no matter how powerful Alex has become, there are still forces even he cannot challenge."
Evelyn did not realize it, but as she spoke, her aura leaked slightly. Though slightly, as a Class S hunter, it could have had disastrous consequences.
And if Alex had not acted in time, it could have been detrimental to his friends. He glared at the woman who quickly noticed her mistake and stepped back.
"Sorry," She lowered her head. "I didn't mean to harm them."
"Sorry wouldn't make it right," Alex replied sternly. "You've said your piece." He gestured towards the solar system.
"You can go now." He faced the two hunters with folded arms. "And tell them I'll be there."
The two hunters gave a small sigh as they turned around and flew away, quickly disappearing. Evelyn thanked her lucky stars her actions didn't cause harm to Ross and Julia.
It would have been disastrous. 'Using his loved ones against him would be an incredibly stupid move on our part.' She thought as a chill ran down her spine.
One way or another, she needed to make the leaders understand never to make that a plan against him.
"Those leaders would definitely be ready for you," Ross muttered. "Even with your strength and power, those guys have been alive for a very long time. There is no telling what they have under their belt."
"I know." Alex sighed. "But I have no intention of making things difficult for them either. But that doesn't mean they can order me to do whatever they want. I'm not stupid."
Alex was ready to use his strength for the good of the empire, and not to be suppressed and only move on the whims of others just so they could feel in control.
Besides, he had no interest in sitting down all day and every day. Even then, there were instances where fate forced one's hand to do what they didn't wish for, and Alex knew that.
'I just have to watch the way I do things.'
"Sorry, Alex." Julia suddenly apologized as she fidgeted with her fingers. "I spoke without thinking and nearly made things difficult for you." Her words cut his line of thought and made him smile.
"Don't worry. Anyone would have had the same line of thought." Alex turned around and drew her into a hug. "Come on, let's go back." Julia nodded as she buried herself deeper into the hug.
With a thought, the trio disappeared from the void and reappeared on Mars, directly in the Knight's Mansion.
"I still haven't spoken with your father and seen our colleagues yet." Alex quickly touched down as they made their way into the Mansion.
'Honestly, I don't like how they're rushing me. They might want to do something irrational to show me my place. Even with my abilities, I have to be ready.'
Alex thought inwardly as they made their way through the long corridors and past the many servants.
Julia contacted her father to make him aware Alex was ready to see him, and they were already on their way.
"I'll head to the training facility," Ros said and separated from the two. Their talk had very little to do with him.