The pursuit of freedom always came with a cost. This was a universal truth known by many. To deny those words would be to lie to oneself. With the go-ahead granted by Alexander, those who desired freedom wasted no time pursuing it.
The first few days saw no significant changes, as things were just set in motion. Though one particular news story still got the Empire talking. Ross and the Starbane forces proceeded to register the entire galactic cluster, being the first force to acquire an enormous territory for themselves.
Alexander and his pseudo-men paid a visit to the Starbane forces. As described in the guidelines, members of the UAC would have to survey the territory to make sure there were no conflicts or misunderstandings in progress.
But being friends, Alexander did more for the Starbane forces. With a simple gesture of his hand, Alexander put most of the entire galactic cluster back in order, leaving the Starbane forces shocked out of their wits.
Destroyed stars, planets and satellites were reborn, orbits were corrected, and laws were repaired. As for the roaming void creatures here and there, they were left alone. Additionally, Alexander added a bit more to the cluster; he sped up the growth of the magical beasts and plants in the cluster.
He wasn't shy to go all out when it came to his friends. And while he noticed what the redhead had noticed before, he chose to turn a blind eye to it. It was nature's course, and there was no stopping it.
Lord Ferlok was still on the fence about what to do with the galactic cluster; it was now an irrefutable truth that he and his forces were its owners. He and his officials were free to do as they wished with their territory.
People and forces began to show interest in the region, with some going as far as desiring to join the Starbane forces or rent some of the areas that caught their eyes. Business had already begun before the Starbane forces could say they were ready.
As for the Valemonts, they had to look elsewhere. However, they weren't the only ones. People had begun to notice more scout ships and fleets leaving their star systems on exploration missions.
It was evident that attention was being directed somewhere else.
Hunters, regardless of level, were being recruited en masse, including researchers, builders, engineers, designers, and anyone who could contribute to the creation of new societies. A silent but infallible shift was happening, and the people were noticing it.
But with the government staying silent and making no attempts to stop the mass exodus that was slowly picking up speed, the people gradually understood that the government was tacitly approving.
Unfortunately, not all were sunshine and rainbows. Not everyone could claim a planet or a star system, much less a galaxy. Conflicts were steadily rising as organisations and companies competed for locations they coveted.
The call for territorial registration was picking up speed, as even small-time forces that were capable of claiming planets put their desire forward to register them. While in the grand scheme of things, a planet did not seem like much, it was home to someone who could claim it.
However, this created a problem for those who wanted to take entire galaxies. What happened when a force capable of claiming a galaxy found some of the planets claimed by some individuals?
Per the guidelines of the Universal Accord Commission, those forces were the rightful owners of the planet. But what of that star system? It meant those people would be forced to stay within the confines of that planet and its surrounding regions.
The powerful, of course, had a solution to this, but that would be tackled another day. Securing galaxies was of the utmost importance for them — for now.
As conflicts began to take more precedence, appearing more on the universal network, the weaker forces who were being pushed out more often than not began to call out unfairness.
They were shameless enough to call Alexander's name. Unfortunately for them, Alexander had made his stance clear. The Empire was still around and had everything. No one was forcing them to go out there.
Progress was slow among the leaders who were claiming galaxies. Ross had made claiming an entire galactic cluster extremely easy. However, it was not so cut and dry.
Dealing with human problems such as logistics and loss of lives, as well as universe issues like void creatures, cosmic phenomena, and storms, were a few of the challenges most forces faced.
The second force to lay its claim on an entire galaxy were the Knight family. Julia had personally taken it upon herself to help her family secure a galaxy in the same time span Ross took to claim his cluster.
Unfortunately for the rest, not everyone had an Immortal-level being to call on for help. Julia and Ross's feat made people realise that if Alexander and his companions wanted to, they could take everything for themselves.
Regardless, things still proceeded in the same direction, and before many realised it, more than half a year had gone by. The first of the powerful forces was finally able to claim a galaxy after many days of fighting and making deals.
But that was no longer an achievement. Moreover, many had come to the realisation that without claiming an entire galaxy, their claim was practically insignificant.
Those who claimed planets found themselves trapped in a larger territory. Without permission from the larger forces, they could not leave their own planets. Left with little to no choice, some either signed alliances or joined the larger ones. The prideful ones had no choice but to sell and move on.
Without the power to defend a claimed territory, it was pointless. The limited protection granted by the UAC wasn't going to be enough either. The UAC forces made sure they were not suppressed. However, that was pointless if those forces couldn't do anything else.
It was around this time that the final years were graduating from the academy. Aaron and his colleagues had learned all they could from their instructors. It was time to spread their wings into the larger universe.
But there was a new problem for all the academies in the Empire. It was an issue that had reared its head when the territorial fights began. Forces were moving out of the Empire with their people, and that included their families.
"The academies are no longer appealing to the incoming generation." Instructor Horvey said, staring at his co-instructors. "Admissions have fallen more than 40% since the last time academies admitted new students."
The principal called forth a meeting to address the rising issue. The instructors with a level of authority in the decision-making process were seated in a grand parliament-style chamber.
The instructors numbered in the hundreds, many of them in charge of different departments in the academy. With small, holographic screens before them, they looked at the statistics Instructor Horvey spoke of and nodded.
Many of them had seen this coming, but there was nothing they could do about it. The tacit approval from the Council made things clear. Although not very pronounced, many of them were either applying to join the UAC or an independent force.
The Universal Accord Commission was already boasting of numbers in the trillions. With agents all over the Empire and the larger universe, conflicts that would otherwise harm normal citizens were swiftly culled before they got out of hand.
Inside the grand chambers, sitting beside Principal Yeny, was Alexander himself. Since he was an instructor himself and the 'unspoken' master of the universe, most decisions only required his input.
This had become an unstated thing that people did not even realise they were doing. They found themselves answering only to Alexander's input. Another factor that pushed this along was the now nonexistent council.
"It's to be expected." Another instructor agreed with a nod. "With the new trend going on, people would prefer handling the education of their wards."
"So the question is: where does this leave us?"
Everyone silently shifted their gaze towards the head table, where the principal and Alexander sat, quietly observing and listening to the proceedings. However, Alexander did not immediately speak, seemingly thinking about the issue.
"The current trends have indeed affected the admission rates of the various academies, and honestly, this was an outcome we all saw coming." Alexander spoke gently, his eyes roaming the faces of the instructors in the hall. Naturally, they agreed with his words.
"In the first place, the academies were created to nurture hunters who would fight the void creatures that plague our universe." Alexander continued. "With the creatures pretty much reduced to space monsters, well... I need not say more.
"However, the decision to continue the academy system, I leave to you. I know you all wish to join one of the many new forces rising in the universe. It's your right and freedom to do so. Don't be afraid to make your choice. You decide."
"..."
Whether the instructors continued as instructors or wished to join any universal force was left to them; Alexander had no say in the matter — he didn't want it. The instructors looked at each other, uncertainty in their eyes.
Many of them were afraid to disappoint Alexander in any way. But with Alexander clearing the air, they were free to choose. Soon, the instructors fell into discussion as their mumblings gradually rose.
'Well, the academies came to serve their purpose.' Alexander thought to himself. 'Nothing lasts forever. Sooner or later, anything born/created would come to an end.'
His mind wandered to the multiverse as a whole, wondering if the same applied. 'There should be a start to everything, so it's not far-fetched for reality to be any different. The question is, how did the amalgamation of wills come to be?'
"Then it's decided."
The instructors made their decision after several minutes of discussing, pulling Alexander out of his reality-shattering thoughts. Directing his gaze to the instructors, he waited for them to declare their decision.
"The academy system will be kept running for this newly admitted generation. Once they complete their course, the education of future generations will be the responsibility of their forces."
Everyone turned to the principal, waiting for the vote to be passed. With a glance in Alexander's way, who replied with a curt nod, the principal turned to the instructors and raised.
"All those in favour of the motion, say 'aye.'" Principal Yeny raised her hand, disclosing her stance in the process.
"Aye..."
The instructors raised their hands in favour of the proposed motion, leaving a few who kept their silence. They were the minority, so their vote would not change anything.