This ideological divide created tension that had existed for centuries.
But the academies were not alone.
Other entities also stood within that loose opposition.
Supernatural Houses, for example.
This could not be helped.
Because whenever power gathered, hierarchy inevitably followed.
And no powerful entity liked being beneath another if they had the strength to stand equal instead.
The Federation, as a whole, possessed the largest concentrated number of high-rank superpowers in Aurora.
That fact was undisputed.
But power did not exist in isolation.
Scattered across Aurora were numerous independent power blocs. Each smaller than the Federation individually, but collectively they were far from negligible.
If all those parties were ever forced into alignment, even the Federation would need to tread carefully.
Michael's steps halted the instant his name rang across the military post.
His pupils contracted slightly as he turned his head upward.
