The intense clash between the three auras was both dreadful and awe-inspiring. Elysia and her team could only stand frozen, each of them realizing that this was the level of power they would need to reach in the future if they ever wanted to bring real change to the world.
The collision of the three different wills, white, red, and black, carried the chilling scent of death. Yet, there was an undeniable beauty to it, a display that represented the very pinnacle of human achievement. Vale, Amy, and Violet had all reached the rank of Saint, something that was nothing short of a miracle on its own.
So this is how it feels when it's directed at you… Elysia thought to herself as she watched the clash of their wills unfold. I wonder if I could ever reach that level, despite my aspect.
There was a long pause after the clashes between the three Saints.
"Please forgive my behavior, Colonel," Amy said, looking at Violet with an innocent expression. "It seems I still have much to learn before I can master my composure. But I can't help myself when I see these bloody worms."
Amy now looked like a mature lady dressed in stylish clothes. At first glance, she seemed like a normal woman who appeared to be in her forties, though her face made it impossible to guess her true age.
But the moment she released her will against Vale, everyone in the room instantly understood that she was the envoy of her house. And anyone who represented a Great House had to be powerful enough to stand against their adversaries.
"It also takes a lot for me to lose my composure, you know," Vale replied, his tone sharp but his demeanor perfectly controlled. "But you black goblins always manage to bring out the worst in me. So I can't help it either."
Vale closed his eyes, taking deep breaths as he tried to calm himself.
"Here we go again," Violet muttered, looking at the two of them with an exhausted expression, fully expecting another fight to break out any second.
But before either of the two Saints could act, the door to the briefing room burst open with a loud crash, kicked from the other side. A surge of blue aura flooded into the room as a massive man stepped through. His upper body was bare, revealing a frame built like a tank, muscles packed tightly under skin marked with strange tattoos. Only his lower body was covered, and his right leg was still raised from the kick.
What?...
The man looked around the room, his expression filled with confusion. Judging by his features and build, he seemed to be in his forties as well.
"Where did the strong presence go?" he muttered, glancing around in confusion. There was a hint of joy in his voice at first, but as his eyes scanned the room searching for someone, that joy was replaced by a gleam of sorrow.
"Not again, damn it!" He struck both his arms against the floor in frustration, as if in protest.
"And here I was, trying to get in the mood to warm myself up, only to find nothing." His eyes swept across the table, recognizing several familiar faces seated there.
"I should have known it would be a waste of time, like every other time. Guess I should go back to training," he said casually, waving a hand as he turned to leave.
But before he could step out, a voice called from behind.
"Saint Jack, where are you going? We're about to start the mission briefing, and the only representative missing now is from House Dravencourt. The envoys of Aithreos and Nyxalon are already here." Violet's tone was firm as she gestured toward Vale and Amy, trying to remind him of his duties as a representative of one of the Great Houses.
Jack stopped in his tracks. "I'm not interested in the briefing for such low-level missions," he replied bluntly. "I'd rather spend my time training my body. Only weaklings waste their time on this kind of thing."
A red vein popped on Violet's forehead as anger began to swell within her.
Another brute. I hate them. I hate them... she thought, pausing before continuing her inner rant. Why do I have to bear these envoys? Why?
Don't they have anything better to do?
Why are they always wasting my time?
I swear one day I'll kill each one of these bastards by giving them something to upset their stomachs.
Maybe then I wouldn't have to wait for these dogs!
Her expression clearly showed the anger building within her.
On the other hand, the words only weaklings made Vale's and Amy's faces twitch with barely restrained fury, yet both of them swallowed their anger. They now displayed the composure expected from the envoys of the Three Great Houses. Everyone, including Elysia and her teammates, was shocked and surprised.
Moments ago, those Saints had been ready to kill each other over mere insults, yet now they silently endured Jack's open disdain.
So he's stronger than both of them… Elysia realized, piecing it together from their reactions alone.
As Jack continued to walk ahead, Amy stood and faced him directly.
"Saint Jack," Amy said, her tone suddenly soft and respectful, "we would truly appreciate your presence during this mission. I kindly ask that you allow us the honor of your company."
Her voice carried a hint of charm, but also caution, for she already knew the level of power the man before her possessed.
Even Violet seemed taken aback by Amy's sudden change in demeanor.
Who is this woman? A chameleon? Violet thought to herself as she was looking at the woman who was changing her colors every few minutes.
"Yes, Saint Jack, why don't you join us? We would really appreciate having someone strong like you to boost the morale of these soldiers before their first mission," Vale said, his tone polite but careful.
Both Vale and Amy were now standing, addressing the man who seemed utterly uninterested in the entire briefing. Vale gestured toward the corner of the table where Elysia and her team stood respectfully, observing the exchange.
Jack turned and looked at the five army personnel standing quietly at one corner of the table.
At first, Jack had no intention of attending the briefing. But then his eyes fell upon a young woman clad in a black uniform, and he froze. He instantly recognized the face. He knew it all too well.
Without hesitation, he dashed toward Elysia and extended his hand for a handshake. Elysia, caught off guard, nonetheless reached out and shook his hand in return.
"How have you been, Eleesi? Look at you. You've grown, haven't you?" Jack said with a bright smile, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.
"I'm doing great, Saint Jack. What about yourself?" Elysia replied, matching his tone.
The entire room fell silent in shock. Vale and Amy couldn't believe what they were witnessing. Elysia somehow knew Saint Jack.
How was that possible? The man standing before them wasn't just any Saint—he belonged to one of the Three Great Houses, House Dravencourt no less. And yet, he spoke to her with such familiarity.
"May I presume that you already know Captain Elysia, Saint Jack?" Vale finally asked, confusion written across his face.
"Oh, yes," Jack replied casually. "My mentor—well, our house head, once told me to bring her into our house somehow. So I offered her a marriage proposal for my eldest boy. He's seven years old now."
He said it as bluntly as one could, not caring about how anyone else might feel.
"But she rejected the offer, saying she couldn't compare herself to the level of our house. I tried several times, but she always turned me down, so I stopped pushing her. If a woman doesn't want to marry my son of her own will, then a warrior like me shouldn't force her. Even though my boy is cute, muscular, just like me."
There was a moment of complete silence. No one seemed to know how to react. The man was clearly nothing like the other two Saints, straightforward, genuine, and the total opposite of Vale, who treated Elysia like a mere tool.
"Your child is very young, Saint Jack," Elysia said politely. "If he's anything like you, I'm sure he's handsome and strong." She paused for a moment before continuing. "But I can't marry someone that much younger than me. Still, I truly respect you for understanding my decision at that time."
Her tone remained calm and composed, a clear contrast to how she had spoken with Vale earlier. Because of that, her teammates felt no hostility toward Saint Jack. In fact, it seemed to them that he was a decent man, simple, honest, and perhaps a bit too blunt for his own good.
"We warriors don't care about age differences," Jack laughed. "It would be a great pleasure for me and my wife to have you as our daughter-in-law. The same goes for my son. But if you're not willing, we won't force you."
He laughed heartily, telling her he still wanted her to marry his seven-year-old child but wouldn't force her to do so.
"Anyway, let's forget about marriage talk," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "Tell me about yourself! You became a captain now? Good, good! Now I know why the head of the house was so interested in you. Becoming a captain at such a young age is truly a splendid feat."
"I'm still nothing compared to Saint Jack himself," Elysia said calmly, as she always did, not letting the praise get to her head.
"Oh, my child, do not sell yourself short. You will achieve more. I believe in you."
Then he paused for a moment and looked at the other members of her team.
"Young warriors, how are you doing?" He shook hands with each of them, not caring about hierarchy one bit, speaking with the same energy and passion to everyone.
They didn't know how to respond without stumbling over their words. It was the first time someone of such high rank had ever spoken to them so casually.
After each member introduced themselves, Jack's eyes filled with excitement.
"Well, if the mission briefing is about Eleesi's team's first mission, I'd happily listen to all of it!"
Amy, Vale, and Violet exchanged glances, clearly confused by Jack's behavior toward Elysia. Not only had she rejected his son's proposal, but she also ranked far below him. Jack was known across the entire base for ignoring anyone of lower rank, yet here he was, doing the complete opposite.
They were shocked. The brute who had just dismissed all their words now seemed eager to please the young woman standing quietly in the corner of the table. It stung their pride deeply.
After a few more minutes, everyone finally took their seats. The mission briefing began as the old scientist pressed a few buttons on the side of the table, muttering to himself. Suddenly, in the darkened room, several holographic images appeared on the table, displaying a detailed map of an ancient ruined city.