Rhachis Ancestor Light talked about a lot of topics after that, addressing many issues of concern. The funds allotted for research, the budget for the military, the creation of new regiments, the establishment of dedicated organisations, creation of production facilities, recruitment of the masses into various Aristocratic and Royal families, etc.

Rhachis Ancestor Light addressed every topic that had been changed to suit the situation. The citizens listened to everything in silence, etching each word he uttered to their minds.

The Swarm hadn't made an appearance while the Frenzy Beasts dare not make a move for the time being after seeing that earth-shattering exchange between Rhachis Ancestor Parasite and Rhachis Ancestor Light. Currently, the aura beyond Marble City was extremely volatile, dangerous to the extent it would kill any beings below Tier 5.

So, it was currently a state of peace. Therefore, the citizens could freely listen to his speech without feeling burdened or pressed for time.

Rhachis Ancestor Light cleared his throat a bit before speaking, "By the end of this decade, Marble City will have 12 Rings. Thanks to the Swarm, we would obtain enough energy to finish it. Each Aristocratic family will take charge of laying down the groundwork before Psychic Ancestor Marble installs the base and the walls."

"I'll be assigning tasks to each Aristocratic Family now." Rhachis Ancestor Light paused for a second, allowing the citizens to garner their attention, "10th Ring Sector 2 will be jointly done managed by the Veera and the Spindle Family. 11th Ring Sector 2 and 12th Ring Sector 2 will be managed by the Veera Family. Of course, when completed, a large area in 12th Ring Sector 2 will belong to the Veera Family."

He iterated for every Aristocratic Family in the descending order of their power, finally speaking for the Bone Family, "11th Ring Sector 9 and 12th Ring Sector 9 will be managed by the Bone Family. When they finish their task, a large area in the 12th Ring Sector 9 will belong to the Bone Family."

He paused for a second, beginning his final point of addressal, "We currently have 12 Aristocratic Families. Now, Central Command will also support the establishment of 6 more Aristocratic Families. That is, the creation of 6 more Unranked Skills. But, the conditions for this are strict."

"We have many criteria to fulfil. And, we would conduct an examination where established families can present the workings, development, etc. of their incomplete Unranked Skills. And, those that fit the criteria will receive support from Central Command and would be overseen by Atika Light. We will select one per assessment, conducted once every two years. The first assessment will be conducted next year, so for established families wishing to become an Aristocratic Family, this is your opportunity."

"I have addressed everything. Citizens of Marble City, persevere and reign supreme." His figure disappeared from the minds of everyone. The entire Marble City was still under shock from the tremendous volume of information he had delivered.

7th Ring, Sector 1, seated on his bed in the military academy's dorm, Jyorta closed his mind as he digested the information.

'40 years; if I fail to reach Tier 6 by then, it means it would become impossible for me to ever reach it. Tier 3, Tier 4, and Tier 5, it would take me approximately 13 years per each to finish the Nurturing process, given I am at 100 percent Sync Rate. It would take 39 years in this case. Currently, I am only Tier 2. So, if I broke through to Tier 3 within a year, I would be cutting it close, too close to be life-threatening.'

'I need to get the Trait of Severability as soon as possible. And, to increase my Sync Rate, I would need tremendous amounts of energy. If I wait for the energy recovered through food consumption, I would need months to even raise my Sync Rate by a percent. I don't have that much time, considering the state of things.'

He frowned, his eyes glistening with a dangerous glint, 'I would have to target someone from the Bone Family. Through Bone Devour, they would be able to replenish energy the fastest. And, I can siphon them from their soul.'

He then shook his head, ridding himself of the thought, 'Let me graduate first. I can take time to think about it until then.'

He sighed, heading for class, "One step at a time."

Seated in a room, situated in the Rhachis Block's Indigo Building was George Eagle, his face flushed red from the final statement in the announcement. 'My Eagle Family's development of our Unranked Skill should be one of the most advanced among the established families. So, we have a high chance to be selected by Central Command. That means, within a decade, we would either be selected or even manage to perfect our Unranked Skill.'

"Haha, nice. This is wonderful!" He laughed, picking up his notebook as he headed for class.

1:15 PM, seated in the cafeteria were Jyorta and Haesha, eating their lunch while engaged in a serious discussion.

"The path of aura is hard but is cumulative. The effects aren't as absolute as our Esper abilities but their usage isn't limited. Moreover, from what I tried yesterday, I'm able to use a focused approach of my aura personification through my psychic arms." Jyorta swallowed the morsel in his mouth and spoke without a pause.

"Yesterday…" Haesha's eyes dimmed as her expression turned sad. Seeing her mood, Jyorta hurriedly changed the topic, "Haesha, what are you planning to exchange for next?"

"Are you aiming for a Trait or something else?"

"Hmm," The question sent her into thought as Haesha's speed of eating slowed down. She thought for a minute before looking at Jyorta, "I took the Trait of Temperance and the Trait of Efficiency. For now, I am aiming for the Unranked Skill, Regen. Until I obtain it, I don't have plans to aim for anything else."

"Trait of Temperance and Efficiency added together cost 27,000 Credits. On the 10th of this month, you had around 88,000 Credits. So, you currently have 61,000 Credits and need 49,000 Credits to obtain Regen." Jyorta nodded, speaking his thoughts.

He counted using his fingers, "There are probably not many theoretical tests you can appear for Credits anymore, right?"

Seeing her nod, he continued, "Among the practical exams, even though we have a lot, it is not fixed as to how many Credits we can obtain. For a safe estimate, let us say you earn 10,000 Credits through the tests. That leaves you with 39,000 Credits to obtain. And, the only option to do so is the Labyrinth of Frenzy."

Haesha nodded, "On a conservative estimate, I can attempt a dive once a week. That means I have 8 attempts at most. So, I have to get 5,000 Credits in every attempt. Means, I have to kill at least 70-80 Tier 2 Frenzy Beasts in every attempt."

She sighed, hitting her head on the table, "That is impossible."

"Indeed, it is doable for Warriors but impossible for us Espers." Jyorta nodded, "That is, if you base it on conventional theories."

"You mean?" Haesha's eyes widened, her expression distorting, "We shouldn't expect anything from that. What we did yesterday was a necessity, not something we did out of choice or for rewards."

"No, you are wrong about one thing," Jyorta shook his head, "From what Madam principal told me, whether it is a necessity or by choice, beneficial actions are rewarded and harmful actions are punished. So, there is a chance we might be rewarded accordingly."

"But, just depending on it cannot bring my target closer." Haesha frowned, "And, it's not given that they would reward us with Credits."

'No, they would definitely reward us with Credits. Credits are the best when we are in the military academy. Even for my contribution, they awarded me with Credits.' Jyorta thought, letting out an awkward laugh in response, unable to answer her.

"How is your aura training coming along?" He chose to divert the topic, trying to think of a way she could use to achieve her target.

"I'm not proficient in them. I am still doing the test to see which aura personification is more suitable for me. But, it is consuming a lot of time. And, I don't know if I would become proficient enough with them in time to use in battles." Haesha sighed, finishing her lunch as she stood up, heading to the section in the corner to drop her plate.

Jyorta followed suit, washing his hands after dropping his plate. The duo then headed for class, conversing about the various ways to accumulate Credits in the limited time available to them.

…

"Cadet Ashten Coorg, are you sure you wish to use 55,000 Credits to exchange for the Unranked Skill, Flight?" A staff inquired, inspecting the mental and emotional state of the student before her, trying to ascertain if the student in question's decision was rational or spurred by an impulse.

"After yesterday's fight, I've come to understand my shortcomings. Therefore, the Unranked Skill, Flight would be perfect for me. In any battle, the advantage of aerial mobility is beneficial." Ashten Coorg slammed his fist on his chest as he replied.

"Alright," The staff pointed at a corner, "Wait there for some time. When preparations are done, I'll call you."

"Thank you," Ashten Coorg bowed, his expression resolute as he stood in the spot he was pointed towards.

'Next time, I won't be as helpless as yesterday.'

…

5:30 PM, Jyorta arrived before the principal's office, speaking to the guard standing beside the double door, "I'm Jyorta Bone, Area Controller from the October Batch. Madam principal had summoned me."

"Alright," The guard communicated inside, nodding his head many times in the conversation, turning around after some time had passed, "You may now enter."

Jyorta took in a deep breath as he pushed the door open, his heart thumping in tension, his gaze solemn. This would be the turning point in his life.

-------------------

I'm exclusively releasing the comics, "Principled Jewellery" and "Arthropod Implant" on my Patreon. Check it out and support further releases. Prologue is free to read.

https://www.patreon.com/overlord_venus

-------------------