“What is the meaning of this, Lorthew?” Adam asked in trepidation. “If that is how you are going to act, then I shall take my leave.”

“It is too late for that, Adam.” The dawning sun eyes shone with cruel lights, and in the next second, Adam felt his mind freeze, as if somehow his being had been trapped.

“What is happening?” Adam asked in terror. The device they used to appear in this place was technological but also not. When Adam first discovered it, he experimented on it for two years, before he finally used it. It had been years since then, and he never encountered any problem. He could always come and go as he wished, but today, he couldn’t exit no matter what he did.

“For a scientist, Adam, you are quite slow.” The entity chuckled. “In my world, I set the rules. You placed your body in a machine I created. Your consciousness has been transferred to this place. In here, I am God!”

“Impossible,” Adam answered in disbelief. “The device was at least ten thousand years old. How can it be crafted by you?”

“There is much you don’t know, Adam.” The entity answered as a screen appeared in front of him. On it, there were six different videos playing out. One of them was the council of Generals. Adam could see Mercer, General Tian, and Strankov discussing with Milosh. This was a highly confidential meeting not even he could attend. How could Lorthew spy on it?

Adam looked at the other five. In one of them, he could see a green world. In this virgin forest, there were tall and small figures. All had pointy ears and golden eyes. There were animals playing with these aliens. All of these figures were wearing earrings and seemed a lot like Wristwatches humanity wore.

The third scene showed red soil. The soil was blazing hot. Although it was just a video, Adam could see that this planet was extremely hot. There were short creatures with horns protruding their heads. Most had black sclera and red eyes or were in reverse. They were wearing helmets with AIs.

The fourth scene was a misty valley. There were small huts erected with great distances between each. This was the most scarce video Adam could see. Although there were some humanoid figures, they were too far away, and the mist was covering them. Adam couldn’t see how they looked. But he could see that all of them were carrying cold weapons on their bodies.

The fifth scene showed a black planet. Normally Adam wouldn’t be able to see what was happening, but the scene allowed him to see floating figures jaunting around the place. These figures looked ethereal as if they were just souls. Each had floating balls following them around.

The last scene showed a planet with figures he could recognize. Every figure on the screen had seven fingers and tall figures. They were the Apollo Race, which was going to invade Earth very soon. On the screen, Adam could see that the leaders of the race were discussing the invasion.

“These are?” Adam gasped in surprise, “Six AIs of Native Races of Portal World and their new champion Races. Humanity and Apollo Race are among them.”

“How insightful, Adam.” Lorthew chuckled, seemingly enjoying Adam’s disbelief.

“Why can you spy on them?” Adam asked.

“Why can I not?” The entity asked in a good mood, “I am the progenitor.!”

————

“So, we won again?” Miles asked on their way back.

“Yep, by a landslide too.” Milosh laughed heartily. “You did good, Miles.”

“I did what I had to.” Miles waved the praise. “Second years won too, that is great.”

“Wilkins and Orril couple are invincible together. It is no surprise. Although that new academy created some problems, they were still able to win. Though unlike you, they didn’t join forces with Cross Academy, so it was a little bit more intense, but still, it was easy.” Milosh explained in a good mood.

“That is a relief.” Miles nodded. “So, what is my temporary rank?”

“For now, Captain, but next year when you attend the competition once again, you will blaze like the sun. Then, raising to Major wouldn’t be a problem. Man, 20 years old Major, everyone is gonna eat their shoes in envy when they see you.” Milosh chuckled in schadenfreude.

“Let’s not get over ourselves. Who knows what will happen until next year.” Miles shook his head as he smiled. Although he seemed uninterested, he too wanted to raise his ranks. Military service was mandatory. Since he couldn’t escape from it, he would rather have the authority to avoid being toyed with. The name of the Cross was protection most of the time, but if he didn’t have a title and yet placed in garrison, his superior officers would probably make his military duty hell.

Also, as he raised his ranks, he would get more benefits from the government. Although he didn’t need money as he did before, money wasn’t the only incentive in the army. There were lots of unique crafts he could get. Orbs, cores, and ancient weapons were only some of them.

“Why are you so worrywart?” Milosh scoffed in displeasure. “Although the world is getting worse every day, we still have some time before something big happens.”

“I hope so, Dean,” Miles muttered. As he did so, they landed in front of the academy. Miles left the aircraft but felt something was wrong as soon as he did so. Milosh behind him looked at the person who was waiting and asked, “What happened?”

“Sir General!” The soldier saluted as he explained, “A student broke into another student’s mansion and stole an artifact. Number 1, while trying to protect the artifact, got heavily wounded.”

“Which Number 1, and which mansion?” Miles asked in worry.

“Sir, Alex Jonnson. Protecting your mansion.” The soldier briefed quickly.

“How is Alex?” Miles asked.

“Mr. Jonsson has been heavily wounded, sir. The best healer in the academy is currently taking care of him.”

“What did they steal? Who is the thief?” Miles asked hastily. He didn’t have many things in the mansion, but some of the things he couldn’t carry were placed in the safe in the mansion. But other than Coin, no one could open the safe.

“It looked like a doorknob, sir. It was Ms. Stoll, sir!"

"Val?" Miles asked in disbelief.