CHAPTER 69: RESUMING ELITE TRAINING PROGRAM

After returning to the real world, he was greeted by Hector.

"Captain, the Elite Talents have already arrived in Eastdam City. Do you want to meet them now?"

"They arrived so quickly?" Nash muttered in surprise.

After Camilla told him about the Nova Cosmic Competition happening in nine months, Nash began preparing.

The first thing he did was to call back the former members of the Earth Government Elite Training Program.

He thought it would take them some time to reach the Eastdam State, who knew they’d show up the very next day?

"Their condition isn’t great. They’re probably eager to take refuge under your wing, Captain," Hector guessed.

As Chancellor of Eastdam State, Nash’s reputation on Earth has already surpassed the top squad captains in the Earth Horizon Alliance.

Add in all the rumors about his ties to the Fiero family; Nash’s name was at an all-time high.

If he weren’t so low-key, he might’ve been able to rally Earth’s people and form his own government.

"Take them to the lounge. I’ll meet them in a minute."

Since they were already here, it was time to set his plan in motion.

Checking the time, he still had a few hours before his first training session with William.

---

After freshening up, Nash arrived at the State Hall Lounge.

"Chancellor Nash, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Michael, the team’s instructor," Michael said, shaking his hand.

"The pleasure is mine. I’ve finally gotten the chance to meet Earth’s finest talents."

These few individuals were the pinnacle of Earth’s gene pool, holding the planet’s highest potential.

Given the chance, they could rise through the ranks like dragons and phoenixes.

"Brother Nash, do you remember me? How are Charlotte and Elijah?" Leo cut in, asking about his friends.

"Leo? Of course I remember you. We only met a few months ago..." Nash sighed.

These few months felt like a tidal wave that swept through everything.

The rebellion of the Earth Horizon Alliance, Camilla and her family leaving the planet, advancing to an official Void Warrior, becoming Chancellor of Eastdam State, diving into the Dark Plane...

So much had happened; it felt like years or even decades had passed.

"How are Charlotte and Elijah? Are they doing okay?" Leo asked again.

"Don’t worry, they’re doing fine. I’ll give you their virtual IDs later so you can contact them."

Since Charlotte and Elijah didn’t have virtual accounts back then, they weren’t able to share their IDs with friends.

If Nash hadn’t bought a virtual helmet a few days before everything happened, he wouldn’t have been able to contact Camilla and the others either.

"Thank you, Brother Nash!"

Hearing that he could finally contact his two friends, Leo nearly jumped for joy.

Soon, after a round of pleasantries, Nash got straight to the point.

"I called you here today to help you resume the Elite Training Program for the Nova Cosmic Competition."

"Nova Cosmic Competition!"

Hearing those words, Michael and the elite talents couldn’t help but feel their blood boil.

From childhood through their teens, they had one goal: earn a spot in the Nova Cosmic Competition and win Earth’s autonomy.

Unfortunately, with the change in government, everything was reset. They were back at zero, like rats crawling through the streets.

Although the Earth Horizon Alliance didn’t kill them, they faced all kinds of suppression.

That’s why, the moment they heard Nash was willing to take them in, they sold everything they could and bought tickets to Eastdam State.

"That’s right, the Nova Cosmic Competition is just nine months away. I hope that’s enough time for you to prepare."

Hearing this, Michael smiled with relief but quickly frowned, thinking of the challenges ahead.

"Are you going to fully fund it, Chancellor Nash? What about the advanced training equipments? Right now, we don’t have anything, not even the basic training suits."

With the fall of the Earth Government, all their training equipment had been confiscated.

"You don’t need to worry about that. Camilla already sent a full set of training gear and resources. It should arrive within a week," Nash assured him.

He didn’t know all the hardship they’d gone through these past few months, but he knew it hadn’t been easy.

"That’s great! Thank you, Chancellor Nash!" Michael’s smile returned as he bowed in gratitude.

"We can finally train again!"

"For this coming competition, we Earthlings promise to rise again!" Leo shouted, clenching his fist as the others followed with cheers.

"Alright, get settled in Eastdam City first. I’ll meet you tomorrow to hand over the supplies."

Nash didn’t have a single crystal to spare at the moment. But tomorrow, after teaching William, he should be able to earn tens of thousands of void crystals.

"Thanks again, Chancellor Nash. We look forward to your next visit," Michael said as he and the others waved goodbye.

---

After settling Michael and the Elite Talents, Nash continued with his daily routine.

Processing the files from the Eastdam State, training his body, studying runic programs, improving the [Sensing Module System], and more.

Once everything was done, Nash returned to the virtual pod for his training session with William.

Entering the private virtual address William had given him, his mind materialized in the virtual world.

---

William’s Private Virtual Space:

"Boss, you’re here!" William greeted him excitedly.

He could finally learn his boss’s incredible combat skills.

The only downside was that Nash still wore a mask.

Not knowing what he actually looked like took a bit of the fun out of it for William.

"Do you still remember what you promised me earlier?" Nash got straight to the point, confirming his remuneration.

"Of course! Every hour you teach me, I’ll pay you 10,000 void crystals!" William said quickly, knowing full well how much Nash loved money.

"What about the contract?"

"Here, I’ve already drafted it!" William sighed, handing over the virtual document.

Skimming through the details, Nash nodded.

It was a simple contract that outlined his remuneration and the full authority over the training program.

Even if Nash told William to meditate for hours, as long as Nash stayed and watched, it counted toward the paycheck.

Of course, William also had the right to end the contract if he felt Nash was wasting his time.

After signing it, Nash let out a small sigh of relief. His 10,000-per-hour job was now officially on paper.

"Let’s start. We don’t have time to waste."