The tension in the room hung thick as the gathered powerhouses mulled over the information. The B-tier officer bowed and excused himself, leaving the leaders to deliberate in private once more.

    The silence was deafening until Principal Farnes clapped his hands lightly, drawing everyone''s attention.

    "We''ll address the Lux Dominion''s growing influence in due time, but our immediate concern is managing the narrative of this battle. Remember, the Lux will return in force, and the only advantage we have now is that they don''t yet understand the full extent of what they''re up against." Farnes'' voice carried a tone of quiet authority, silencing any lingering doubts.

    Alex glanced at Brontes, who''s human sized form could be seen lying on the floor behind him looking laxed, without a care in the world or about the fact that he was sleeping in a room with some of the most important people in the entire federation right now. The Divine beast just slept, undisturbed the chaos that surrounded it.

    His breathing was steady but slow, with the rise and fall of his chest rhythmic. If the people in the room didn''t already know of Brontes'' nature, they might just think he was a cute, peacefully sleeping pet.

    "I''ll move Brontes to my ship," Alex said, breaking the quiet. "He''ll be safer there, away from prying eyes. No one outside of this room is to know about him. Agreed?"

    The others nodded, some reluctantly, others with immediate understanding.

    "Good. I''ll oversee the transfer myself," Alex added. "I agree with Principal Farnes'' plan. If anyone asks about what happened here, it was Federation ingenuity and strategy that destroyed the Lux fleet."No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Everyone dispersed after agreeing to this.

    ***

    A week later.

    The Federation''s banners now flew proudly over what they had officially designated as the "New Dawn" Star System. The debris from the battle had been largely cleared, and the beginnings of orbital stations and planetary colonies were underway. The Federation''s fleet maintained a vigilant presence, patrolling the system''s perimetre for any signs of Lux retaliation.

    They had also set up spatial disruptors across the entire New Dawn system to block the opening of any wormholes inside of it. But while this stopped any surprise attacks from the Lux that might come from inside the system, it also meant that any Federation ships inside the system couldn''t enter warp without first exiting the system.

    This was a minor setback as it made travelling to and from places within the system a little more tedious, but they had to put up with it for the time being to maintain cautiousness and vigilance against the Lux.

    Alex''s ship orbited a gas giant at the System''s edge. Inside, Brontes rested in a dedicated chamber shielded by layers upon layers of anti-detection technology. Despite its outside looks and innate ability to block any outside probing, Alex didn''t want to take any chances with the myriad of talents that could be out there.

    For all he knew a Lux, or one of the other alien races looking to take over the Andromeda galaxy, could have an awakened with a talent that allowed them to see through any aura suppressions or the like.

    "But nothing," Farnes interrupted. "Every one of them has faced their own trials. Their own moments of inadequacy. It''s not about where you are now, Alex. It''s about where you''re going. And from where I stand, you''re already walking a path few could even dream of."

    Alex was silent for a moment, digesting Farnes'' words. He knew the principal was right, but it didn''t make the weight on his shoulders any lighter.

    "I guess I just... I don''t want to be a liability. For Brontes. For the Federation. For anyone."

    Farnes placed a hand on Alex''s shoulder. "Then don''t be. Train. Grow. You''ve already come so far. Don''t let self-doubt be the thing that stops you from going further. The power you seek isn''t just about brute strength. It''s about understanding yourself. Your limits. Your potential."

    Alex looked up at the older man, a spark of determination igniting in his eyes. "You''re right. I''ve been so focused on what I can''t do that I''ve ignored what I can. I need to stop comparing myself to everyone else and start focusing on becoming the best version of me."

    Farnes smiled. "That''s the spirit. Now, let''s talk about your next steps. The Federation''s foothold in Andromeda is tenuous at best. If we''re going to hold onto this system, we''ll need leaders who can inspire confidence. Who can take the fight to the Lux if it comes to that."

    Alex considered what Farnes had to say.

    He had been thinking of these questions ever since he had returned to the fleet after somehow miraculously surviving that whole ordeal with the Lux.

    He''d become a B tier now yes, but that feeling of powerlessness never went away. In fact, it only grew deeper.

    But he was reminded of how this was due to perception. His whole Awakened life he''d spent fighting against beings and people who were stronger than himself, so he hadn''t ever truly understood his strength.

    ''I have to get stronger...''

    He turned to his left, looking at Principal Farnes, but found only empty air instead.

    Farnes had already disappeared from his ship, and left Alex alone with his own thoughts.

    ''Perhaps I should start with Virtue''s Edge... It''s beginning to lag behind in terms of power now.''

    Alex turned to look outside the window, and then looked back at Mira''s door.

    ''I guess its time for another trip to the Primordial Expanse.''