Chapter 91 - Consequences - III
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The four leaders of the noble families left the meeting room with steady steps, yet bearing the frustration of not having achieved what they desired.
The silence that followed was brief, for the door soon opened again, and four figures entered, each representing one of the most powerful magical towers in Atlas.
The first to enter was Thorgrim Ironvolt, a dwarf with a red beard and eyes that sparked like embers. His affinity with electricity was evident, small bolts of lightning dancing in his hands as he walked. Behind him came Lysandra Maris, a human with silver hair and deep blue eyes like the ocean, representing the water tower. Next was Faenor Lasair, a tall and slender elf, with golden hair and eyes that burned with the intensity of fire. Lastly, Laek Painfang, a beastkin with hawk-like features, whose partially spread wings and sharp eyes made clear his affinity with the wind.
The atmosphere in the room changed instantly. The air grew heavy, charged with magical energy, and Selene felt the pressure intensify. She remained seated, her posture flawless, but her eyes glowed with a cold and calculating light.
Thorgrim was the first to speak, his voice deep and full of impatience. "Queen Selene, we've already offered a 50% discount on magical goods for a decade, military support in calamity-class dungeon expeditions, and five years of specialized training for the royal demon mages. What else do we need to reach a damn agreement?"
"Commercial benefits don't interest me, Thorgrim." Selene looked at him, her expression unreadable. "With all the intelligence and knowledge you've gathered over the centuries, you seem to have forgotten how much I despise what you do when you find a 'new toy' you can't understand with your flawed logic," she replied with a sharp tone.
The mood in the room, already tense, worsened further. The brows of the magical tower leaders furrowed, revealing that they remembered past events.
"I was once the subject of experiments in a magical tower. If not for my brother's intervention, I don't even know if I'd be alive today. And you think I'd allow Glenn to go through something similar?" she asked.
"Your Majesty, we understand your concern, but you must consider the value of a single life compared to the advancement of an entire planet. Glenn is an Awakened with three affinities, something never seen before. He could help many who are stuck in the Transcendent rank, and even the Sanctum rank. What is a mere Awakened in the grand scheme of things? What is one life against the progress of an entire civilization?" Lysandra interjected, her voice gentle but carrying an undeniable firmness.
"One life? You speak of him as if he were an object, a resource to be exploited. Glenn is not a tool for advancing your research. And I am determined not to grant a single privilege for your dark desires and personal obsessions."