Ethan sat in one of the quieter rooms within the mansion, the hum of distant voices filtering through the walls.
He was still, hands resting on a list of names, letting the weight of what he was building sink in. The Iron Vanguards had been given their roles, each heading a group of nearly forty Ascendants, all sworn to protect NovaTech and his family with unyielding loyalty.
A soft knock sounded, and Jessica entered, her presence a grounding force as always. She handed him a few final documents, her lips curling into a small smile as she glanced at the list.
“They’re all briefed,” she said. “Your team is ready to go whenever you give the word.”
Ethan’s gaze dropped back to the list of group leaders. He nodded, feeling a rush of appreciation for each of the Iron Vanguards. They had given him their trust, and now he was giving them the authority to lead this force—a force that would watch over everything he cared about.
Group A, led by Lucan Marros. Ethan couldn’t help but smile, imagining the stoic, scarred leader commanding a team of nearly forty. Lucan was as solid as they came, and if any leader could keep a group in line and focused, it was him. He had a steady, unbreakable calm, like the eye of a storm.
Jessica raised an eyebrow as she watched him. “Lucan already seems to be thinking five steps ahead. I think he’s planning strategies while we’re still organizing rooms.”
“Sounds like him,” Ethan replied, chuckling. “No one’s better at grounding a team than Lucan.”
He moved to Group B, where he’d appointed Seraph as leader. Seraph was sharp as a blade, her intuition uncanny. She had this way of seeing the big picture at a glance, of finding a solution before most people had even understood the problem.
Jessica nodded approvingly as she saw Seraph’s name. “The Ascendants respect her. She’s quiet, but they’d follow her into anything.”
“And that’s exactly what we need,” Jessica added, already picturing her cool, calculating presence setting the tone for Group B.
For Group C, he’d selected Thorne. Thorne’s sheer strength and resilience made him the ideal fit for leading the powerhouse group. Ethan knew that with Thorne, they had a leader who could rally his team with sheer grit, the kind of leader who could take a hit and still press forward without hesitation.
Jessica chuckled at his choice. “Thorne’s going to have them breaking down walls if you’re not careful.”
Ethan grinned. “Exactly. That’s his strength. The group will feel like they’re unstoppable with him.”
Then came Group D. Calder was chosen as the head, and for good reason. With his calm demeanor and vast knowledge of tactics and weapons, he would create a steady, focused group capable of handling intricate situations.
Jessica’s voice softened. “Calder’s the perfect choice, isn’t he? Always seeing things others miss. The Ascendants will feel secure knowing he’s watching over them.”
Ethan nodded, picturing Calder’s cool, composed gaze as he confidently led his team. “They’ll need his stability. He’ll be an anchor.”
Finally, Group E fell under Rhea’s command. Ethan thought of her intense, focused gaze and the quiet, grounding presence she brought to any situation. Rhea would bring a unique touch—her skills as a healer, and alchemist made her a different kind of leader who could guide her group with a mix of compassion and strength.
“She’ll have their backs, literally and figuratively,” Jessica remarked, a note of admiration in her voice. “It’s good to have someone who thinks about keeping the team together in every way.”
Ethan felt a warmth at the thought. “They’ll need that balance.”
Jessica sat across from him, watching him with a knowing expression. “They’re all prepared, you know. They’re ready to follow you, Ethan.”
She paused and let out a heavy sigh. “Who would have thought I’d be involved in something like this?”
Ethan exhaled, allowing the weight of everything to sink in. “Yeah, I’m sorry for dragging you into this world,” he said softly. This is actually too much—even for me. I’m doing everything I can to keep everyone, including you, safe.”
Jessica nodded, understanding his unspoken thoughts. “And your family?”
“They know,” he said quietly. “They understand why Axel and Flint will be at their side now. I told them it’s about safety, not surveillance. They’ll be discreet.”
Jessica smiled. “You chose well. With Axel’s keen eye and Flint’s resourcefulness… your family couldn’t be safer.”
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his thoughts drifting beyond the estate and the sound of voices around him.
The mission was moving forward in ways he hadn’t anticipated, and he couldn’t deny the satisfaction of seeing it all take shape. Jessica had handled much of the groundwork with precision, helping him manage each task. But there were still things only he could see—things the system had outlined in a way only he could understand.
Before Jessica’s recent updates, he had already completed several key missions; establishing the family residence, selecting the first mansion as the main seat of his growing Cole family, and creating their family symbol.
This wasn’t a simple crest or emblem; it was a mark that would represent the thirteenth Great Family of Novan City. He had thought about this symbol deeply, wanting it to reflect his family’s values and the power they would need to carry forward.
His chosen symbol was a phoenix—a powerful image of rebirth, resilience, and unwavering strength. It was a reminder that, despite their current place as newcomers among the city’s elite, they would rise strong, a force to be reckoned with.
The Cole family carried this image as both a shield and a statement, something that set them apart as they carved their path into Novan City’s highest echelons.
Ethan let out a long breath, recalling his last decision after his recent missions, using all his Free Attribute Points. It was a bold move, but one he felt necessary to align his abilities with the demands of his new reality.
He had carefully distributed the points across all attributes, balancing his physical attributes with the intelligence and charisma needed to lead.
He opened his Status Panel in his mind, studying the current numbers and feeling the weight of each one.
=====
[Status Panel]
Name: Ethan Cole
Level: 9
Rank: Low Star Apprentice
EXP: 29500 / 30000
Ascension Points: 36
Wealth: Unlimited
Attributes:
Strength: 68
Speed: 68
Endurance: 66
Intelligence: 71
Charisma: 63
Free Attribute Points: 0
Skills:
1. Krav Maga [Master]
2. Close Quarters Combat [Master]
3. Muay Thai [Master]
4. Tactical Firearms [Master]
5. Heightened Senses
Divine Skills:
Culinary Divinity [Divine]
=====
Ethan let his gaze linger on his skills. He knew that mastery over his current skill set was only the beginning. To unlock the next level—specifically the Combat Genius Divine Skill—he must master at least ten combat-related skills.
The challenge lay in acquiring skills and developing them to a level of mastery that would set him apart from any other Ascendant. It would be grueling, but the thought of honing himself into something unstoppable fueled his resolve.
“Ethan?” Jessica’s voice pulled him back from his thoughts, and he glanced over to see her watching him with a hint of concern.
“Sorry,” he said, forcing a smile. “Just… thinking about everything that’s coming. There’s a lot more I need to do.”
Jessica nodded, her expression understanding. “I can imagine. But just remember, you’re not alone in this. The teams are ready, and they’re behind you.”
“Thanks, Jess,” he replied, feeling a slight weight lift. “I know. And I appreciate everything you’ve done to help bring this together.”
She nodded, and a comfortable silence settled between them for a moment before she stood. “I’ll go check in with the leaders to see if they need anything before they set up in their respective residences.”
Ethan watched her leave, a sense of purpose welling up within him. With NovaTech fortified, his family protected, and a force of Ascendants at his command, he could feel the foundations solidifying.
But beneath it, all was the understanding that to truly lead, he would need to keep pushing—to become stronger, sharper, a true combat genius if he wanted to match the potential his system had shown him.
He was ready for the challenge.
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