The elder with the moustache let out a disbelieving snort, clearly holding back his displeasure. "Princess Lyra, are you joking with us?" he asked, lips curling slightly. "With all due respect, are you truly saying this… boy at the 8th level of Expert Rank is to be our final seed? That position is reserved for geniuses who stand at the very peak of Master Rank. If this isn't a joke, then it's a waste of a seed spot."
Even though his words remained formal, the disappointment in his voice was clear. The others didn't speak, but their silence spoke volumes.
The woman with the phoenix robe narrowed her eyes, clearly questioning Lyra's judgment, while the bald elder shook his head lightly, lips pressed in a thin line.
They all knew who Lyra Shade was. Not just a princess by title, but one of the most dazzling geniuses the Middle Domain had produced in the past century. Her talent was unquestionable, her strategic mind sharp, and her loyalty to the Great Ruler Empire unwavering.
