Starshine Hotel.
Early in the morning, Mark Jensen and his wife Karen stood at the door of their private box.
As one of the top hotels in Dongning City, Starshine was famed not only for its pricing but also for its service and exceptional cuisine. Hosting their son's celebration banquet here was a mark of honor.
"Uncle, welcome! Come in, sit here!"
"Is this your daughter? She's grown so much!"
"Uncle Neal, please take your time—come in. If it wasn't for you back then, I don't know where I'd be now."
Mark stood at the entrance with endless energy, welcoming each guest warmly.
Half an hour passed.
Everyone had arrived.
The family banquet officially began.
People took their seats, while Aeron sat at the head of the table, calmly eating.
Starshine wasn't famous without reason. Many of its ingredients were sourced from other planets. The meats served were from rare alien beasts, more nutritious and flavorful than anything farmed in Dongning. Though still not as potent as High Level Nutrient Solution, they held more energy than average meals. Aeron was quite enjoying himself.
Around him, no one else was just eating.
Conversations buzzed, people chatted, and connections were subtly formed.
The most vocal among them was Lucas Jensen, a distant cousin of Mark's. Years ago, Lucas bought plots of land in the outskirts of Dongning, which were later developed, bringing him enormous profit.
"I've actually met the boss of Starshine a few times—yes, she's a woman. They say she's…" Lucas began bragging immediately.
His words drew attention. The owner of Starshine was notoriously mysterious, and gossip about her intrigued everyone.
"By the way," Lucas pivoted, his eyes landing on Aeron, "Mark, what plans does your boy have next?"
The room hushed.
All eyes turned toward Aeron, the reason for today's gathering. His sudden rise as an evolver had shocked the family.
"I don't really have a plan yet," Aeron said, putting down his chopsticks. "Just taking things one step at a time."
And it was true. His only goal was to grow stronger. But saying that would sound too vague—everyone wants to be stronger.
"How about joining my company?" Lucas offered, patting his chest. "It's not big, but I'll give you twenty thousand a month."
Twenty thousand?!
Gasps spread around the room.
That's 240,000 a year—nearly ten times the average salary of a citizen.
"You'll be working security. We already have an evolver on staff, too—he can show you the ropes," Lucas added, puffing up with pride.
To most ordinary families, evolvers were rare. But for business owners like Lucas, pre-evolvers could be hired through backdoor channels. Not strong ones, but still evolvers.
Lucas's boasting elevated his status even more. People began fawning.
"Lucas, is your company hiring? My son's looking for work. Five thousand would be enough!"
"Five thousand?! Please, my daughter's got looks—she'd be perfect at the front desk!"
In no time, Lucas became the center of attention. Aeron quietly observed, eating another piece of meat.
He wasn't annoyed—he just found it amusing.
He knew Lucas was lying.
With a few taps through his second-level citizen clearance, Aeron had already reviewed Lucas's assets.
Lucas once hired a pre-evolver—but they quit years ago, after Lucas withheld pay repeatedly. It nearly caused trouble with the Evolutionary Association.
Aeron saw through it, but didn't expose him. His parents, unaware, still chatted excitedly with Lucas.
Just then, a new voice broke through the chatter:
"Aeron is still young. There's no need for him to jump into work just yet."
Everyone turned.
It was Edward, the secretary to a director in Dongning City—and the guest with the highest status in the room.
Even Lucas shut his mouth immediately.
"Edward, what do you mean?" Mark asked softly.
"Our bureau has a quota this year for evolvers to pursue advanced studies," Edward explained.
"Aeron can join the interview process. Once he's accepted, I'll assign that quota to him."
The room went still.
This was no ordinary education offer.
Advanced training for evolvers came with institutional resources—genetic therapies, training modules, specialized mentors.
Every evolver in Edward's department would kill for that slot.
And yet, he was giving it to Aeron.
His reasoning was simple: his own son had failed to become an evolver, despite every advantage.
Rather than give it to a stranger, he might as well support family.
"This spot… it's that precious?" Mark blinked.
"Don't worry about it," Edward replied flatly. "Just take it."
He looked at his son, Ryan, who sat stiffly beside him, jaw clenched.
Ryan couldn't believe it. The slot should've been his.
He'd trained for it. He'd expected it. And now it was being handed to Aeron?
"Thanks, Edward! Thank you so much!" Mark stood and bowed repeatedly.
"Aeron, thank your uncle!"
"Thank you, Uncle," Aeron said calmly.
To be honest, he didn't care about advanced studies. He could gain far more merit by further evolving the Martial Dao pathway.
But it was a kind gesture—and publicly rejecting it would embarrass his parents and Edward. So he accepted it with grace.
Ryan clenched his fists.
"Hmph. Gets handed a treasure and still acts indifferent," he muttered.
"You brat!" Edward's face darkened. "You failed to evolve and still act entitled?!"
Ryan flinched. Around them, whispers spread.
This wasn't just family gossip anymore—it was a spectacle.
Mark was stunned, unsure whether to give back the offer or just pretend nothing happened.
Then, a hotel staff member rushed in.
"Excuse me! Is Mr. Aeron here?"
Everyone turned to look.
"Yes?" Mark replied.
"Someone is here to visit him."
Confused murmurs spread across the room.
"Visit him? Now? Every
one's already here…"
Who else would come to see Aeron at a family banquet?
(End of Chapter)
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