The council chamber was nothing like the rest of Virelia.
No sleek glass, no holograms, no warmth.
It felt older than the academy itself—cold marble floors, obsidian-paneled walls, and nine elevated seats facing a single chair in the center. Surveillance orbs lined the ceiling like mechanical eyes.
Neo stepped into the room without hesitation.
Seven of the nine seats were filled. The other two sat in darkness.
Names weren't used here. Just codenames.
**"Observer One,"** the woman in the center spoke, her voice smooth but sharp. "Neo Mojaki. Transfer from Sector 14-A. Background: fragmented. Scores: inconsistent. Behavioral data: contradictory."
Neo met her gaze. Said nothing.
**"You've drawn...attention."**
A faint rustle ran through the chamber.
**Observer Three** leaned forward, steepling his fingers. "Two days ago, you correctly predicted a failed infiltration by one of our own sleeper agents."
Neo tilted his head. "She tripped the left stair rail's sensor—five seconds