Professor Naumann shook hands with Saria. After touring the laboratory and seeing the equipment, the professor and his wife exchanged a glance. They were clearly moved.
Unlimited research funding, approachable colleagues, and the chance to observe frequent Catastrophes at close range — for researchers specializing in Originium studies, there was no better place than this.
There was no doubt about it.
Their only lingering concern was Adele's education.
After settling the Naumann family and their students into the researchers' dormitory, Felix knocked on their door.
Adele peeked her head out. Felix smiled when he saw her.
"Come on, let's go visit the school."
"Okay~"
Professor Naumann accompanied Adele.
When they saw the lively campus, the bustling students and parents, and the faculty list Felix presented, both Professor Naumann and his wife finally relaxed.
The school wasn't only filled with Sarkaz children. Kids from many regions were here as well, following their parents who had come to the Kazdel Mobile City to work or start businesses. It was the same situation as the Naumann couple.
It was hard to believe that this was the same Kazdel so often portrayed as a war-torn land in news reports.
Katia shook his head. The news back in Leithanien might as well not exist. They had no idea how much Kazdel had changed.
With the Naumann couple joining Tomorrow's Development Institute, Felix's long-discussed idea of establishing a university was finally placed on the table. The institute now had more than a hundred researchers from various nations and specialties. With such a rich pool of talent, a stable faculty team was achievable. Building a university was no longer just talk.
But Felix knew better than to rush things. Otherwise, everything could fall apart. The Kazdel education system didn't even have its first batch of graduates yet. Without graduates, how could they justify opening a university?
Besides, he understood that high-school-level knowledge was sufficient for most people. Unless someone wished to pursue advanced study, a university wouldn't hold special meaning here.
Currently, all high-level positions in Kazdel were still handled by elite professionals brought in from outside. There was no other way. To improve Kazdel rapidly, they needed not only Sarkaz strength but also help from many others.
After the success of the All-Star Tournament hosted by the players, a wave of new venue requests poured in. Felix usually only followed the World Championship, not regional leagues, so the sudden influx surprised him. The European League, ESL, PGL — all of them were coming. There were regional leagues and international leagues.
Each rental brought substantial profit to Tomorrow's Development. Felix approved every one of them. As for sponsorships, that depended entirely on the tournaments themselves.
Loughshinny had long been stressed about the funds needed to renovate the Kazdel Mobile City, but ever since the arena was completed and put into use, her workload had eased significantly.
The Lightbearer were nearing one thousand members. During this time, Degenbrecher and Carnelian had been searching the major Frontier settlements for reliable and capable Terra residents. Most of them were infected who had been redeemed by Tomorrow's Development and were eager to join. Their arrival accelerated the development of the First Legion, and by the end of March, Felix finally had completed his first thousand-man legion.
The Second Legion, Saviadel, was already halfway complete: over two hundred Mixed-blood Wendigo, more than a hundred Goliaths, over two hundred Children of the Earth (suspected Gargoyles), more than a hundred Vampires. The remaining four hundred positions were reserved for other special races. It should be finished before the end of the year.
Then Felix turned his attention to his Third Legion. This one would be made up entirely of players. He considered it for a moment and decided to let the news spread quietly as a rumor first.
"Hey, did you hear? The Pioneer's Second Legion is already more than halfway recruited. They're starting preparations for the Third Legion."
"Isn't the Second Legion mostly Sarkaz? What about the Third?"
"It's going to be all players."
"!!!"
The moment those words were spoken, the players eating nearby immediately shot to their feet. They hadn't even processed what was happening before they were surrounded from all sides.
"Alright, brother, tell us more. The Pioneer's third legion is really going to be made entirely of players?"
"Let's go, brothers. Time to fight on the battlefield for the Pioneer!"
"Is this confirmed? Did the Pioneer say it himself?"
The two players from Tomorrow's Development's strategy team nodded. This was a proposal the Pioneer raised in today's meeting. It hadn't been implemented yet, but the plan had already been put on the table.
In less than five minutes, the news that the Pioneer intended to create a third legion composed of players shot to the top of the forum's front page.
Every player had been waiting for this moment for a very long time. The veterans had seen the rise of the Lightbearers from day one, while newer players had witnessed their overwhelming strength on the battlefield.
The announcement immediately caught the attention of top players, streamers, strategy experts, and professional competitors.
Yanfei discussed it with Coach Baimi. She truly wanted to become part of the third legion, but due to its military nature, once they joined, players would likely lose much of their freedom. For someone who valued freedom, that would feel like a restraint.
"I don't think you need to jump to conclusions so fast," Coach Baimi said. "The Pioneer has led players for so long. When has he ever done anything that made players uncomfortable?"
Yanfei shook her head instantly.
"Don't joke around, that's my husband."
"In that case, there's no need to worry. Wait until the recruitment notice is officially released before deciding," Coach Baimi said calmly. "Joining the legion will definitely come with benefits. Don't forget the Lightbearers' gear and their personal drones. This is your chance to get one."
"You're right. Nothing is decided yet, so I won't assume the worst for now."
At the Dynasty team's base, Huang Tianhou Tu slapped the armrest of his chair and stood up. "I've already decided. I'm going to be a legion commander."
From the Warrior team, Cabus cracked his knuckles. "The legion commander position is mine."
At Team T1, Kuma scrolled through images on his computer showing the Lightbearers' equipment and exosuit. He took a deep breath and looked at his teammates behind him. "Listen up, everyone. The third legion—T1 must secure a place."
The third legion had not even been established yet, but it already drew massive attention. With about one year left in Terra Day 3.0, most players had pushed their level to 60.
And level 60 was no joke. As long as their stats were allocated properly and they mastered several key sub-professions, they could receive the title of "Four-Star Operator" from the game. Players at this level could form a small four or five-person party and roam Terra on their own. Unless they ran into private military companies, national armies, special races, or highly trained combat groups, few NPCs could threaten them anymore.
A bounty hunter that required dozens of people to take down at the end of version 1.0 could now be defeated by a four- or five-player party, and sometimes even wiped out entirely.
When Felix revealed his plan to recruit for the third legion, not all high-ranking members of Tomorrow's Development agreed. Some believed it was too early. They felt that adventurers were still not on the same level as the Lightbearers, and rushing this might lead to complacency.
Ines fully supported Felix's decision. Not only because of her deep loyalty to him, but because she understood the adventurers' potential.
Those undead beings who once barely counted as disposable units on the battlefield had, in less than ten years (Terra time), surpassed most Terra natives. Their growth rate was terrifying.
They did not tire, did not age, and did not die. Ines even suspected that by the time she grew old and died, these adventurers would still be as lively as ever.
The proposal for the third legion passed quickly.
As for benefits, Felix was generous. Members of the third legion would be the first to receive the latest mechs and uniforms developed by Tomorrow's Development. These had better stats than the uniforms available in the regular store. They would also receive early access to the Clever and earn a fixed amount of merit points each month, essentially serving as their salary.
This legion was designed for the elite of the elite. It would operate under an elimination system. Every month, players would undergo an attribute check or sparring evaluation with an instructor. Anyone who failed would be advised to leave. This ensured fresh strength and prevented players from slacking off after joining.
There was no helping it. Felix might allow players to relax in other areas, but the third legion was not something to take lightly. It would one day be his strongest, most loyal fighting force, and he intended to keep it firmly under his control.
After two days, he posted a notice on the Tomorrow's Development faction board, officially announcing the open recruitment for the Third Legion. Players who were not currently in Kazdel were given fifteen days to gather.
The moment the announcement appeared, players immediately geared up and prepared to compete. Those confident in their strength stepped on the gas and rushed straight toward Kazdel, while others, though unsure of their abilities, still hurried over just to witness the event.
Kazdel Mobile City was instantly overwhelmed. Not only were all the inns and hotels usually frequented by players packed to the brim, even the small lodgings scattered through the outer residential districts were completely booked.
Tens of thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands, gathered here. The local Sarkaz had never seen anything like this. Their jaws dropped and stayed open.
So this was the power of Tomorrow's Development. With one command, nearly all adventurers came running. The Sarkaz mercenaries watched the crowds of adventurers roaming the streets every day and felt something unfamiliar for the first time: bewilderment. When had Kazdel Mobile City ever been home to so many adventurers?
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. As usual, Felix finished the morning meeting with Tomorrow's Development's upper management. When they left the conference room, they walked together toward the Kazdel Arena under the burning, expectant gazes of countless adventurers.
Along the way, Felix felt many kinds of stares.
Fight.
Fight.
Kill.
Fight.
Violate—
Gah! Felix jolted and quickly sped up his steps when he realized the hungry, predatory gazes came from Yanfei and her group of girls.
Adventurers entered the arena in an orderly fashion. Yet even with a capacity of two hundred thousand, the arena could not fit everyone. Those who were lucky enough to buy a ticket entered the venue, while the rest watched every movement inside through large Originium-tech projection screens outside.
Most of the players who secured seats inside were professional teams, top-tier players, and strategy group members who were absolutely confident in their strength. They had poured countless hours into the game and could remain online for long periods. Unlike casual players who had to work and manage daily life, gaming was their job. If war broke out, they could immediately log in.
These players made up nearly seventy percent of the recruitment candidates.
"I am the Pioneer."
Felix stood at the center of the arena as several drones hovered above, forming his projection in the air.
"Thank you all for coming to Kazdel, to this New Kazdel. Just as we once promised, we have succeeded in giving this city new life. This is the result of everyone who has worked tirelessly for it."
Applause erupted. Some players who had stayed in Kazdel since the beginning felt deeply moved, and even the Sarkaz watching from outside felt a warm satisfaction in their hearts.
"Tomorrow's Development started as a small force and grew step by step to where we stand today. This would not have been possible without your support. And for the sake of the future, we must have the strength to protect ourselves."
"We must be prepared for war at any time. For this, we must take up our weapons and choose to fight."
"This is the Third Legion, a legion made entirely of adventurers."
"Those confident in their strength, step forward! Those who wish to prove themselves in the legion, step forward! Those who want to show the world our power, step forward!"
"Oh! Oh! Oh!"
The players raised their weapons and roared, turning the arena into a frenzy. The waves of cheering made Felix smile.
He had already written the benefits of joining the legion in the faction logs. There was no way anyone would not be interested.