"What are you even talking about, you silly girl?!"
Jade Walker raised her brows and grabbed Emily Frost's cheeks with both hands, stretching her face like dough. She made a silly face and pretended to be angry. "I'm your president! And you're siding with him? Letting me be under Lucas? Are you out of your mind?"
She stared at Emily with exaggerated disbelief. "Do you even realize what you just said? Want to say it again?!"
Emily blinked, cheeks still squished in Jade's grip. Her voice came out muffled. "I-I meant something else, President, not like that!"
"Oh?" Jade smirked, letting go and folding her arms across her chest. "Then explain it. I'm all ears."
She was clearly suspicious. This had to be payback for all the teasing. Jade narrowed her eyes, studying Emily's face like a detective waiting to catch a criminal in a lie.
"I just meant…"
Emily rubbed her sore cheeks and quickly explained, "You could offer Lucas the Vice President position! Then in ten years, when your term ends, he can take over as President. That way, you're technically still above him—at least for now."
She gave a serious nod, looking very proud of her suggestion. "In that case, he might actually agree to join our guild. And come on, President, you're always offering me big empty promises like that. Might as well offer it to someone who'd believe it!"
She smiled innocently, but her eyes were sharp. There was no way she'd fall for Jade's tricks again. Not the empty "you'll be the future President" talk she'd been fed for years.
Actually, the ten-year rule she mentioned wasn't made up at all. It was a strict guideline at Kyoto University. If a guild wanted to recruit new members from the school, the guild's President had to be either:
A current student of Kyoto University, or
A graduate within the last ten years.
Otherwise, the guild would lose its recruitment rights on campus.
This was how Logan Barrett had become the President of the Prosperity Guild years ago. The previous President's term was ending, and Logan—who came from a powerful family and had strong connections—was handpicked to take over during his senior year. It was a big deal back then, making headlines across the guild world.
Prosperity Guild was one of the most elite in the nation, so Logan's appointment carried massive weight.
"Oh?"
Jade's eyes gleamed as she listened to Emily's suggestion. She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm… you know, that's actually not a bad idea. Maybe I underestimated you, Emily."
She was seriously considering it now.
Sure, when she made that same "President one day" promise to Emily, it had been a total bluff. But with someone like Lucas? She couldn't afford to make empty promises. He'd see right through it and walk away.
But offer him real power? A true path to leadership? That might just work.
"Wait… are you serious?" Emily blinked. She had just been trying to tease her back—but now it looked like Jade was actually going to do it!
She wanted to ask if Jade was serious, but she didn't dare. One wrong word and she'd get her cheeks squished again.
President, you're a dark-hearted strategist. You string me along with fake promises, but when it comes to Lucas, suddenly you're all sincerity and golden opportunities?
Emily nearly teared up from the injustice. She'd been a loyal, hardworking assistant, and yet here she was—still just the unpaid intern of the guild.
Meanwhile, Lucas defeats five elite players and suddenly he's presidential material?!
"Alright. Let's try it."
Jade nodded, her tone decisive now. "There's no harm in offering him the position. If Lucas wants to build his own guild, it'll take time, energy, and resources. Not to mention the same ten-year limit applies to him, too."
"But if we offer him a clear path to leadership in our guild, we might be able to save him the trouble."
This was a clever strategic play. He could inherit an established base, take control gradually, and surround himself with allies from within. He'd still have real authority—even if some decisions had to go through the elder council, the guild president had wide control over daily affairs and growth strategy.
Jade had been in this business long enough to understand how tempting such an offer could be.
She knew Lucas would be interested.
---
Meanwhile, in the center of the Secret Realm, emotions were running wild.
"Did you see that?! He's amazing!"
"Lucas really is number one! I'm convinced!"
"Yeah, me too. I've got no complaints now…"
The entire crowd was still buzzing from Lucas's stunning victory. Taking down a five-man team of S-Level Talents in one move? That was on another level. Even those who had once doubted him couldn't help but stare in awe.
Because none of them could have done it.
They were all talented, sure—but not that talented.
Lucas had just proved himself in the most brutal way possible—through power.
The tension and hostility in the air had completely disappeared. Where once there were jealous glares and whispered doubts, now there were only admiring eyes and reluctant nods.
People who had been grumbling about Lucas's arrogance now spoke his name with respect.
Even the SS-Level Holy Shield Knight—Lucas's only real competition—seemed to fade from people's thoughts.
And then there was Amelia Su. She stood nearby, clearly proud and overjoyed for Lucas. Seeing her so happy for him silenced any remaining critics.
If even Amelia Su had acknowledged Lucas's strength, then what more was there to debate?
Those who had once hesitated now simply sighed in defeat.
"Yeah… can't compare with that."
"Let's just focus on second place, okay?"
Lucas's single move had shaken the entire arena. The pride of many challengers was shattered, and none dared to provoke him again.
"Alright, that's enough celebrating!" Lucas said, laughing as Qian Duoduo and the others practically lifted him into the air.
He waved them off, grinning but determined. "Go kill more monsters! Earn some points!"
"Got it, boss!" Qian Duoduo, Meng Chao, and Zach Darnell grinned, already rushing off to hunt and climb the rankings.
After a few parting words, Amelia Su and Alexis Lane also left with their teams, heading back into the wilderness to continue fighting.
The other teams followed suit, scattering across the realm to earn as many points as they could in the final hours.
There was still a lot to play for—the top ten rewards were no joke, and some people had a real shot.
Lucas stretched his shoulders and gave a satisfied sigh. "Alright. Time to grab some more monsters myself."
He casually picked a direction and started walking, already planning his next strategy.
---
An hour passed quickly.
And then—the Secret Realm faded.
Everyone was teleported back to the central plaza by the old headmaster, who stood tall on the stage with a kind smile on his face.
The competition was officially over.
It was time to announce the final results…
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