Suddenly the twelve figures who were sitting around the table heard a soft noise, and it came from the big screen placed in front of them.
The screen brightened bit by bit until a figure showed up on it.
The moment his masked face showed up, every member in the chamber stood from their chairs together and bowed toward the screen, showing their respect to the man appearing through the display.
He was attending from another location far away, connected through the secure line built deep into the chamber.
He wore a mask with a smooth bright surface. Soft lines spread outward from the center of it, shaped like sun rays, and the glow around it felt warm as early morning light slipping through a window.
His presence felt different from the others in the chamber. While the other seats carried weight like iron, frost, blood, or storm, His appearance felt calm and steady, different from the others.
Even through the screen, something about him made all twelve bow without hesitation.
This was the Seat of Light, the 0th seat of the Crownless Twelve — the one who never appeared physically in the chamber. His place was always on the screen, connected from his hidden location.
He looked at the twelve figures seated around the table, and even through the video feed, his quiet gaze carried weight, clear as daylight entering a dark room.
After everyone finished bowing to the man on the screen, they returned to their seats.
The chamber became quiet at once, a silence heavy enough to feel in everyone faces, like the moment before someone says something important.
The man on the screen spoke first, his voice steady and clear. "We will begin. The first matter is the next President of the Superhuman Association."
Forge leaned forward, his voice came out firm and rough. "The old one stepped down yesterday. They told the public he's sick. We all know that's not the real reason."
A soft chuckle slipped through the room, low and faint, but clear enough that everyone heard it. Void tilted his head a little, like something about it amused him.
"Only I know the real reason," he said, his voice carrying a strange amusement that didn't match the seriousness of the room. "The rest of you only heard the excuses."
Winter turned her head toward him. Her voice came out cold and sharp. "Why did you kill him? That was not decided in the previous meeting." Her words came out straight, without anger, just freezing clarity. "We agreed to shake him with fear, not end him. The plan was to use his granddaughter as pressure."
Void rested back in his chair, his voice drifting soft like distant wind. "He wouldn't listen. Even with fear pressing on him, he still thought he had a choice."
Storm frowned, a few sparks jumped from her hair. "So you decided on your own? Again?"
Void shrugged lazily. "A puppet that refuses the strings is useless."
Winter's reply came sharp. "We needed a puppet, not a corpse."
Blood tapped his fingers once, the sound faint but clear. "Killing him will make eyes turn toward the Association. More attention… more rumors."
Void tilted his head slightly. "Let them look. People stare at thunder even when it frightens them. They won't see the shadows behind it."
Judgement suddenly pushed his chair back and stood up. His robe shifted as he rose, his voice hit the room deep and heavy.
"Void, the decision was not yours to make. You acted outside the agreement. That is not our law."
"We decided to threaten him," Judgement continued, his anger showing through every word. "We agreed on a warning, not execution. You stepped past the line we all set together."
Void didn't react to Judgement's anger. He leaned back in his chair, completely relaxed, as if the whole issue was already closed for him.
He lifted one leg and set it on the table, crossing it over the other in a slow, careless motion.
Everything about him showed he believed he was right and didn't need anyone's approval.
Judgement's voice rose again, slow but burning. "You cannot twist our decisions. You cannot turn a plan into your own rule. This table moves together."
Crown gave a slow, steady nod. "Void, your methods bring results, but you step beyond the line too often."
Void let out a soft sigh, like he didn't care. "Lines can be redrawn."
Winter's cold tone answered him. "But only by all twelve. Not by one."
After Judgement shouted, the whole room went quiet so fast it felt strange. Everyone's eyes were still on Void, and for a few seconds nobody said anything. The silence spread through the chamber all at once.
Then the voice from the screen cut through it. Light spoke suddenly, and even though he didn't raise his tone, there was a clear frustration hiding in his words, like he was tired of watching them argue over something already settled.
"That matter is finished. What's done is done."
His tone stayed even and plain.
"But it will not happen again without decision from this table."
Void didn't argue. He simply lowered his head slightly, the gesture small and unreadable through his mask.
The room calmed down a little, and Light spoke again. "Now… about the next President of the Superhuman Association."
Light kept his gaze fixed on the table from the screen. "Let's finish the choice. We have three names in front of us."
Forge leaned back slightly. "Li Zhengming… he's the easiest to bend. He listens. Doesn't talk much. A steady man."
Winter nodded once, her voice cold and flat. "He follows orders. His mind doesn't wander. People like him make no noise."
Storm clicked her tongue softly. "He's dull. But dull is better than loud."
Blood ran his finger along the table slowly. "Wen Haoyang is polite. Good at looking calm in front of the public. But his support in the Council is thin. He might break if pressure piles on him."
Crown spoke with a steady tone. "He tries to please everyone. That type bends too much. If someone else pulls him, he'll lean toward them."
Gloom's voice slipped out faintly. "He is… harmless. Too harmless."
Judgement lowered his head a little, thinking. "He cannot hold the position. He is weak."
Storm let out a short breath, sparks snapping faintly at her hair tips. "Now the last one… Qiu Renhai. I can already feel a headache."
Ember let out a small warm laugh. "He'll fight the Council every week. And maybe fight us too."
Winter spoke again, her tone cold as ice. "He cannot be controlled."
Void gave a quiet chuckle, legs still crossed on the table. "He would be fun though."
Judgement shot him a glare but didn't speak to him again.
Crown ended the debate simply. "Then we choose the one who can be guided."
Forge nodded. "Li Zhengming."
Blood agreed with a small tap of his finger. "He'll move the way we push."
Fang added, "He won't resist."
Finally, Light spoke again from the screen, calm but final. "Then we choose Li Zhengming. He will be the next President."
Winter lowered her gaze. "It's settled."