Chapter 93 The UEF Academy—Lily
They created a small, implantable device called the 'Aether Core.'
The Aether core was a marvel of technology, designed to be implanted into the human body and cyborgs alike.
It was made of a special material that was able to absorb, process, and store Aether.
The device was also designed to interface with the human nervous system, allowing the user to control the flow of Aether into specific 'Paths' in turn creating abilities and shaping specializations.
Only a few know of the Aether core's existence, and only the best were deemed worthy enough to possess it.
On Earth, at least.
Among them were the Big 8 corporations, the Big 3 underworld factions, the UEF, companies relating to the hunter world, and the hunters themselves who were fighting on the front lines in the north.
And now, the students at the UEF academy have been granted access to this privileged knowledge.
The hunters who were eligible to receive Aether cores were greatly sought after and held significant power in the north.
But despite the value placed on it, most people on Earth remained ignorant of its existence, mainly due to the UEF.
Which was not something that they wished for but a thing they had to do, simply due to them being in the CCA.
The Cosmic Civilization Alliance.
Now, one of the primary benefits of Aether was the enhanced physical abilities.
The once hunters, now Celestials, were able to move faster, jump higher, and endure more physical strain than they would be able to without Aether.
That was, of course, only for an Ascendant, those with higher levels of power that ranked higher in the Celestial Hierarchy were incomparable to an Ascendant.
Now regarding the common Ascendant rank.
Aether allowed them to be more effective in combat and traverse difficult terrain with ease.
It also granted those Celestials heightened senses.
That they would all die in the academy.
And as that thought crossed her mind, her body began to shiver.
The idea of her own death was frightening, but the possibility of losing her brother and mother was even more terrifying.
Whether Emir was truly her brother or someone else from another life, was a matter that she had long since accepted.
Lily didn't put much weight on the idea, no matter how fantastical it may seem.
What mattered to her was how much Emir meant to her.
The love and care she had for him surpassed whatever his past may have been.
And after witnessing his deal with her mother, she felt compelled to find ways to help him too, knowing that he would never ask anything from her.
So the sight of the elites bullying the kid triggered a realization in Lily.
'I can get some information by befriending some of the rich girls in the academy...'
'Everyone is scared of them, so squirming my way into one of their groups wouldn't be too hard.'
'Yes! It won't be only Mom helping Emir, I'll help too!'
After deciding that, she began thinking of ways to befriend them, and the first person that came to mind was the first daughter of Richard Alexander.
The world's leading scientist, responsible for Stellar Solutions Inc.
Olivia, one of the most popular elite students and the older sister of Sofia, a member of Arthur's future harem.
Lily had a plan in mind, but she knew it was best to discuss it with Emir first.
Despite not possessing the same level of intelligence or maturity as her brother, she was socially adept in her own right.
She constantly pushed herself to improve, using Emir as her benchmark.
And now, with the opportunity to help him, she felt an even stronger drive to succeed.
Then as she made her way to PE class, a cute and resolute Lily yearned for the day to end so she could return home.