Chapter 112: The Union

"Dean Maxwell? What important matters could someone of your stature possibly have to discuss with a student like me?"

As Jackson heard the voice from outside, his thoughts began racing.

The dean of Golden Radiance Academy was one of the most influential figures in Sector Sixty-Seven. Someone of his standing wouldn’t normally visit a first-year student’s residence without a good reason.

And the timing of his arrival was suspicious.

Jackson had only just finished claiming his rewards when Dean Maxwell suddenly appeared at his door.

Could this have something to do with the rewards?

A possibility quickly surfaced in his mind.

Don’t tell me the academy never intended to give us these treasures in the first place and only used them as bait to motivate the students.

The thought made Jackson’s expression turn slightly strange.

It wouldn’t be the first time an organization had promised generous rewards to encourage people to work harder, only to find an excuse to avoid paying up later. Human greed was a remarkably reliable constant, regardless of how powerful or respectable an organization appeared.

Still, Jackson quickly dismissed the suspicion.

It was highly unlikely that Golden Radiance Academy would resort to such a cheap trick.

The academy wasn’t merely the largest educational institution in Sector Sixty-Seven. It was also one of the most powerful organizations in the entire sector, standing alongside renowned forces such as the Hunter Association, Green Soul Corporation, Awakened Paradise, and the Black Rose Hunting Organization.

Its resources were immense, and its reputation had been built over many years.

For an organization of that standing, the few treasures he had selected probably weren’t worth the damage such a scandal would cause.

At least, that was what Jackson hoped.

With his thoughts settled, he walked toward the entrance to greet his unexpected visitor.

Whatever the dean wanted, Jackson couldn’t afford to keep someone of his stature waiting outside.

After all, Dean Maxwell wasn’t merely the head of Golden Radiance Academy. He was also a fully-fledged Legendary-Rank hunter, a figure whose strength and experience placed him far beyond the reach of ordinary Awakened.

Jackson was approaching the threshold of the Gold Rank, but the difference between him and the dean remained enormous. Reaching the Fourth Sequence would be a significant milestone, yet it wouldn’t magically erase the gap between a newly transformed Awakened and someone who had spent years climbing the ranks.

He had no intention of offending such a person over something as trivial as a delayed greeting.

When Jackson opened the door, he was greeted by a sight he hadn’t expected.

Dean Maxwell stood outside wearing a loose white shirt and a pair of comfortable pajamas. His clothes were simple, his posture relaxed, and his expression carried none of the imposing dignity he usually displayed in public.

At first glance, he looked less like the dean of one of humanity’s most powerful institutions and more like a friendly neighbor who had dropped by for a casual chat.

Jackson blinked once.

The contrast was almost comical.

This was the same man who could command the attention of an entire academy with a few words, yet here he stood dressed as though he had just gotten out of bed.

As soon as Maxwell noticed Jackson, however, his attention shifted to the faint spiritual fluctuations surrounding the young man’s body.

The lingering traces of energy in the air made it obvious that Jackson had only recently emerged from meditation.

A look of genuine satisfaction appeared on the dean’s face.

"So talented and hardworking. No wonder you’ve managed to reach the peak of the Third Sequence in such a short time."

He examined Jackson with undisguised approval before continuing.

"With talent like yours, you could easily rank among humanity’s top geniuses."

The praise was sincere and entirely without reservation.

Jackson’s rapid advancement had already surprised Maxwell, but what impressed the dean even more was the young man’s discipline.

Throughout his long career, Maxwell had encountered countless geniuses. Some possessed extraordinary talents that allowed them to advance at astonishing speeds, while others had access to resources that ordinary Awakened could never hope to obtain.

Yet talent and resources alone were rarely enough.

Many gifted individuals became complacent after achieving early success. They grew accustomed to having everything handed to them and eventually lost the drive required to overcome the obstacles that awaited them at higher ranks.

Others simply lacked the patience to endure the tedious work that true cultivation demanded.

Jackson was different.

Despite his extraordinary progress, he had continued cultivating relentlessly, pushing himself forward without waiting for others to praise or encourage him.

To Maxwell, that combination of talent and diligence was far more valuable than talent alone.

Jackson, however, remained silent.

He stood at the entrance, looking at the dean without offering much of a response. After exchanging a few polite words, he invited Maxwell inside and led him to the sitting area.

Jackson had always been a quiet and introverted person. Outside his family, he rarely went out of his way to engage in conversation, preferring to keep his thoughts to himself.

He could handle negotiations, combat, and dangerous situations reasonably well, but entertaining an important guest was an entirely different matter.

He had no idea what he was supposed to say to someone like Dean Maxwell.

Should he offer compliments? Ask about the dean’s work? Or perhaps make some meaningless small talk about the weather?

The more he thought about it, the more troublesome the situation seemed.

In the end, Jackson decided that silence was the safest option.

He prepared some freshly brewed tea and placed a cup in front of his guest before sitting down opposite him.

Maxwell glanced at the tea, then at Jackson’s quiet expression.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he nodded in satisfaction.

The young man certainly wasn’t one for unnecessary chatter.

Jackson, for his part, simply waited.

He had already greeted his guest, offered him tea, and provided a place to sit. That was more than enough hospitality as far as he was concerned.

If the dean had come here to discuss something important, he would eventually get to the point.

There was no need to waste time guessing.

After a few moments, Maxwell finished his tea and gently placed the cup on the table.

The soft clink of porcelain against wood broke the silence.

Then, almost imperceptibly, his aura changed.

The relaxed atmosphere that had surrounded him since his arrival gradually disappeared. His expression became more serious, and the casual warmth in his eyes gave way to the quiet authority of someone accustomed to standing at the highest levels of power.

He was no longer merely a friendly old man visiting a student’s room.

He was the dean of Golden Radiance Academy.

Jackson immediately noticed the change.

Without realizing it, he straightened his back and adjusted his posture, his attention sharpening as he faced the older man.

Maxwell noticed the reaction but made no comment.

"I imagine you’re curious about why I’ve come to visit you so suddenly," he began. "As I mentioned earlier, there are indeed some important matters I’d like to discuss."

Jackson nodded.

He had been wondering about the purpose of this visit from the moment he heard Maxwell’s voice outside the door. Now that the dean had finally brought it up, he settled down and prepared to listen carefully.

Maxwell picked up his teacup again, took a small sip, and then asked a seemingly simple question.

"Although you’ve only been an Awakened for a month, I’m sure you’ve already learned about the existence of the Union, haven’t you?"

The moment Jackson heard the word Union, a faint ripple passed through his eyes.

He had indeed learned about it only a few days earlier.

Back when he had held the rank of an Iron-Rank hunter, the information available to him had been severely limited. Certain records, classified reports, and details concerning humanity’s highest-level organizations had remained beyond his clearance.

At the time, he hadn’t thought much about it. The Hunter Association handled countless matters, and it was only natural that some information would be restricted to higher-ranking members.

However, after his hunter rank increased, his access to information expanded considerably.

That was when he first discovered the Union.

It was an organization unlike any other, formed by some of the most powerful Awakened humanity had ever produced. Its purpose was singular and absolute: to safeguard humanity against foreign invaders and ensure the continued survival of the human race.

Its members came from all walks of life and represented a wide range of organizations. Powerful hunters, influential corporate figures, elite Awakened, and representatives of major institutions all operated within its broader framework.

Even organizations as formidable as Golden Radiance Academy and the Hunter Association functioned under its direct guidance.

The Union stood above their individual interests, coordinating their efforts against threats that no single organization could handle alone.

It was an immense force, one that Jackson had barely begun to understand.

And now, Dean Maxwell had brought it up during a private visit.

Jackson’s expression remained composed, but his thoughts had already begun turning.

Why is he asking me about the Union?

For the first time since the dean had arrived, Jackson felt that this conversation might be considerably more complicated than he had anticipated.

Noticing the subtle change in Jackson’s eyes, Dean Maxwell nodded in satisfaction.

"It seems you aren’t as ignorant as I initially presumed."

He leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxing slightly as he continued.

"Then you should also know that the Union recruits a certain number of promising talents every year. These individuals aren’t ordinary Awakened. They are the ones humanity believes will eventually become its future pillars, the people who will shoulder the responsibility of protecting our civilization against the threats lurking beyond our borders."

As he spoke, a trace of nostalgia appeared in his eyes.