Void Evolution System

"Alright, let's end this charade and get back to the topic at hand. Do you have anything else to say before we decide your punishment?" The Director spoke, cutting the tension that had been building between Damien and the Board.

Damien looked at him curiously. His lips widened into a small but vicious smile. "To allow oppression to continue on such a low level, I doubt it's because you want us to submit? If my actions aligned with what you wanted in the first place, what's the use of punishment?"

The Director's eyes widened slightly in surprise. In the next moment, a small smile appeared on his face. "How interesting. Alright, if that's all you say then that's enough. I shall convene with the others and decide your punishment."

A transparent screen of mana erected itself between Damien and the elders. From the way it appeared, Damien almost thought it was a usage of Space Laws, but it was completely different.

It was like the world's atmosphere itself solidified into a barrier.

'What a strange group.' Damien thought to himself. His interaction with them was short and mostly to the point. Every time it looked like some drama would appear, the Director stepped in and quelled all sides.

'He has them under his grasp so tightly…what a guy.'

The Thirteen Zodiacs. In common mythology and knowledge, only twelve zodiacs were ever acknowledged. When Damien first found out about the Board of Directors and how they classified themselves, he wondered why they decided to include the thirteenth.

But after meeting them and seeing their dynamic, he understood.

Ophiuchus, the Zodiac Killer.

Other than this sign, there was no better way to describe the Director.

Despite the Board of Directors being seen as an entity of equals by the outside world, the Director held every ounce of power in Hidden Death Valley. The others obeyed his every word even if they hated his instruction, simply because they had no other choice.

If they disobeyed, they would be devoured.

'Is that what he was trying to show me?'

Even though the interaction was short, the Director's attitude while it was ongoing was strange. In front of outsiders, there's no way he'd show such a domineering and oppressive appearance towards his peers.

After all, he had to maintain the image that they were harmonious and equal.

If so, why did he make it so blatantly obvious to Damien that he was in complete control?

Was it a move to intimidate him?

Or better, was it…?

'He wants something from me. He's showing me that if I have his backing, I can be rampant and unhinged without worrying about people outside of my means coming after me…but there's no such thing as free lunch in this world.'

As Damien submerged himself in thought, the transparent barrier dispersed and reconnected him with the world.

"It has been decided!" The Director said dominantly. "Because your sin was light, we will not threaten you with expulsion or anything of the sort. Instead, I will give you two options…"

"The first is that you spend 5 years in the Isolation Chamber reflecting on your mistakes. Through this, you might even gain some special insights that help you grow stronger. The second option…"

"…you must participate in the ongoing war and achieve promising results. If your achievements reach a certain level, you will be allowed back to the academy."

"I choose the second," Damien said without hesitation. "I just have one question."

"Ask it."

"Will I still be allowed to take the progress assessment if my punishment is still ongoing in 6 months?"

The Director furrowed his brows. "Is the assessment that important to you?"

Damien shrugged. "I've been training in preparation for it for a while now. If I miss it, wouldn't it be a shame?"

The Director let out a small chuckle at his words. "Indeed, it would be. Very well. I will allow you to return for the progress assessment in 6 months regardless of whether your punishment has ended or not."

"This is my final verdict!"

***

Damien's encounter with the Board of Directors ended just like that. Unlike the mess of conflict he expected to walk into, it was far more succinct.

In fact, Damien had barely seen anything of a majority of the Zodiacs. Aside from the biased Scorpio and that woman who chimed in, none of the others spoke at all.

Damien walked with the Head Guard and her squad and left the Hell Hole. While he could've returned to the battle arena to finish his run, he instead decided to return to his Star City home for a small period of rest.

A grin lit up his face the entire time. He couldn't believe his luck.

'And they said it was punishment. Since when was giving me exactly what I want considered punishment?'

He'd been itching to join the war for a very long time, but he'd never had the opportunity. Before entering Hidden Death Valley, he was simply too weak to even consider it.

Now that he had a decent amount of strength, he was more than qualified to join the war. As long as he remained careful, he wouldn't die an early death.

Only, he had no method to access the battlefield. Hidden Death Valley geniuses had to go through strict procedures and training before they were allowed into the warfront. This was a safety measure to make sure no promising geniuses would die before their time.

'I was told that I depart in 3 days. That's more than enough time to finish up at the arena. Ah, I should probably call Zara too.'

Zara had been off doing her own training since they returned. Damien hadn't even seen a glimpse of her. But, he knew she'd want to join him on this expedition. Even discounting her new love for adventure and thrill…

The Nox held an integral key to her identity. If she wanted to understand her origins, she'd have to face them as much as possible.

Damien submerged himself in thought as he visualized various scenes he'd seen through both Alaric and the Fifth Primal Sovereign's memories. Those scenes of war both motivated and humbled him, preparing him for what was to come.

After an unknown amount of time, he faced a much-expected interruption.

"It's quite dangerous to be so unaware of your surroundings, you know?" A voice appeared from nearby, snapping him out of his thoughts.

At some point, an old man had entered the house.

"I mean, no matter how much attention I paid, I wouldn't be able to sense you. What's the point of trying?" Damien responded with a smile.

Standing up from the bed, he picked up a bottle of spirit liquor from the counter and sat it down at the table.

"So? What great deed have I accomplished for the Director himself to give me a home visit?"

The Director smiled and sat down opposite Damien. Taking a sip from the glass of spirit liquor Damien poured for him, he spoke.

"Well, I'm sure you've already guessed it by now but I'm not one to enjoy mind games and riddles. I'll get straight to the point."

He put the glass down and stared directly into Damien's eyes, his atmosphere becoming solemn.

"This time, when you go out to war, there is something I need you to accomplish."