Child of Destiny

...

Due to this win of the Empyrean Talons, they were automatically advancing to the play-off rounds as the number one seed among the top 8 teams.

There was no question about this since winning with a perfect score of points in the last two matches that they had was more than enough to place them in that position.

They would no longer have any matches later as they were not waiting for the other seven teams to be determined.

Moreover, there was an additional break before the play-off rounds, which would last for an entire week. It was meant for the top 8 teams to thoroughly prepare for the playoffs, giving them enough time to study their opponents.

They could do anything they could to prepare for these rounds. Whether they wanted to train and do some scrimmage with some teams or continue what they were doing within the game, the decision was all left for them to decide.

The members of the Empyrean Talons did not immediately disperse the moment when their match had ended. Shin and Cloe had arranged for a meeting, planning to assess their performances and review the entirety of the battle.

Shin had also instructed the other members who did not join the previous matches to thoroughly prepare as he was planning to send them out in the playoff rounds, making sure that everyone would be able to showcase their respective strengths and talents.

"Alright, you guys better be prepared. There is a high chance that you will be sent to the battlefield in the next round."

Hearing those words, the others could not help but feel a little anxious, particularly Daulla, Samael, and Huahua, who were still not used to the competitive stage of the Professional Leagues.

Archimedes remained silent as usual, but there was a hidden glint in his eyes that signified his mixed feelings. He was feeling excited and nervous at the same time.

Shin then turned to Alucard and grinned. "You also have to be ready to reveal all your cards. Hiding your 'identity' is going to be harder when facing our next opponents."

The next matches would most likely be more difficult than the previous ones, especially when they managed to reach the playoff rounds. There was a high chance that they would be facing a much stronger team than Hien Workshop, which had a solid foundation and long history.

"You don't have to tell me that. I am fully prepared," responded Alucard as he turned around while carrying his sniper rifle that was resting on his shoulder.

"I will be out of contact within the game for a while. There is a quest from the Vampire Families that I have to take care of. My guess it will require me to enter an isolated dungeon, so any form of communication will most likely be blocked," he added as he disappeared, logging into the game.

After making some more arrangements, Shin then went back to the game, planning to clean up the special dungeon today before facing the Evil Being tomorrow.

***

In the meantime, while the players were focused more on the virtual world, huge waves started to move in the real world.

Real World, Soaring Continent

Central Region, Capital City

Nathan was currently reviewing the reports sent to him while staying in his office. He focused more on the updates of their spies about the movements of their enemies, particularly the ones from the side of the Black Serpent Mafia.

The entire information network of the Springfield Family, especially from Military Forces, was focused on investigating the movements of the identified allies of the Black Serpent Mafia and looking for the traces of this notorious organization from the underworld.

The Seven Seas Group was one of their main targets, but this huge corporation seemed to have smelled something and started lying low quite some time ago.

They had reduced their movements, further hiding their plans from the eyes of their enemies and rivals.

The forces that the Springfields had sent into the Dark Continent were also constantly updating their status in that place, particularly their ongoing war with the Black Serpent Mafia.

The Dark Continent was said to be the hope of all the underworld organizations. It was huge and could host such huge numbers of notorious organizations, which also made it very chaotic.

Wars were quite normal in this place, which was why the war between the Springfield Family and the Black Serpent Mafia did not attract too much attention.

So long as the two sides did not launch their war machinery and send their Domain Realm Experts to the place near their territories, these organizations let the two fight it out until they wipe out each other.

Aside from these two matters, Nathan was also paying attention to the Mercenary Circles and the Black Market. He was sure that those lowlifes would surely do some secret transactions given the current breakthrough in their research projects.

While he was going through the reports, a call suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

Frowning deeply, he saw that the name of the caller was Professor Henry, who was busy with matters in the World Research Center.

"It has been a while, Sir," Nathan immediately greeted the old professor right after the call was connected, already having some ideas where the latter had contacted him.

Professor Henry smiled and nodded after hearing the greeting before going straight to the point. "We have already forced Coffin Maker to talk. But due to some restrictions, he is unable to disclose that much information."

"I'm all ears, Sir," nodded Nathan, expecting that this was an important piece of information since the old professor had personally contacted him.

Professor Henry was silent for a moment before continuing. "There will be a huge transaction between the Black Serpent Mafia and one of their main clients in the Deep Blue Continent. It seems to concern the main project, particularly those Artificial Mutants that they are making, and something concerning a core vessel."

"But due to their 'failure' of the most recent operation, they seem to be planning to reduce the rate of transactions. It is most likely to prevent you and or your intelligence network from picking up their movements."

"At the same time, they also seem to be planning to set up a diversion to attract your main forces, which will make it hard for you and your people to move."

Nathan continued to listen until the old professor finished everything he wanted to say before asking. "Is the academy planning to send its forces as well?"

Professor Herny was silent once again when he heard that, seemingly trying to consider how to respond before sighing. "Nathan, you should know our current situation. We can't send that many people in this operation."

"But that is only for our main forces," he paused for a moment, continuing. "And we are planning to launch a joint operation with the Top Military School with this. We will send an elite group of students under the guise of an academic exchange with the Marine Corps Academy."

"Both of us will be sending a Peak Domain Realm Instructor each to lead the operation," he added, seemingly trying to reassure Nathan.

But Nathan could also read between the lines, understanding that the two schools were requiring his cooperation with something. "What do the schools want us to do?"

"We both know that all the organizations have their eyes on us due to the most recent incidents – both those on the surface and the underworld," started the old professor before continuing. "The Top Military Schools and Magic Ace Academy will most likely have limited options during the operations because of this."

"Your Military Forces also required you to focus on your operations, so you guys will have more restrictions than us. You also have to direct most of your powers at warding off the forces of the Black Serpent Mafia, so it will be even harder for your people to divert their attention."

Nathan could already guess what Professor Henry was planning to imply. "So, the two schools want us to build a special unit that can avoid the eyes of those organizations and infiltrate the surveillance of the Deep Blue Forces."

Nathan knew that this was going to be a little tricky since all forces were too alert at the moment due to the recent incidents, particularly the one concerning the appearance of the King of Thieves' Tomb.

All eyes were focused on them, making it harder to do any special operations.

Seeing that Nathan had already caught on, Professor Henry had suddenly suggested. "I have already discussed something with the Elder's Council, and they seem to have come up with a plan."

Nathan raised his brows when he heard, somewhat having a bad feeling about this. "Let's hear it out, Sir."

Professor Henry cleared his throat a little before continuing. "Going in with another disguise will be the most effective move, so the Elder's Council and the Faculty of our schools are planning to send those kids."

Nathan further raised his brows when he heard, as he realized what those old foxes were planning. "You want the little ones to get involved in this operation? Isn't it too big for them?"

"That is why we are planning to have them break through in their current attainments as soon as possible. After all, those fledglings are quite talented – they are all on the verge of breaking through already. Only a little push is required," said Professor Henry immediately after.

"But-…" Nathan was planning to reject the idea, but the old professor had already prepared an excuse.

"There are the only ones with the most perfect disguise for this operation," started Professor Herny before adding. "That lass from the Stuart Clan is already a celebrity throughout the world. Her idol image is already the perfect disguise that we need."

"Just telling everyone that she will be having a concert in the Deep Blue Continent is more than enough for an excuse to infiltrate the place."

"Of course, we also have to plan this thoroughly, making it look like she will be having a world tour or something similar."

"As for the rest of the kids, they have already made a Club with one another. It is a Music Club, which we can also use in the process. It can also be a concept for her world tour."

Seeing that the old geezer had already planned this out, Nathan could only suppress the twitching of his mouth before sighing. "I understand. Let me discuss it with the kids first before deciding. After all, they are the ones who will be doing it."

Professor Henry nodded in satisfaction when he heard that, before almost immediately ending the call. After all, he still had some important matters that he needed to attend.

Nathan almost cursed after seeing the blackened screen before suppressing the urge. He then took a deep breath to calm himself.

"Tsk! This is going to be a little tricky. Evangeline will most likely throw a fit after learning about this dangerous operation. " He could already see the incoming headache regarding this matter.

In the end, he could only sigh helplessly and resign to fate completely as he could not do anything about it.

He could only feel a little thankful that Adam was not around.

...…