"Making it here through layer after layer of selection is a stroke of fate among us—but of course, what truly matters is your own strength and talent."
She had long silvery-white hair, the same shade as Roland’s. Beneath her confident smile lingered a hint of gentleness. She seemed an ethereal beauty untouched by worldly dust, a noble young mistress—but somehow, at first glance, Roland sensed she was no sheltered damsel. From her presence, Sasha perceived the quiet dignity of a superior and the unshakable confidence of a true powerhouse.
"Agnes, Xue Die, Thuke, Autumnwater, Sasha, Roland."
Meeting each gaze, she named them calmly.
As Roland and Sasha locked eyes with her, a faint warmth washed over them—like seasoned hunters in deep mountains who instinctively sense malice or kindness in a single glance.
"I will keep your names close to my heart. I hope you’ll remember mine too." She placed a hand gently over her chest. "Tina Yixin. You may call me Tina."
"Is that truly wise, young mistress?" Agnes ventured cautiously. "Some might grow presumptuous. Addressing you by name could make them forget their place."
...
*Blunt, but fair.*
Roland didn’t mind class distinctions. Frank acknowledgment of status felt lighter than hollow pleasantries.
Tina shook her head. "No, Aggie. You’ll call me Tina too."
Agnes blinked in surprise, then nodded after a brief pause. "Then at least allow me to say *Miss Tina*. It is my stance."
"Very well. Expecting instant adjustment is unreasonable."
As Tina spoke, Thuke shot up a hand. "Hey! Tina!"
"Presumptuous!" Agnes snapped, eyes flashing.
Thuke shrank back with a flinch.
Tina sighed faintly. "He’s right, Aggie."
"Yes… I shall reflect," Agnes murmured, bowing her head.
Thuke peeked out. "I’ve got a question, Tina—"
"Impertinent!!"
Thuke dove behind Roland and Sasha like human shields. Agnes merely yawned.
Roland sweat-dropped. *She’s toying with him.*
Tina shot Agnes a look. "One more outburst, Aggie, and you’ll cool off outside."
"Understood," Agnes replied quietly, falling silent.
Tina turned back to Thuke. "What’s your question?"
"Uh… Tina… why *us*?"
"Ah, that." Tina clasped her hands behind her back. "Simple. You six are the most exceptional talents of this era in the Lis Empire."
"Geniuses?" Thuke scratched his head. Roland and Sasha shared the doubt. Sasha especially felt she was just… good at fighting. Nothing "genius"-worthy.
"Presumably, talents across multiple domains," offered the dark-haired man introduced earlier—Autumnwater. Short deep-black hair, wheat-toned skin etched with stubborn scars, a waist-length whip standing firm behind him. Wild yet refined.
"The Yixin Clan, a prestigious house of the Lis Empire, could easily hire seasoned warriors. We’re skilled, yes—but worlds apart from true masters. Gathering us here points to one thing: *potential*."
"Precisely," Tina affirmed. "I am deeply satisfied with your potential. Though your ages vary, joining the Clear Sky organization today will elevate you within years to heights beyond imagination."
"Oh~" Thuke leaned against Roland, arms crossed. "So… what *height* exactly?"
Tina tilted her head. "First—do you understand warrior and mage rankings?"
Roland nodded slightly. "Somewhat. Regarding mortal-realm tiers, yes."
"Rank debates are pointless," Thuke grumbled. "Slapping labels on warriors is boring."
*True enough,* Roland thought, *but precise intel means safer choices. If scholars have tiers, why not warriors?* He stayed silent—speaking rashly here could breed resentment.
"Ranking at least tells you to run for your life when you hear *High-tier Spirit Mother*," Agnes cut in coolly. Thuke shut up instantly.
She continued, "Briefly then—the warrior path in the mortal stage:
First: *Junior Warrior*.
Ranks A to D. Rank A is the peak. All of you have surpassed it.
Next: *High-tier Warrior*—commonly called 'High Warrior' online.
Ranks: Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow. We stand here now.
Then: *Grandmaster*.
Two paths: attribute-less Grandmaster, or *Perfect Grandmaster* who fuses spirit energy with an element. Titles follow—'Blaze Grandmaster,' 'Storm Grandmaster.'
Beyond lie *Peerless Warrior* and *Sage*. Study those later in libraries or taverns. Their keepers know far more than I."
