As soon as Jody felt the chill of air conditioning brush against her skin from inside the meeting chamber, the first thing she saw was—
A narrow path stretching forward, a solitary runway lit from above by a divine-like beam shining directly onto a circular platform—waist-high and made of thick, polished teakwood. Its slatted design enclosed a space just big enough for one person to stand in.
If you'd ever been in court, you'd recognize the structure. It wasn't a cage—it didn't confine—but it was certainly designed to make someone seen. This wasn't a place for imprisonment; it was a pedestal. A ritual podium. One meant to spotlight the focal point of the entire gathering.
Syd led Jody toward it and whispered,
"Come on."
"Mm."
He gently opened the gate-like latch for her to step inside. She did, every bit according to his guidance, nerves warring with adrenaline. Once she was in, Syd closed it again and remained close by, just to her side. The rest—Roxxy, Sera, Mickey, and Toshi—lined up quietly behind.
As Jody stood in the center of the platform, a spotlight from overhead cast pure white light down onto her while the surrounding darkness slowly pulled away—revealing a massive, circular seating arrangement surrounding her in a cone-like formation.
This wasn't a meeting room.
This was a Lodge.
She, Syd, and the others now stood dead center, the nucleus of attention from every possible angle. And as the light spread, she saw them—rows upon rows of individuals. Many faces. Many nationalities. Male and female, most appearing well into their 40s or beyond. Seated upon elevated tiers, looking down upon her like senators in an ancient tribunal.
Some whispered among themselves, others stroked their chins with scholarly scrutiny. The atmosphere was crushing in its formality.
What marked their absolute authority was unmistakable: every person wore a suit, sharp and impeccably tailored—even the women looked no less commanding than their male counterparts.
Exceptions existed, though. A few Grand Masters wore traditional garb—a white Sultan's robe with a red turban, indicating they came from Arab regions where such dress was culturally permitted. Others wore the noble robes of Chinese officials or, in one case, a full Japanese yukata—clearly of royal descent.
Each bore a golden brooch on their chest: the unmistakable insignia of a Grand Master.
These were the Grand Masters of the world.
Jody swallowed hard, then clasped her hands behind her back, straightening up.
Syd nudged her gently.
"There's a chair inside that thing. You can sit, if you want."
"...Eh? Uh... okay."
He leaned in again, quietly,
"You probably figured it out already, but just in case—over half the people here? They're former students of my mom."
"...Ugh... is that so...?"
"Don't worry. I've got your back. Just turn around if anything happens."
With that, he gave her shoulder a reassuring pat, then stepped back to stand behind her with the others, hands clasped behind his back.
Sera mirrored the pose.
"You don't have to do that, you know..." Toshi whispered.
Sera: "It's called blending in. Ever heard of it?"
"...Okayyy..." Toshi gave up and resumed attention.
Jody scanned the room. She didn't recognize a single face. But the energy they gave off made it clear—these were people of unimaginable power and status. Some smiled warmly, others remained stone-faced. Eventually, her gaze landed on the most prominent seat—
The one belonging to Grand Master Annie Barrett, mother of Syd and Roxxy.
She sat among the other Grand Masters, comfortably at home, familiar with many around her. And beside her sat Jade.
Skyler, Annie's secretary, stepped up alongside Jody and offered a calming smile.
"This is our second Elementalist, esteemed brothers and sisters of the order. A record-breaking discovery in the history of our organization. Barely a few decades into the 21st century, and we've already found her."
Polite applause echoed from the chamber, quickly fading.
"We must also thank Agents Syd, Roxxy, Toshi, and Mickey, as well as our volunteer—Sera—for discovering the Wind Elementalist."
Another wave of applause followed, though the group accepted it with modest nods rather than fanfare.
"We've already convened regarding your case," Skyler continued. "All Grand Masters, under the leadership of Grand Master Annie, have deliberated your future."
She paused.
"Because this is the first time in our history that a volunteer has turned out to be an Elementalist during an active operation, we had to proceed with caution. And now, we present you with two options."
"...Options?"
"Normally, entry into our organization requires passing an evaluation. Volunteers usually complete two or three missions before parting ways. If we see potential, they may be selected. But in your and Sera's case, this is different. Agent Syd misjudged the mission length—this is no short-term operation, it's a long-term investigation."
At that point, Skyler passed the floor to Annie Barrett.
The Grand Master stood. Even among her peers, her presence commanded the room.
Jody's heart pounded.
"Brothers and sisters, we have reached a consensus—one that benefits both you and us."
Annie's voice was steady, calculated.
"There is no need to discuss whether you belong here. The decision is unanimous: you are one of us now."
"...Thank you."
"But you are an Elementalist. And it is unwise to risk someone like you on the field. The original agreement Syd made was that you'd receive training in exchange for your help. So, to ensure we uphold that promise..."
Annie offered the first option:
"We will send you to China. There, you will train directly in property-manipulation techniques with a true master. The flight leaves tonight. You won't pay a single cent."
Jody's eyes widened.
"Is that... really possible?"
"Absolutely," Annie nodded.
"I know the Grandmaster personally. One phone call from me, and they'll accept you as a disciple with no tests required. You'll be safe. You'll receive everything you need. I'll inform them of your condition—they'll take excellent care of you."
She added,
"They accept only 100 out of every 10,000 applicants. Not even my daughter, Roxxy, passed the trial to get in."
Jody felt sweat bead down her face.
A test even Roxxy failed?
Option one hit her like lightning.
This was what she came for, wasn't it? To gain the skills she needed, directly from a true master—at the same place where Syd and Autumn trained. And with Annie's recommendation, no less.
But the cost... was leaving the team. They might replace her. Maybe she'd never see them again.
Still—wasn't that worth it?
Why wouldn't she accept this? A chance to train safely, with elite mentorship. No more risking her fragile bones. No more danger.
And then came the second option:
"Your journey ends here. You've exceeded expectations. You will return to London with the reward I promised you in the dining hall—plus full benefits for being an Elementalist. Or, if you wish, you may join the organization and work with our American branch."
"Your mind is sharp as a diamond. I recommend joining our research division."
Annie circled Jody once, then glanced toward Sera.
"Sera, you'll receive the same offer. You can join Jody in the U.S., or stay in London where it may feel more familiar."
Then she returned to Jody.
"If you accept either offer, please raise one hand to shoulder level and take the oath. That will conclude the contract."
In short, here's what Jody was being offered if she withdrew from the team:
Option 1: Withdraw now and be sent to a real martial arts sect in China—guaranteed entry via Annie's name, taken care of with no danger, trained to the point where her bone condition wouldn't matter anymore. She'd rejoin Thrak later without ever risking her life again.
Option 2: Withdraw now, live safely with enough funding to support her family, cover her sister Joel's depression treatment, her father Frank's overworked life, and secure her education. She could join the U.S. branch as a researcher, where she might even use her knowledge to heal herself.
Both options were good. Both were generous.
But both meant one thing:
Leaving the team.
"..."
She knew. Jody knew immediately—and so did Annie.
Hundreds of Grand Masters from around the world watched her. Many of them had once been Annie's protégés.
The pressure was unbearable.
Syd Barrett stood behind her, hands clasped, watching helplessly. And he understood perfectly what was behind all of this.
From Jody's perspective—this wasn't even a choice.
There was no reason not to say yes.
If Syd were in her shoes... who wouldn't take it?
Backed by the organization. Direct mentorship from a shifu. A guaranteed job afterward.
It was all Win.
Even Syd was sweating.
She's going to choose one, he thought.
She's going to withdraw.
He lowered his gaze to the ground.
Bittersweet silence.
Because the truth was—
He didn't want her to go.
"......"
That was exactly how Syd felt right now.
He was furious with his mother for pulling this stunt—but he couldn't go against her. He knew her too well. And this... this was her in full control.
There was no way Jody would be stupid enough to stay. Not with those options on the table. They were too perfect to pass up. When you thought it through, Jody had nothing to lose—and the first offer hit exactly on her deepest goal from the beginning.
She wanted to walk again, didn't she?
As for his mother... he didn't know why, but he could feel it—she was trying to steer things. Not quite pushing Jody away, but... guiding her off the field. Syd wouldn't call it manipulation, but it wasn't far off.
He had his suspicions why, but he didn't want to dwell on them.
There was no doubt about it—Jody would choose Option 1.
Syd lowered his head. Right now, all he could do was let it happen. Time to say goodbye.
Two months might not be long, but honestly...
He had gotten attached.
Sera too—she'd be gone, no doubt. That one was easy. She probably didn't even need time to think.
And then who was he supposed to bully?
"..."
Syd sighed quietly—
And then he saw Jody raise her hand to shoulder height.
"...There it is."
"...Bet she picked number one," Toshi whispered. He, Mickey, even Roxxy—all looked just as downcast as Syd.
"You think she'd go for number two just to mess with everyone?" Syd asked dryly.
"You laughing right now, man?"
Yeah. Fair enough...
The blonde woman raised her hand—steady, certain—and then locked eyes with the Grand Master.
And then Jody said something no one expected:
"...What if there's a third option? I want to continue working with Syd... and train myself to be a real asset to the team."
! ! ! ! !
She said it.
Right there, in the middle of the high council chamber—Jody Johansson proposed a third option.
It wasn't just Syd and the team who were stunned. The Grand Masters themselves stirred, whispers breaking out across the circular room.
It was as if Jody had done something no one had dared to do:
Challenge a Titan.
Everyone froze.
Nobody here ever said no to Annie Barrett.
Even Skyler looked completely blindsided.
But...
Annie herself?
She didn't flinch. She showed no surprise. And Jody—Jody didn't even blink at the reaction.
Instead, she simply met the Grand Master's eyes with unshakable sincerity.
"....."
Annie stared into Jody's eyes. That same pressure Jody had felt back at the dining room swelled around her again.
"Why would you do this? Why put yourself at risk again? You could be training with a master at the martial arts sect right now..."
"...I... I just..."
"...."
"...Because I feel safer training with your son."
Boom.
That sentence echoed across the room like a gong.
Several Grand Masters visibly covered their mouths. At this point, Jody was practically inviting death.
"You're rejecting all of this... just for comfort?" Annie narrowed her eyes.
No one dared to breathe. Even Sera turned away. Skyler wiped her face with a sleeve.
But this time—Jody didn't look away.
"You're valuable to us. Why throw yourself into danger, rolling in dust and gunpowder? This kind of training takes years—more than twice what you've done so far..."
"Precisely because I'm valuable," Jody said. "That's why I won't step down. I want to prove my worth—with these two hands. Not because I'm an Elementalist."
And just like that—Jody stood. She stepped up and faced Annie head-on.
"I'm not withdrawing."
"...I only have one condition," she said. "I'll keep working with Syd Barrett. If your own children can survive the battlefield... then I can too."
Her voice rang with resolve, silencing the entire room.
"With all due respect, ma'am."
Let's make this clear:
Jody had just proposed a third path—on her own terms:
Option 3: Refuse to withdraw. Refuse all monetary and strategic offers. Instead, request to be formally trained by the organization while continuing to work with Syd Barrett, and only Syd. She was an Elementalist—their greatest asset—and now she was wielding that leverage.
And if they didn't let her work with Syd, they risked losing her entirely.
She was backed into a corner—but ironically, that gave her all the power.
She had nothing left to lose. Her family had abandoned her. If she put an air bullet to her own head, it wouldn't be a bluff. And she knew it.
She had just cornered the organization itself.
"......"
Annie knew exactly what Jody meant.
She stared her down without blinking.
"You're overestimating yourself a bit, don't you think?"
Boom.
The pressure was suffocating.
Even if Jody were to die, they could find another Elementalist. But it would take time. Start again from zero. And Annie hated inefficiency.
"You're rejecting a better, safer path... just because of my son?"
"......"
"......."
"That's enough of a reason for me."
"......"
"...Ma'am."
Jody spoke clearly.
"With all due respect, I don't mean to act arrogant. I genuinely want to improve myself—for their sake."
She gestured to the four agents behind her.
"I want to change. And they're the only ones who can make that happen. I need them. And I want to uphold the deal I made with Syd—I want to keep working in exchange for his lessons."
Then came her final line:
"I don't care what anyone thinks of him... but your son is the best teacher I've ever had. And I insist on learning from him alone."
She was out of breath—but still standing.
"You understand you're risking your life, right? Do you grasp how important you are to this organization?"
"...Then please, ma'am... I humbly ask that you train me."
"...."
Bold.
No one had ever held their ground against Grand Master Annie for this long.
Jody Johansson... was extraordinary.
Skyler was stunned. But not offended.
She knew her boss—and Annie wouldn't care about formalities. Right now, she was measuring Jody's conviction.
Annie's gaze never wavered.
And then... she turned away.
"Do any of the brothers or sisters object to her proposal?"
"........"
No one raised a hand.
Whether out of respect or fear—or simply waiting to see how Annie would rule—it was clear:
If Annie didn't reject it... then Jody's proposal would stand.
"And what about you, Sera?"
"...I..."
Sera might not have had the same personal stake, but when she looked at her friends...
"Yeah. I agree with Jody. I want to be useful to the team too."
"......"
"......."
Both girls had made themselves clear.
Now... it was up to Annie Barrett.
"......."
She smiled—a strange, unreadable smile.
Perhaps, a smile of respect.
"...Very well. Jody, please take your oath for the proposal you've made."
She said no more.
She turned and returned to her seat among the Grand Masters.
If you looked closely—you could see Jade, seated beside her, breaking into a nervous sweat.