After the cheers of joy began to subside, a quietness gradually returned, and with it, a worry that was clearly visible in many people's eyes. Finally, one man in the crowd gathered his courage and asked, "Mr. President... installing a Bio-Core directly into the brain... is it really safe? Is there a chance... uh... that it could control us in the future?"
This was the question on everyone's mind, but one no one had dared to voice. Zen showed no surprise at all. He smiled with understanding. "That's a very good question. And it's a question that all of us on the founding team have asked ourselves."
Zen said calmly, "The answer is 'no'... Sora wasn't created to 'control,' but to become a 'part' of us." He turned to Zaria, who was standing beside him. "Sora isn't just a program. It's a second consciousness whose appearance and personality we can design ourselves. It will connect with our memories and our brain, like creating another 'self' to be a thought partner, to help offer choices we might have overlooked, or to help us do things more conveniently."
Zen's gaze swept over the crowd. "But my words alone may not be enough... I want you to hear it from someone who has actually tried it." He gestured to Sylvester Polaris. "Mr. Sylvester, as the President of Aegis Industries and one of the first to test this system over the past week... how do you feel?"
Sylvester stepped forward, his gaze sharp and credible, befitting the leader of a corporate giant. "At first, I was just as concerned as all of you," Sylvester admitted frankly. "But after using it... I can say that this is a revolution. It isn't being controlled; it is 'unlocking a potential' we never knew we had. My Sora helps me analyze complex market data into an easily understandable chart in an instant. It is the most powerful tool I have ever possessed."
The confirmation from a third party of such high credibility visibly eased everyone's worries. "And to build trust," Zen added, "we have created a special internal hierarchy for Solendel employees, so that everyone can see a clear and transparent path for growth."
The hologram changed, displaying a new structure that looked simple yet prestigious.
[Solendel Internal Tier System]
Origin: The Founding Team / Creators of the Sora System
Prime: High-level heads of various departments
Anchor: Branch leaders of each planet/center Core
Staff: Personnel from the Solendel central hub
Field Staff: General personnel on various planets
"This is the path for all of us at Solendel," Zen announced. "We will grow together."
With those words, the atmosphere of hesitation completely dissipated. All 185 employees stepped forward to register for the Sora System installation voluntarily.
...A few hours later, at the power testing grounds, everyone was standing before combat simulators for their first Rank assessment.
"Alright... let's see what this new power can do!" one young man shouted with enthusiasm, before unleashing a beam of energy at a target.
[Processing... Displaying Evaluation Results] Name: Marcus Power: Bio-Beam Rank: G (12%) Tier: Solendel – Field Staff
"Aww... only G?" he grumbled, but there was a smile on his face.
Another young woman stepped up. She focused her concentration before ice began to form around her hands.
[Processing... Displaying Evaluation Results] Name: Elara Power: Cryo-Control Rank: F (28%) Tier: Solendel – Field Staff
The results made everyone understand instantly that even though they had awakened their powers, the path of training was still long... but it was an exciting challenge.
That evening... a large transport ship landed on the spaceport. Almost all the employees began to board the ship to return to the planet Aerysia, along with Sylvester and Lysera, who had to return to manage their own companies.
Zen, Zaria, and the core team stood on the spaceport, seeing them off. "Please take care of things over there, Father, Mother," Zaria said to her parents.
"Don't worry," Lysera smiled warmly. "We will do our best to pave the way for Solendel."
As the last ship ascended into the sky... silence returned to the command center once more. But this time, it was a silence filled with hope and a clear purpose.
Karess walked over and clapped Zen on the shoulder. "Alright... all the guests have been sent home... Now it's my turn to go home, right?"
Zen turned to look at his best friend and the remaining members of his team, before smiling, his face full of determination. "Yes... The next project... the 'Runic Gate.' It's time to begin."