"Ladies and gentlemen, behold, this is the most outstanding creation of our 'Stars Project' thus far."
In the VIP room of the underground base, the Embers high-ranking official, codenamed 'Doctor,' spread his arms, wearing a silver mask. A massive, technologically advanced holographic projection slowly unfolded behind him. The screen showed Tendo moving through the training ground at an astonishing speed, every movement as precise as if calculated by a computer.
The Doctor watched Tendo's various exaggerated performances on screen with pride, while simultaneously introducing him to the esteemed guests unfamiliar with him.
"Child of the Stars, Sequence 001, Tendo Simei. With an overall potential rating of S-rank, he possessed the astonishing strength to single-handedly defeat a special tactical squad just half a year after his Star Core surgery."
The video switched to a combat log. On screen, the young Tendo, wearing his iconic sunglasses, moved leisurely through a dense hail of gunfire. Bullets grazed past his clothes, yet not a single hair was touched. Every dodge was perfectly timed, as if he could predict the future. Before long, he had bypassed the special tactical squad's concentrated firepower.
"This is impossible!"
A noblewoman wearing a canary mask gasped, her champagne glass tilting slightly, nearly spilling its contents onto her luxurious gown.
The Doctor chuckled softly, his finger gliding across the control panel in front of him. In an instant, the holographic projection froze on the moment Tendo delivered a beautiful spinning kick, taking down the last special forces soldier.
"He can reach this level without Star Origin?"
"Doctor, are you sure this video isn't fabricated?"
Facing the skepticism, the Doctor responded elegantly, "I stake my life on it; these two clips have not undergone any post-processing." As the Doctor spoke, he tapped on the virtual keyboard in front of him, bringing up a complex set of data. "What's even more astonishing is that this battle occurred on the 183rd day after Tendo underwent his Star Core surgery. In other words, at that time... he wasn't even eleven years old yet."
Upon hearing this, gasps echoed throughout the VIP room as the guests processed the immense shock these two videos had given them. The prominent figures, usually so haughty, now leaned forward, their eyes behind their masks gleaming with greed.
It was important to note that if Tendo were replaced by a non-combat type First-Tier Star Emissary, that special tactical squad would be fully capable of an upset victory. In other words, a mere Star Core surgery had transformed a child as young as ten years old, Tendo Simei, giving him strength comparable to a First-Tier Star Emissary. If the Doctor's claims were true, then the so-called Stars Project was indeed a monumental, epoch-making plan.
The Doctor watched the murmuring crowd with satisfaction, as if admiring a meticulously choreographed play. He slowly walked to the projection, his hand gently stroking Tendo's three-dimensional image, as if caressing a rare treasure.
"Perfect innate conditions, perfect Star Core compatibility, and... unparalleled combat talent."
The Doctor snapped his fingers, and the screen switched to a combat recording of Tendo against a 'First-Tier Star Emissary.' In the recording, the young Tendo, with dazzling movements, evaded every attack from the First-Tier Star Emissary. Although the young Tendo was comprehensively inferior to the First-Tier Star Emissary in terms of strength, speed, and physique, relying on his outstanding combat talent, every one of Tendo's movements seemed precisely calculated by a supercomputer, always avoiding the opponent's fatal attacks with minimal adjustments.
"Notice here."
The Doctor suddenly paused the screen and pointed to Tendo's blue-glowing eyes beneath his sunglasses. "One of the abilities of the Stellar Eclipse Eye Beast, [Future Sight]."
"Although the current Tendo cannot fully utilize the potential of these eyes, only being able to predict an opponent's movements approximately half a second in advance, this is already enough for him to challenge some veteran combat-type First-Tier Star Emissaries across ranks, even without acquiring Star Origin."
With these words, the Doctor fell silent, allowing everyone to slowly digest this astounding information.
After an unknown period, a man wearing a griffon mask in the VIP room suddenly spoke. "Doctor, name your price." His voice was hoarse, but carried an undeniable toughness. However, his domineering tone couldn't extinguish the resolve of others to compete.
In an instant, the VIP room erupted as if a floodgate had opened, with bidding voices rising and falling. The canary noblewoman even directly removed a unique jeweled ring from her hand and slammed it onto the table. "Is this 'Star of Evernight' enough?"
Facing the crowd's frenzy, the Doctor finally poured cold water on them. He elegantly shook his head, his silver mask reflecting a cold light. "I regret to inform you, ladies and gentlemen, Tendo Simei is not for sale."
"Although various reasons have led to considerable disagreements and estrangement among us old fellows, on the matter of this child Tendo's future, we have rarely reached a consensus."
"That is, no matter the cost, we must keep this child within Embers."
"Because only he can carry the dreams of us old folks and prove to those who once betrayed us, abandoned us, and belittled us, that the so-called Embers are never just ashes that can be swept away after burning out."
"It can also nurture the spark of a new era, and in this brand new era, once again burst forth with a dazzling light capable of overshadowing all stars."
At this point, the Doctor walked directly in front of the holographic screen, looking at Tendo's three-dimensional image on the display. "Our gracious invitation for you to be here today, aside from showcasing the value of the Stars Project,"
"Another very important purpose is to take this opportunity to let you know in advance about the successor handpicked by us, Embers."
"Because we genuinely believe that under his leadership, Embers will soon bring an end to the so-called Star Origin Era and usher in a brand new age."
As his words fell, the Doctor turned to face the crowd, a look of madness on his face. "Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to welcome a new era?"
"An era... named Tendo."
On the holographic screen, Tendo seemed to sense something, suddenly turning his "gaze" towards the audience. His sunglasses reflected a cold light, and a mysterious smile played on his lips...