Who's in Favor? Who's Against?

The college auditorium.

"In conclusion... I hope that all committee members will refer to the evidence provided by the Black Shores side and reassess whether Dania is qualified to continue her studies at the Stardust Academy."

Lacerta stood on the podium and bowed slightly to the committee members in front of her.

I've finished speaking.

The audience was silent for a long time before a sparse round of applause broke out. It wasn't really a show of support; it seemed to be just a way of trying not to Lacerta too much.

Clearly... they had already made the decision internally beforehand, and this so-called investigation and inquiry was merely a formality; the final outcome had already been decided...

"Ah... thank you for the speech, Principal Lacerta." The head of the committee was an elderly woman Kaiermei'er.

She is not only the permanent secretary-general of the Deep Space Union Board of Directors, but also a member of the committee, and more importantly, Lacerta's biological mother.

Looking at Lacerta on the podium, her expression was somewhat complicated. As a mother, how could she not know what her daughter was thinking?

Unfortunately... some things can't be explained by reason alone.

She turned to the committee members behind her and asked, "What are your thoughts on the aftermath of Dania's case?"

"The Black Shores's proof isn't authoritative," said a man with a sinister face. "Even if she poses no threat now, what about later?"

He stood up. "All Resonator are potentially dangerous, let alone Threnodian Resonator! I think she should stay in prison or a laboratory, contributing to the fight against the Threnodian and to the scientific progress of humanity..."

"That's the only thing she can do!"

I second that!

I second that!

I second that!

"Objection!" This was Huanglong's representative.

Kaiermei'er glanced at his colleagues behind him, then at Lacerta, who was holding Dania's hand and looked resolute, and sighed.

"Abstain..."

This was the last bit of help she could offer.

Dania looked somewhat dejected, her hands clenched tightly into fists hidden in her sleeves, but the feeling of powerlessness against reality lingered in her heart, refusing to subside.

Kind-hearted by nature, she didn't want to hurt these people. Perhaps, once she made up her mind this time, she would break into this lecture hall and escape from the academy, embarking on a life of exile...

Lu Guan... where are you... I'm so scared...

The way those committee members looked at me... was full of undisguised greed and desire... exactly the same as the chairman's gaze that day...

But at this moment, one voice stood out.

"Are you all crazy?"

Aalto stood up in terror, feeling that these people were probably already planning to die!

You bunch of idiots, if you want to die, don't drag me down with you! I've only been a guest elder on Black Shores for a few years. I have elderly parents (the Shorekeeper) and young children (Encore) to support. I can't let that guy chop me to death with you.

"Committee Member Aalto, watch your words and actions." The sinister man frowned at the already out-of-control Aalto. "This is the voting stage; please refrain from making any irrelevant remarks!"

"No, no, no... I have to remind you, Dania has a boyfriend, and he's on par with the president of the Fractsidus. If you..."

"Enough, Committee Member Aalto," the sinister man interrupted. "I don't want to hear your irrelevant remarks. We're discussing how to deal with the Threnodian Resonator, and it has nothing to do with anyone else!"

"Oh..."

Even a clay figure has a temper. Seeing that her attempts to dissuade him were having no effect whatsoever, Aalto sneered and said, "If you can still say that when he arrives, then you've got guts!"

"Then I'm somewhat looking forward to his arrival!" the sinister man said with a cold laugh. "So what if he's powerful? We have the entire Deep Space Union behind us!"

"No matter how powerful he is, can he be stronger than the entire Deep Space Union?"

After saying that, he seemed to realize that his attitude had been a bit too harsh, and quickly added, "Committee Member Aalto, I wasn't targeting you."

"In the face of the Deep Space Union's regulations, everyone is treated equally. We show no pity for the weak, nor fear the powerful. This is the demeanor and magnanimity that our committee should possess!"

Aalto's expression became extremely distorted and abstract.

He's too young and underestimated the audacity of these "BYD" politicians. How could you utter such nonsense?

The committee should have the demeanor and magnanimity it deserves...

Isn't this just pure "hegemonic" will?

"You have no idea how strong he is!" Aalto shook his head, but out of humanitarianism, he still made one last effort. "Have you ever seen a strike powerful enough to annihilate a hundred-meter- Calamity Class giant Tacet Discord? I have! Just recently, Lu Guan personally unleashed it right in front of me!"

"Ha... that's alarmist." The sinister man chuckled contemptuously. "There was no such strike at all! Committee Member Aalto, you're just scared!"

"Who the hell isn't afraid of this?" Aalto sighed, waving her hand dismissively. "Go ahead and stir things up! Go ahead and stir things up!"

"I'll just run away right now if necessary!"

After saying that, he packed his things, got up, and left the table, heading towards the door.

"So, Committee Member Aalto means... to abstain?" The sinister-looking man chuckled, offering no attempt to dissuade Aalto from leaving.

Aalto turned around and gave the middle finger to the sinister man sitting in the seat. "I'll fucking swear to you!"

After saying that, he was about to push the door open to leave when it suddenly opened.

Lu Guan walked in expressionlessly. Although there was no anger on his face, Aalto still felt a chill run down her spine.

"Land..."

Just as Aalto was about to greet him, Lu Guan raised his hand to stop her.

Then, to everyone's astonishment Lu Guan walked to the podium, turned his back to Lacerta, and asked the committee members.

"Could you tell me... what the results of your discussion were?"

When Huanglong saw Lu Guan's expression, her heart skipped a beat, and she knew something was wrong.

Others might not be able to tell, but as a fellow Huanglong person, he understood all too well what that expression meant.

That was... the calm before the storm.

"Who are you? Who allowed you in?" The sinister man, completely oblivious to the seriousness of the situation, began to accuse Lacerta, "Principal Lacerta, it seems the academy's security needs to be strengthened again. How could they allow unauthorized personnel into a confidential meeting..."

"Shut up!" Lu Guan impatiently reached out and grabbed the man, who screamed and clutched his throat, staring at Lu Guan in terror.

His throat was gripped by an inexplicable force!

"Lu Guan... don't do this!" Lacerta forward and put her arm around Lu Guan's shoulder, signaling him to calm down.

But she was met with a cold, indifferent gaze.

"I'm sorry, Principal Lacerta... I've lost patience with this so-called infighting..." Lu Guan said calmly, then looked at Dania, his eyes softening.

"Yaya, did someone bully you just now?"

"You... you've finally come!" Dania rushed forward, hugging his waist tightly, tears streaming down her face, soaking his shirt. "The way they looked at me... it was terrifying..."

"Like a wolf... it seems like it's going to devour me..."

"They're discussing... whether to send me to a prison in the New Federation... or to a lab for them to experiment on..."

Lu Guan patted her head gently and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here. Don't worry, no one can take you away..."

After comforting Dania, he looked at the committee.

"Yaya, who made this suggestion?"

Dania pointed at the sinister-looking man clutching his throat. "That's the guy! He's the one who thought the Black Shores's certificate was invalid... and wanted me to go into the lab!"

"I see... Then let's hear if he has anything to say?" Lu Guan smiled slightly and deactivated the resonance ability.

"Ha... ha..." The sinister-looking man greedily inhaled the fresh air. After a moment, he stood up angrily and said, "Lu Guan, given your violent behavior towards the Deep Space Union Committee, I have the right to file a complaint against you! You will..."

"You're holding your head too high!"

"Untie"!

As soon as he finished speaking, a perfectly healthy head flew into the air and fell to the ground, its face still bearing an expression of terror.

"That's hardly a good last word." Lu Guan kicked aside the head that had fallen beside him, raised his head, and looked at the other committee members who were frozen in fear. "Now... I declare your previous vote on how to deal with Dania invalid..."

Who's in favor? Who's against?