"Our ancestors fought for thousands of years to achieve the peace we take pleasure in. We now have to leisure to focus on researching the advancement of technology and magic. Our children can roam our lands with joy and dreams instead of worrying about tomorrow's meal. I personally fought in the first cataclysmic war, some of you were even my comrades. The foundation of our peace lies in the deaths and pain our people laid their lives upon. We will not let this peace be disturbed."
A somber atmosphere spread across the room as the Elden Houses and Senators contemplated in the reminder of the vice president what the peace they enjoy today cost.
"The gates of hell may be opening, but we have various plans of contingency to combat the resurgence of abyssals. One of that is the acceleration program of gifted mages. Chosen prodigies and geniuses shall be gathered at the Arcana institute headed by Senator Minerva to be developed into full fledged mana practitioners. In a span of one hundred years before the opening of the gates, some of them may reach rank 4, or even rank 5 for the most exceptional. Resources will be funneled in this institute and focus on these youths. The advancement of technology and magic research will make up for the battle experience they sorely lack."
"We must build up our military strength through this program along with empowering the current foundation we have. Mages who focus on Scrying and Divination magic shall be hired en masse to detect void gates, and the Zemof family's magitech shall be spread across the Republic to cover the places where our mages cannot reach. It is of utmost importance that we start the process of surveillance towards the whole land."
"This is preposterous!" a middle-aged man with a brown short hair and thick rimmed glasses shouted. "This will touch upon the previous laws held in place to protect our state's privacy."
A man with a body resembling that of the giants scoffed. One might wonder how his tuxedo fails to break as his muscles seemed to scream, wanting to be let out. The gigantic man, Senator Argus Lusanor replied, "Lord Tellus, this is an emergency to the highest degree, and the previous laws may be circumvented at this moment. Once an abyssal gets out of the void gate, the lands of Thalmera will be in great danger. And without instant detection and a fast response, the greater the destruction will happen."
The leader of House Tellus replied, "I am confident in the detection methods House Tellus had created. The Earth is our sanctuary, and everything within it is inside our control. There is no need to install these detectors in our state."
Theophylact Caecus, a Senator who specializes in guardian aura instead of magic interjected, "Let House Tellus handle these matters privately. I'm sure that whatever he is hiding in his territory is worth the death of his people."
Lord Tellus stood up in anger, with his rise the gravity of the chamber suddenly increased, and said, "What are you insinuating, Sir Caecus?"
The president, whose eyes were watching these unfold tapped his finger on the armrest and all mana, aura, and other energies vanished.
The council was reminded of his power and control over all energies. This is the person who stands at the pinnacle of the human race, and the human who ended all wars, Aurelius Aurum.
The not-so-subtle display of power silenced the council as he blinked towards the podium, the vice president giving way for the president again.
His golden eyes piercing everyone in the room, while a palpable pressure was building inside the chamber, and everyone could feel it in their souls that the president was slowly getting furious at the way the event was unfolding.
In a deep voice, he said, "The era of peace made the most of you complacent." The words he uttered sent fear to the guilty and inspired the brave. "You must have mistaken that my fairness and tolerance for your depravity is your birthright.
No.
It is a privilege and a gift that was granted to you because of your ancestors' contributions in the war for peace.
I have the power to take it back anytime I want, I also have the power to destroy you anytime I want.
I am not negotiating here nor am I asking for your approval. I will hear your propositions for that is the proper way of conducting a council but refusing it outright without proper reason is a line that I will not let you cross."
Ramthal Thelus almost swallowed his tongue in fear at the demonstration of the president when he heard Aurelius speak again, "Ramthal Thelus, tell me."
"Uh… Your Excellency, Mr. President… I beli-"
"You are betting the safety of millions in your belief?"
"No, Mr. President. We have data proving that our latest detection artifacts can send an alert thirty minutes before a void gate manifests." Ramthal puffed out his chest in pride.
The steel puppet avatar that Horace Zemof sent to the capital let out a snicker at the prideful remark of Ramthal.
"What's so funny Egghead?"
"The Elden House of Zemof, along with Arcana Institute of MagiTech developed a detection artifact that would send alerts twenty-four hours before a void gate manifests. Although the accuracy of the void gate manifestation has higher variance, it is compensated by the time it allows us to prepare for its manifestation."
The sole Gravity Mage of the Republic, Ramthal Tellus, eyes went white. His dream of being praised by the president and gaining respect from his fellow leaders and senators vanished. His hard work and back-breaking research were easily overshadowed by his rival. Ironically, as a mage with the highest attribute in earth magic, he suddenly turned to a stone in shame as his mana went haywire.
"Minerva, if you will?" The vice-president asked in exhaustion as the beautiful mage to use her magic to reverse the effects of petrification.
The headmistress of Arcana waved her staff and the stone covering Tellus' skin vanished and his skin slowly gained color as his consciousness returned. With it, his memories of shame resurfaced. His face was redder than a tomato as he willed himself to take the loss as gracefully as possible.