C8 The Challenge from the Thorns Society

Selina's family is unquestionably the most prominent in Star Glory City.

The Psionic Academy owes half of its facilities to the generosity of the Selina family.

For the residents of Star Glory City, landing a job with the Selina family enterprises is a matter of great prestige.

Selina is nothing if not earnest.

She could easily persuade the dean to reverse his decision, but as the academy's darling, Selina wouldn't resort to such measures.

Since the dean had already invited Bale and Elsa to join the Dawn Society,

Selina proposed that Lin Luo dissolve the Dawn Society, merging its members into the Thorns Society.

The outcome would be identical.

Lin Luo was taken aback.

Dissolving the Dawn Society on her say-so would be a major blow to his pride.

"President Serena, that might not be feasible. Even if I were to agree to disband the Dawn Society, my members would never consent. What's your take on this?"

"Absolutely not!" Su Xiaoyu was quick to take a stand; he had no desire to see the Dawn Society disbanded.

Bale simply smiled and gave a nod of agreement.

Elsa, standing behind him, averted her face, clearly disinterested.

"President Serena, it's not that I'm opposed to your proposal—it's that my members are."

Lin Luo deflected the responsibility onto his peers.

Selina's brow furrowed. "If that's the case, we'll abide by the academy's rules and settle this with a club battle. If the Dawn Society loses, it will disband on its own."

With only a month before the Psionic Academy competition, Selina was not about to let two prodigious newcomers join any club but her own.

She needed them in the Thorns Society, where she could train them intensively and strategize for battle.

Otherwise,

the Psionic Academy of Star Glory City might repeat its history from three years ago, finishing last in the Eastern Match Area of the Imperial Academy Competition.

Selina's declaration left Lin Luo utterly speechless.

Her ruthlessness knew no bounds!

He murmured, "And what if we win?"

"You think you can win?"

Selina's smile was tinged with challenge. "Are you suggesting the Thorns Society could lose?"

Lin Luo found himself at a loss for words.

Her dominance was unyielding.

"I mean, what happens if we do win?"

"If the Dawn Society wins, then there's no need for disbandment."

Lin Luo was dumbfounded once more.

If the Dawn Society lost, it would cease to exist.

If the Dawn Society emerges victorious, there'll be no need for its dissolution.

She's the academy's darling, her word is law.

He wouldn't dare contradict her.

As Lin Luo suffered in silence, Selina's smile grew wider. "In the interest of fairness, I'll sit this one out. The Deputy President of the Thorns will lead our members into battle."

Lin Luo glanced over and caught the sinister smile playing on Boss Ritian's lips.

It sent a chill down his spine.

Selina went on, "The rules will follow those of the Imperial Academy Competition. There will be three individual matches, with each victory earning one point for the society; one pair match, worth two points to the victors; and a final five-person team battle, with three points for the winning society.

Participants in the individual and pair matches cannot double up. The society with the most points wins, and it's all happening in two days' time."

To conclude, Selina added, "I trust you understand that all my actions are for the future of the Psionic Academy of Star Glory City."

Lin Luo just shrugged.

Her implications were lost on him.

The competition hadn't even begun, yet her remarks suggested the Dawn Society's defeat was a foregone conclusion.

The excitement among the students was palpable, as if they were on a high.

Their sentiments echoed Selina's.

The Dawn Society was as good as beaten.

"Selina truly is the academy's favorite. She's got the foresight and the understanding of the greater good."

"Exactly. If I were in her shoes, I'd leverage my family's influence to disband the Dawn Society and absorb its members into the Thorns."

"It's laughable! Lin Luo is worthless, and Su Xiaoyu is a disgrace to the Warrior Faculty. What makes them think they can join the Thorns?"

"Hearing you put it that way, there seems to be some truth in your words."

Lin Luo tuned out their chatter.

They were just a bunch of sycophants vying for Selina's approval.

He was determined to prove them all wrong.