Adam wasn’t particularly shocked by Ivy’s star power.
Despite her high cultivation talent, her martial spirit; A primary contributor to star power density, was only two-star. Either she had awakened late, compressing her growth window, or she had neglected gathering Existence.
He leaned toward the latter.
Without sufficient Existence, a martial spirit could not evolve. And without evolution, star power plateaued.
Her Existence count supported that theory.
As for her special talents, they did not inflate her numbers.
That was the nature of re-awakened abilities.
They offered avenues of growth. Not imdiate strength.
Equip and Connect had never increased Adam’s raw physical paraters. They created leverage. The visible increase in his power ca from what he equipped, not the base talent itself.
Redy was another example.
Once Upon A Ti returned her to a previous state. It did not grant imdiate amplification in the present, rather It was a strategic repositioning. But did that an a star power of ten was low for a Heavenly Warrior?
Yes it was.
But was it explainable?
Also yes.
The potential remained. And Adam had no intention of lowering his guard.
If a regressor had selected Ivy deliberately, then the value was not visible on the surface.
At that mont, Redy stepped forward.
"These are Scott and Ivy. They’ll be joining our cause."
Ivy smiled faintly.
"Welco to the team."
She extended her hand and Adam took it.
Her grip was firm, calloused and rougher than her appearance suggested.
Redy continued.
"You’ve t Felecia. You’ll probably have a proper introduction in the morning."
She gestured subtly as she spoke.
"Ivy is our armant and conduit expert. Felecia is our battle specialist. Scott handles support."
Adam processed the designations.
Felecia as frontline combat was obvious. Her star power and physique made that role efficient.
Scott as support suggested ranged amplification, suppression, or resource modulation. His demon bloodline might not focus purely on brute exchange.
Ivy as armant and conduit expert aligned with Simulation.
She didn’t need to overpower enemies if she could optimize equipnt, formations, or essence routing.
Which left him.
He looked at Redy.
"So what role do I play?"
There was no hesitation in her reply.
"You’ll be the leader."
Scott and Ivy both turned sharply toward her.
"What?!"
A faint groan suddenly ca from the floor, as Felecia’s fingers twitched before she shook her head slightly, forcing one eye open. She raised her head just enough to look at Redy.
"Angel... I think that would be too much."
Her voice was rough but lucid for the mont.
"I can tell the boy is strong. And he has room to grow. But I don’t think he’s leadership material."
Adam didn’t respond.
Ivy folded her arms lightly.
"Yes, Rem. I agree with the drunkard."
Felecia’s brow twitched.
She opened her mouth to speak but imdiately slumped back down as the alcohol dragged her under again.
Scott stepped forward, his gaze direct.
"Yes, boss. I won’t follow soone who just showed up from Void knows where."
Redy remained silent for several seconds.
Then she spoke calmly.
"Oh. I see."
Her tone didn’t rise.
"So if I decide to make Adam the leader... you guys will leave?"
No one answered, the silence was confirmation.
Redy nodded once.
"Since no one is leaving, the decision is final."
There was no further argunt followed.
Adam observed the dynamic carefully, but chose not to speak after all it was better to observe first since this arrangent wasn’t permanent. At least, not from his perspective. It was what the current situation demanded.
And receiving the structured assistance of a regressor was statistically optimal.
He paused at the edge of that thought.
I can’t put all my eggs in one basket.
Even if that basket had saved his life.
Redy turned to him.
"I’ll show you to your room."
Then she looked at Ivy.
"Make a concealnt item for Adam. The sa one you made for Scott."
Ivy nodded.
Despite the tension, she followed instructions without hesitation.
Adam followed Redy out of the sitting room.
Behind them, Scott exhaled sharply.
"What in the world just happened?"
Ivy adjusted her sleeves.
"We got a new teammate."
Felecia groaned from the floor, still caught in the lingering effects of alcohol.
Scott and Ivy each took one of her arms, lifting her carefully.
Without further discussion, they carried her out as well, leaving the sitting room empty.
****
As Redy led him down the corridor, Adam broke the silence.
"The way you handled things back there... I would think you were trying to pit the whole team against ."
"Sorry it looked that way."
Adam watched her carefully as he asked.
"So what was your aim there?"
She finally stopped walking and turned to face him.
"It’s because I know the type of person you are, Adam."
Her gaze was steady.
"You don’t like being tied to any particular place. For all I know, you could wake up tomorrow and leave on a whim."
He considered denying it but he didn’t.
"So you made a leader to anchor ?"
She shook her head slightly.
"From all the mories I’ve received, I still haven’t figured out how to do that yet. So no. I didn’t make you a leader to anchor you."
"So why did you do it?"
Her response ca without hesitation.
"To make your ti here well spent."
She continued before he could interrupt.
"And to drive the rest to achieve more. Those three are talented beyond asure. They just need sothing to push at their egos."
Adam processed the structure.
By placing him above them, she created friction and friction created growth.
Not because they respected him.
But because they would refuse to fall behind him.
A loom of understanding settled into place, it was simply a controlled conflict used as a catalyst.
Redy tilted her head slightly.
"Also... I found the idea exciting."
"...."
Adam chose not to comnt.
They resud walking as she led him to a door at the end of the hall and opened it.
"Your room."
There was minimal decoration, a functional layout and window placent optimal for both light and surveillance.
She stepped back.
"Rest. Tomorrow will be busy."
Adam entered without further words, as he closed the door behind him.
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