Jonah had expected the Rank Three seniors to leave, but Thanos simply stood there, a thoughtful expression on his face. The other students waited on his lead, their powerful auras a silent, pressing weight.
"I accept your decision to remain independent," Thanos said, his voice calm and steady. "It's a respectable choice. But rumors have a life of their own. They'll paint you as a monster, a miracle, or a fraud. It can be… distracting."
He offered a slight, knowing smile. "So, let's give them something real to talk about. A friendly demonstration. A wargame. To satisfy everyone's curiosity." Jonah's gut tightened. This wasn't a request. It was a challenge, wrapped in a polite suggestion.
"What kind of demonstration?" Seraph's voice cut in from beside him, sharp as glass. She had appeared without a sound.
