Maxine was finally able to dress herself after three weeks of recover, but she wasn't able to walk very far since her burns were only half healed. She had tried to busy her mind during that time by watching TV, but she made the mistake of putting on the news a couple days ago. The newscasters were doing their best to demonize her. The UN secretary said that he would try to mitigate the bullshit. It seems like he failed miserably or he didn't even try that hard. I guess its about time that I made a public appearance. This way they'll see that I'm no longer 'monsterized' as they put it and covered in bandages. And the public knows about my rapid healing rate. It'll make them wonder what kind of injuries that I had to sustain to be still bandaged up after three weeks.
However, that wasn't the only thing she had been doing. She had been discreetly sneaking her ravens and a handful of new constructs into the shadows of anyone leaving Earth. Thankfully, she got lucky yesterday and found a ship heading straight towards the Main Headquarters of the Alchemist Association. She expected them to find her ravens once it landed, but she doubted they would find her new constructs. They were the size of a small spider and were hiding in the small shadows on each person's clothes. Those thing should work. I've never made a construct that small before and I doubt anyone will find them even after I release my knockout gas.
Maxine put on her emerald green eyepatch over the gauze that was taped over her empty eye socket and very slowly walked towards the dining room table to eat breakfast while wincing at every step when her bandages rubbed ever so slightly against her burns. She reached the dining room table just as grandma Victoria came out of the kitchen with a tray heaped with a high protein breakfast.
"Hey, grandma," Maxine greeted her as she sat down slowly, "I thought I would eat at the table today."
"You should still be in bed," grandma Victoria admonished Maxine, but a look of helplessness flashed across her face as she set the tray down infront of Maxine, "But you're too stubborn for that. Just try not to over do it and worsen your injuries."
"I won't, grandma," Maxine said, "I'm getting a little stir crazy, so I'm going to take a short walk outside. After that, I'm going straight back to bed."
"Fine, but I insist on going with you," grandma Victoria said firmly, "You're in no shape to defend yourself."
"Sounds good to me," Maxine agreed readily since it was easier than arguing with her grandmother and began to eat her breakfast. However, grandma Victoria didn't join her. Instead, she walked out of the room. I wonder what she's off to. Now that I think about it, where Is everyone else? Maybe, they've already eaten.
Just as Maxine finished up her breakfast, Grandma Victoria walked back into the room while pushing a wheelchair and Maxine gave her a look of confusion. "What? You didn't think I would let you walk the entire time, did you?" Grandma Victoria asked, "We both know that you can't walk that far in your condition and it will be far from sufficient to allay your feeling of being cooped up."
"You got me there," Maxine admitted, "But could you put that away until I need it?"
"Of course," Grandma Victoria said and waved her hand as the wheelchair vanished, "So, where are we going for a walk?"
"In my favorite park," Maxine replied honestly, "I like to hear the laughter of the children at the playground there."
"Whenever, you're ready, then," grandma Victoria said as she sat down while waiting for Maxine to finish her breakfast. It didn't take Maxine long to do just that and she cleaned her fork and plate with a simple motion of her energies before putting them away.
She stood up and opened up an archway portal to the park and walked through it with grandma Victoria right behind her. She smiled as she saw the familiar landscape. She could even faintly hear the laughter of children at play.
Maxine didn't waste any time and carefully walked along the winding path that lead to the playground. Sadly, she didn't get very far before her bandages began pulling at her wounds. As soon as sweat began to form on her brow, a wheelchair appeared just off to her right side.
Maxine only spared her grandmother a glance before sitting down in it and lowering the footrests. "Just sit there and relax. I'll take care of the rest," grandma Victoria told Maxine and she began pushing Maxine along in the wheelchair, "Those little ones are just up ahead."
Maxine thought she saw some movement to her left, but when she looked, nothing was there. However, there was a partial footprint at the edge of the paved path that seemed to follow them.
"Turan, I know you're there," Maxine said out loud, "Please, if you're going to join us for a walk, do so visibly."
"I have no intention of harming you, young man," grandma Victoria said calmly, "I know what you did for Maxine."
"My apologies," Turan said as he appeared to Maxine's left, "But I was erring on the side of caution considering Maxine's injuries."
"That's quite alright, young man," grandma Victoria said, "But, next time, reveal yourself right away. If Maxine hadn't called out to you, I may have killed you to protect her from what I would've perceived as an assassin."
"Understood, ma'am," Turan said respectfully, but his tone changed to one of concern when he asked Maxine, "How are your wounds?"
"They're still healing," Maxine answered honestly, "It'll be another three weeks before I'm fully healed. Although, some of my injuries have already healed such as the burns that were on my hands."
"Your hands were burned?!" Turan asked in alarm, "How did that happen?"
"It happened when my blades became scorching hot from scattering tribulation lightning," Maxine explained.
"Oh, I see," Turan said in much calmer tone, "That sometimes happens, but I never imagined that it would happen to someone with your level of skill."
"I was forced to go through with the tribulation in a form that I wasn't familiar with," Maxine answered, "Hence, why I got burned so badly."
"Is that the same form that they showed on the television?" Turan asked.
"Yes," Maxine answered simply and she perked up when she saw finally got to see the playing children. Unfortunately, there were only a few of them there due to how early it was.
She barely got to watch them for more than a handful of minutes before she felt a dozen gazes lock onto her as if she were a piece of meat. She instantly spread out her spiritual sense and saw a dozen different reporters practically running towards her with their camera men trailing behind them. Shit, I didn't expect them to show up that fast. Someone must've made a call as soon as I walked out of that portal. However, they seemed to slow when they got closer.
"Wait, she's too tall to be Ms. Levings and her ... ahem ... other attributes don't match up," one of the reporters said.
"But that blonde, grey elf is here," another reporter stated, "He only shows up when she's nearby. So, that must mean that they girl in the wheelchair is Ms. Levings."
"But she's covered in bandages," the first reporter pointed out, "How do you suppose she got so badly injured?"
"That's a question that I intend to get out of her," the second reporter said as she rushed towards Maxine.
"No comment," Maxine said as soon as most of them were within earshot, but they kept approaching her all the same.
"Please, just answer one question," the female reporter said as she shoved a microphone in Maxine's face.
"No comment," Maxine said calmly, "Grandma, let's go back home. I've had enough fresh air. See you later, Turan." Maxine saw grandma Victoria use her energies to gently push the reporters away from them and Maxine created an arch that lead back home before she was pushed through it. She closed it as soon as both of them were home.
"On any other planet, that harassment wouldn't have happened," grandma Victoria complained, "Then again, your world is still relatively new to cultivation. They don't realize yet how easily you could hurt them in a moment of anger, but they'll get it, eventually."
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"I don't think it would matter, even if they were aware," Maxine commented, "A story on how I was injured is too big for them to pass up."
"They sound suicidal to me," grandma Victoria said.
"From their perspective, its worth the risk," Maxine said, "If they get a hold of a story no one else has, it will boost their reputation and very likely, their pay."
"I see. Still, it's admirable at how persistent they are," grandma Victoria complimented them.
"That it is," Maxine agreed, "I just wish they chose a different target, but it can't be helped after my recent actions. I guess I'll have to set up a press conference to answer some questions or they'll make stuff up. As it is, they've already started to make wild conjectures about me."
"Very well. I'll let you handle your world's politics, but I'm coming with you when you have this 'press conference,'" grandma Victoria said calmly.
"That's fine," Maxine acquiesced since she didn't want to argue with her grandmother over this, "I just need to make a few phone calls to get everything set up. Oh, could you get mom's phone? I sort of need it to make those phone calls."
"Of course, I'll let her know," grandma Victoria said as she walked out of the room. A few minutes later, Hellen came in and handed Maxine her phone.
"Thanks, mom," Maxine said and she dialed Amanda's phone number.
"Hello, this is Mrs. Maze speaking. Who is this?" Amanda answered promptly.
"Hey, Amanda. It's me," Maxine greeted, "I'd like to ask you for a favor."
"What kind of favor?" Amanda asked cautiously.
"I need you to help me set up a press conference," Maxine said bluntly, "As you've probably noticed, they've been making wild conjectures about me as of late. I would like to clear up some of their misconceptions."
"I saw that crap on TV and you're in luck," Amanda answered, "I'm holding a press conference myself in five hours about my guild political stance. I normally wouldn't do this, but the other guilds are forcing the matter after the recent news reports. It might've helped if you had made an appearance in the last three weeks, but as far as I know, you basically disappeared after showing off your new form. Why did you disappear, now that we are on that topic?"
"You'll understand why once you see me," Maxine answered honestly, "In any case, I'll see you in a few hours."
"Alright, see you then, but you have some explaining to do," Amanda said firmly as she disconnected the call.
Maxine handed the phone back to Hellen. "Thanks, mom," Maxine said.
"Don't mention it, sweetie," Hellen said with a gentle smile, "What are you going to say at this event?"
"I'm going to announce that I've broken through to gold stage, but in the process, I was injured," Maxine answered.
"Just be prepared for difficult questions," Hellen suggested.
"I am," Maxine said calmly, but internally, she was nervous.
To calm her nerves, she turned on the TV to watch something while she thought of various questions that might be asked. After roughly four hours, she was confident that she could answer most questions or accusations thrown at her without screwing up too badly. The only problem was if they did asked her something she hadn't thought of.
With a thought, Maxine put on a veil before she created an arch and felt a small jerk as grandma Victoria simply appeared behind her as she pushed Maxine through it. She looked at Fire and Ice guild while they made their way up the ramp towards the front doors. They received a few stares as she came in, but otherwise, no one paid her much attention. Which suited her just fine.
They took the elevator to the second floor and made their way to Amanda's office. Amanda opened the door just as they arrived and gave them both a weird look.
"Maxine!? What the hell happened to you!?" Amanda exclaimed as soon as she realized that it was Maxine infront of her.
"I achieved gold stage and the lightning tribulation kicked my ass," Maxine answered calmly.
"Mind your language, Maxine," grandma Victoria admonished Maxine.
"Sorry, grandma," Maxine apologized.
"What the hell is a lightning tribulation?" Amanda asked before she came to a realization, "Is it that thing that happens in those cultivation novels? Are you telling me that stuff is real?!"
"Yes, it is," Maxine said.
"Damn," Amanda curse and after a second, she had a thoughtful look on her face as she looked at grandma Victoria, "You don't look like Maxine's grandmother. You look more like her aunt."
"Thank you," grandma Victoria said with a big smile.
"Anyways, we best head to training room three. It's been set up for the news conference," Amanda said as she gestured for them to follow her.
"Don't we have a little bit before it starts?" Maxine asked.
"Yes, but I need to have someone set up a microphone for you," Amanda said as she gave Maxine a quick glance, "The ones we have are already hooked up to a podium."
"I'm able to stand if that helps," Maxine stated.
"And can you do that without pain?" Amanda asked.
"I can stand without much pain, but don't ask me to walk around," Maxine said calmly.
"Then, you should stay in your damn wheelchair," Amanda said firmly, "And how badly damaged is your eye? Because I have a feeling that someone will claim that you're faking your injuries to get sympathy."
"My eye is quite literately gone as are my eyelids," Maxine answered bluntly as she shifted her eyepatch and removed the gauze covering her right eye to reveal the damage, "So as you can see, there is just a void where my eye used to be."
"Oh, shit," Amanda said softly in surprise before she regained her bearings, "I know you can heal from just about anything, but is it even possible for you to regenerate your eye?"
"I'm fairly certain that I can. If not, I can make a potion that can," Maxine said calmly as she shifted the bandages and her eyepatch back into place.
"There's that, at least," Amanda said as they reached the training room, "Oh, it looks like everyone is here. Could you stay out here until I call you over?" Maxine glanced inside and the basketball court sized training room was packed with reporters. A podium with microphones mounted on it was set up on the far end of the room.
"Not a problem for me. What about you, grandma?" Maxine asked as she glanced over her shoulder.
"That's fine," grandma Victoria said, "But try not to make us wait too long."
"I won't," Amanda said as she walked inside and stood behind the podium before addressing a large group of reporters, "Thank you all for coming. I'm here to tell every last single one of you one simple thing: I will always support my friend. My reasoning for this is very simple. It's that she's done more for this planet than any other single person, alive. She's given us a cultivation technique perfectly suited for us, opened up trade with other worlds by exposing them to chocolate, and got her grandparents' clan to protect us while we build up our forces so that we can protect ourselves. What's more, she did all of that without asking for anything in return. She even wanted to refuse being Earth's representative due to her inexperience! She should be hailed as a saintess for her selfless actions! So why is it that you're all so quick to judge her for doing what she thought was necessary? Why not ask her why she killed those off worlders so brutally?"
"If it were that easy, we would have," a female reporter retorted.
"Well, now's your chance," Amanda said firmly and she looked right at Maxine, "That's your cue, Maxine."
Grandma Victoria began pushing Maxine into the crowded room towards the podium. She felt the curious looks of reporters as she was wheeled past them. As soon as she was infront of them all, a small microphone stand was placed beside her.
"Hello, everyone," Maxine greeted them in a friendly tone, "I apologize for not showing myself in recent weeks. As you can tell, I'm quite injured and it's only recently that I was even able to sit up without assistance. Now, let's get to the questions burning on your minds. You there in the back. What's your question?"
"Can you explain what that recent transformation of yours was? And what triggered it?" a rather young reporter asked.
"I'm not completely certain, but I believe that transformation is simply the final step in the maturation of my hydra bloodline," Maxine responded smoothly, "Sadly, I have no idea how that transformation was triggered. My injuries have prevented me from investigating the cause in detail." I wonder if they will buy that half-truth. It's not like I can say that I lost my temper after I found out that my 'boyfriend' was spying on me for some off world assholes.
"Why did you bring those space ships to ground and brutally kill their occupants?" a female redheaded reporter asked.
"The occupants of those ships were trying to manipulate Earth's politics and that's unacceptable," Maxine answered bluntly, "And that wasn't the first time that they tried something of that nature. The previous times I warned them in private not to do it again to avoid publicly embarrassing them, but they took advantage of my good intentions. Any other questions?"
"Are those injuries real? How did you get them? And are you a cannibal?" an older reporter with greying hair asked directly. Maxine glared at him for a moment in anger, before she took a deep breath to calm herself. I knew that question was coming, but it still pisses me off to hear it.
"I am not a cannibal. It's extremely insulting that you even feel the need to ask that. The very thought of such a practice sickens me. As for the legitimacy of my injuries, I suggest that those of you whom are squeamish turn away," Maxine said calmly and she removed her eyepatch and the gauze underneath it for only a few seconds before putting them back in place, "I got these injuries when I broke through to gold stage. Sadly, I wasn't fully prepared for the following lightning tribulation. Which lead to lingering traces of that lightning to remain in my wounds. It's significantly hampering my regenerative abilities. Anything else?"
"Were you able to attend the Alliance assembly?" a blonde reporter asked, "And were you able to secure any agricultural technologies?"
"Yes, I was on both counts," Maxine answered, "The technologies that I acquired should be arriving in roughly a week and I will make sure it will be available to all the nations of Earth."
"What about your relationship with that man from another world?" a young reporter asked.
Maxine glared at him for a moment before answering, "I would appreciate it if you refrained from asking about my personal life, but since you asked, he is nothing more than a friend." That reporter immediately backed off.
"Is there any truth to the rumors that you intimidated several UN representatives into resigning?" the older reporter from before asked.
"If you want to know why they resigned, you should ask them yourself," Maxine responded.
"I think that's enough questions for Maxine," Amanda said as she walked infront of Maxine, "She's still recovering from her injuries, afterall. If you have any other questions to present to her, they can be asked at a later date."
Grandma Victoria wasted no time and pushed Maxine towards the exit. Meanwhile, Maxine nodded her thanks to Amanda as she was pushed past her. That should answer some of the questions on their minds, but I have a feeling that they will still demonize me. I basically admitted to stomping those people to death, but I really don't care if they call my methods brutal. I just hate being accused of being a cannibal.