Cross followed Emily through the wide hallways of the W.R.O. building, his mind racing with thoughts of his new task. Six months. That’s how long Bronx had given him to reach Stage One in Body or Domain. Six months might seem like a long time for someone else, but to Cross, it felt like a ticking clock. Every second mattered, and he couldn’t afford to waste a single one.

They came to a stop in front of a massive door. It was grand, almost ostentatiously so, towering at least twice his height, and covered in intricate carvings. The edges were lined with gold, and the surface gleamed as though polished regularly. Emily turned to him, her expression serious.

“You’re about to meet the Head of the W.R.O. Branch of America,” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Her name is Athena Heart, and... well, let’s just say, she’s a force of nature. Be on your best behavior.”

Cross raised an eyebrow. “A force of nature?”

Emily nodded, clearly anxious. “There are rumors about her. They say she’s... wild. Like a lion.”

Cross couldn’t help but smirk at the description. It sounded dramatic, like something straight out of one of his novels. But Emily didn’t seem to be joking. She continued speaking in hushed tones, telling him about the stories that circulated around the W.R.O. about Athena—how she was fierce, unpredictable, and incredibly powerful. Apparently, some said she could bend minds with just a glance.

Cross was about to ask another question when a voice cut into his thoughts. But it wasn’t spoken aloud. No, it resonated directly in his head.

"Who's wild like a lion?"

Cross’s heart skipped a beat. He felt a cold shiver run down his spine as the voice echoed in his mind. The intrusion was immediate, and far more invasive than anything he’d ever experienced. His hands instinctively twitched, ready to activate his Heavenly Eyes, but he held back.

Before he could respond, the grand doors creaked open, revealing a room that was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The interior was spacious, filled with lavish, almost chaotic decorations. Exotic tapestries lined the walls, and strange, wild plants filled the corners of the room. In the center stood a massive mahogany desk, and behind it, lounging like a predator surveying its domain, was Athena Heart.

Cross stepped inside, still reeling from the voice in his head. Emily stayed behind, offering him a quick nod before quietly taking her leave, leaving him alone with the Head of the W.R.O. Athena didn’t move, but her golden eyes tracked him like a hawk.

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Without warning, he felt another mental nudge, more forceful this time. His feet moved on their own, compelled by something he couldn’t resist. Cross’s breath quickened as he approached the desk, each step feeling heavier than the last. What the hell is this? he thought. He wasn’t just walking; he was being pulled forward.

The pull finally stopped when he reached the desk. Cross blinked and found himself standing directly in front of Athena, close enough to see the fine lines of her perfectly sculpted face. Her crimson hair cascaded down her shoulders like fire, and her features, sharp and almost feral, made her look more like a dragon than a human. Her golden eyes glowed with a dangerous intensity, and her presence filled the room like a storm brewing on the horizon.

There was a small nametag on her desk that read: Athena Heart.

Cross stared at the name for a moment, his thoughts scrambling to process everything that was happening. He was standing face to face with one of the most powerful beings in the country, someone who could probably kill him with a snap of her fingers.

And the only thing that came out of his mouth was:

“Where’s your eyebrows?”

Cross felt his body tense as Athena’s sharp gaze drilled into him. But before he could get too nervous, Athena let out a boisterous laugh, completely breaking the tension.

"Ha! You’re a blunt one, aren’t you?" Athena chuckled, crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair. Her laugh echoed around the ornate room, and for a brief moment, the intimidating aura she carried seemed to melt away.

Cross couldn’t help but smile. “I guess I don’t know how to sugarcoat things.”

"I like that," Athena said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Not many people come into this office and say whatever’s on their mind. Most of them are too busy trying to impress me or not wet themselves. But you? You’re just telling it like it is. I respect that."

Cross shrugged. “I figured if I’m going to die, might as well go out being honest.”

Athena let out another laugh, clapping her hands once. “Exactly! No point in tiptoeing around the truth. Life’s too short for that.”

They shared a few more jokes, Athena’s larger-than-life personality filling the room with energy. Despite her status as one of the most powerful figures in the country, she had a surprisingly easygoing attitude, and Cross found himself relaxing in her presence.

But then, the conversation took a more serious turn. Athena’s laughter faded, and she leaned forward, her expression curious. “So, the King Familia… did they really recruit you?”

Cross nodded, his hand slipping into his pocket. He pulled out the insignia—the black badge with the gleaming crown symbol—and held it up for her to see. “Yeah. Bronx gave me this.”

Athena raised an eyebrow, taking a moment to study the insignia. “Interesting. So you’ve got six months to reach the first stage of your class?”

“Yep,” Cross said. “Body or Domain. Whichever one I can hit first.”

Athena snorted, shaking her head. “Six months? That’s nearly impossible. Unless, of course, you’re a Talent Holder…”

Cross hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “I am.”

The air in the room shifted immediately. Athena’s expression changed from amused to razor-sharp, her eyes narrowing as she leaned in. “What’s your Talent?”