"My apologies," Garret announced before Khan's coldness. "It wasn't my intention to use your connection with the Solodrey family."
No one knew how much Khan had obtained from his relationship with Monica, but the Solodrey family had to own secrets about the evolution. Mentioning it before Khan could sound like an attempt to probe into that knowledge.
Garret wouldn't dare to have that purpose, but Khan's firm reaction required clarifications. It was actually scary thinking about the repercussions of that misunderstanding, but Khan solved the issue.
"I know," Khan stated, looking at Garret from head to toe. "You aren't that kind of man."
The guests interpreted Khan's gesture in many ways, with some hitting the mark. After all, Khan's senses were no secret, and he had also pretended to scan Garret during his statement. They didn't know he had done that long ago, but the result was the same.
"T-," Garret gulped, "Thank you."
"I heard you were protective," Major General Arngan commented. "I see the rumors were right."
"People have to start asking for permission," Khan declared. His status was nothing compared to the entirety of the Solodrey family, but he couldn't let the Global Army see him as a weak link anymore. If anything, he wanted to become unapproachable through standard methods.
Of course, Khan only cared about Monica, but she came with a hefty package. She had never been a singular individual in the Global Army's eyes, and Khan was part of that now. In many ways, he had become a descendant with no background, forcing him to resort to alternative methods to protect what he loved.
"I do like him," Major General Arngan laughed.
"You have always had a weak spot for unruly kids," Another guest sighed, bringing the general attention to her.
The slightly old woman didn't need introductions. She stood at the top of all the agencies directly under the Global Army tasked with gathering intelligence. Her presence in the event probably had nothing to do with Colonel Norrett. It was simply her duty to witness the eventual appearance of an evolved soldier.
'Madam Clarissa Lamalot,' Khan thought, inspecting the woman. 'She used to be a Colonel before giving up on her rank to assume her current position.'
The network had told Khan more about Clarissa Lamalot. She had severed ties with her family long ago, but rumors said she was secretly helping her faction with her intel. Khan usually didn't mind those activities, but the Lamalot family didn't exactly give him a good impression during his promotion.
Clarissa Lamalot's attire also reminded Khan of Emilia Lamalot. She had the same long white hair combed into a big braid, and some sense of superiority tainted her aura. It wasn't as intense as Emilia, but Khan could still smell it.
"Madam Clarissa Lamalot, I reckon," Khan announced.
"And you are Captain Khan," Clarissa nodded. "You met my cousin during your promotion. Emilia has always been a stiff old hag."
Khan's eyebrows arched in surprise, and snickers resounded among the guests. They could see he didn't expect that joint hatred toward Emilia Lamalot, but a smile eventually broadened on his face.
"But still," Clarissa continued, "And don't take this as a way to take your achievements lightly. Except for your prowess and proclivity toward aliens, what exactly do you have to offer?"
"I feel that's more than enough if no one is even close to me," Khan declared.
"He is right," Major General Arngan chuckled. "The Global Army only wants results in the end, and the kid is getting them."
"But the world isn't so simple," Clarissa argued. "Wealth, influence, primary businesses, and more are all expressions of power in our society. They often are more effective than the ability to punch through things."
Khan could understand where Clarissa was getting at. Every family would benefit from having good soldiers, but Khan had stolen one of the most sought descendants. Even the best warrior in the world might not be enough to match that.
"I'm just saying," Clarissa added, waving her drink to point it at Khan. "You graduated from the Harbor's advanced classes and proved yourself on the field. The Global Army would be more than willing to fund any higher education you choose."
Anastasia Solodrey had uttered similar words during her last call. She wanted Khan to distance himself from his soldier's tasks, which made sense considering his elevated status. Even being a scout was only a compromise he had accepted to get closer to his main goal.
"I get more from one mission than from years of studies," Khan pointed out.
"It's a matter of ambition," Clarissa explained. "You are looking for the Nak, right? Join a scientific field and see what you can find."
"I'm better at alien sciences," Khan stated.
"Good!" Clarissa exclaimed. "Add them to the human's records and earn your spot among scientists. It beats being a soldier by far."
"That's insulting," Major General Arngan commented.
"You just like to fight," Clarissa dismissed the comment. "It's clear the Captain is much more than that."
"How, though?" Another guest joined the conversation. He was a middle-aged man, a scientist, with short black hair and big glasses that hid his green eyes.
'Mister Zeckai,' Khan recalled, eyeing the man. 'He moved to the private business years ago but still helps the Global Army with some studies.'
"Are you questioning the Harbor's education?" Headmistress Holwen wondered.
"I'm merely curious," Mister Zeckai said, adjusting his glasses. "From what I've read, Captain Khan's alien abilities mostly support his fighting style. Can you confirm this, Clarissa?"
"That's true," Clarissa confirmed. "At least that's the intel I have on the Captain."
Khan found a few sets of eyes on him. The guests seemed ready to hear his opinion, which left him conflicted. He knew keeping a few cards hidden was the safest route, but showing his value also had benefits.
'Maybe I can reveal a bit,' Khan thought before lifting his right arm. He stretched his forefinger, and a trail of mana came out of it before gaining different properties.
The sudden appearance of mana could scare off ordinary soldiers, but the room had some of the strongest people in the Global Army. Only Garret could experience some worry, but the awareness about his superior level kept him calm.
Khan ignored the guests' confidence and focused on his task. His mana changed shape, color, and brightness as he traced lines in the air. Soon, a simple rune took form, and a transformation happened when the different energies interacted.
The lines sizzled, expanding outward before condensing. Khan opened his palm, and that energy fell at its center and transformed into something new. A blue flame flickered in Khan's hand without burning his skin.
The fire only lasted a few seconds before dispersing. No trace of its presence remained, but that didn't stop the guests from feeling shocked. Khan's element was famous, but the Headmistress and the others had just witnessed him casting fire out of thin air.
A few among the guests recognized the rune written by Khan. It was one of the simplest Thilku symbols, but that didn't make the demonstration any less incredible. After all, Khan had replicated that art with his mere energy.
Mister Zeckai was the sharpest of the guests regarding the scientific field, so he instantly realized the monumental relevance of the demonstration. That technique had countless applications. It could turn Khan into the most flexible soldier that had ever existed, to say the least.
"When did you learn to do that?" Mister Zeckai couldn't refrain from asking.
"I didn't learn anything," Khan replied. "I invented it."
Major General Arngan opened his mouth to speak but quickly closed it. He wanted to contradict Khan since the Thilku runes existed even before his birth. However, that alternative use was completely original. It was safe to assume that Khan had founded a new scientific field by himself.
"How did you do it?" Mister Zeckai asked.
"I can't explain it," Khan revealed, "Not in human terms."
"You don't understand," Mister Zeckai exclaimed, standing up. "This can open all sorts of applications. Humankind can enter a new technological revolution devoid of technology!"
Clearly, the topic had fueled Mister Zeckai's scientific drive, but Khan couldn't disclose anything. It wasn't only hard to explain what he had done without knowledge of alien arts. He simply didn't want anyone else to have that power.
"My knowledge isn't up for sale," Khan stated. "I was merely adding value to my previous statement."
Khan looked at Clarissa, and his smile disappeared when he added more words. "Madam Lamalot, in your opinion, is what I have to offer enough?"
That jab at Clarissa's previous comment was obviously intentional, but Khan could speak without adding his cold and chilling aura. That was a friendly environment, and picking fights wasn't wise.
"You," Clarissa uttered, "You showed that knowing I'll publish it."
"Fame is an expression of power, ma'am," Khan said.
"I love it!" Major General Arngan laughed. "What exactly can you do with that technique? How far did you push it?"
"I'll leave it to your imagination," Khan responded, earning an approving nod from the Major General. The guests had initially planned to avoid giving Khan the spotlight, but he had taken it anyway.
