"The ink is completely authentic."
Dean Marcus pushed the heavy leather folder forward. His wrinkled hands shook violently under the bright stage lights.
The elderly academic stood entirely defeated. He represented the corrupt Harmonia Conservatory. He represented a century of academic rules designed exclusively to e*****e young talent for corporate profit.
Ryan Parker did not snatch the folder. He took it with elegant, terrifying calmness.
The massive crowd of a hundred thousand people outside the Grand Hall watched in absolute silence. They were waiting for their sovereign to claim his absolute throne.
"The entire international academic board voted anonymously," Dean Marcus whispered. "They watched the raw footage. They felt the physical resonance vibrating through the television fe
