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Ginny Weasley, Imperial Academy of Mutant Ladies – Hogwarts.

"Long Live Harrison I, of the Royal House Evans, the Black Lion, Emperor of the Sol Empire, Shield of Midgard, Sovereign of Jotunheim, Protector of Humanity, Lord of the Mutants and Master of Death!"

After those words were spoken, what all the students already knew became completely official: Harrison Evans was the Supreme Ruler of the entire planet.

“Well, and with that speech, the Age of Nations comes to an end, and the Imperial Age of Humanity begins. It was about time, in my opinion,” Daphne said calmly, casually crossing her beautiful and elegant legs, all her attention focused on the enormous holographic screens in the Great Hall, where the Academy's students watched as the celebrations began in York Prime.

The First Fleet, those ships that had shattered the Kree invasion fleet, appeared on the screen. They looked relentless and powerful, making the crowd watching the coronation in York Prime roar with excitement, and Ginny could not blame them, to be honest.

“That is an imposing sight. Our Master certainly knows how to make a good impression,” Daphne replied with obvious approval in her voice, the devotion she felt toward Lord Harrison more than evident in her gaze.

The First Fleet now had twice as many ships. It was evident that repairs had been made, as well as certain types of modifications. The new ships looked more robust and heavier.

And therefore, much more powerful as well.

Something the rest of the initiates had also noticed, Ginny realized silently, watching the way Pansy's eyes analyzed every detail of the elegant yet powerful vessels of the Fleet while she rapidly took notes on her Omni-tool.

“Interesting choice on the Emperor's part. The new ships seem designed to complement the deficiencies of the initial fleet. Too large to be frigates, but not large enough to be considered battleships. Destroyers or cruisers, perhaps?” the black-haired girl asked herself, completely engrossed in the parade the fleet was conducting in York Prime before beginning its ascent toward the planet's Orbit.

Ginny rolled her eyes and replied.

“I don't know, but we have more important things to do, like preparing for our debut,” Ginny said with determination, making the rest of the girls nod softly.

“Do you think we can do it? We are only Academy students,” Parvati said softly and cautiously, as if she feared the answer would not be to her liking.

However, the beautiful Hindu mutant received her answer from Daphne, who looked at Parvati as if she were an idiot.

“Are you stupid? We were chosen by the Emperor's father, the Crimson Lion himself, selected from the best families of the Cult. Ten maidens of the highest birth, rich, young, and fertile. We are in a beautiful castle so exclusive that officially it does not even exist, and we have not one, but two Lionesses of the High Council as our mentors. We may be students, but it is obvious that we were selected for something much greater,” the blonde said passionately, her gaze lost in the fantasy Daphne had always dreamed of.

Entering the orbit of the Black Lion, who, with Lord Harrison's Ascension as Emperor, was undoubtedly them most powerful family in the World.

The Imperial House of Evans, Ginny thought with some amusement.

At those words, Pansy rolled her eyes and looked at Daphne with amusement.

“Daphne has a point. The education we are receiving is…impressive. They are training us as officers, ambassadors, commanders, and politicians. Nobody invests such an amount of resources in vain, and I know perfectly well that it is not a matter of money. Evans Technologies has the entire solar system at its disposal, the Sacred Veridian is being raised as the Mutant capital world, and it is rumored that Doctor Storm is exploring nearby solar systems. Lord Harrison plans to expand soon,” Pansy said with determination, and Daphne finished with her own words.

“And it is obvious that he will also have to expand his pride. He will need new Lionesses, capable, intelligent, and powerful enough to administer his glorious and growing Empire! Like us,” the blonde said with obvious devotion.

Ginny merely rolled her eyes, although the notion sounded…extremely attractive. She preferred not to raise her hopes too much. If Lord Harrison considered them worthy, young Weasley would accept it with grace and devotion, but until that happened, she would keep herself in check.

However, Ginny's introspection was interrupted by the appearance of a Sling Portal, one that appeared right in the middle of the Great Hall, surprising all the students in question.

Oh, they all knew very well what it was. By this point, all the students were well acquainted with certain magical aspects, and Sling Space was one of the first subjects they studied and mastered. However, what was truly interesting was not the fact that they were seeing a portal in Hogwarts.

But that it was outside the Arrival Hall.

“A Sling Portal? In the Great Hall?” Padma asked aloud, staring in disbelief at the beautiful arcane phenomenon.

At least until Pansy quickly proceeded to stand, at the same time beginning to fix her hair rapidly, watching the Portal with a certain apprehension.

“What the fuck are you doing, Pansy?” Daphne asked incredulously, however, the young Parkinson's answer froze not only the blonde Greengrass.

But all the initiates.

“Be quiet, Daphne. There is only one person with enough authority to appear in Hogwarts outside the Arrival Hall,” said the black-haired mutant before beginning to walk toward the Sling Portal.

And when Pansy said those words, Daphne's eyes widened before she gasped and quickly stood, following Pansy and imitating the way she was trying to fix her hair.

An act that all the initiates, including Ginny, imitated. After all, Pansy was right. Not even Lady Wanda and Lady Ilyana were capable of using Sling Space within Hogwarts. That right was reserved for only one person.

The Emperor.

Quickly, the ten mutant girls formed a line in front of the portal, all with straight backs and their heads held high, poses that had been ingrained into their minds since childhood.

Trained to be beautiful, to be seen and not heard.

At least until now, Ginny thought, swallowing nervously with excitement as she watched two Spartan soldiers emerge from the Sling Portal with firm steps. Their armor was black, undoubtedly more advanced than that of any Imperial soldier. Both wore golden cloaks and ceremonial helmets, carrying plasma spears that surely cost more than a family could earn in fifty lifetimes.

Everything about them screamed one single thing.

Absolute power.

And yet, both giant soldiers paled the instant the third figure emerged, the most powerful man in the World.

Emperor Harrison himself, Ginny thought, completely dazzled, while she and the rest of the girls straightened their backs, evidently nervous about being in the Emperor's presence.

He was…more intimidating than the redhead had expected, to be honest.

His physique was enormous, standing more than two meters tall, with an athletic and agile body. His imposing and hypnotic emerald eyes studied the ten maidens with a calculating gaze. His skin was somewhat tanned, and he dominated the room with his mere presence.

His body was dressed in a tailored black tunic, while his head was adorned with a simple gray metal circlet, filled with clusters of runes so complex that Ginny could not even begin to understand how they worked.

The Black Lion observed them in silence, analyzing them, judging them, and assessing them. There was appreciation for the beauty of all the young mutants, but Harrison Evans's emerald eyes went beyond that. He was analyzing them carefully. Without a doubt, Lady Ilyana and Lady Wanda had already informed the Sovereign about every one of the students, both their skills and their weaknesses.

Ginny preferred to remain silent. However, Daphne stepped forward, bowing in complete submission and speaking with longing.

“Lord Harrison, how may we serve you?” the blonde asked, making the rest of the maidens imitate her and show their allegiance before the Emperor.

Including Ginny.

One by one, the Ten students of the Imperial Academy of Mutant Ladies bowed before the Emperor of Midgard, who merely observed them in silence.

There was no malice in his gaze or anything of the sort. He simply seemed lost in thought.

Until…he simply spoke.

And they all listened attentively.

“Daphne Greengrass, daughter of Cyrus and heir apparent of Greengrass Productions, a food processing and distribution company, Alpha-level Cryokinesis mutation, a privileged mind for business, but lacking the temperament necessary for a political career,” the Emperor said while reading Daphne's complete profile report on his Omni-tool.

Ginny had to make a superhuman effort not to laugh at the look of terror Daphne wore when those words were spoken, undoubtedly thinking she would be removed from the program or something along those lines.

However, Lord Harrison merely changed the report before speaking again.

“Pansy Parkinson, daughter of Samuel and eldest daughter of the Parkinsons of Yorkshire, an ancient family with privileged minds, major investors, and a natural gift for pattern recognition, Alpha-level Terrakinesis mutation and an Alpha-level mutation for the acceleration of high-level cognitive processes,” the Emperor said, making Pansy blush softly while still keeping her head bowed toward Harrison.

One by one, the Emperor read the profiles of all the initiates, some so precise that Ginny could do nothing but admire how well Lady Ilyana and Lady Wanda knew them, praising their talents and describing them with remarkable precision and without deficiencies.

And then…it was Ginny's Turn.

“Ginevra Weasley, daughter of Arthur, an ancient and wealthy family with clear ties to the old guard of the Cult, two inventor brothers who have been on Evans Technologies' radar for a couple of years, Fred and George, I believe they are called, an older brother named William Weasley who has just been recruited as the lead programmer and designer of two frigate models under the command of my brother Fleamont, and a military brother dedicated to hunting poachers of wild animals in Africa. An Alpha-level mutation of Pyrokinesis,” the Emperor said, surprising Ginny with how…precise the report was.

When he finished, the Emperor's Omni-tool shut down, allowing those imposing emerald orbs to observe the ten initiates in complete silence, who submissively awaited the Emperor's words.

Of course, with one exception.

Ginny stepped forward, swallowed, and spoke.

“My Lord? Do you need something from us?” the redhead asked with hesitation in her eyes, swallowing nervously but remaining firm without stepping back.

Something that apparently pleased the Emperor, who nodded to himself and spoke.

“You have been reassigned.”

Those words struck the ten maidens like a hammer. Ginny herself felt as though a knife had pierced her body, Pansy inhaled sharply, and the Patil twins trembled softly.

Daphne swallowed before stepping forward and pleading.

“My Lord…I…if we have failed you in any way, we beg for an opportunity to make up for our mistake! We will serve you as we should!” the blonde said on the verge of tears.

However, Lord Harrison merely raised his hand, silencing Daphne, and continued speaking in a soft but firm voice.

“You are not being dismissed, quite the opposite. Your profiles speak of competent abilities, abilities that I will put to use in other activities. Hogwarts has become too small for you. One hundred new maidens of the Cult will arrive in a month, and by that time, you will be assigned to your new duties,” the Emperor said while turning his Omni-tool back on and sending a report to the personal terminals of all the young ladies present.

And when Ginny opened the message in question…she could not help but gasp in surprise, a reaction all the others imitated.

“OH my God,” Pansy said, stunned, her eyes wide as she looked at the letter that now appeared on her Omni-tool.

All the young women were completely stunned by what the letter said. However, in case it had not been clear enough, Lord Harrison decided to make it even more official.

“Due to your exceptional potential and talent, you have been formally accepted into the Imperial preparation program for future leaders of Humanity. Your time at Hogwarts has ended. In two months, you will be reassigned to the Citadel, where you will have the possibility of being selected as pupils and assistants to each one of my Lionesses. The official announcement will be made in one week. Congratulations on your Ascension, ladies,” the Emperor said before nodding softly and continuing on his way toward his Personal Tower within Hogwarts.

Ginny and the rest of the Academy's pupils watched in absolute shock as the Emperor continued on his way, until the doors of the Hall closed behind him, leaving them alone.

For several seconds, nobody said anything, still stunned by the shocking news, until Daphne spoke softly, disbelief filling her voice.

“Ladies, we have been claimed by the Black Lion,” the blonde said with obvious pleasure in her voice, causing the spell that had kept the students silent to break and a loud murmur to begin spreading.

Ginny listened to her classmates speak with excitement. They did not know what the fuck this Citadel they had mentioned was, but frankly, that did not matter. Lord Harrison himself had informed them that their efforts at the Academy had borne fruit and that they would now ascend the Imperial political ladder.

They truly had the possibility of becoming Lionesses, future lovers of the Emperor, mothers of his children.

Sovereigns and rulers of entire Colonies in the Emperor's name.

For an instant, Ginny lost herself in that fantasy. Noble House Weasley, sovereigns of a planet near Earth, ruling and working to strengthen Imperial influence.

However…the illusions of the ten beautiful maidens were shattered by none other than Pansy.

“Not all of us will be chosen,” she said softly, drawing the attention of all the initiates in question, including Ginny.

“What do you mean, Pansy?” Daphne asked curiously.

The young Parkinson merely sighed and replied.

“The Emperor said that we will have the possibility of serving as assistants to each of his Lionesses. However…there are ten of us, and there are only…”

Ginny intervened with realization.

“Eight. The High Council only has Eight Lionesses serving in its ranks,” the redhead said with realization.

Lady Ororo, Lady Emma, Lady Jean, Lady Wanda, Lady Ilyana, Lady Natasha, Lady Susan, and Lady Gwen…

Which meant that…

“Two of us will not be chosen. Two will have to return to their families as failures,” Daphne said before narrowing her eyes and looking at the rest of the pupils with a certain caution, actions that everyone around her imitated.

Ginny could not prevent the anxiety from growing inside her. She was so close…so close to actually making a difference…

And she would not stop for anything in the world.

The competition for the Emperor's attention had begun.

Jake Sully, Forest of Spirits – Pandora.

“Fuck,” Jessica said, completely stunned as she watched Lady Gwen working among the enemy camp.

“It is…impressive,” Jake said softly, nodding at the impressive sight of the Imperial Consort wreaking havoc among the enemy ranks.

The Turian camp was…like a sore eye compared to Pandora's magnificence. The Turian cruiser had crashed onto the surface, devastating a considerable portion of the jungle, and the survivors had erected improvised walls by cannibalizing entire sections of the ship.

However, it was evident that tensions with the Na'vi were…considerable, and the Turians had not taken prisoners.

Something that Jake could understand, the Turians were considerably smaller and weaker than the Na'vi, although those explanations could wait. What mattered at that moment was securing the area and making first contact with the Turian camp to ensure an extraction.

“Ready, boys?” Jake barked as he put on his helmet and activated his HUD and his furtive device, receiving real-time information about the battlefield courtesy of Lady Gwen's armor, something that gave them an extremely considerable tactical advantage.

“LET'S GO!!” he roared as the rear doors of the Pelican opened rapidly, allowing Jake and his squad to launch into freefall toward the Turian camp, which was under attack by the Na'vi.

The inhabitants of Pandora flew atop strange and colossal native birds, all carrying enormous bows and dangerous arrows that were as long as a human arm. They were agile and ferocious, and had already claimed the lives of several Turians, who fought back fiercely, possessing the technological advantage but threatening to be overwhelmed by the immense numbers of Na'vi.

Lady Gwen moved among the branches and between the birds with elegance and precision. Her plasma nets were so powerful that they quickly incapacitated both bird and rider, decimating the numbers of Na'vi and drawing their attention away from the Turian Camp, where they had retreated and were assessing the damage.

Jake watched sadly as some of the Turian soldiers dragged their badly wounded brothers and sisters toward the safety of the main ship's hull, some still having enormous arrows protruding from their chests as they writhed in agony.

However, before he could help them, Jake had to make a successful first contact, and considering that these soldiers were under attack, that would be a true challenge.

Lady Gwen had caused so much havoc among the Na'vi attackers that several of them had retreated. However, the Heroine was busy hunting a particularly stubborn rider who, for some strange reason, refused to flee.

And seeing that the situation was much calmer now than before, the Spartan approached the one he assumed was the Turian commander, deactivated his cloaking device, and spoke.

“Do you require assistance?” he asked, using the updated Asari Language software they had received from Olympus.

The reactions were…hilarious, to be honest. All the soldiers jumped and pointed their rifles toward where Jake and his squad were located, now visible.

The Turian captain raised a trembling hand carrying a pistol toward Jake. Her other hand had been severed, and a stump covered by a piece of cloth now occupied its place.

Nothing that a session in a Gaia chamber could not solve, Jake thought as he raised his hand, using his Omni-tool to replay the message they had received.

“We received this distress signal while exploring the planet. We were deployed to provide assistance following the crash of the Turian ship,” Jake said calmly.

The Spartan's words were received as a blessing by the Turians, who immediately lowered their weapons, their faces filled with relief upon seeing that Jake and his boys possessed armor and technology.

“By the Spirits! We had already lost hope. Your arrival is a good omen for our terrible situation. I am Captain Vakarian! The leader of this…camp,” the Turian warrior said, evidently exhausted, making Jake nod at the same time a Turian soldier entered and shouted.

“Captain! They're retreating! The enemies are moving away from the camp! An unknown figure and a group of unidentified ships drove them away from the impact zone,” said the more-than-relieved soldier, at the same time the surviving Turians cheered and sighed with relief.

They were exhausted and in desperate need of assistance.

“We have supplies and medical assistance if necessary. Our mission is to make contact and assist in getting you off this rock,” Jake said, making the strange Turian faces fill with overwhelming hope.

The relief was obvious and spirits were high. Jake could understand them. These people thought they would die in this place. The arrival of the Pathfinder was like divine intervention weighing more than a thousand tons.

Captain Vakarian sighed heavily, exhaustion finally reaching her body, and replied.

“That…would be…thank you,” was all the woman said, at the same time the Pelicans began landing and the mechanized units and drones emerged with first-aid supplies and provisions for the Turians.

At the same time, Lady Gwen swung into the camp, bringing with her a captured Na'vi. The image was comical, to be honest. Lady Gwen was only 1.90 meters tall, so seeing her subduing a 3-meter-tall Na'vi was…hilarious, to say the least.

“Jake! I've got one of them,” the Lioness said as the Turians stood, looking toward the captured alien with frowns on their faces.

Lady Gwen left the gagged alien with Jake before turning around and speaking again.

“There are more prisoners, as well as some of those curious birds captured. Susan will want to study them. Interrogate her, please,” one of his chiefs ordered, making Jake nod softly.

The Emperor's Consort made a powerful leap and began moving through the camp, leaving Jake alone with the captured Na'vi.

At the same time, the Turian soldier walked behind her.

“I have never seen one this close. We have never been able to capture one,” the woman confessed with obvious disgust toward the alien in question.

Jake did not know who she was. She was almost naked, although she wore ornaments on her head and arms that indicated a certain tribal rank among their enemies.

Captain Vakarian watched as Jake approached and knelt before the subdued woman. She was…beautiful, evidently not in the human way Jake was accustomed to, but the attraction of those features and that body was…obvious.

The Na'vi woman responded aggressively, showing her powerful and sharp fangs at Jake, who responded by raising his hands as Captain Vakarian spoke.

“Good luck trying to understand them. We've been trying for months to…”

However, Jake simply calibrated his Omni-tool to the Na'vi language Ei'wa had provided and spoke.

“Can you understand me?”

He asked, making both the Turian and the Na'vi stare at him in complete astonishment.

“Wait…you speak their language? You can communicate with them?” the captain asked desperately, but Jake paid her little attention for the moment, completely focused on the Na'vi's response.

“You hear Ei'wa?” she asked, fascinated. There was fascination and a touch of desperation in her voice, filled with an uncomfortable hope for Jake.

“Aye, I hear her. I am Jake of Midgard,” he said with a smile, pointing at himself with his hand while following his hunch.

The beautiful Na'vi did not respond for quite some time until, timidly, she spoke.

“I am Neytiri of the clan…”

But Jake interrupted her with a smile.

“Of the Omatikaya clan. I recognize your markings,” he said calmly, making the young Na'vi gasp in absolute surprise, her pupils widening with emotion before speaking desperately.

“You are strong! You can stop the Sky People from harming our forest!” she said with naked desperation before looking distrustfully at the Turians.

Jake frowned and looked at Captain Vakarian.

“She says that you have harmed her sacred forest, her home,” Jake said calmly, although the accusation was…obvious in his voice.

The Turian grimaced uncomfortably and replied.

“I know, and although the Nexus Council's rules normally prevent direct intervention with less advanced races, and normally a Turian fleet would be responsible for protecting the entire system, we don't know where the hell we are. We had an incident with a Batarian fleet, our engine was badly damaged, and when we used the Mass Relay, we ended up here. A completely unknown system with no means of returning. We carried out excavations in search of a material we detected that might be capable of getting us out of here,” the captain said, making Jake frown and nod softly.

Neytiri continued watching him with undisguised interest and expectation until Jake inhaled deeply and replied.

“The Sky People do not want to hurt you. Their…starship was damaged, and they were searching for special metal to repair it and return home,” Jake said calmly, making Neytiri frown and nod softly, not liking the answer but accepting it.

“We are also Sky People. We will get them out of here, and we will make sure that no one ever harms your home again,” the Spartan said softly, making the Na'vi princess nod gently, her beautiful yellow eyes looking directly toward Jake's helmet, as if she wished to see through it.

Neytiri nodded, making Jake do the same and stand, doing the same with the beautiful alien, and, to the Turians' surprise, freeing her on the spot.

“My father will want to talk. Friendly neighbors are not common,” the woman said cautiously, looking at Jake expectantly, making the Spartan nod softly.

Jake merely nodded softly, at the same time more Pelicans and a group of Sentinels began arriving at the camp, prepared to begin the rescue operation.

“When you come with him, I will have my chief do the same. They will be able to talk,” the soldier said, making Neytiri nod softly before walking toward one of those enormous birds and flying away.

And with her, the rest of the stubborn soldiers who had evaded Lady Gwen.

Leaving Jake with the Turian captain, and the moment for introductions.

The Spartan turned toward the expectant and relieved Turian faces and spoke.

“My name is Commander Jake Sully, Spartan-class shock trooper, assigned to the deep-exploration vessel Pathfinder, loyal servant of the Emperor of Midgard,” the Spartan said, at the same time the polarization of his visor disappeared, revealing his human face to the Turians and shocking every Turian present.

The captain opened and closed her mandibles, completely stunned, as if she had no idea what the fuck to say.

“And apparently, we have a lot to talk about,” the Spartan said as the Pathfinder appeared in the skies above the forest.

“It seems so,” the captain said with extreme caution, alternating her gaze between the Pathfinder and Jake.

The first Contact between the Empire of Humanity and the Turian Hierarchy.

Had begun.