Chapter 7

Finn sat in the auditorium with roughly a hundred people, including the staff and their families who resided at the Anderson estate. Over the generations, the Anderson family had expanded significantly, and now the room buzzed with their presence. Despite the chaos around him, Finn immersed himself in his Wuxia novel, seeking a semblance of calm in the midst of uncertainty.

Amelia, his sister, leaned over and asked him to send her the link to the novel. He complied without hesitation. She settled next to him, her focus entirely on the story, just as engrossed as he was. It was a rare sight to see her so captivated by something other than her usual calculations and strategies.

Alexander, their brother, noticed Amelia's interest and asked her for the link as well. Soon, he too was absorbed in the tale, his eyes reflecting the same intensity he had when devising his meticulous plans. Their father was conspicuously absent, likely off with their grandfather discussing the next steps. The absence was not unusual, given the circumstances. Their mother, however, had repeatedly attempted to voice her worries, her anxiety palpable. For once, the three siblings were in agreement. They stared at her blankly, their expressions unified in a rare moment of solidarity, before returning to their phones and their reading.

In the midst of the impending uncertainty, the Wuxia novel provided them not just a temporary escape, but also a vital source of research. Finn knew that understanding the principles of cultivation and martial arts could prove invaluable for the challenges ahead.

About 15 minutes later, the core of the Anderson family ascended to the stage, his grandfather leading the way with his father following closely. The room quieted as his grandfather began to speak, his voice steady and commanding. "Family, I am sure you are aware of our impending situation," he began. "As you may know, we have less than two days before our dungeons or schools."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before continuing. "Now, here is the total number, giving a breakdown of our family members, focusing on those not 17 versus those who are, based on these numbers. Over the generations, our family has grown large. Including the staff who live on-site with their families, the number of individuals living on the estate has increased significantly."

He detailed the breakdown: "We have 55 immediate and extended family members. Of these, 10 are below 17 years old, 30 are 17 and up, and 15 are 55 and up. Additionally, we have 50 staff members and their families. Among them, 15 are below 17 years old, 25 are 17 and up, and 10 are 55 and up."

Finn's grandfather continued, "Adding these numbers together, we have a total of 105 individuals on the estate. Out of these, 25 are below 17 years old, 55 are 17 and up, and 25 are 55 and up."

He then revealed a crucial detail: "For those who do not choose a dungeon, there will be consequences. They will be assigned as servants for those at the orphanages and schools. We need to make our chain. To simplify the process, the five oldest servants shall be left to make their own chain."

There was a murmur of discontent, but a guard stepped forward, holding an AR-15, standing behind Finn's grandfather to reinforce his authority. The room fell silent again.

"Now that the decision has been made, return to your rooms," his grandfather said firmly. "Instructions will follow soon."

After his grandfather finished, Finn retreated to his room. Seeking a sense of normalcy, he decided to get his workout in. An hour later, he lay sprawled on the floor, his muscles pleasantly aching from exertion. Finn prided himself on pushing his limits, and his advanced yoga routine, one he had meticulously crafted and shared online, was a testament to his dedication to core strength and flexibility.

Suddenly, a sharp knock on the door broke his moment of tranquility.

Finn opened it to find one of the servants standing there. Without uttering a word, the servant handed him a packet and departed, not even acknowledging his presence.

Curious, Finn tore open the packet. It contained much of the information they had already been told, but towards the end, he discovered instructions tailored specifically for him. The instructions revealed a staggering statistic: approximately 756 million children on Earth were between the ages of 12 and 17. Only those within this age range would attend the school, where they would be trained in cultivation and prepared for their tutorial dungeons.

The packet also detailed that teachers from other races and universes would serve as their instructors. These teachers earned system contribution points based on their students' performance in the dungeons—the harder the dungeon, the more points—so there was no incentive for sabotage. It was highly probable that Finn's school would host a variety of other races, adding an extra layer of complexity and excitement to his future.

Besides a few mundane suggestions, the packet didn't offer much more than he already learned. But the tailored instructions and the glimpse into his new reality filled Finn with a mix of anticipation and resolve.