**Chapter 47: The Celestial Gaze**

The victory banquet swirled around Ibukun in a haze of clinking glasses and false smiles. Academy officials, rival agents, and Celestial League scouts mingled beneath floating lanterns that cast shifting shadows across the obsidian walls. Yet only one presence mattered tonight.

Nyx stood near the balcony, a silhouette cut from midnight. Her gold-threaded dress clung to hypnotic curves, the neckline dipping just low enough to make every man in the room subtly adjust their stance. But her eyes—those unnerving golden eyes—remained locked on the trio of white-robed figures entering the hall.

*"Celestial League evaluators,"* Jay-Jay's hologram muttered in Ibukun's ear. *"That bald one? Master Yuvan. Scouted Messi's regen last season."*

Ibukun didn't react. The System's analysis streamed across his vision:

**>> SUBJECTS DETECTED: CELESTIAL LEAGUE SCOUTS

>> THREAT ASSESSMENT: HIGH (CAREER OUTCOME VARIABLE)

>> RECOMMENDED ACTION: STANDARD PERFORMANCE PROTOCOLS <<**

Nyx's fingers brushed his elbow. *"They're here for you,"* she murmured, her breath warm against his ear. *"Don't speak unless spoken to. Let your stats do the talking."*

---

### **The Evaluation**

Master Yuvan's gaze weighed heavier than Obsidian Throne's gravity chambers. His gloved hands unfolded a shimmering data-slate displaying Ibukun's match history.

*"87% pass accuracy under triple-marking,"* the scout mused. *"But these reaction times..."* His nail tapped the screen. *"They fluctuate. Almost as if..."*

Nyx materialized at Ibukun's side, her perfume drowning out the scent of spiced wine. *"As if he's holding back?"* She smiled, all sharp edges. *"Smart boy doesn't show his full hand in academy matches."*

Yuvan's eyebrow twitched. *"We shall see. The Proving Grounds don't tolerate... restraint."*

As the scouts moved away, Ibukun's System flared:

**>> WARNING: BIOMETRIC SCANS DETECTED

>> COUNTERMEASURES ENGAGED

>> TRUE CAPABILITIES: CONCEALED <<**

Nyx's fingernails dug into his wrist—a silent *well done*.

---

### **The Whisper Network**

Later, in the private lounge, Jay-Jay's hologram paced furiously. *"That was too close! Since when do they bring neural mappers to banquets?"*

Ibukun exhaled sharply. The champagne flute in his hand trembled slightly. *"They suspect something."*

*"Of course they do!"* Jay-Jay whirled. *"You went from decent prospect to top-tier talent in six months. Nyx might be shielding you now, but—"*

The door hissed open. Nyx entered, followed by a server carrying two glasses of something that glowed faintly blue. She dismissed him with a glance that had the man bowing on his way out.

*"Relax,"* she purred, handing Ibukun a glass. *"Yuvan's suspicious of everyone. But he'll report what I want him to."*

Ibukun studied the swirling liquid. *"And what's that?"*

Nyx's smile could have melted tungsten. *"That you're exactly the investment I promised."*

---

### **The Revelation**

The alcohol burned like liquid starlight. Ibukun's System flickered briefly—just long enough to display:

**>> COMPOUND ANALYSIS: CELESTIAL AMBROSIA

>> EFFECTS: NEURAL DAMPENING (SCAN RESISTANCE +32%)

>> ORIGIN: ILLEGAL (CLASS 9 RESTRICTED SUBSTANCE) <<**

Jay-Jay's hologram glitched violently. *"Kid, that's League-contraband! How the hell did she—"*

Nyx swirled her glass, watching the light refract through it. *"Every player I've ever represented received this drink exactly once."* Her golden eyes lifted. *"The night before their Celestial trials."*

Ibukun's throat went dry. *"You're accelerating the timeline."*

*"No."* She set down her untouched glass. *"I'm removing the training wheels."*

From her clutch, she produced a holo-bead. It projected three names:

**LIRANTHA KAI** *(Current holder: Celestial Golden Boot)*

**DARIUS VOIDSTEP** *(All-time Champions League assist leader)*

**MALCOLM STORMBREAKER** *(Last non-League player to score at World Cup 2873)*

*"My last three protégés,"* Nyx said. *"All drank that. All passed their trials. All now wear League crests."* She leaned in, her neckline doing distracting things with the lighting. *"The question is... are you ready to join them?"*

The System, for once, had no warnings.

Only a single pulsing line:

**>> DECISION POINT: ACCELERATED ASCENSION PROTOCOLS AVAILABLE <<**

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