10 Seconds

The Titan Pearl's doctor then opened a flap of his officer's trench coat, revealing the numerous carbon tubes hanging from his leather belt. Slowly, he unclipped his coat and let it fall to the ground, revealing an ordinary soldier's uniform, but loose and stretchy enough to accommodate any movement.

"You're a Fluid Wielder. "Jake said with no change of expression. He had already braced himself for this eventuality since Avy Shanmin's bodyguards were themselves Fluid Masters on a tail.

Even on Earth, military personnel with specific training such as doctors or surgeons had officer status by default. This did not truly grant them authority, but the rank was nonetheless valid.

In a world where authority was synonymous with power, being a Fluid Wielder was a sure way to achieve and maintain social status. As the Titan Pearl was the 23rd expedition to Riva, there was no doubt that the Consortium knew that none of the previous expeditions had ever made it to their destination.