Shock and Awe

Seeing the number displayed before them, the room was left without words. This level of power was unfathomable in all of history. Even with being fully aware of Joe's ability to grown in strength, Clara never asked how far he had come since the last time he showed her his progress.

Whereas her parents had a shocked and confused look on their faces, she wore a look of awe. A sense of pride began to envelope her. With this single moment, Joe has already announced himself as the strongest being in history and here he stood stating to the renowned High General of their country that he would marry her.

"This is impossible!"

High General James was the first to break the silence. Until this moment, he held himself to a high standard. He prided himself on his strength yet before this teenager he would appear to be no more significant than an ant.

"I understand why you think that. Even I don't understand how this is made possible. Although I am not fully prepared to disclose every detail about how I have grown as strong as I have, I will tell you that it is possible for any person to grow exponentially should they be willing to put in the time required to do so."

Joe had nearly no issue with explaining how he is capable to reach this milestone in his life. However, if he explained the full method of his continuous growth, it could lead to a worse situation. It was likely, the father would immediately begin to ridicule him believing he was only with Clara to get stronger. When it was revealed that the two had not progressed to the point, questions that he was unable to answer now would be asked.

Worst case scenario, his relationship with Shianne would be reveal and her position within the Academy would be lost. Even without exposing what makes him different than the rest of the world, Joe could still satisfy the curiosity for the time being.

"Clara, I want you to view your parent's cores and tell me their states."

Without any question, Clara stood up and gracefully approached her mother.

"Mom, I need you to hold still and clear your mind. Focus on you magic core and keep you mind open."

Seeing the serious look on her daughter's face, Elizabeth closed her eyes and did as she was told. Seeing that her mother was cooperating, Clara brought her face close to her mothers and lightly touched their foreheads together. After a moment, she stood back up and moved to her father. The same scene played out yet again.

"There is no order to their cores. They are in complete chaos."

"What does that mean?"

With a look of curiosity, the High General again turned his attention to the young man in the room.

"It means that this is the weakest you could possibly be. It also means that whatever your strength is at this very moment it fails to express your true potential. I'm sure you are aware of the progress of every member within our class. I want you to try and recall the current and initial state of the current leader of First Squad."

After a moment of recollection, the High General's eyes widened as if he had reached a new level of enlightenment.

"Jonathon Ryan, age fifteen. Initially regarded as one of the least promising students in the first years. After the mid semester trials he was promoted to a Squad Leader. Are you saying that he did something that allowed him to completely rewrite his position within your class?"

"That is precisely what I am saying. Although he has not even achieved a quarter of his potential the last time he trained directly alongside me, he is the best example to show in this situation."

"What was it that you gave him to change that drastically in such a short period of time?"

"I showed him how to consolidate his core. By doing so, his strength is more uniform, and it is easier for the power within his body to be utilized. Clara and I can teach this method to you, but I must reemphasize that your progress will be entirely determined by your own dedication. The amount of time you put in will be the deciding factor on its effectiveness."

"Show me what I have to do. Every day, our enemies grow in number. Whether it is neighboring countries looking to rape us of our resources or demonic beast trying to reclaim land, with my position I have to be as powerful as possible."

Initially, Joe was going to teach this method to his future in-laws simply because they were Clara's parents. With the weight of the position that is a High General being explained to him, Joe now sees a new purpose and urgency for this.

"Clara, instruct your father on the method I taught you. I'll teach it to your mother."

"Don't do anything weird to my mother."

Joe could only laugh at the look he was receiving from her. Behind the serious look on her face, jealousy could be seen in her eyes. This situation made Joe question exactly how she viewed him as a man. Does she truly expect him to violate the bond between a husband and wife?

Without wasting another moment, Joe made his way around the table and stood before his future mother-in-law. With a mildly playful look on his face with the comment from Clara still fresh in his mind, Joe leaned forward positioning his face six inches from hers.

"I'm going to need you to completely clear your mind and focus on nothing. Once you do, I will be able to open a view of my core to you. I want you to focus on what I am doing to the unassimilated portions. After, I will explain how I achieve it."