anticipated the worst outcome  

The two major factions in the academy are precisely because they do not recognize each other, leading to a strange and dysfunctional parliamentary system that convenes meetings at the drop of a hat.

Dirk nodded, signaling Lynn behind him to step forward and explain.

In the plan, Lynn would be responsible for assisting Clark in managing this group of awakened individuals. With her strong mental power, she was the perfect candidate for monitoring and managing. Without a unified command, the established safe zone would only be scattered!

"The highest commander will be our captain."

"The crisis is imminent! We have no time to waste."

"Therefore, we plan to implement a wartime system. All awakened individuals must adhere to military regulations, and there can only be one voice in the safe zone!"

"Everyone must unconditionally obey the highest command and fully engage in construction!"

"Wartime system!"

"Military regulations?"

"What a joke!"

"Why should your people be the leaders?"

In the current days, as long as they were awakened, life was extremely comfortable. Despite the threat of doomsday and scarce resources, they still enjoyed the best treatment and privileges. Priority supply of food, women, residence—all were top-notch.

The corruption of power and privilege surpassed any period in history, and if not for the fact that most people in the academy were still students, there would be more reservations in their actions.

Seeing the current situation, Lynn and the others sighed lightly, even though they had already demonstrated their strength. Even though Arnold had shown the ability to kill most people, as soon as it came to the core interests of this group, everyone instinctively resisted and was unwilling to obey.

"Why should we listen to you?"

This is our academy, and you are the outsiders! Even if there is unified command, the person should be chosen from among us!

This time, whether it's the academic faction or the leadership, all awakened individuals and students are filled with indignation.

"Oh?"

"Classmates, I think this group of people has just fabricated a bunch of lies to deceive us! Their real purpose is to take over the academy and make us work like slaves for them!"

The speaker was not afraid of Arnold taking action against him. It's just that, from Lynn's words and the fact that Arnold hasn't resorted to violence again, he realized that this group of people probably wouldn't continue to use force. After all, if every awakened individual is indeed a valuable resource, creating a safe zone is pointless if they keep killing each other.

Most of the people present, being college students, also understood this logic. When someone stepped forward to intervene, they immediately echoed the sentiment.

As for Dirk's explanation that their actions were to confront a crisis, the others paid no attention.

"Classmates, with so many awakened individuals among us, why should we take orders from these three? Isn't this a huge joke!"

"We have so many people. If you're capable, go ahead and kill us all!"

"I don't see how you can establish a safe zone without us!"

The first student who had questioned the situation earlier stood by the window, looking at Lynn and the others with a face full of hostility. Although he didn't have a good relationship with the deceased redhead, they shared a common dislike.

Thinking that once everyone agreed to the actions of this group, the so-called wartime management and the heavenly life they had enjoyed so far would bid him a permanent farewell, he couldn't help but feel resentful.

No more pursuit from the class beauty, no more being served by the top student, no more teachers flattering them – all of these would cease to exist!

As the discontent in the conference room grew louder, some had even started to curse loudly. Arnold's expression soured. He really wanted to slap the group of idiots in front of him to death, telling them that if he didn't want to kill fewer people, he wouldn't give them a chance through Clark.

Damn it, among these people, only a handful would survive with one hand, all thanks to Clark's mercy!

"Cough, cough."

Watching the three with unpleasant expressions, a hint of mockery flashed in the eyes of the deputy head in the leadership. He glanced at Gerard, who had his head gripped.

Maybe, this is still a chance for him.

"Dear students, listen to me."

"Everyone doesn't need to be so agitated. What if these comrades who came from afar are telling the truth?"

"Establishing a safe zone will definitely benefit everyone."

"As for the systemic issues, we can discuss and have a meeting, where everyone can speak freely..."

The deputy head sneered inwardly, seemingly adopting an official tone to persuade the emotionally charged crowd.

War-time management? Unified command was absolutely impossible. But he didn't want to completely anger Arnold and the others. So, he decided to use the political tactics, dragging it out slowly. As long as these people still wanted to rely on them, they would have to acknowledge it in the end. Perhaps, when the few strongest awakened individuals from the academy returned from the mountains...

At the back of the conference room, Clark calmly watched the farce in front of him. Under the pressure of his powerful mental strength, the crowd instinctively ignored him.

Outside the window, it was already noon, the sunshine brilliant. He casually raised his arm to check the countdown on his watch, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

19:59:59.

The meeting concluded at 4:00 PM. It had been 8 hours since Clark and his team arrived. Arnold, carrying Gerard in his hands, walked at the front with a dark expression.

Despite nearly 8 hours of discussion, even though they had compromised on various wartime management regulations and promised not to harm the interests of the awakened, a unified consensus had not been reached.

In the words of the deputy head, they needed to study and discuss, but they would definitely provide an answer.

Knowing it was just a delaying tactic, Arnold wanted to intimidate them again a few times, but Dirk stopped him. Killing again would leave no hope of persuading the academy.

Internal team communication.

Lynn forced a smile and tried to console the somewhat downhearted Dirk.

"Well, we've already anticipated the worst outcome, haven't we?"

"Or rather, it's not the worst. We just want to give them a chance."

Dirk nodded heavily.

"Damn it, now I feel like Clark was right! What a bunch of nonsense. Might as well follow Clark's suggestion and kill them all!"

"A bunch of high-and-mighty fools, still putting on airs."

Clark remained silent. The current situation was something Arnold and the others had to experience.

Not to mention they had no evidence, they could only rely on strength to prove that there was no need to deceive the academy.

Even if there is evidence, so what? In the face of imminent disasters throughout history, even under the threat of national destruction, many still choose self-deception and vie for power.

Examples of this are abundant; the inherent wickedness of human nature remains unchanged. Only through blood, only through killing can people be awakened to reality! Speaking more broadly, Clark's idea is by no means as simple as establishing a safe zone.