A few days has already passed

The afternoon sun filtered through the windows of the private study, casting long golden beams across the desk.

Brandon was sitting on the chair, reading the reports from many corners of the world.

Scylla sat in the chair opposite him with a serious expression on her face.

She has become one of his most trusted subordinates in the short time since the awakening began.

"There is uproar in many places," Scylla said as she summarized the latest reports.

"Especially on the eastern side and in several smaller kingdoms. Some cities have seen riots. Markets shut down, people refusing to work, and families torn apart as newly awakened women suddenly possess power."

She picked up one of the scrolls and tossed it onto the desk.

"In the city of Valthar, a group of men attacked a temple dedicated to Rheanne."

"They’re calling her ascension a betrayal, saying she only blessed women and abandoned the rest of humanity."

"Similar groups are forming in other regions. ’The Sons of Equality,’ they call themselves. They’re angry that the power was given only to women."

Brandon’s gaze narrowed upon hearing this "We should take care of them first."

"And the nations?" he asked quietly.

Scylla nodded grimly "There are also rumors that several kingdoms are secretly recruiting awakened women to form elite forces."

"The Nubines Empire is apparently creating a new ’Divine Valkyrie Order.’ The smaller nations in the south are doing the same."

"They see this as the perfect opportunity to build unstoppable armies."

She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.

"The world is changing faster than anyone expected, Kael. Few days ago, women were ordinary citizens in most places."

"Now, some of them can level buildings if they lose control."

Brandon remained silent for a long moment, staring at the map of the world spread out before him.

"First thing, we need to control the rebel group who are against Rheanne."

Scylla nodded, "The ’Sons of Equality’ and similar factions are growing fast. They’re spreading propaganda that the Goddess abandoned men and only blessed women."

"There have already been attacks on smaller temples and bullying newly awakened women."

Brandon squinted his eyes "We cannot allow that narrative to spread. Issue a formal decree from the Holy Land immediately."

"Label these groups as heretics who dishonor Rheanne’s memory. Offer rewards for information on their leaders."

Scylla gave a sharp nod "I’ll handle the military side."

Brandon leaned back slightly, "Next, we need to build a place to train women to fight against monsters and towers."

He pointed to a central location on the map, a vast, open plain far away from the Holy Land.

"We’ll establish the first Grand Academy of Ether here. A dedicated training ground for awakened women of all backgrounds."

Scylla’s eyes gleamed with interest "That’s good. We can also persuade other Emperors for funds and make that place neutral."

A soft breath escaped Brandon’s lips ’Life is going to get busy for a while...’

---

Six months has passed since Rheanne’s ascension shook the world.

The initial chaos was immense.

For the first few weeks, the awakening of women had thrown entire nations into turmoil.

Fear, jealousy, religious fervor, and political ambition collided in a storm of unrest.

Riots broke out in several cities. Temples were vandalized.

Some men, terrified of their wives or daughters suddenly gaining superhuman power, tried to suppress them. Others tried to exploit them.

But gradually, the uproar began to decrease.

The Holy Land’s response played a major role.

Under Brandon’s leadership, the Grand Academy of Ether was established with remarkable speed.

Its training grounds became a light for newly awakened women from across the continent.

The academy offered free training, education, and guidance to kill monsters and clear dungeons.

Word spread quickly.

Women who once feared their new abilities flocked to the Academy.

Many used their powers to clear dungeons near their villages, defend trade routes, or help with construction projects.

Slowly, society began to adapt.

In the streets of Sanctum, it was no longer unusual to see women practicing basic ether techniques in public squares.

Freya, now heavily pregnant, often walked through the city with Selene.

People bowed respectfully, some even kneeling.

Freya became a symbol, the first wife of the Herald, carrying the child of the man closest to the Goddess.

Amelia had awakened as well. Her power leaned toward healing and support, and she threw herself into helping at the academy’s medical wing.

She spent long hours learning to mend wounds and soothe pain with her new ether.

Brandon, meanwhile, had become the de facto ruler of the Holy Land in all but name.

He spent his days in meetings, training some women in the academy, reviewing reports, and issuing decrees.

The age of female awakeners truly began.

And Brandon, whether he wanted it or not, had become one of its guiding figures.

---

A group of 15 women moved silently through the shadows of the forest on horses.

They were handpicked and trained in secret by the Nubines’ Empire.

These women were assassins, saboteurs, and war criminals.

Dark leather armor hugged their frames, reinforced with enchanted plates.

Their eyes gleamed with cold professionalism as they advanced toward their target, a small Holy Land outpost rumored to hold valuable ether research.

Their leader, a tall woman with sharp features and a scar across her left eye, raised her hand.

"Wait!"

The group halted instantly, but it was already too late.

A figure was standing in front of them, blocking their path.

The 15 women tensed as they instantly reached for their weapons.

The leader narrowed her eyes "Who the hell are you?"

Brandon spoke calmly, his voice carrying through the trees with quiet authority.

"No need for hostages. Kill them all."

From the shadows around the path, three figures emerged.

Scylla jumped in with a massive, double-headed battle axe "Finally, some fun."

The other two women were elite awakened fighters from the Grand Academy and each one of them was trained under Brandon’s direct guidance.

Scylla grinned ferociously, spinning her axe once with a low whistle.

"Let’s finish this for Master."

The 15 Nubines’ assassins moved instantly and got into formation, throwing poisoned needles, leaping through the trees, and striking from multiple angles with deadly precision.

Their movements were trained to perfection, aiming for vital points with ruthless efficiency.

But they were facing something far beyond ordinary soldiers.

Scylla charged first.

"Hah!" With a roar, she swung her massive axe in a wide, horizontal arc.

*swoosh* The blade cut through the air with terrifying speed.

Two assassins tried to dodge, but the axe cleaved through one woman’s midsection, while the force of the swing sent the second one flying into a tree with a sickening crunch.

*splash* Blood sprayed across the forest floor.

The other two awakened women moved with brutal coordination.

One of them, a tall woman with wind ether, dashed forward in a blur.

*sleesh* She sliced through the throat of an assassin mid-leap, then spun and drove her blade into another’s spine before the woman could react.

Another woman had dual blades, impaling two assassins through their neck and pinning them in place.

The Nubines’ assassins fought back desperately but the coordination of the three women was flawless.

Brandon stood back, as he didn’t need to intervene. His three elite fighters were more than enough.

The battle was one-sided and merciless.

Within minutes, the forest floor was littered with corpses.

Blood soaked the ground and broken bodies lay twisted among the roots.

Scylla planted her axe in the ground as blood splattered her armor and face, but she looked exhilarated.

"Pathetic," she spat, kicking one of the bodies. "All that training and they still died like dogs."

One of the women took the leader’s head and walked to Brandon before kneeling in front of him.

"We have accomplished the task, Master."

Looking down at her, Brandon nodded "Good work. Burn the bodies."

"As you wish, Master."