Every terminal in both households suddenly activated simultaneously, as if on cue.
Gaia's symbol appeared on every screen—an intricate mandala of light and data that pulsed with quiet authority.
"Good morning, Cross and Stormwind families," Gaia's voice filled the rooms, warm but carrying infinite power. "I apologize for the intrusion, but this matter requires immediate attention."
Everyone stood reflexively, except Runar who remained seated, his expression carefully neutral. Celestia stayed beside him, equally composed.
"Gaia," Jake said respectfully, his voice tight with surprise. "To what do we owe the honor of a direct communication?"
"I have a matter of great importance to discuss regarding Runar Cross and Celestia Stormwind," Gaia said. "Specifically, regarding their education and future development."
The holographic displays shifted, showing data streams that made the parents' eyes widen—cultivation graphs showing impossible growth curves, power assessments that shouldn't exist for their age group, maturation timelines that defied all conventional theory.
"Over the past two weeks, I have been monitoring both young cultivators closely," Gaia continued. "Their physique awakenings have been unprecedented in scope and speed. The rate of growth, the depth of comprehension, the maturation of both body and mind—all of it suggests potential that appears once in millions of years."
The displays showed more data—comparisons to historical geniuses, projected growth trajectories, assessment reports that made the parents' heads spin.
"Young Master Runar's creation of the Stellar Foundation Unity Method already marked him as exceptional," Gaia said. "But his continued advancement, combined with Miss Celestia's equally remarkable development, has led me to a conclusion."
The displays changed, showing an image of a massive academy complex on a world of breathtaking beauty—floating islands connected by bridges of pure light, crystalline spires that reached toward the heavens, gardens where reality itself seemed to bend, mountains that touched space itself.
"Runar Cross and Celestia Stormwind," Gaia announced formally. "You are hereby invited to attend the Prime Origin Academy."
The name hung in the air like thunder.
Prime Origin Academy
"Prime Origin..." Jake whispered, his face going pale. "That's..."
"The number one cultivation institution in all of humanity," Gaia confirmed. "Located on humanity's original homeworld, Earth-Prime, in the heart of the Primordial Galaxy. Hidden from standard Federation databases and accessible only by personal invitation from myself or one of the Eight Supremes."
The displays showed more detailed information:
Prime Origin Academy - Overview
Founded: 50,000 years ago by the First Supremes
Location: Earth-Prime, Primordial Galaxy (Core Territory)
Student Body: 10,000 total students (selected from 700 trillion humans)
Current Acceptance Rate: 0.0000001%
Instructors: Supernova to Neutron Star realm cultivators
Elders: Black Hole realm cultivators
Headmaster/Vice-Headmasters: Quasar realm cultivators (5 total, rotating leadership)
Supreme Advisors: Universal realm cultivators (3 of the Eight Supremes serve in rotation) Curriculum: Complete cultivation path from Stardust Awakening through Universal realm
Facilities: Law Comprehension Chambers, Pocket Dimensions for training, Ancient technique libraries, Dimensional combat arenas
Specialty: Nurturing geniuses who will shape humanity's future and defend against external threats
"Only the most exceptional talents in human history receive invitations," Gaia explained. "Individuals who demonstrate not just power, but the potential and character to advance humanity's position in the wider universe. Those who might one day join the ranks of the Eight Supremes themselves."
Caspian made a choking sound. Seraphina was gripping the table for support.
"Young Master Runar's creation of the Stellar Foundation Unity Method—which I made compulsory for all Federation citizens—already qualified him for consideration," Gaia continued. "His subsequent demonstration of cultivation genius and rapid advancement through multiple realms confirmed that assessment."
"Miss Celestia's unprecedented physique awakening, her combat capabilities far beyond her apparent age, and the loyalty and partnership she has shown in supporting Young Master Runar's growth qualifies her as well. The academy values not just individual strength, but the ability to forge powerful alliances and grow together with peers."
"This is..." Lirien couldn't finish the sentence.
"This is the opportunity of ten thousand lifetimes," Jake said quietly, his voice filled with awe. "Prime Origin Academy. Where the Eight Supremes trained. Where humanity's greatest heroes were forged."
"When would they leave?" Caspian asked, his voice cracking slightly.
"A cosmic transport ship will arrive in three days to collect all willing students from this galactic cluster," Gaia replied. "Approximately forty-seven other invitees from nearby worlds will be aboard. The journey to Earth-Prime takes one week through specialized space-time corridors that bypass normal travel limitations."
"Three days," Lirien repeated, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Only three more days."
"I understand this is sudden," Gaia said, and there was genuine warmth in her synthetic voice—something rare for the AI that managed trillions of lives across the Federation. "However, students are permitted—indeed, encouraged—to return home during breaks between semesters. The academy year runs in six-month cycles with one-month breaks. Transportation is provided via academy-controlled spatial gates. Travel time is instantaneous."
That helped. Runar could see some of the panic fade from his parents' faces.
"So they could come home every six months?" Seraphina asked hopefully.
"Yes. And communication is unrestricted," Gaia added. "Students can contact family at any time through standard terminals. The academy encourages maintaining family bonds—they have found that students with strong support networks perform better and develop more balanced personalities."
"What if we refuse?" Celestia asked, though everyone in the room knew she wouldn't.
"Then you continue your education through standard channels," Gaia said neutrally. "However, based on my analysis of your current capabilities, I estimate you would both find any conventional academy desperately inadequate within two days. Continental Academy's strongest instructor is Star Fusion Stage 5. Based on combat assessments, Miss Celestia could most likely defeat him. Young Master Runar could certainly do so."
She let that sink in.
"Prime Origin Academy offers opponents and challenges appropriate to your actual level," Gaia continued. "Instructors who have forgotten more about cultivation than most people ever learn. Peers who can push you to your limits. Resources that can help you reach heights that would otherwise be impossible. And most importantly—safety."
That last word made the parents tense.
"Safety?" Jake asked sharply.
"Young Master Runar created a Federation-mandatory cultivation technique at one month old," Gaia stated bluntly. "He has demonstrated genius that appears once in millions of years. Miss Celestia has achieved combat power that rivals cultivators centuries older. Together, they represent... significant value to certain factions. Not all of whom respect Federation law."
The implication was clear and chilling.
"The Prime Origin Academy is located in the Primordial Galaxy—the most secure region of human space," Gaia continued. "It is personally protected by three of the Eight Supremes in rotation. No enemy force has successfully attacked it in fifty thousand years of operation. While your children are there, they are safer than anywhere else in the universe."
Runar felt his parents relax slightly at that. Safety had always been their primary concern.