"Astral warfare?"
Genevieve was stunned.
"This is the Age of Reclamation, my darling," Valentina said.
"And the Imperium is at war. For the past twenty thousand years since the beginning of the Fifth Epoch, cosmic storms, invasions by other species, and the sheer vastness of the universe have isolated countless human worlds.
"It is our duty to unite our people. The Institute will prepare you for the wars that take place in the blackness of the astral sea. It is a rite of passage for every child born of the Great Noble Houses."
"So it is mandatory for us?" Genevieve couldn't help but frown. She never saw herself as a warrior. More of a scholar, really.
"Of course," Valentina replied matter-of-factly.
"We are the Great Noble Houses, descendants of the God Emperor. It is our duty to set an example for the rest of humanity. If the children of the First Sons indulge in decadence and abandon their responsibilities, how can we expect the rest of mankind to do any better?
