“Sit.”Zeke approached the Principal’s desk and quietly sat down. After his brief and unexpected meeting with Frederic, he directly headed to Erys, specifically to Solas.It was only natural Zeke came here to discuss what happened last time as well as thank the old man for sending Erva and Christopher to escort him.“Just so you know, your clamorous show on my campus didn’t go unnoticed. Not only did you fail to kill Olivia Vyrsan, but you also alerted the Department of Defense of your secrets. I had plan… so if you had trusted in my judgment, things wouldn’t have escalated so quickly.”“Thank you for your help.” Zeke paused ever-so-slightly before adding, “However, were you in my situation, you would have trusted no one either.”“I suppose you’re right. Much of your skepticism and ignorance stems from your young age, Zeke. You can’t just do whatever you want and pay no heed to the consequences. As a student of Erys, it falls to me to deal with any troubles you concoct. I really hope
“Show me… show me! Why won’t you show me? Damnit!”Frederic kicked the table and almost threw the sinister artifact resting before him.The Eye of Malediction was a high-grade artifact that revealed many hints to him, but it worked in a mysterious way. Moreover, there were times when it didn’t react at all and just laid there, no different than a creepy decor.“Greetings esteemed Frederic.”Startled by the gentle disembodied voice, Frederic turned around and surveyed his empty hotel room before snapping his fingers. The sound of shattering glass echoed across the room before a figure appeared near the door.“Ghaoul. Always creeping around like a stalker.”“Pardon me, but I didn’t want to interrupt you.”Frederic grunted and unceremoniously waved his hand, unperturbed by the arrival of this dangerous assassin.“Why are you here? Want my head?”“Good gracious! Of course not!”Ghoul took off his hat and shook his head, feigning being hurt.“It hurts my pride to say this, but you are one
“Wasn’t there two?”The mustached Stephan Dontoryian looked at the tied-up Sulong before turning his attention to his bruised subordinates.“The other one escaped, sir.”The underworld gang boss grunted and kicked his fearful subordinate. Once he was done venting his frustration, he shifted back his attention to the grinning Sulong.“Boss, I don’t think we’ve ever met. Sulong Braveheart, at your service.”“I don’t need to know the name of a worthless street thug. Once that brat comes looking for you, I’ll kill you in front of him.”Sulong chuckled and wriggled left and right, seemingly trying to make himself comfortable.“Might I inquire what this is all about? I’m a man of business and I don’t see why we can’t cooperate.”“Spare me your lies. I’ve seen enough of you dogs that I could stomach. Always switching allegiances and trying to look for a quick Alc.”“Oh? It’s a shame.”Sulong’s smile widened as he broke free of the bounds and let out a heat blast that sent everyone, including
[Summoning to the Extinction Order completed] [Initiating the regular examination and evaluation.] [...] Zeke stood before the majestic mausoleum, in awe despite seeing it for the second time. It was unlike any building he had ever seen. Below it, the space around it, and below it was nothing but hazy clouds, floating about and obfuscating whatever was lurking below or above. Before he stepped inside, he patiently waited for the System to finish the unexplained ‘Examination and Evaluation.’ [No malware or interference detected.] [Evaluation of ‘Voltage Syn, Zeke’: 59.7 points.] [A total of 20 PE will be rewarded.] [Examination will begin in 10 minutes.] [Summoning all available seats: Seats of Criminality and Seat of Death.] Two rays of lights appeared next to Zeke, lasting for a couple of seconds before Sulong Braveheart and Velvet Signora appeared. “W-what? Zeke?” The bald and muscular man was absolutely gobs-smacked to see himself appear in an unfamiliar place. With a du
“I still can’t believe I’m here. Do you even know we are, Zeke?”“Either a dimension separate from our reality or a creation of the System. It doesn’t matter where we are… it’s safe.”“Huh! Tell that to the dead Chimera outside.”Zeke rolled his eyes and walked away from the talkative Sulong.Although Signora’s revelations were surprising, Zeke didn’t have the means to investigate more. There might be useful information in Erys’ library, but the upper floors were restricted to teachers and Fourth-year Students. There was even a so-called ‘super-secret’ floor that contained ancient Aether-related techniques, records about Alchemy, and historical documents that preceded the Earthling’s arrival to this planet.However, that floor was only accessible by the Principal and a handful of other individuals.[PE Shop available for use.][List of items:Aether Recovery Elixir: 20 PE Aether Sensitivity Elixir: 20 PE (one-time use)Black Fang Revolver (2nd-grade Artifact): 30 PEVentus Sword (2nd
Zeke pinched his temples and paced in front of Veronica as he tried to process everything she had said.“So, in summation, Azmer joined your little cult then got himself captured by the Department of Defense.”“That’s the gist of it, yeah.”Zeke halted his feet and stared at her with narrowed eyes, which made her wryly smile and add,“I watched your fight against him a couple of weeks ago. I know the history between the two of you.”“Then, in your infinite wisdom, you decided to come to me for help? Why do you think I would care about Azmer after all he’s done?”Veronica frowned and, with a slighter higher tone, retorted,“You’re not a bad person, Zeke. Neither is Azmer. He doesn’t deserve to be locked up there and tortured.”“He’s got to learn to face the consequences of his mistakes.”“Yes.” She solemnly replied, “But this is not the way. The things they’ll do to him are beyond your imagination. They won’t care even if he’s William Lorson’s son.”“...”After looking at her in silenc
“S-sir! We’re under attack! You must leave.”“Under attack? By who?”While dragging his fat body towards the secret exit, Colonel George’s face distorted as he reproached his subordinates. It was clear that he was afraid and didn’t want to stay here for an extra second.Whether the invader was a single person or a group, George didn’t care. He prioritized his safety over anything else...On the ground floor, Zeke, shrouded in a spider-web made of crackling lightning, was dashing forward. Thunderbolts were illuminating the corridors as he shot any and all agents in his way. The bullets flying at him were repelled by Bibi’s magical orbs or blocked by Maxwell’s translucent white shields.He was the vanguard of the team, taking the lead and eliminating all threats while Maxwell and Bibi supported him.Xiao, Frederic, and Veronica separated from them to look for Azmer on the lower floors.“Stop them!”“Where are the Special Agents?”Special Agents were mostly the ability-users, like Eliz
“I’m telling you, it’s that freak. I told you we should lock him up!”Colonel George, who was seething with anger, smashed his hand on the table as he glared at the expressionless Edward Orland.“He was wearing a mask. It’s too early to draw a conclusion. It could be a trick to fool us into blaming Zeke.” Calmly replied Edward as he crossed his arms and waited for the others to comment.The Vice-president did his best to hide what happened, but an invasion of such magnitude wouldn’t be able to escape the Department of Defense’s watchful eyes.Within hours, the high executives learnt of the incident and an urgent meeting was called. “I agree with Edward. Why would the kid risk exposing himself and even ally with the Ivory Oak Order? It doesn’t make sense.”A middle-aged woman with an eye patch over her right eye tapped her index on the documents before her while uttering those words. From the piercing gaze she gave to the fat Vice-President, it was clear that she disliked him. “For t