(From MC's perspective)
Tier-7 Baguva City,
Ricardo Compton doesn't want Erik to cause any problems. So he interrupted him by saying, "Erik, can you give him some break now?"
After saying that he added further, "Let's focus on Trunulesia Forest."
Erik twitched, after hearing the lecture again. Then he took a glance at me before nodding at me.
I'm getting tensed right now. From this guy's attitude and behaviour, he doesn't look good at all. I feel something bad is going to happen sooner or later.
On the other hand, I saw Elder Compton diverted the topic by asking Trunulesia Forest.
Beep!
Erik Lloyd suddenly got a message from someone. After staying that, he immediately left the place. Only after seeing his disappearing back, I sighed in relief.
"Zack, I have to remind you about something," Elder Compton said.
Hearing that, I looked at Elder Thornton before turning towards him.
"He had requested me to allow his relative to join the exploration team earlier. So he is pissed by your addition to the team," Compton said.
Hearing that, I soon connected the dots. No wonder, he is aggressive towards me. Realising that, I sighed inwardly. I thought my trip will be nice.
But looks like I need to stay away from certain people. Then I suddenly thought of something.
"Elder, what is his strength?" I asked.
"Peak Trainee - Earth element warrior," Compton said.
I wasn't surprised by the base. I guessed he might be a strong trainee warrior. Fortunately, he is not elite. Otherwise, the trip will be nothing worse than a nightmare.
At this time, Elder Thornton interjected by saying, "is he not half-step elite?"
Because Thornton felt that person's strength is stronger than him. It's been a long since he had felt this way before.
That's why he was silent the whole time.
Ricardo Compton furrowed his eyebrows. Because he didn't feel anything from his probing. Earlier, when he laid his hands on Erik's shoulder. He didn't feel any strong oppressive energy.
But he knows there is nothing possible. There is quite a possibility for him to cultivate some other technique.
"Don't worry, he is not half-step elite. But I guess he has terrible techniques in his hands," Ricardo Compton said.
Then he remembered these two haven't taken any rest yet.
"Okay, take some rest. I'll take you to my office in the evening," Ricardo added further.
Hearing that, I finally felt some good. There is some alone time. Then Elder Compton showed us our room.
Elder Thornton's room is opposite to me. After talking with Elder Compton for a few minutes, I walked into my room.
After closing the door, I began to check the nook and corner of the room. This became a habit of mine.
After making sure, there is nothing suspicious gadgets. I collapsed into the king-size bed. Feeling the warm feeling of the cosy bed. I felt tiredness wash over me.
I got an immediate urge to sleep. Then without realising myself, I slept.
On the other hand, Elder Thornton walked into his room. The first thing he did was check his inbox. After going through the new unread messages, he began to feel a headache.
Because most of the message is from well-known people. Everyone wants to know about their small competition. Elder Thornton doesn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"My situation has become similar to the crimson hall. But on small scale," He muttered to himself.
Then he noticed he also had a few missed calls. Seeing that he began to check, he wasn't surprised by the names except for one person.
"Arthur?" He said.
A quick glint flashed into his eyes. Thornton knows about Arthur's behaviour. Arthur mostly likes to send him text messages. Only in case of an emergency, he will call directly.
As this thought rose in his heart, he immediately contacted him. When the call was connected, he asked, "Arthur, what happened?"
Coincidentally, Arthur is currently waiting for the manager Walter inside the city lord mansion.
He sighed in relief after getting Elder Thornton's call.
Arthur answered, "Elder, something is up" after saying that he began to explain the situation.
Thornton's face changed drastically. He felt he had underestimated the new city lord. The city lord summoned Arthur. He feels bad.
Thornton doesn't know what the new city lord is up to. But he feels it's very important and it might be related to Hansen institute.
Then he quickly thought of something and replied, "Arthur, don't offend him. Just agree to whatever request he has. We will think of something once I return."
Arthur noticed someone approaching him. When he saw manager Walter, he replied, "Okay" before ending the call casually.
"Who is on the phone?" Manager Walter asked.
Arthur replied, "Office staff,"
"I didn't tell anyone that I'm coming here," he added.
Manager Walter nodded and said, "We have to wait for a while. Lord is speaking to someone right now."
"Okay, no problem," Arthur said.
On the other hand, Thornton couldn't able to sit still. Because Arthur is at city lord mansion. He doesn't know much about the city lord Alex.
He hopes that Arthur is smart enough to handle the conversation with that Alex. He also wants Arthur to collect as much as information possible.
It's been several days since he left Hansen institute, but the city lord is still staring at the Hansen building.
...
City Lord Hall- Red Stone City,
After getting permission from the lord, manager Walter led Arthur into the huge hall. Right now, the new city lord is yet to come.
Arthur's heart was not calm at all. He wanted to speak with manager Walter. But the manager Walter looked solemn.
"What is going on?" Arthur asked in his heart.
The next second, he heard the sound of footsteps coming in their direction.
Alex Fuller glanced at them before walking up to the main chair and sitting on it.
Arthur was nervous. He saw the face of the new city lord. He doesn't appear to be scary at all. But he knows that this person has a similar strength to Elder Thornton.
Alex Fuller fell into contamination for a while. He is thinking about how to use this fellow.
"Where is your chairman?" Alex Fuller asked.
"Lord, he went to his home," Arthur replied.
Hearing that, Alex furrowed his eyebrows. He felt it was better to ask about the small competition.
"I heard that your institute is going to conduct small completion in a few weeks," Alex Fuller said.
"Yes, my lord, we are working on it," Arthur replied. He remembers Elder Thornton's reminder. He doesn't want to spill more facts.
Alex Fuller is slightly getting displeased. Usually, people lick his boots and divulged the information before he could stress.
But this person in front of him is acting strangely. A quick flash into Alex Fuller's eyes as he suddenly thought of something.
He looked at Arthur before replying, "Okay, you can leave now."
Hearing that, manager Walter was stunned. He looked at lord in confusion. He more or less had guessed the lord's intention. But the lord didn't inquire about the internal situation of Hansen Institute.
On the other hand, Arthur was startled. He suddenly feels his thoughts were seen through by the new city lord.
At this moment, he felt that Elder Thornton was right in his warning. He reminded him not to offend the new city lord.
The next second, he didn't waste any time. After giving a slight bow, he left the hall immediately.
Manager Walter didn't raise any questions until Arthur walked out of the hall. When Arthur completely disappeared.
Manager Walter looked at the city lord. Looking at the lord's solemn mood he became hesitant. He doesn't know whether to ask the question or not.
Alex Fuller noticed the expression of the manager Walter.
SIGH
He sighed inwardly before saying, "That Arthur guy is not good. I feel he is hiding something."
Manager Walter seemed to understand something. He replied, "Lord, we can summon another elder."
Hearing that, Alex Fuller raised his hand to stop him.
"Don't do anything right now. Just continue to stare at the building. I'll think of something else," Alex Fuller instructed.
Hearing that Manager Walter nodded before leaving the discussion hall.
Alex Fuller realised he was being too hasty. First, he needs to find those forces who are against crimson Hall. He thinks that they might know more about Hansen Institute than anyone else.
The reason he didn't inquire about the head of the Frazier clan. Because Frazier Clan's head has close ties with the Hansen Institute.
After his warning, he believes that Frazier Clan's head is not stupid enough to inform Chairman Thornton.
After gaining some clarity, he rose from the seat and walked into his room.
Outside of the mansion,
Arthur didn't stop his movements until he walked out of the mansion. Only after getting farther away from the mansion, he breathed in relief.
"Too scary," he mumbled under his breath. He felt fortunate that the meeting was over. He can't handle the pressure of the meeting. The new city lord is clearly up to something.
Realizing that, he decided to inform Elder Thornton after returning to Hansen Institute.