Lennok, feeling uncomfortable, lightly scratched his cheek, and Velber shook his head, displaying an expression of incredulity.
No, its just unbelievable that you can detect and analyze magical manipulation happening at such a fast pace from that distance. Velber comnted.
We might have a rough idea of how to manipulate mana from experience, but its not the sa for Van.
Exactly. I thought he had no interest in anything that involves hitting and smashing Dray chid in.
Upon hearing Drays observation, Lennok couldnt help but chuckle. In truth, he had never revealed his limited physical coordination and vulnerability in close combat situations.
Lennok was ticulous in his approach to battle, always ticulously planning his strategies and positioning for victory before engaging in any conflict.
His mastery lay in capitalizing on his strengths while concealing his weaknesses, resulting in battles that seldom involved close combat, where he appeared invulnerable.
Nonetheless, there were those who discerned that Lennok had an aversion to physical exertion, even though he never openly displayed such a preference. Over ti, they subconsciously picked up on these tendencies through their collaborative efforts.
Well, its not like Im not interested in physical combat But right now, there are more important things to take care of. Lennok stated, his gaze fixed upon an object resting on his desk.
Woong woong woong
Before him sat a crystal sphere infused with swirling blue magica magic core emitting a gentle, self-sustained warmth.
This was the very magic core that Killian had pilfered from Dyke Corporations factory site, initially targeted by the Cartels execution squad and subsequently obtained by Lennok.
Since then, Lennok had dedicated himself to the task of stabilizing this volatile magic core. Jenny had temporarily arranged this office space for him, asserting that the companys CEO required a private workspace for handling such tasks.
The stabilization is almost complete.
His decision to retrieve the magic core had not been in vain. While Lennoks mana recovery rate outstripped that of most other wizards, his raw mana was not exceptionally high, considering his peers.
It was absurd to think that soone with just over two years of magical experience could match the innate capacity and accumulated strength of seasoned wizards. Yet, this deficiency in basic mana occasionally posed challenges for Lennok.
For instance, he required extended periods to cast spells after deploying a Domain due to the substantial mana consumption. Additionally, his limited magical energy prevented him from employing potent spells he might have otherwise wielded.
While he had been cautious with significant magical expenditures to avert critical crises, Lennok aspired to eliminate hindrances in critical monts. At least until his mana surpassed that of his peers by a significant margin.
Considering the rate at which my mana is growing, I may not require this for long. But for now, it will be of substantial assistance.
Wiiiing
Lennok channeled his mana into the core, ticulously circulating its internal circuits.
In essence, a magic core harnessed the intense heat generated during the breakdown and reassembly of magic particles within itself as a power source.
The primary reason these cores were deed efficient yet unstable energy sources was their susceptibility to external disturbances during the particle breakdown process, leading to uncontrollable heat generation.
Consequently, Lennok aid to reduce the heat conversion process to minimize risk. He had created an external circulation pathway by substituting the reassembling mana particles with his own, effectively endowing him with an additional reserve of mana exclusive to him.
In practical terms, this ant he could temporarily execute potent spells exceeding his current magical capacity.
As Lennok concentrated on the magic core, a vigorous knock echoed on his door.
Co in.
Van!!
Jenny burst into the room, panting and drenched in sweat, having rushed to the rooftop of this three-story building. It was evident she lacked the physical conditioning Lennok possessed.
Whats the matter?
Rather than responding verbally, Jenny handed over a laptop she had been clutching to Lennok.
Cartel is on the move. Its big.
Lennok perused the email displayed on the laptop screen, and a hollow chuckle escaped his lips.
He had been anticipating so form of reaction after handing over Girard Ojette, but this developnt had caught him off guard.
An executive eting convened under the chairmans authority
Look at the nas invited here, not just the fact that its a eting.
Beneath the roster of executive nas, Vans na was prominently featured. Given the circumstances, there was no room for error or misunderstanding in the list of attendees. This could only an one thing
A direct invitation from the chairman.
The sparring ca to a sudden halt, and a hushed discussion erupted among those gathered in Lennoks office.
It looks too dangerous. Dray voiced her concern.
An executive eting. In other words, almost certainly, the entire board of directors including the chairman will be convened, along with senior executives.
If they have set a trap, theres no guarantee Van can escape on his own.
The location of the eting doesnt necessarily suggest that. Velita countered.
A large convention hall in District 32, connected to a sports stadium, capable of accommodating 80,000 people, and crucially, it has an open-sky architectural structure.
The eting is just three days away. It would be too overwhelming in terms of ti and scale to set traps in such a wide area
Kilians observation prompted nods of agreent from the group.
If they rented the entire stadium, the cost would be enormous. I cant believe Cartel would spend so much money on a futile effort Why are you all looking at like that?
Lennok ignored Velbers comnt, sinking into deep contemplation.
The Demonic Eye left behind by Eolara still resided in Lennoks possession. In essence, she had taken custody of Girard on Virgils behalf, putting her own life at risk as collateral.
This, then, must be Virgils response to Lennoks negotiation proposal
Lets sort out the issues we need to consider first.
anwhile, Jenny took charge of organizing the situation.
Olivera Ron Maize. Everyone knows the na, but its been decades since this na was directly ntioned in Cartels docunts.
Despite agreeing to a smooth negotiation with Virgil in exchange for evidence of the traitor within Cartel and Girards custody, if this is their response Its safe to assu the chairmans will is involved.
A heavy silence enveloped the room.
The weight of that na was palpable to all present.
Lennok was acutely aware of Olivera Ron Maize, Cartels chairman.
Officially active half a century ago, she had retired indefinitely decades ago, having already surpassed the hierarchy of her ti as a wizard.
A titan who had largely refrained from visible involvent in Cartels managent activities, only occasionally hinting at her continued existence, was now resuming official dutiesthis was no coincidence.
Back to the chairman
This developnt was not entirely unexpected.
If internal strife within Cartel had reached its highest echelons, it was a situation that could only be resolved with the direct intervention of the chairman.
However, Lennok had hoped that Virgil would divert the chairmans attention away from him and Jennys business, but it appeared that their plans were not unfolding as expected.
The inevitable reality had to be confronted.
If invited, I should accept.
Are you sure? Dray inquired, to which Lennok offered a wry smile.
If they wanted to kill , they wouldnt make such a grand gesture As Velita said, if its in the middle of District 32, civilians will inevitably be involved. She cant be unaware of that.
A level 6 wizard. The state of the factory site where Lennok had clashed with Avid was widely knowna site brutally and rcilessly decimated, spanning hundreds of ters.
If that was the extent of the destruction wrought by a battle between level 6 high wizards, one could only imagine the effective range of a sorcerer who had evidently ascended to a higher plane.
Not only agents but all sorts of monsters within the city administration will be thoroughly checked. Its an exaggeration to say her real body would appear there.
Lennok adjusted the laptop slightly as he continued.
Technically, this is a ceremonial act to publicly disclose the process of purging internal traitors within Cartel.
Was there an internal decision that its impossible to hide such a big event? But calling to it
Lennok was confident that he could escape on his own if anything were to go awry.
The opportunity he had gained after consuming Yaksons dicine, the internal transformations, and the developnt of the Domainall factors contributing to his abilities.
Furthermore, the energy sourcethe magic corehe had acquired after defeating Cartels execution squad.
If Olivera did indeed appear with the intent to eliminate Lennok, both Evelyn and Antares would co to his aid.
It was not an exaggeration to say that Lennok, who was not easily ensnared in a trap, had little to fear.
The others nodded in agreent with Lennoks resolute statent.
Everyone gathered in that room had either worked alongside Lennok or had firsthand experience of his exceptional wizardry from the opposing side.
His extraordinarily rapid growth and his keen judgnt.
His unique intuition, which had never faltered in countless encounters, was acknowledged by all.
If Van says so.
Jenny shrugged her shoulders silently, her deanor displaying a calm resolve, as if she had anticipated this turn of events from the beginning.
Weve only started working together for a month, and already things have escalated this much.
Kilian sighed, and Dray nodded in agreent.
To conclusively end our confrontation with Cartel, the most certain way is to convey our intentions directly to them. I understand.
Do we just need to relay the ssage to the chief? Velber inquired, and Lennok nodded.
Yes. I want to make a request to Antares. Ive already received a firm answer before, but this might be the last event that concludes our dealings with Cartel.
The optimal outco would be to bring this chapter to a close without unnecessarily depleting their resources, particularly now that Jennys venture had demonstrated significant potential. There was no need to force a decisive confrontation with Cartel at this juncture.
However, what would be the cost of the bloodshed and sacrifices made thus far? Lennok had already upheld his end of the bargain by exposing the traitor within Cartel.
Now, it was ti for Cartels leadership to respond directly.
***
District 32. Elents Stadium.
A beloved sports team in the 30s districts had recently completed the construction of a new stadium, thanks to fervent support from fans. It had swiftly beco a distinctive landmark in the area, boasting various facilities for conventions and large-scale performances, contributing significantly to community services.
The news that this stadium, a source of pride for the District 32 residents, was temporarily closed for a day barely made headlines.
For civilians, there was no reason to suspect the tension and ominous shadows that lood over this place.
Nevertheless, the full might of the great citys powers converged on the stadium for the day.
Cartels executive gathering.
The significance of this massive assembly, summoned by Cartels chairman in her own na for the first ti in decades, was not lost on anyone.
-The agreent with the police chiefs of Districts 32, 30, and 35 is finalized. From now on, well introduce variables to all traffic signals near the stadium for half a day. The frequency of civilian vehicles within a 3 km radius will be significantly reduced.
Understood. Were almost ready on our end.
Hina ONeil, a mber of the intelligence division of the agents, responded through her earpiece and swiftly tapped on her phone.
Even for the agents, whose workload had been escalating, ignoring this event was not an option.
Severely understaffed, even office personnel had ventured out to assist in establishing a defensive periter near the stadium.
The world has gone mad
Cartel, a dominant force in the underworld and one of the Tri-heads, had not made such a substantial move in years.
No one could have fathod that this colossal corporate alliance would rent an entire stadium for a eting.
-Direct docunts have co from the city council. You know what this ans, right? Headquarters thinks its unlikely the chairman will show up, but if she does, well have to intervene.
Can we really stop them? They are one of the Tri-heads.
-The objective is to delay. If she appears, Team Leader Marcia and other high-level wizards will imdiately cast a containnt spell.
-Let us hope that they conclude their discussions peacefully.
It doesnt seem likely, though
Hina muttered, her fingers idly tracing the sword at her side.
The agents and the city governnt had not obstructed Cartels decision to rent the stadium, but it was not without reason.
It was considered wiser to directly monitor the uncontrollable behemoth that was Cartel rather than allowing them to plot in undisclosed locations.
Cartel must have been aware of this, too.
Could it be that they had been playing into Cartels hands from the outset?
-The eting is comncing. Stay focused.
As the stern voice resounded, Hina and the other agents redirected their attention to the caras inside the stadium.
A sports stadium capable of accommodating tens of thousands.
The grass had been removed using adaptable equipnt, replaced by a sleek stone floor, transforming it into a convention hall fit for VIPs.
Although the stadiums capacity of 80,000 was insufficient to house all of Cartels mbers, it was more than ample for executives and their entourages.
Executives from affiliated businesses, heads of various subsidiaries, corporate officers, departnt heads, and top-level executives filled the vast hall.
Thousands of attendants were stationed outside the main hall.
And there, on the expansive stage of the grand hall, stood four n and wonthe high-ranking executives who held sway over Cartels sprawling organization.
-I doubted it, but all the presidents are present. In that case, maybe Hina, be prepared.
Hina ONeil, are you listening?
As the resolute voice continued through her communication device, Hina, slightly dazed, gazed down at the screen. The sight of a young man slowly approaching the hall was all too familiar to her eyes.
(To be Continued)
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