SYSTEM ASCENSION

This time, Rowen used the gate. The palace loomed ahead, not as lively as it used to be. The tense atmosphere settled like a veil of fog. The guards bowed as he walked by. He headed straight to the meeting room, where other members of the leading family, and the royal family were seated.

As soon as he arrived, he gave a shallow bow.

"Your highness."

The emperor nodded. He took a seat, across his highness.

"You’re early today." Lady Hinger smiled, even as the situation didn’t demand it.

Without further words, Rowen set a small glass vial on the table. It was sealed in three layers of crystal and lead, and even then condensation beaded on the outside. The liquid inside moved like it was impatient, tightening to burst out any second.

"This is it?" The emperor leaned forward to have a better look.

"Sample from District 4," Rowen said. "Recovered from the body of a locksmith. He was dead in 10 seconds."

He didn’t bother with preambles.

"Nothing could hold this poison. It melted right through." Lord Tell spoke, eyes gulped to the glass vial.

"This was made by someone’s ability." Rowen replied. "It’s not an average bottle."

Lord Joran narrowed his eyes. "If someone can make a glass to hold something that melts through human skin, then that person will help a long way."

"Yes," Lady Anny agreed. "With that person, we can get samples and..."

"The person’s information is confidential," Rowen immediately replied. "I had to sign a contract before I could get it."

A moment of shock crossed their eyes, but understanding flashed right after.

"That person would definitely be targeted." The emperor nodded. He stretched out his hand and took the glass. "Joe. Look at this."

The second leading family head took the glass from the emperor. He raised it into the air, and stared at it for quite a while.

They all sat in silence, awaiting his words.

When he finally put it down, he clenched his fist.

"What did you see?"

"Your highness," Joe muttered. "This potion contains traces of vitality."

They all stared at him for a while, then at themselves.

"Vitality?" Lady Anny muttered.

"Lord Joe," Lady Hinger spoke. "An ability always carries a vital in it, since it’s casted by a person."

"You misunderstand," he shook his head. "A person did not cast this."

A ripple of shock swept the room. The emperor leaned forward.

"A person did not cast this?"

"This was made with the vitality of numerous people. In other words, this poison, are people’s lives."

The words hung in the air. It sounded wrong.

"Vitality," Lady Anny repeated, like saying it twice would make it less obscene. "You’re saying they killed people to make this?"

Lord Joe didn’t answer. His fist was still clenched around the table’s edge.

They held their breaths.

Rowen said nothing.

He just watched them. Watched every interaction and expressions.

People’s lives in a bottle. It was a hard pill to swallow.

Then Lady Anny slammed her palm on the table. The sound cracked through the silence.

"I’m sure we know who to suspect first."

All eyes turned to her.

"The poison made a full appearance a year ago," she said. "At the same time two masked people began clearing gates and killing Nulls. At the same time the rumors started. One fights monsters. The other leaves nothing but dismembered corpses. I recalled they were called "faceless". You think that’s a coincidence?"

Lord Tell tilted his head. "The actions are opposite, Lady Anny."

"That doesn’t rule out the fact that faceless might be involved."

Lady Hinger nodded in agreement. "They somehow escaped the scene before we could get to them. If that’s not suspicious, what is?"

"We will not accuse without proof. But we will investigate." His eyes landed on Rowen. "You’ll lead it. Quietly. If these two masked individuals are involved, I want to know before they become our first invasion."

Rowen gave a shallow bow. "Your highness, they are not involved in this."

All eyes narrowed.

"Why do you assume that?" The emperor asked.

"I did not assume it. I know it," he said. "The duo who have been actively clearing gates are from Sound league."

"Sound league?" Tell raised a brow. "They are raiders from your alliance?"

"Yes. You should all know that all the portals they cleared are under sound league management. Precisely the numbers."

"So why do they hide their faces?" Lord Joran spoke next.

"Kids will be kids," he snorted, then frowned. "Why are you saying it like you haven’t seen them before?"

These words forced everyone to rethink. Silence lingered for a while as a result.

"I don’t think I have a memory of who." Lord Joe said.

The rest agreed with a nod.

"President of sound league and number six. I’m sure you’re familiar with them."

They all exchanged glances. This time, they stare at Rowen like he had taken something high.

"President of the sound league?" Lady Hinger smiled. "Isn’t that you?"

Rowen chuckled.

"Why would I run a school and a league together?"

"So..."

"He’s Zeal. My younger twin."

___

The place was one of those open-front restaurants where you could hear traffic, smell grilled meat, and watch people walk by. Plastic chairs, cheap lemonade, no fancy vibes. Just perfect.

Zeal was already half-slouched in his seat, stealing fries off Ned’s plate before the food even hit the table.

"Yo, you paying for this?" Zeal said, mouth full. "Cuz if not, I’m calling it a donation."

Ned sat stiff as a board across from them, adjusting his glasses every 10 seconds. "I’m paying. And stop stealing. Order your own."

"Nah, yours tastes better," Zeal grinned, leaning back and watching the street. "Also, you’re the teacher. It’s your job to spoil us."

Elias didn’t say anything at first. He just leaned back in his chair, hair a bit shorter than it was a year ago, watching Zeal and Ned bicker. When the waiter set his plate down, he actually huffed out a laugh.

"Stop fighting over fries, it’s embarrassing," he muttered.

Ned sighed.

"Sir Elias, when are you going to resume the academy?"

"The acedemy..." Elias paused eating for a moment. He stared in front of him.

’Screen.’

The dark panel popped up.

[World 0252: Qld]

[Name: Elias Morail]

[Age: 17]

[Height: 6’6"]

[Weight: 100kg]

[Species: Mortal?]

[Occupation: S rank raider]

[Status: Chosen/Sector seven sole survivor]

[Ability: Creation]

[Number of mission: 09/10]

’Just one more.’

"You should consider joining the academy now," Ned continued. "I mean you keep growing into a border. In a few months or years, you won’t look like a child anymore."

"Well I’m not a child though." He dismissed the screen and continued to eat.

"You’re seventeen. That’s still a child to me." Zeal beamed.

Ned chuckled nervously.

"Sir Zeal, he can cower and pat your head."

Zeal frowned, eyes blazing.

"Are you trying to join the meat on the table, Mr Ned. Believe me I can grill you to perfection!"

"I’m sorry! I’m sorry."

A sudden vibration startled Zeal.

"What was that?! What is..."

"Your phone." Elias and Ned muttered.

"Aah..." He searched around and pulled it out. As he checked it, his expression changed.

"Rowen is calling."

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