Chapter 18 - The Summit Banquet (1)
The moment she realized that her personal secretary and the individual who could effortlessly infuriate her were in the same room, Yuridika disappeared from her dormitory room as her entire body seemed to be swallowed by cold shadows under the gaze of the bluish moon.
In the next moment, she materialized in Raven's temporary workplace, which was her own place in the main branch of the Goddess Manufacturer. There, seated while sweating profusely, Raven was catching her breath.
Of course, she did not forget Aeon as her azure eyes darted around, only to find and feel nothing.
"Raven, are you okay? Tell me what happened."
"H-He already left... Y-Young Miss."
Raven then recounted her brief yet inexplicably terrifying encounter with the student of Class 3-A, who was also the subject of investigation per Yuridika's order.
To begin with, the security of the main branch was nothing to scoff at even in the middle of the night. One could say that it was one of the most secure places in the world, especially since it was a place where weapons of all kinds of the current world originated from.
It was a gigantic infrastructure with hundreds of floors, so the fact that Aeon breezed through its entire security, both manpower and technical, was questionable in itself.
Yuridika listened to Raven carefully, more so when the latter mentioned the M-Rev File that only a very few in high places were aware of.
"What is it, Young Miss? He said that he possessed it."
Even Raven did not know about such a thing, so she could not help but be curious. Meanwhile, Yuridika fell silent; Aeon's provocative voice echoed in her head.
After some time, while lost in her own world, Raven recalled what Aeon told her before he vanished into thin air, just moments before Yuridika appeared.
"Young Miss... I don't know what's happening, but that man said to give this to you-"
Yuridika, with an anxious complexion, snatched a piece of yellow note from Raven's grasp.
It contained a short written message.
***
The M-Rev File contained the culmination of extensive research conducted by the former director of the Eurasia Grand Agency, Raddan Alphzahod Eurasia, regarding the mysterious existence of the Goddess – or the non-living entity in the form of a celestial body that landed on Antarctica thousands of years into the past.
Now, a mere mercenary claimed that he was in possession of information about this very file?
If any of the heirs or even individuals in high places heard about it, they would inevitably laugh it off. However, what if the renouncer of such critical information was someone who suddenly appeared and was tasked to protect the daughter of the pioneer of such research?
"Tell me the nature of your relationship with Alina."
In one of the leisure areas of the Summit Academy, Yuridika faced Aeon, who was casually sitting on a random bench among others.
"Why are you curious about that? Is it more important than the fact that I possess the M-Rev File? Or should I say... Mother-Revolutionary File?"
Yuridika twitch at Aeon's words. It was not because the latter muttered what M-Rev stood for, but rather due to her ignorance. After all, the heirs and even the higher-ups of the Seven World Corporations only received the file name and what it could possibly contain.
"Mother-Revolutionary?" Yuridika asked, her feet trod towards the other bench a few distances away from where Aeon was sitting.
Even then, her mind was in turmoil as various questions surged within.
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'What if this person is making himself the main target for Alina's sake? But there's no way to confirm...'
As if Aeon was reading her mind, he snapped her thoughts, "You could say that I'm deliberately making myself your target, but it's only half-true. Would you believe it if I told you that Alina doesn't know a thing or two about the location of the M-Rev File?"
"Stop with your bullshit! Tell me one reason why I should not kill you right now." A threatening star mana exuded from Yuridika's body. It was darkness darker than what someone could perceive.
It was as though she was one with the shadows of every individual on the planet.
"Are you expecting me to ask you to spare me? Come on, in the first place, you wouldn't be able to kill me."
Her desire to kill Aeon grew stronger. However, if he really was the one who knew the location or was in possession of the M-Rev File, then getting rid of him would further complicate things.
As she remained in silence, Aeon continued to speak, "Are you that eager to surpass your sister, Rikayuri, to become the director of the Goddess Manufacturer? Do you perhaps have a complex?"
"Shut the fuck up!" Yuridika shouted; the face of her sister was flashing through her mind.
Yes, in this academy, there were so-called 'illegitimate' heirs of the Seven World Corporations.
At that moment, a black shadow embraced Aeon from behind. There was no killing intent within the creature that materialized, rather, it was coldly breathing on his vulnerable neck.
Yuridika remained seated on the bench apart from Aeon. This shadow, meanwhile, was holding a dark scythe. It was formless and faceless, but the will of its conjurer was clearly understood.
However, Aeon's countenance was unchanging.
He then chuckled, "You are perfect, Ice Princess."
She did not know why Aeon uttered those words or what was behind his intent.
And before she could process what had just happened, Aeon's figure seemed to have become strange.
His hair, face, neck... every fiber of his being swayed similar to an abstract paint in motion on an infinite canvas.
"Wh-"
The next moment, Yuridika knew his existence had disappeared.
For some reason, fear clothed her fragile soul.
It was the fear of the unknown.
***
I vanished from the track and field area, leaving the Ice Princess – something I decided to call her – alone. Her mind would probably wander by now since I showed her something that would make her hesitate to act against me... and mainly, against Alina, who was the subject of my protection as part of my promise to her father.
She did not need to know the specifics, but I would protect her until my covenant was fulfilled.
On the other hand, whether she liked it or not, Yuridika should learn that judging a godent based on their star mana level was a terrible idea of criticism.
I hope she received my message well, but I am well aware that words from a mere nobody would not work.
But I have no time to worry about these wealthy heirs who were naïve about the world.
Even they were aware that troublesome enemies were those outside the grasp of the Summit Rules.
The world was vast, and the crash site of the Goddess would tremble at any moment.
With these thoughts, I arrived in front of Alina's room to report on my brief encounter with Yuridika.
Before knocking, I let out a sigh.
As I was about to let my presence known, my phone vibrated as I received a message from someone I was very close with.
/ Oppa... someone is stalking me. /
...Right.
The Summit Banquet was tomorrow.