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While the other interacted amongst themselves, Lucian distanced himself, following behind Overseer Vohr. 50 steps later, a door materialized before opening with a light sway.
"After you," Overseer Vohr said with a welcoming gesture.
Lucian nodded and walked through, beholding yet another room resembling a blank canvas. The only difference was the presence of two luxurious chairs and a table between them with refreshments resting upon the top.
"Take a seat," Overseer Vohr insisted, taking one himself. Shortly after, Lucian sat as well, but he still wore a curious and even slightly guarded expression.
"Before I say anything, I would like to commend you on your stellar performance in the tutorial. Despite your teammates' unfavorable attitudes towards you, you managed to present some intriguing content, especially your genius-level learning capacity," Overseer Vohr praised.
At the same time, he leaned forward, grasping one of the cups before him. Only after taking a sip did he continue, "I have to say, you have exonerated my doubts of you. Now, I look forward to seeing that mind of yours in play, however, I also sit here to warn you of a few things."
"Are they bad?" Lucian interjected momentarily, a bitter smile plastered across his face. He was so accustomed to bad news that it was now reflex to parallel any news to unfortunate circumstances.
"No, not necessarily. I am just letting you know that you have earned my impartial behavior along with my sympathy. Hence, if you ever wish to leave the current team you're in, I'll alert you of any openings, fair?" Overseer Vohr proposed.
At first, Lucian was quiet. Truth be told, this was the best he had been treated in a while. However, he also possessed some suspicions. After all, he had just experienced a bittersweet situation, one that left a deep impression on him.
After rendering some helpful advice, he had done something as coldhearted as revealing his personal information to everyone. It was then that Lucian had determined to refrain from garnering relationships with people who were capable of stringing him along like a marionette.
"As of right now, there are no openings in any of the Delta Echelon teams. And, I can't break the rule and place you within Beta. One, it is outside of my jurisdiction, and two, I'd be the one responsible for sending you to your inevitable death," Overseer Vohr said with a slightly bitter expression. However, it soon vanished as if it was never there to begin with.
"Okay, I'll stay with this team for now then," Lucian agreed. "But, is that all you wanted to talk about?"
"Absolutely not. I also have to say... this was quite hilarious," Overseer Vohr said with a smirk, before pulling up the recording of the last few moments before the Apex Panther's death.
Lucian could be seen nocking his bow. But, unlike the rest, he didn't cover his eyes from the illuminating burst of mana. Instead, there was a red glint present in his eyes, which seemed to protect them. Then, Lucian poured the remnants of his Mana into the arrow before releasing it moments before Matthias did.
The timing was immaculate! The sound of the released arrow was done in tandem with an undulation of Matthias's mana, effectively masking Lucian's actions.
"I couldn't miss out," Lucian replied with a faint resentment in his eyes.
"As you shouldn't. As long as your actions aren't discovered, who's to say they were wrong?" Overseer Vohr responded. This response wasn't what Lucian expected and he was surprised by it.
"Wait...are you not angered by the fact I received some of the points that could've been used to raise stronger Guardians?" Lucian asked with a dubious expression.
Overseer Vohr shook his head while taking a sip of his refreshment. Then, he paused before giving Lucian a faint grin.
"Not at all, as you know, this Monolith is a machine of fate. All of your actions only contribute to your own fate. Failure isn't blamed on an individual but on their fate."
"What...just what is the purpose of this Monolith then?" Lucian asked. At the same time, he clenched his fist. It was all due to this Monolith that he had lost his parents.
"To make you all stronger and prepare you for the Great Merge," Overseer Vohr answered with a conflicted look. Lucian didn't understand why, but it almost seemed as if he was pitying the human race!
"I understand, but why...what is the reason behind it?" Lucian asked differently, prying for deeper answers.
"Unfortunately, that is something that escapes my knowledge. And, for you to know, you'll need the utmost authority as that touches upon some tightly guarded secrets about the universe."
Lucian sat back after Overseer Vohr revealed the answer he expected. Although he wanted to know more, it just wasn't possible. It seemed the Fractured Monolith was even more implicative than he suspected.
"I see; is that all Overseer Vohr?" Lucian questioned after a moment of silence.
"No, there's more. In fact, it's the true reason I brought you here. My superiors transmitted some feedback about you. Let alone my roster, you weren't registered in the Monolith's records at all. While it happens from time to time, it's never happened to someone of your ranking. Usually, it's the opposite with the subject's ranking surpassing the limits of their Minor World."
"However, that isn't your case. After refreshing your information, there were no issues. At least, there haven't been any as of yet. But, remember to stay careful. If there is a glitch in the Monolith's infrastructure, the first to be targeted are anomalies. I say this to warn you. There have been instances in the past where the Monolith itself moves to eliminate someone with severely abnormal abilities," Overseer Vohr warned, placing the cup down.
The Fractured Monolith wasn't only meant to assist a world's inhabitant with the evolution process, but it was also put in place to eliminate possible threats towards the grand purpose.
Generally, abnormalities always turned out to be pawns put in place to disrupt the natural order of evolution. However, such people usually held enormous power. Lucian, on the other hand, possessed a power that wasn't even capable of making it on the radar.
Thus, Vohr's higher-ups regarded his earlier report as an insignificance and disregarded it. But, Overseer Vohr, on the other hand, felt as if Lucian was merely in a precarious state.
'There's no way someone who learns so fast has such a lowly marked Perception and Wisdom grading. At times, he seems much more astute than he is given credit for,' Overseer Vohr thought, gazing at Lucian silently, waiting for his response.
"I'll be careful," Lucian answered with a nod, indicating he understood Overseer Vohr's intentions.
"Also, I advise you to be careful on the first floor. Each team will experience unique situations. It'll be chosen based on the presented weaknesses of the team. Thus, you won't meet the other. Not until the 5th floor, or better known as the doorway into the Beta Echelon."
"Ah, I understand."
"If you do, then spend those acquired tokens wisely. Your Guardian's Right is activated, so you will see the floor differently when compared to how you viewed the tutorial. You'll understand what I mean upon entering that place," Overseer Vohr informed, before raising his hand.
"Anything else you would like to consult with me about before we return?"
"Hmm, there is one. Do you have information about the first-ever summons of this Monolith?" Lucian questioned. As an Overseer, Lucian felt Vohr was bound to be privy to information the first Guardian's experience. After all, there seemed to be a record of everything.
"Ah, I'm sorry Lucian, information related to that matter requires Sigma Authority clearance to know. However, once the first Sigma is reached…never mind. It doesn't concern you. Just focus on becoming the best version of yourself," Overseer Vohr advised, snapping his finger immediately after.
In the blink of an eye, Lucian returned to his earlier position, however, he remained intent on getting to the bottom of Vohr's words.
'Sigma Authority? Why is such a high clearance needed? It's clear he knows something although he said he didn't. Just what is so important that it has sealed his lips? Could the powers behind the Fractured Monolith be that strong?' Lucian wondered, lost in thought while overlooking the gazes currently directed towards him.