Lu Chen had many questions to ask them, but they told him that they still had a lot to deal with, so he should go back to the martial arts center first. He would learn all he needed to know when he arrived at the college.
Knowing that he shouldn't rush over things, Lu Chen returned to the martial arts center according to his memory before the break of dawn. Despite realizing that some of them were tailing him, he pretended that he wasn't aware of it.
After returning to the center, he began trying out the smartphone he had gotten from them, as he had never used such a high-tech device before.
In his own world, his country's military technology was still lagging behind other advanced countries as they were still using radio waves for communication. However, even he hadn't tried that before.
Every time he went to war, he had an assistant who helped him with all the technological stuff. He remembered that she was a clever Japanese girl who couldn't speak Mandarin fluently. She still hadn't mastered the language when they eventually parted.
Lu Chen shook his head to get his past memories out of his mind and focused on the device in his hands.
***
Reaper Scans
[Translator – Asuka]
[Proofreader – Karane]
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***
Meanwhile, on the other end of the world, the central control room on the second floor of the library in Cassell College was brightly lit.
In the middle of the room was a 3D projected earth that was as high as five meters. As the user waved his hand, the earth would rotate and show him the location he wanted to see. It was as though an almighty god was fiddling with his own creation.
However, its user was a man who was coughing violently with a respirator on his face, as though he was going to cough out the blood in his lungs. Such a person was supposed to be in the intensive care unit. Nevertheless, at that moment, he was still standing there, and his cough didn't affect his upstanding posture.
He was Von Schneider, the leader of the Executive Department—also the watchman that night.
There were more than a dozen red lights shown on the blue earth as the alarms were ringing out. As the sounds of keyboard-tapping, printers and mechanical decoders intertwined, the atmosphere in the room was intense.
"Our executive agents are confronted by the local warlords in South Africa. They're asking for the next directive," an intelligence officer reported, his forehead already drenched in sweat.
Even though it was a request for the next directive, they were already firing gunshots at their enemies.
"We have two groups of agents in South Africa. Which team is facing a hurdle now?" Despite Schneider's dispassionate tone, it was apparent that he was displeased that the information given wasn't accurate enough. Even one wasted second might lead to the sacrifice of their agents and dreadful consequences.
"It's Mr. Claude's team. Their mission is to destroy a bronze coffin that has just been unearthed in the Namaqualand Desert. However, before they arrived, the local warlords had bought it off," the intelligence officer hurriedly explained.
"Did they try to buy it from the warlords?"
"Yes, but they've offered an exorbitant price. Apparently, they're trying to mess with us. Mr. Claude has rejected them. Now, they're being chased away using brute force."
"Tell Norma to drop some supplies for the team using drones and tell them to destroy the coffin before coming back." Upon finishing his words, Schneider walked away. He didn't care whether the warlords would be killed after their agents received the supplies. However, he had to ensure that the dangerous relic of the dragon race would be destroyed.
"Our trainees in the UK need some capital to buy an ancient blade from the local underworld gang. It costs 240,000," another intelligence officer reported. Having witnessed his colleague being reprimanded, he decided to provide all the necessary information in one go.
"Transfer the money to them now. Tell them to send me a report after that." Schneider nodded as it wasn't expensive to buy such a blade at that price. If the problem could be solved with money, Cassel College totally could afford it.
Even though they were practically asking their students to deal with an underworld gang, he didn't mind it one bit as the Executive Department itself was a brutal organization.
Data from all over the world was constantly sent to this room as this ever-coughing man had to make all the decisions. However, he remained cool-headed and effective all the time. Nevertheless, he was surprised upon reading the report sent to him by Heinard, who was in Vietnam.
The report concluded that their target was dead, which wasn't surprising. On this busy night, he wasn't even interested in reading the details. However, what caught his attention was the photo of the corpse.
The report concluded that their target was dead, which wasn't surprising. On this busy night, he wasn't even interested in reading the details. However, what caught his attention was the photo of the corpse.
The corpse was still holding the knife, which had been jabbed into his neck. His arm was twisted, and his legs were completely crushed. The expression on his face was transformed by horror. The other photos showed the crime scene and the corpse from other angles.
Through the photos, he could sense the extreme brutality, which was enough to send this Grade B mixed race human into despair. Therefore, he decided to focus on this report and ignored the other unimportant ones.
"Lu Chen…" Schneider's eyes were shaded by his hat, so no one could tell his emotion.
Upon receiving the latest news, an intelligence officer said, "Mr. Heinard wants to delay coming back to the college because they have to keep watch on that young man."
After a moment of silence, Schneider replied, "Okay."
Following that, everyone busied themselves with work again as all the noises intertwined. This was going to be a restless night.
…
As the morning sunlight filtered through the gaps of the blinds and cast its glow on a porcelain cup, an old man was picking up a sandwich with added cheese from the plate. This was a relatively cheap meal for him.
Inside the Chancellor's office of Cassell College, the exhausted Schneider was sitting across the table.
"Would you like some breakfast? You can also try this new Earl Grey tea, which is pleasantly fragrant." The old man straightened up a little. His black custom-made suit outlined his sturdy figure. The monocle on his right eye made him look like a well-learned scholar. He was Hilbert Ron Anjou, the current Chancellor of Cassell College.
"No, thanks. I have to take a rest soon. Please take a look at this report first." Schneider pushed the report toward him.
"Alright." Angus picked up the report and started reading it. Given Schneider's health condition, he wasn't suitable to work night shifts. However, if he were allowed to go to bed at night, they would have endless sleepless nights as no one could replace him.
After reading the report, Angus remarked, "Heinard did a great job."
"What about that young man?" Schneider needed his opinion.
"His background is simple, and he didn't show any signs of aggressiveness during their conversation. I believe he's a good kid," Angus concluded.
Schneider took a look at him in silence and wondered how he came to the conclusion that Lu Chen was a 'good kid' after he saw those photos. "Don't you think he's dangerous?" Schneider asked. It was hard to tell whether that question was for Angus or himself.
"We need new blood to the organization. I'm old now, so I want to see more new leaders. For example, the new leader of the student union, Caesar, and this young man who could kill his enemy without using his own kotodama. Moreover, I believe you already have an answer before coming to my office. You know very well who we are." Upon finishing his words, Angus took a sip of the tea.
"Got it. I'll keep an eye on him." After a nod, Schneider raised from the chair and turned to leave.
Indeed, he already had his own answer. As long as Lu Chen wasn't from the pure blood dragon race, he was a blade worth polishing. They were the users of blades, so why would they be afraid of their sharpness?