Alex leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling of his quiet apartment. The revelation about Malik's potential abduction still echoed in his mind. How do you capture someone like that? He thought back to the reports from Eva—every detail meticulously analyzed and stitched together. He had come to trust Eva's conclusions, but the notion of Malik, a man who could control metal, being taken down by someone else still seemed unreal.
"Maybe they poisoned him," Alex mused aloud. "Or they found some kind of weakness... if he even has one." The thought was almost amusing—Malik, the so-called metalmancer, reduced to nothing more than a liability in someone's hands. A part of Alex found it funny. He had considered Malik his opponent, a looming figure on the other side of the country. Yet here he was, possibly taken down before any confrontation could even happen. What a twist.
Shrugging, Alex turned his attention back to his usual routine. Eva had just sent him the latest reports, which he skimmed with a flick of his finger. His mental strength allowed him to process information faster than most, and with the help of smart mode, reading and reacting to these updates took mere minutes.
The power generation company was making headlines—again. He couldn't help but marvel at how quickly things were growing. PowerGen Dynamics, as it was now officially branded, was expanding at an unprecedented rate. New partnerships were being formed, contracts with governments and businesses around the world, and they had become a major player in the energy sector. The company's influence was starting to rival the old powerhouses, and all of it was happening quietly, without any need for Alex to step into the limelight.
"Eva, what's the status of PowerGen's latest expansion?" he asked, eyes scanning through another report on his laptop.
"Expansion is proceeding as planned, Alex," Eva responded, her voice calm and precise. "New power plants are under construction in three countries, and partnerships have been finalized with major technological firms. Our influence is growing rapidly in both traditional energy markets and renewable sectors."
Alex smiled to himself. Just a few years ago, I was a guy working a regular job, doing crypto trading for fun. Now, he was the hidden owner of a massive energy empire, quietly orchestrating its rise from behind the scenes. His life had taken a surreal turn, and yet, here he was—still sitting in his quiet Lakeside apartment, sipping coffee and browsing reports.
"I guess the whole 'low-key' thing worked out," he muttered. Even with all his success, no one knew he was behind it. Max was the face of the company, handling the day-to-day business in South Carolina, while Alex remained in the shadows, overseeing everything.
His mind drifted back to Malik. What if they found his weakness? What if Malik wasn't as invincible as he seemed?
"Eva, compile all the data we have on Malik's past appearances and see if there's any pattern or vulnerability we may have missed," Alex instructed, watching as the screen filled with information about the so-called metalmancer. He still felt uneasy about how quickly Malik had disappeared from the public eye.
"As you wish, Alex. I will analyze the data thoroughly," Eva responded.
Alex turned back to his training. Flowstrike had become a critical part of his life. The martial art enhanced everything—his flexibility, strength, and most importantly, his mental fortitude. It was his secret weapon, the one thing that gave him confidence in a world where abilities like Malik's were emerging. Malik might have metal at his disposal, but Alex had trained himself to be stronger mentally, to stay ahead of his competition not just through sheer power but through discipline and strategy.
"Maybe I'll never have to face him," Alex thought, stretching as he began another round of practice. If Malik's really been captured, then my plans remain unchanged. But, deep down, he knew that the world wasn't going to get simpler. Malik was just the first of many, and there were bound to be others. The only question was whether they would pose the same threat.
For now, though, he focused on what he could control—his training, his companies, and his quiet life in Lakeside City.