The World's Greatest Egoist

Chapter 57: Plans and conspiracies.

At the Central State, Aurium, there was a building of great importance.

Not just to the Nonegoists or Egoists, but the Royal Household, as well.

And as you would have it, that building was owned by the Ostaria’s United Front of Egoists.

The Federation’s Main Agency Branch, which controlled Elderion Beams, large-scale area chaos, Deployment of Egoists, Resources granted to those signed under the public sector, and ultimately, the overall harmony between the people and Egoists.

It was a futuristic building block of glass and sleek architecture.

Its reflective body crackled as if alive. Folding and then unfolding as if it were changing scales while the afternoon light kissed its splendour.

It was located with other buildings in the area.

A typical Monopolitan, busy street with commercial enterprises, fast-moving FibreCars, and Cyberbullies, as well as the chatter of human life.

The scene felt ephemeral and quite transient, and for the man who watched from the highest floor of the extremely tall Agency building– he bore witness to it.

Kaelzar Hollow, current President of the Agency, and second in command under Velisse Meridia.

He was a beefy, muscular man with a large and broad build.

A sharp, stout beard hung neatly on his chin and his white hair was tied in a clean bun.

As his deep crimson eyes watched the scene unfold, a knock resounded at his door.

The man grunted.

"Come in."

The door slid open and a young woman– a secretary, no doubt– walked into his large, dimly lit office.

She adjusted his glass and placed the tablet underneath her arms.

Each subtle movement she made sent a trivial overcompensation from her endowed body.

"President, we’re falling behind in our investigation. Did you seriously leave the boardroom to go sightseeing?"

Kaelzar turned to face her with a grin.

"That’s a wild assumption, Sorelle. Can you take responsibility for those words?"

The Secretary, Sorelle scoffed and flicked her back.

"We’ve found a lead. The Emperor Regent was able to send the bullet used by the Assassin."

Kaelzar’s expression grew serious as he stormed to his desk. He took a seat while the Sorelle inched closer.

"Tell me the details."

"Our Investigation unit– the Spell Casters are working on tracing the Ego pattern used.

We may be able to find a connection through their wavelength and pinpoint their exact location."

"Interesting." He rested his back on his chair, sinking into the leather comfort.

"Hard to believe the Emperor Regent was able to create a bullet that should have exploded into bits... his powers truly amaze me."

Sorelle sighed.

"The Regent’s thoughts or powers are of no concern to us. We’ve been given instructions and both Madam Velisse and Valendor want answers... it’s our job..."

A genuine smile formed on Kaelzar’s face.

"I understand." He stood up with intent.

"What do you need me to do?"

Sorelle picked up her tab and tapped it.

Immediately, the usual holographic images popped up. Though, what it reflected was entirely mind-boggling.

"Right now, our Spell Casters are meeting a bottleneck. I don’t think there’s anyone capable enough of tracking this assassin in the Agency– no, the Federation, itself."

"I see. That’s not good news. How about the Rogues?"

"Rogues are good trackers, but this is an Ego specialist assassin. They are extremely potent with their control and even owned a colored Ego as stated by Valendor."

She paused... then exhaled.

"I believe we need external help if we want to catch this person... a powerful Spell Caster."

Kaelzar already knew where she was heading with that statement.

It was well known that some Strongholds had better Archetypes compared to the others. Like how the Ostaria Federation were the most renowned for their Knights.

"Cognisphere Commonwealth."

He chuckled.

"I’ll send word to their branch."

"No, that’ll take too long."

She met his gaze.

"The more time we waste... the less amount of tracks left by the Assassin.

The tracks are already low enough, but any further and there’s a chance that the Prince’s attempted murderer..."

She gritted her teeth.

"Won’t be caught."

The President watched his secretary for a moment. His crimson gaze was boring into her black.

It seemed like he was unravelling the very innards that constituted her makeup.

But she was used to it.

It indicated that the Agency President, Agent Kaelzar Hollow was contemplating his decision.

And they were usually satisfactory.

"Alright. I’ll go myself. It should take a few hours a day, considering their reputation."

His smile grew firm.

"But they will listen to the President of the Agency since they have one as well."

Sorelle nodded.

"Get the Vice President... and continue to observe while I’m gone."

He darted towards his door and Sorelle quickly followed.

On exiting their office, they came into a large, white hall where their footsteps echoed.

The sound of chatter, keyboard typing and electronic whirling devices echoed throughout the halls.

"When are you leaving?"

At that moment, further ahead, a sudden rush of Ego, as if pulled by an invisible current, gathered until it solidified and a portal appeared.

Sorelle came to a halt. Her heart sank at the sight.

"Now?"

Kaelzar didn’t respond with words.

He simply raised an arm as he walked into the portal.

"I’ll be back before breakfast tomorrow, at least."

The portal closed immediately, leaving Sorelle standing with her tablet alone in the vast walls.

She stared at the empty spot where the portal once appeared. Then after a long while, she sighed.

"Stupid man, could have at least kissed me first."

She spun on her heels and walked off down a path leading to a door that slid open.

The sounds grew heavier and the voices of people conversing reached her ears before it was muffled by the door closing.

*

*

*

In the busy streets of the marketplace back at Ardent Institution, Luca walked down the pavement as he whistled, absent-mindedly.

His expression was one of gratified satisfaction as he swung a light bag of what he called fortune.

’She won’t drive me so easily if I have this right?’

He wondered as he looked around.

The marketplace was as busy as on the first day.

Luca witnessed tons of people walk in and out. Some with large dead beasts over their shoulders and others just curiously finding what to get for themselves.

Of course, many of them included Cadets like him who wandered around.

It was their little break period, after all.

’Well, I won’t know for certain until I see her again.’

At that thought, he halted mid-stride.

’What if I don’t see her again?’

He frowned and continued on his way.

’Nah, I’m sure I will.’

Luca hadn’t realised when he started getting infatuated with the girl.

But the more he recalled the dealings of the previous night, the deeper his curiosity and wonder about her.

In fact, she might just be one of those ’Masters’ the Headmaster mentioned at first.

’I wonder if she’s a Caster... though, with the way she moved... probably a Rogue, right?’

A certain image replayed in his head as he exited the marketplace into the busy streets and he nearly fell.

It was the time she sat on him with her legs around him.

’Now that I think about it... wa– wasn’t that an intimate moment?’

Well, no, considering the time... place and even situation.

But Egoists weren’t normal.

Some built extremely weird patterns over the years. Behavioural and such.

He shook the thought immediately.

’Perhaps I’m getting over myself.’

Along the same pavement, a bunch of girls walked in the opposite direction. One of which had a familiar face.

She stood at the back of the group, listening, but she never actually felt present.

The girl looked up and her eyes landed on Luca who approached, but as his face was on the ground and he seemed lost in thought, he didn’t seem to realise it.

’What is he doing all the way here?’

She wondered. A bit of amusement in her eyes as she walked out of the group. Though, no one noticed.

And walked right into his path.

Luca looked up with an annoyed expression, only for it to soften by a notch.

"Oh." ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Vareen smiled sheepishly as she leaned forward with her arms behind her back.

"Hey, Lucamir, Been a while."

Luca wanted to wave, but he still seemed to be processing a bit.

Vareen noticed and for a while, she stood there too, until it hit her.

"You don’t remember my name, do you?"

She giggled.

Luca opened his mouth, then closed it.

He turned his face away and scratched the back of his head.

"So– Sorry about that."

She giggled more.

"It’s all good... though, next time, I won’t be so lenient."

Her smile seemed menacing with that last sentence.

"It’s Vareen."

"Yes, Vareen! Fancy meeting you here, are you here to get something?"

"No, I was just following some girls who said they wanted to pick up some Spell Books."

Their gaze traced the group that had already turned to the street leading to the Market.

"Seeing as how they haven’t noticed I’m gone... I’m guessing I won’t be needed."

Luca chuckled.

"Well, it can’t be helped if you’re not wanted.

I’m actually headed back to the Silver Wing."

"So... you’re a Knight, huh?"

Luca arched his brow. "Of course I am."

"Weird... there’s been a rumour spreading lately, though."

"...and?"

Vareen shrugged.

"They say you have a Dual Archetype."