“I’m telling you, it’s that freak. I told you we should lock him up!”

Colonel George, who was seething with anger, smashed his hand on the table as he glared at the expressionless Edward Orland.

“He was wearing a mask. It’s too early to draw a conclusion. It could be a trick to fool us into blaming Zeke.” Calmly replied Edward as he crossed his arms and waited for the others to comment.

The Vice-president did his best to hide what happened, but an invasion of such magnitude wouldn’t be able to escape the Department of Defense’s watchful eyes.

Within hours, the high executives learnt of the incident and an urgent meeting was called.

“I agree with Edward. Why would the kid risk exposing himself and even ally with the Ivory Oak Order? It doesn’t make sense.”

A middle-aged woman with an eye patch over her right eye tapped her index on the documents before her while uttering those words. From the piercing gaze she gave to the fat Vice-President, it was clear that she disliked him.

“For the love of! You! Come here and tell them!”

George beckoned the quiet Elizabeth, who was dutifully standing near the entrance. When he signaled her, she approached the large rectangular table and performed a military salute before speaking,

“There were six invaders, five of which were confirmed to be members of the Ivory Oak Order. Specifically, they are part of the 3rd Division, working right under the Black Templar.”

An elderly man with a muscular body, a tall frame, and a grizzly face with a bushy beard, let out a grunt as he questioned,

“We know one of them, at least. William’s son, yes? He’s a student. Not even that shrewd Solas can stop us from locking him up.”

“Before that,” interrupted the strongest man in the Department of Defense, the red-haired and stoic General Zhang.

“Why would the Ivory Oak Order attack your agents, Colonel George? They wouldn’t go this far for a normal shipment.”

Caught off-guard, the plump Vice-president stutteringly responded,

“I-it was a 3rd-grade Artifact. It grants immunity to all kinds of poison.”

“Is that so?”

General Zhang coldly stared at the fearful George before retracting his gaze and sighing.

“We will put the matter regarding Azmer Lorson aside. He is of no consequence to us… and do not forget that the Ivory Oak Order is not our enemy. If one of their teams attacked us, then they must’ve had a good reason. I will personally go and talk to the Black Templar.”

“B-but sir!”

“You have no say in the matter, Colonel George.” Warned Zhang as he stood up and waved his hand, dismissing all of them.

“Edward, stay behind.”

“Yes, sir.”

Barely a minute later, only the two men were left in the meeting room. Edward, feeling a bit nervous, instinctively gulped some saliva as he faced the scary Zhang.

Although it had been a while, Edward had seen how ludicrously powerful the General was. He was, undoubtedly, one of the strongest in the entirety of the Nezulian Republic. But more than that, he was patriotic and merciless to all of his enemies.

“We have confirmed the veracity of your brother’s claims. All those people you named were indeed spies from the Ascetic Blasphemers. Excluding one, they all have been dealt with.”

“General… do you mean the Grand Marshal?”

“Yes. I will deal with him tomorrow. However, that isn’t why I told you to stay here.”

General Zhang walked to a monitor and turned it on before playing a certain recording.

Although it wasn’t the best quality, Edward was still able to see the two opposing parties fighting each other.

One side was a youth dressed in a white robe and wearing a mask, and on the other were the Special Officers under Colonel George.

The explosive azure lightning was a clear indication that Zeke Orland was amongst the perpetrators, but Zhang didn’t utter any words.

Eventually, Zeke ‘transformed’, becoming shrouded in a sinister black fog and holding a long scythe in his hands. The recording cut off just when Zeke leapt in the air and diagonally swung the spear, unleashing an unstoppable blast that ripped the ground and sent everyone flying backward.

“Camaraderie and friendship are a good thing, Edward. I doubt not that your brother will keep improving at a rapid rate. Nevertheless, such acts of criminality cannot be condoned. If you do not control him then…”

“Then you’ll lock him up?” Hesitantly muttered Edward.

The red-haired man solemnly shook his head, his eyes flickering with a resplendent silver glow.

“Rabid dogs are not fit for imprisonment. I’m unwilling to take risks, especially with a System Holder. Zeke Orland poses a threat, which, albeit insignificant for now, can potentially grow bigger. All three departments have agreed that any other misdemeanor will result in immediate execution.”

Seeing Edward’s face distort and his expression turn serious, Zhang walked up to him and looked down with a threatening stare.

“I hope that, when the time comes, you will be wise enough to make the right decision. You care for your brother… but are you willing to sacrifice innocent souls for his sake?”

Zhang softly smiled and patted his subordinate’s shoulder before leaving the room.

----------------------------------------

“Hey.”

Zeke, who had been absent-mindedly sitting on the bench while the sun was rising, turned his head. He was momentarily startled to see the ashen-haired beauty approach him and sit down.

“Hello.”

Although mesmerized by her beauty, Zeke didn’t go out of his way to strike a conversation. Part of it was an embarrassment as, deep down, he knew that he had a slight crush on Vanessa.

Stolen novel; please report.

“I’m sorry about last time.”

Vanessa looked at him with an apologetic look as she uttered those words.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. We all have something to protect.”

Guilty, Vanessa kept looking at him as she shook her head, “No. You are part of the Special Investigation Squad and Max’s little brother… I-I should’ve been braver.”

The girl bit her lips and looked away, but Zeke merely shrugged.

A bout of silence flowed between the two, turning the atmosphere a bit awkward. Vanessa was admiring the breath-taking view of the rising sun while Zeke was sneaking glances in her direction.

“You’re very pretty, Vanessa.”

“O-oh…” Not expecting him to say those words, the girl was startled as she looked at him with reddened cheeks, which contrasted her usual cold or indifferent look.

“Thank you.”

“...”

Zeke smiled before waving his hand and walking away. In some matters, Zeke was a pretty straightforward person, but as someone who has never dated anyone, he couldn’t bring himself to confess out of the blue, especially when he was unsure of his feelings.

Maybe it was a fleeting crush or he was simply entranced by her beauty. Then again, Erys had no shortage of pretty girls.

Even though he was tired and didn’t sleep at all, Zeke attended the morning classes and even revised by himself until late afternoon.

‘Fatigue Abstinence’ kicked in and allowed him to remain awake and energetic. Still, by evening, he felt really sleepy, so much so that he postponed the Daily Tasks for later.

Although he was slightly curious about Azmer’s condition and the consequences of what he and Veronica’s team did last night, Zeke was wise enough to hole up in Erys and lay low.

No doubt will the Department of Defense look for the perpetrators, and since his abilities were quite distinguishable, they would suspect him sooner or later.

…

When Zeke woke up, neither Alan nor Samuel was in the room. The Finals were only a couple of days away, so his two roommates were studying meticulously.

“What a coincidence, I was looking for you.”

As he exited the dormitory and was heading toward the small forest to train, Zeke met up with Celestia Black.

The big-breasted girl had a grumpy look, as usual, and was accompanied by John.

The hooded youth had a dazed look as he stood behind her, his eyes hollow and face pale.

“We need to talk… and don’t spout that bullshit about busy.”

Zeke frowned and reluctantly nodded his head.

“Follow me.”

Celestia unceremoniously waved her hand and walked away. Zeke and John followed her into the meeting room of the Special Investigation Squad.

Except for the three of them, the rest were either resting or training. As a Fourth-year student, Celestia didn’t have to worry about the exams, but it was kind of confusing to see him silently accompanying her.

“I don’t like beating around the bush, so I’ll just go ahead and say it.” As she sat across from Zeke, Celestia snorted and leaned back. “I know you’ve got the Paths of Extinction System. In fact, I know more than anyone.”

Zeke’s expression hardened for a split second before it eased up as he sighed and kept his counsel.

“It’s not like it’s a secret anymore.” He retorted, feigning disinterest.

“Why are you such an insufferably little shit? Ugh… never mind.” Celestia signaled the dazed John.

Seconds later, the 3rd-grade Artifact within the youth awakened and ‘Alexia’ surfaced.

“Hello there, cutie boy.”

The Talking Sin licked her lips and seductively gazed at Zeke.

“Voltage and Death? It certainly is a strange combination.” Remarked Alexia as her ‘eyes’ let out a dim luster.

Upon hearing her words, Zeke tensed up and even raised his guard. With one look, she determined two of his unlocked paths, and that was enough for him to be suspicious.

“Don’t be alarmed, I mean you no harm.” While using John’s body, Alexia chuckled and drew a symbol in the air.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to Zeke. In more than a way, it bore a striking resemblance to the one on Sulong and Signora, though there were slight differences.

“Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Alexia, otherwise known as the Seat of Truth. I was a companion of the previous holder of the Paths of Extinction System, Edward Heart.”

Zeke was genuinely astonished by this revelation, but he quickly collected his thoughts and maintained composure. He glanced at Celestia, but the girl snorted in annoyance.

“She already told me enough about that System of yours. I haven’t told anyone.”

“I find it more suspicious for a team-player like yourself to keep silent. What do you want from me?”

“I’m not planning anything. I admit that we don’t get along and that you’re an annoying brat, but that doesn’t me I want to screw you over. I made a deal and I’m fulfilling my end of it. Instead of suspecting me of scheming, how about you listen to her?”

Zeke stared at Celestia for a bit before directing his gaze piercing and cold gaze to the Talking Sin.

“I’m sure you’ve gotten a Seat or two by now. As the Seat of Truth, I was the companion and supporter of Edward, otherwise known as the Mad Emperor. If you want, I can help you two but… it will not be for free.”

“I’m listening.”

“Johnny Boy here cannot support my existence for long. I had been thinking of changing hosts and you are the most suitable option. In case for the valuable information I have on the Paths of Extinction System, which I assure you will significantly increase your progress, I will feed on your Life Aether as I dwell inside your body.”

“...”

Seeing the youth stay silent with a look of disapproval and vehement refusal, Alexia licked her lips and added,

“You and I both know that you have no shortage of Life Aether. Sacrificing a bit of it wouldn’t affect you in any way. Moreover, it’s not like I will stay inside of you forever. The deal I’m proposing comes with several conditions.”

Still, Zeke didn’t speak. He pinched his temples and pondered for an indeterminate amount of time.

“With how much trouble you like getting yourself into, I think she’ll be a great help. After all, let’s not forget that you very much adore dealing with everything alone.”-Celestia

“To show my sincerity, I will tell you a method to unlock a very useful and strong path. How about that? Once you got it, you can give me your answer.”

After a slight hesitation, Zeke nodded his head and listened to the eager ‘Alexia’.

Once she was done explaining the surprisingly simple method, she went dormant as John’s body fell to the sofa.

…

“Gather up…. Come on!”

Late at night, once Zeke finished the Daily Tasks and returned to the dorm room, he saw an excited Samuel.

His friend motioned for them to get closer as he softly laughed.

“W-what is it?” Shyly asked Alan.

“...”

“Haven’t you heard?”

“About?”

Zeke wasn’t particularly interested in whatever Samuel was going to say, but he still asked to get this over with.

“In two days, Earth’s ambassador will arrive here! Apparently, there will be a big event in the Central Square of our beloved city!”

“A-ambassador? From Earth?” Alan stuttered as he nervously bit his fingernails.

Technically, the Earthlings had a relatively peaceful relationship with the inhabitants of the Aether Plants. However, it was only due to the diplomatic agreement signed decades ago.

It wasn’t a secret that the earthlings looked down on the humans living here and vice-versa.

Despite their inability to use Aether, the earthlings had weapons and massive spaceships that could cause mass destruction.

Out of the three nations on the Aether Planet, only the Nezulian Republic was on good terms with the earthlings. The Serey Zhan Empire and, especially, the Witch Association, loathed the earthlings, if it comes down to it, were ready for war.

Even the religious teachings in the empire strongly encouraged eradicating all earthlings, as they were nothing but maniacal and power-hungry creatures.

Zeke’s knowledge about Earth and its people was almost non-existent, though that was mostly due to the scarce records about the far-away neighbors. In fact, only a handful of people knew about Earth’s state of affairs and its small colonies scattered on Mars, which was where the real chaos unfolded.

[Grand Mission #1 has been initiated!]

Zeke gasped in surprise as a System notification popped out of the blue

[Grand Mission #1: Caedes]

[The countdown has started: 50 hours, 9 minutes, 48 seconds left.]

[Objective: Eliminate the ambassador from Earth.]

[Failure in completing this mission will result in the death of the user ‘Death Defiant, Zeke’.]

[Rewards will be calculated based on the user’s contribution.]

[During Grand Mission #1, Protocol 1 will be lifted.]

‘What?’