When Luis heard her question, he sighed and said in a low voice. "I have a personal issue with him."
"Hmm..." Since he didn't give her a direct answer, Alicia didn't probe him about it. Instead, just asked a simple question. "So, is he our enemy?"
"Not yet." Luis shook his head and said in a deep voice. "For now, you can regard him as less than enemies but more than strangers."
"I understand." Alicia nodded with a serious expression. Though she was very curious about the feud between them. She could only suppress her curiosity until Luis told her. Right now, her mind came to one simple conclusion. 'Luis' enemy is my enemy.'
***
After their chat was over, Luis and Alicia went inside the Pocket Space. Where Luis worked in his lab, giving Magnus Gloves some finishing touches. While Alicia practised her sword art.
Immersed in their work. It was already time for lunch.
"Let's go, Luis."
"It will take me some time. You go ahead."
"Tell me what you want to eat. I'll bring it for you here."
"You can choose for me."
"Okay, then."
With those words, Alicia left the pocket space through the vortex he opened for her.
A few minutes later, Luis left his work desk. "Whew, it's over. The performance of Magnus Gloves has improved a lot compared to before."
{Congratulations! Master!} Lily's cheerful voice sounded and her hologram in a researcher coat danced around happily.
Luis shook his head with a plain expression and said, "There's nothing to be happy about, Lily. Although the performance has improved, it's still far from my satisfaction. Besides, our other projects still haven't produced any results."
{Um...} When talking about this, Lily couldn't help but feel embarrassed. {I am ashamed, Master!}
"Don't fret over it, we just don't have the technology and right research direction. Just keep working on it. Eventually, we will find a way."
{Yes Master!} Lily once again cheered up and vigorously nodded her head. {By the way Master, Miss Rura has sent the contact of the person you asked for. What shall I do about it?}
"Oh, right! I almost forgot! Hmm... just send him a message asking whether he knows the current whereabouts of Jane White." Luis said with a thoughtful expression.
Jane White was an Overlord Rank mercenary, not affiliated with anyone doing missions all over the world. Before Alex came to the academy, she was the one who saved him from mortal danger, and he accompanied her for a few days until he recovered.
If it goes according to the game story, she also became Alex's teacher outside of the academy and he learned a lot of things from her.
{Master! Sister Alicia is back.}
Luis opened the vortex, and Alicia's figure appeared inside the Pocket Space. Then the two of them had lunch together and chatted about casual things.
"Luis, when are you going to invite Rura for a meal?"
"I was thinking of tonight. The earlier, the better. What do you think?"
"What are you looking at her for?! She won't help now! Don't raise your expectations!" Olivia sneered.
Luis had a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes looking at her were indifferent. He noticed Alicia was getting angry, so he grabbed her hand and gestured to her to calm down.
"You misunderstood us, Professor. After our experience on the mission, I don't dare to have any expectations from either of you," he said while approaching Olivia with a calm smile.
Then faced her, without backing down at all, and said with a look of indifference. "I just hope that. Unlike you, Professor Hena won't cause trouble for us."
Olivia was silent as she glared at him, contemplating whether to punch him or not.
Hearing Luis' words, Hena raised to head with a confused expression, then asked with a frown. "What do you mean by trouble, Luis? Aren't you being a bit too excessive with your words? We never said we won't give you the rewards I promised. Olivia was just a little angry because I made such a promise without consulting her."
Luis' expression was still calm and icy as he shook his head. "It's not about the rewards, Professor Hena."
"Then what?" Hena asked, taken aback by his answer.
"... Why don't you see for yourself?" With those words, Luis took out a projection device and activated it in front of her.
Hena was confused and wanted to ask what he wanted to show. However, the screen on the hologram had already started. So, she waited for the video to start playing.
When the video started. Everyone saw Olivia's figure displayed in the video. Olivia also realized what this video was about, and her expression became subtle. She glanced at Luis, deep in thought. No one knows what she was thinking.
[Did they receive your signal?]
[H-How?!]
[... S-Rank.]
[...]
[Hmm, should I tell Luis and the others or not?]
[Well, there's no point, since they are already hurrying over. It doesn't make much of a difference.]
After, the video ended. Olivia looked at Luis with a neutral expression and asked, "Why did you leave your Button Drone on them? Didn't you ask me to handle them?"
"You!" To her question, Alicia became so angry that it became difficult for her to hold back. Not only apologizing for her actions but also questioning Luis.
"Calm down, Alicia."
Luis raised his hand to stop her, then answered Olivia's question.
"It's simple, Professor. I have some trust issues. So, even if I have confidence in your strength. I can't help but be cautious at every turn."
At his answer, Olivia went silent, and memories of her past resurfaced in her mind. 'Trust issues, huh? Maybe if I had been as cautious as him. That incident wouldn't have happened.'
Right then, a scream full of rage sounded inside the office, breaking the formerly tranquil atmosphere.
"What the hell was that, Olivia?! Are you stupid? How could you do that?!" Hena's breathing became intense as she stepped towards her with a fierce expression. "How could you hide such a piece of important information?!"
From that video, she understood in an instant what it was about. However, she had no idea that Olivia hid this information from Luis and the others.
At this moment, Hena was furious.