Chapter 66

Several days had elapsed since Aris's encounter began to take on a new significance.

True to their promise, Panua not only handed over the artifact to Lennok but also granted him numerous benefits due to their failure in the operation.

A substantial amount of money had poured into Lennok's account, which had previously held a mere 20 million cells, sufficient to acquire another Stemmonia.

Lennok desired to purchase another one as a backup immediately, but things did not unfold as he had hoped.

Even with an abundance of wealth, it is futile if the items are not available at the auction.

Ultimately, he must strive for a higher position than the current one to avoid squandering that fortune.

A week later, Lennok returned to the Dyke headquarters where the negotiations had taken place.

"Hello, my name is Manya House, and I have been assigned to assist Mr. Van for this operation," greeted a remarkably youthful-looking officer with an impassive expression.

"As you may have heard from Team Leader Panua, there will be a test today to select the members of this project. During this process, Mr. Van, you will evaluate and filter out candidates who are deemed unqualified."

She presented Lennok with a small shopping bag, holding it out with both hands. Upon inspecting its contents, he found an ordinary suit that officers might typically wear.

"It's not custom-made, but the size should fit you well enough. It should enable you to blend in naturally with the other officers."

Lennok compliantly changed into the suit, concurring with Manya's assertion that there was no need to stand out.

He unfastened the top button of the tight shirt and loosely adjusted the narrow necktie, but Manya made no comment about it.

"This suit is directly distributed by the company and is highly elastic and durable, so it serves as a form of self-defense. Unless you have any particular aversion to it, I recommend matching your attire for future operations."

"Because I shouldn't draw attention?"

"Because the other team members selected this time can potentially be replaced for your life."

Manya nonchalantly uttered these unsettling words and turned away.

Despite her youthful appearance, she possessed a sharp and pragmatic mindset.

Lennok smirked and promptly followed her lead.

They boarded a fast-moving elevator, descending to the basement of the building.

They traversed the underground parking lot designated for employees and executives, descending further still.

Manya began to speak while gazing into the pitch-black darkness reflected beyond the glass window.

"A significant amount of lobbying money was allocated to the city government to secure the basement space at the headquarters. Great efforts were made to secure the route that should have been taken by the subway."

"What?"

"We have already determined that we unquestionably require the assistance of Mr. Van, the wizard, to succeed in this project. It wouldn't be a bad business move if we can address the criticisms and gain trust."

Manya's unflinching response bore a resemblance to the rational wizards in certain aspects.

Was Panua aware of her nature and deliberately assigned her to Lennok?

As these fleeting thoughts crossed his mind, the elevator halted, and the doors opened.

They proceeded through a hallway illuminated by cold metallic light and crossed an arch-shaped bridge, revealing a colossal cavity below.

A rough-hewn structure resembling an expansive space had been excavated, with lighting fixtures affixed overhead.

The floor was paved with solid concrete, and a podium had been set up in one corner. Apart from construction equipment, the empty space only housed several individuals bustling about, bringing and arranging various topographical features.

By observing Killian, who was overseeing the work at the forefront, Lennok's eyebrows twitched.

"What is all this?"

"They are establishing a temporary facility to assess the candidates. Killian personally took charge and brought the necessary materials."

"Killian?"

He had always perceived Killian as a troublemaker who instigated fights everywhere, but now he realized that Killian was capable of such work as well. Moreover, the structures they were installing appeared remarkably well-crafted, which was even more surprising.

Upon hearing Lennok's comment, Manya, sensing the sentiment behind his words, glanced back at him and spoke again.

"Did you notice?"

"I could sense that you were using mana."

Manya lowered her head slightly with an awkward expression.

"I would appreciate it if you refrained from influencing the candidates before the completion of the physical test. We have very strict confidentiality conditions here, and they are likely to be quite sensitive."

Lennok nodded vaguely at Manya's words, but that wasn't what surprised him.

He was astonished by Manya's responsiveness, as she belatedly noticed the energy of his mana that he hadn't directed towards her and checked its direction.

Considering that none of the other candidates moving around had noticed Lennok's mana until it pressed down on their shoulders, it was undoubtedly a rare talent.

"Have you learned any specific magic or rituals?" Lennok asked out of curiosity.

"I am not participating in the combat part of the plan..."

"I'm just curious."

Reluctantly, Manya replied, "I've learned a little bit of color-sensing magic a long time ago. It won't be of much help now."

"I see..."

‘Color-sensing magic, huh...'

Encountering wizards with such abilities always reminded Lennok of the face of the "Great Seer."

The clue to the word "Alcaid" that the Great Seer had mentioned still eluded him.

For now, he had made progress in his conversation with Aris, so he should cautiously approach the topic using her connections.

But that was a matter for another time.

Meanwhile, the candidates had lined up in front of the stage, and Panua, standing at the front, began to speak.

"Nice to meet you. I am Panua, the head of Dyke's planning team. We've already had individual interviews once before."

Silence greeted her words.

Panua continued without expecting a response, "As I mentioned earlier, this test is conducted to select the most suitable personnel for the company's projects. We will provide an advance payment and success fee to those selected as team members."

The eyes of the candidates immediately shifted as the topic of compensation arose.

If the freelancers gathered from various backgrounds had such reactions, it meant that Panua had endured significant losses without looking back.

"We plan to select members through two stages: a physical test and a personal test. Killian will oversee the physical test, while a wizard we have contacted will handle the personal test."

As Panua spoke, Lennok felt the surreptitious glances directed toward him from those in the audience.

Sharp and sensitive emotions flowed through without filtration.

It was a direct projection of their displeasure towards the examiners evaluating them.

Unlike Killian's savage aura, Lennok appeared as an ordinary young man on the surface, making it somewhat natural.

If he intended to hide his mana, no one here would notice.

As Panua finished speaking, other employees swiftly guided the candidates.

From the looks of it, all the test processes had already been designed, and the procedure would incorporate the opinions of Killian and Lennok to some extent.

The first stage began with a light assessment of basic physical abilities.

Strength, agility, stamina, mana quantity and responsiveness, and control ability were measured, with other employees standing nearby recording the values.

As Lennok observed the process, his gaze became fixed on one particular woman amidst the candidates.

She had an air of meticulousness, with tightly tied back black hair.

Externally, she appeared ordinary, but Lennok sensed something peculiar in the mana emanating from her during the mana measurement.

There was an eerie artificiality to her cold mana, devoid of human warmth... It was undoubtedly the same kind he had encountered somewhere before.

(TO BE CONTINUED)