Chapter 40: Brewing before the storm
"Sure," Oliver replied, stepping aside to lean against the wall.
Elias entered, finding Geras in his usual military uniform. He was standing by a whiteboard covered in a grid of lines, dozens of red magnets marking various points on its surface. He moved a piece deliberately, then turned to Elias with a faint smile.
"Ah, perfect. On time as always," Geras said. His tone shifted slightly as he gestured to Elias's face. "So, how's A Block been so far? And—did Yui leave marks on you?"
Elias touched his face briefly, shrugging.
"He did, but it's nothing serious. As for A Block... I haven't talked much with them yet, but it's clear everyone has their own priorities. Some people have families—wives, kids, lives back home. I think they're going to need some kind of compensation for their time. The setup here is impressive—the big rooms, training areas, even the gaming room—but it still feels like they're prisoners."
Geras nodded thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. "I see. Those are valid concerns. I'll take them into account. I've reviewed everyone here and want them to be as cooperative as possible."
Elias hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I'm also curious to learn more about this Doctor. We'll be seeing him again soon, right? I'll be sure to update you on how that goes."
Geras's smile thinned. "Yes, I'm curious about that as well. Do keep me informed." He paused, tilting his head slightly. "Anything else on your mind?"
Elias frowned, his voice lowering. "Actually... yes. The shard user who attacked me and Elara—has he been caught? And how was he able to track me like that? Who is he?"