Secret Revelations

"Jeremy, why did you call off the operation?" Mr. Steer had clearly come in a foul mood. He sat down without touching the Amo Fruit juice in front of him and went straight to the question.

"Steer, the organization doesn't exist just to serve you. We have more to consider. David has attracted attention from several quarters, and with Hans's influence on top of that, taking action against David again so soon could lead to unforeseen consequences. The organization doesn't want that!" Trainer Jeremy's smile faded, and he spoke in a grave voice.

Next door, David heard his own name. He also learned that there was another organization operating in secret, confirming that his earlier suspicions had been right.

"Jeremy, I've been feeling tired a lot lately, and the wrinkles on my face are getting worse. Could the organization grant me a bottle of the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth'?" Mr. Steer touched his cheek and asked again, his tone conciliatory.

"Steer, you know how precious the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth' is. You're only an outer member of the organization, and you haven't made the necessary contributions. We can't provide you with the elixir." Trainer Jeremy shook his head.

"You can't blame me for what happened with David! The organization promised to take him out, but it still hasn't succeeded!" Mr. Steer raised his voice in protest.

"Are you blaming the organization?" A sharp glint flashed in Trainer Jeremy's eyes, then quickly vanished. He explained in a low voice, "I personally set the trap and even used mental interference. It should have been foolproof!"

Mr. Steer said nothing. He also wanted to know how David had survived the organization's plan.

"It must have been the Sirius Mercenary Group's accidental interference. It weakened my influence over David's mind and allowed him to survive!" Trainer Jeremy himself had many questions about David's survival. He was only forcing an explanation on Mr. Steer.

Trainer Jeremy couldn't understand how an ordinary high school student could have broken free of his mental interference.

The original plan had been perfect. The high schooler's curiosity about new things, his admiration for an unknown civilization, and his longing for greater power had all been meant to drive him to attempt the sacrifice.

That would have made the death of a child of a National Scholar an accident—one that couldn't be made public. The authorities would only downplay the matter.

But David had survived. Then, after several Armored Warriors died outside David's home, David—who had barely attracted any attention before—came under intense scrutiny.

The incident had even drawn the attention of a major figure like Gallen. It was already beyond Trainer Jeremy's control, so he had urgently called off all action against David.

"Jeremy, could the organization advance me a bottle of the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth'?" Mr. Steer pleaded again. All his usual arrogance had vanished. He continued, "Don't worry. Once the heat dies down, I'll have someone kill David. Given Hans's condition, he's sure to fall apart. Then the National Scholar title will pass to my grandson, Edie. Edie's still young, and Bertha is a woman who doesn't bother with affairs. In the end, the National Scholar title will still fall into my hands!"

"Steer, do you still not understand? If you directly kill a National Scholar's family member, the police and the Military will investigate. You'll have nowhere to hide, and even the organization could be exposed!" Trainer Jeremy said sternly.

"But David will only be in Peilan City for another six months. With Gallen's ability, David is sure to get into Na'an University. After that, it'll be impossible to deal with him!" Mr. Steer said anxiously.

"Hans's National Scholar title is one of the rare ones that can be passed down three times. Hans himself hasn't used one of his title's choices, and the organization must get its hands on that title. That's not negotiable. Once things quiet down, the organization will arrange another accident for David. Don't get involved again!" Trainer Jeremy said with greater emphasis.

Only then did David understand what these people were after.

The National Scholar title was the highest honor an Armored Warrior on the front lines could receive. It came with exceptional privileges, and after returning, a National Scholar also had the right to choose a position. Important posts in numerous key departments could be given priority.

Because of his health, Hans hadn't used this right to choose a position. Instead, like an ordinary retiree, he had joined the Department of Justice in Peilan City.

This was the first time David had learned that Hans's National Scholar title could be passed down three times. How many times it could be passed down depended on the merits the titleholder had earned.

Even an ordinary National Scholar title was extremely rare. One that could be passed down three times was exceptionally uncommon throughout the Interstellar Federation.

This secret organization had set its sights on the title's three inheritances. Getting Hans's National Scholar title would mean they could place at least one of their own in a key department of the Interstellar Federation.

Hans had left that opportunity to David, so David had to die.

Most of the fog in David's mind had lifted, but he still didn't know what this organization actually was.

Even when Mr. Steer and Trainer Jeremy met in secret, even as they discussed how to deal with a National Scholar's family member, they never mentioned the organization's name.

They probably considered its name even more important than all of that.

"Jeremy, what about the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth'?" Mr. Steer had no shame left when it came to the elixir. He pleaded once more.

When Hans and Bertha had married, Mr. Steer had sincerely wished them well.

But then Trainer Jeremy had appeared and struck a deal with Mr. Steer. After using the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth' once, Mr. Steer's frail, aging body had regained its youth.

Although the Interstellar Federation had many ways to preserve one's youth, those methods weren't meant for ordinary people. They were intended for Peak Armored Warriors, whose physical abilities far surpassed those of ordinary people.

Of course, even the few incredibly precious medicines that ordinary people could use would never be available to someone like Mr. Steer, who lived in a small city on a remote planet.

But the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth' couldn't be taken just once. A bottle had to be taken every year; otherwise, the user would begin to age rapidly.

After that, he began serving the organization in the hope of getting more of the elixir.

To achieve this, he passed along all the intelligence he gathered to the organization by any means necessary. He even sacrificed his own daughter's happiness, all so that he could kill David, cause Hans's death, and ultimately obtain the National Scholar title.

"This time, I share some of the blame for how things with David were handled. All right, I'll personally apply for a bottle of the 'Elixir of Eternal Youth' for you. I'll contact you again in about ten days." Trainer Jeremy knew how to keep Mr. Steer in line. He considered it for a moment, then spoke.

"Thank you so much!" Mr. Steer excitedly swung an arm. If the situation had allowed it, he would have shouted.

He was addicted to his youthful body. Once he had experienced the feeling of growing old, he never wanted to go through it again. For that goal, he would even sell his soul to the devil.

"Steer, you also need to expand Steer Hotel as soon as possible. The organization has invested so much, but your results have been disappointing!" Trainer Jeremy tapped the table to remind him.

"Jeremy, I may not be as good as you at other things, but when it comes to business, you can rest assured!" Mr. Steer took a sip of his Amo Fruit juice, then said smugly.

"Oh? What have you done?" Trainer Jeremy asked with interest and a smile.

"I anonymously set up a company, then began laying the groundwork under its name six months ago, gradually buying up shares in Central Hotel and West City Hotel. I now own more than 40 percent of both hotels. I'll wait a little longer, then invest more and take full control of them," Mr. Steer said quietly.

Though his voice was low, David heard every word.

Central Hotel and West City Hotel were both large hotels, no smaller than Steer Hotel, and wielded considerable influence. Even the authorities often requisitioned their Armored Warriors when launching major operations.

If Mr. Steer really took control of these two hotels, he would become the largest hotel group in Peilan City, with enough influence to affect many things.