Negotiations

Chapter 26: Negotiations

The White Eagle Federation's system of timekeeping was much like the one Sulu remembered from his previous life: twelve months in a year, thirty days in each month, and twenty-four hours in a day.

Three hours later.

As the Weakness status disappeared from his Attribute Panel, Sulu felt as if a weight had suddenly been lifted from him. Energy coursed through his whole body, and he could hardly resist the urge to throw his head back and shout.

"It's finally over!"

He clenched his fists.

Now that his physical abilities surpassed those of ordinary people in every way, Sulu felt as if he had become a little superhero.

With my abilities... if I got close suddenly, I should be able to take out one witch... But there are two of them, maybe more!

Lost in thought, he returned to the dormitory.

Sean was tidying up the room while humming a tune, looking to be in a very good mood.

"What's going on?"

Sulu had only meant to sit in the living room for a while, but when he saw Sean dressed up in a suit, he couldn't help asking.

"Sorry..." Sean apologized sincerely. "I can't keep following Molly anymore."

"Oh? Why?"

"Because..." Sean suddenly looked a little bashful. "I ran into Catherine during my daily routine today. Oh! That gentle voice, that incredible figure... I think I'm in love, buddy!"

"Then congratulations!"

Sulu took a sip of plain water, at a loss for words. "But honestly... I wouldn't recommend taking any concrete action!"

After what had happened to him that night, even if Molly herself was harmless, there was a good chance the woman beside her wasn't. Sulu genuinely didn't want his roommate to put himself in danger.

"How can you say that?"

Sean's expression changed at once, the muscles in his face seeming to twist. "I thought... you understood me."

Yeah, yeah... I know what it's like to be single, but it's hard to watch you throw yourself headfirst into a massive pit.

No... considering that Molly had previously been convinced Beatrice was the one who'd asked her to deliver the letter, whoever was behind all this might have some terrifying ability like "psychological suggestion" or "memory implantation"!

Sulu stared at Sean, feeling that another dangerous factor had just emerged.

By now, he had more or less classified Molly and her entire social circle as potential threats.

Otherwise, there was no way to explain how it could be such a coincidence. He had exposed himself by speaking Gulam Language in front of Molly during the day, and that night, he had been attacked.

"By the way, what did Instructor Catherine say to you?"

"A lot, a lot..." Sean said dreamily. "We even ended up talking about you. I promised her I'd never do anything as shameful as following someone again, even if you forced me to!"

"Bullshit!"

Sulu's head was spinning.

No wonder he'd been attacked that night, if Sean had confessed everything.

"How can you say that about my Goddess?" Sean was clearly furious. "Even if you did clean the sewers for me, if you say something like that again, we're through!"

Oh, so you do remember that I did the dirty work for you.

Sulu rolled his eyes in contempt at the guy who valued a girlfriend over a friendship that had lasted for years. At the same time, he felt a little puzzled.

To be fair, Sean was a bit of a mess, but he wasn't the sort to value a woman over his friends to this extent.

Then... was he being influenced somehow?

He guessed silently, put on an angry expression, and returned to his bedroom without a word, slamming the door shut.

Fortunately, I knew a mastermind was watching me from the shadows. I've kept the Gold Dragon, the important letters, the iron piece, and that page from the magic book hidden elsewhere all along.

Sulu lay down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, in the dining hall.

After a good night's rest, Sulu was full of energy. He tore open a piece of wheat bread, dipped it in warm milk, and ate it bite by bite.

After what had happened the previous night, he felt he couldn't keep defending himself so passively.

He had to find the right moment to take out those two masterminds!

The events of the previous night had exposed them, too.

Maybe... I really should call the police. Donald said he wanted to join forces last night, but he can't be trusted! The most important thing is... I can stay hidden and silence them!

As for today's Combat Club duel, he had already put it out of his mind. Donald would take care of everything himself!

"Hey, Sulu!"

Just as Sulu was about to ask for another buttered roll, having nearly finished the first, Sean walked over hesitantly, his expression uncertain. "Yesterday, Catherine also told me she wanted to see you!"

"Her? She wants to see me?"

Sulu's heart sank. "When? Where?"

"At nine this morning, in the School Central Garden!" Sean added at the end, "Can I come with you?"

"..."

Sulu was speechless as his mind raced.

After what had happened the previous night, he had almost figured out the identity of his attacker. It definitely had something to do with Catherine.

Now she had openly asked to meet him. He was rather surprised.

If Catherine had asked to meet somewhere deserted and remote, I definitely wouldn't go. I'd call the police immediately... Meeting a witch who was already prepared to ambush me in a place like that would be suicide. But the School Central Garden?

It was a public place, with people coming and going. Neither side could make a move without attracting attention.

He had to admit, it was a good place to negotiate.

Sulu checked the time, stood up, and brushed off his clothes. "Thanks, but I think I'll go alone."

After sending away a disappointed Sean, Sulu headed to the center of the university.

In the middle of the snow-white marble plaza, flower beds had been built from pebbles of all shapes and sizes. Brightly colored flowers bloomed there, filling the air with a heady, sweet fragrance.

Every so often, a few students could be seen lingering among them.

Sulu took a deep breath and walked to the very center.

A little over ten minutes later, a woman carrying a folder of lesson plans came over.

She looked to be just under thirty, tall and curvaceous, with a head of golden curls. Her limpid eyes seemed to speak, and her lips were as red as fire. Every inch of her radiated the irresistible charm of a mature woman. She was exactly the sort of woman young men like Sean found impossible to resist.

"Hello, Instructor Catherine. What do you want?"

Sulu glanced around.

The area was open. People passed by from time to time, but as long as he kept his voice down, there was little chance anyone would overhear them.

"To negotiate!"

Catherine's voice turned cold. "I know... you recognized me. I have no intention of hiding anything. I don't know how you became a transcendent, but believe me, you're still far behind us!"

She thinks I'm a transcendent?!

Sulu's heart stirred. He realized that his attributes, far above those of ordinary people, had successfully misled her.

A transcendent probably has some powerful backing, so... they're a little wary of me?

Sulu felt more confident. He smiled. "You've been the ones attacking me from the beginning, haven't you? Starting with the incident at the White Tower Cafe!"