33 Heading out 1 (1/2)
Cardwell was shocked silly, still unsure what just happened. The arm that he visibly saw rot away, and scatter into dust after he cut it off his body, appeared on his arm, being as it was before. The energy circulation pathways were also present and was like it was never disrupted. His elemental energy and magic energy continued to pour through every inch of his body completely.
If he couldn't see how powerful the person in front of him is, he should just kill himself by his own stupidity. He gulped, and said to Xander, respectfully this time,
”Mr. Simpson, my name is Mr. Cardwell and I do work for Freidwork Conglomerate. What my employer simply wanted to ask of you is whether you would be interested in joining a research committee they have recently established to apply the theoretical information you have recently published.”
He was bowing the whole time, so he couldn't see that Xander didn't take note of whatever he said at all. Since he thought Xander wasn't against the idea, he continued to speak.
”My employer is not binding you to a working contract, but rather on a level of invited researcher, and any products developed by the research team, you would have 2% of the net profits. Not only that, they plan to give you real estate properties of your choosing that are under their control-”
”Stop talking,” Xander said, his voice soft, but it carried a hint of dominance.
Immediately, Cardwell stopped talking. He knew what his boundaries were now. He couldn't defeat this person, someone who with a wave of a hand managed to bypass his defenses and even affect his body to that extent.
After all, once one steps in the Mythic stage, their bodies become united to their chosen domain. A domain is basically their own rule, a rule derived from the understanding of elemental representation that they have copied and embodied in their Magic Sphere. Their magic spheres, upon breaking through to Mythic class, meld to every inch and nook and cranny of their bodies, thoroughly fusing with every single cell, every macro and micromolecule that they had in their bodies. The domain they form at Mythic-1 establishes the path they have to take in the future breakthroughs. If in the previous classes, they were focused on temporarily improving their physical attributes, at Mythic stage, it is continuous process of strengthening the body and deepening one's understanding of their domain.
For example, in Cardwell's case, his elements were Fire, Earth/Metal and Wind. The Domain he created was [Heavy Blazing Winds], which can cause anything within that domain to blaze up while slowly becoming heavier and heavier, and slow down due to the winds. To progress in this class, their understanding of their own rule must become perfect. Every 10% increment in comprehension meant progressing a stage. As he was a Mythic-7, he had 70% comprehension of his domain, and whenever it activates, his body is strengthened to a level beyond Adamantium-Mithril alloy. Even if it wasn't activated, his body should have the strength and defense just below that of Adamantium-Mithril alloy.
Simply put, at Mythic class, the amount of time you can extend your personal 'rule' is dependent on your comprehension and physical body state. It also still follows the general trend of, if your domain is made up more elements than the other person, your domain will exert more power than your other members. At the same time, the more you extend the area of your domain, the shorter period it can last.
Of course, they weren't like Xander who was granted total control of Space-Time elements, and he only needed to work with his comprehension of them to improve his powers. He just needed to follow the flow of spell-creation up to Master class, and for Legendary and above, he'll just wait and see.
”Ok, Mr. Cardwell, please tell your employer I am not interested. I simply do not have the time to do so; I only published that paper like I said, because a friend asked for my help. If I receive any more disturbances, well, I would assume you didn't tell your superiors about what I mentioned, and I will be visiting you 'personally' to address this grievance, ok?” Xander said, smiling at Cardwell.
Of course, Cardwell wasn't stupid and could see the blatant threat, but it was better living with a reduced payment than dying anyways, so fuck his employers. He then promised to himself once he submitted the report, he would file for indefinite leave and disappear for a couple of years, focusing on cultivation and using up his amassed cultivation resources. Cardwell bid Xander farewell and left the establishment.
Xander didn't mind at all, and signaled Carliste who was standing by the kitchen door to come and prepare the bill. Immediately, Carliste presented the total bill and Xander, upon reading it, nodded and paid via bank transfer. At the same time, he tipped Carliste a staggering amount of 40,000 Etas, causing Carliste to weep in joy and call Xander his daddy.
Xander stood up and head out to his hotel, following the same disguise process. Upon their exit, the mercenaries entered the restaurant again, seemed like nothing had ever happened.
Upon reaching his hotel, he discovered an alert coming from his smartwatch, and realized he was going to be in for a good show.
________________________________
In an unknown place, underground.
A group of people was present, seemingly waiting for someone. There were a few chatters here and there but was relatively mild. A hologram of another figure appeared after a few minutes, causing everyone to quiet down.
It was the same general who headed the discussion concerning Xander's contract signing with sprites.
”Everyone, I have received a report that this magic researcher, Homer Simpson, is probably a Demigod class or higher. At the same time, we believe he truly is just a 26-year-old person, and not some old man disguising as one.”
”This is a problem because this person seemed to be a foreign power not affiliated with our country. Professor Willow, please explain.”
Another hologram appeared, this time, a middle-aged woman was standing with a laboratory coat on her.
”Yes. Thank you general. Please observe the video that I have sent to this committee.”
After a few minutes of watching the video that showed the encounter between Cardwell and Xander, everyone was silent.
”This video was taken from the premises of the Seav Restaurant in Verdant city, Delta province of Eta. As you know, video recording equipment have developed to a degree that it can capture the movement of elements as well as even analyze the elements present in the area. The downside is that they must have information concerning these elements to detect and record them properly.”
”The video showed that the first time Homer Simpson waved his hand, there were no elemental fluctuations whatsoever detected by the recorder, so we can assume that he didn't use spells or controlled the elements right? Wrong. It only means that the first attack he did to Mr. Cardwell was an element that we have not previously detected or categorized. Meaning, it is not possible for him to have studied his primary, secondary and tertiary education in Eta, because for the past 400 years, the education system has been created in such a way people's information are completely recorded, from their favorite food to their capabilities. Meaning, the information recorded in our database is fake, no matter how perfect the time records were.”
”Now look at the second motion that Homer Simpson did, the moment where he restored the lost arm of Mr. Cardwell. We initially thought that the element presented by Mr. Simpson was of the Life-Death elements, because of the decaying and disintegrating property that was shown in his first attack. However, this was not the case. The recorder only managed to detect the presence of 5-elements series, and not a single element particle present in the area was from the Life-Death elements. Either someone tampered with the results or-”
”Ms. Willow, I presume? Why haven't you invited me to this lovely talk about me?” A voice suddenly resounded in the area, cutting off Ms. Willow. Everyone was surprised, even the general.
”Oh? The general of the state is here as well, and several heads of conglomerate groups and family clans. Hello.”
”Mr. Simpson, I presume?” A sardonic voice sounded, coming from a middle-aged man seated. Of course, everyone here was just a hologram, so they had nothing to worry about.
”Oh, it's our divine fortune teller, Mr. Calloway. How are you today, still stuck in the peak of Master class, eh? Pity, you never recognized your real primary elements, haha.” Calloway froze momentarily before being in a daze. Seeing this, Xander snickered.
”Oops, I've said too much. I might advertently help him, haha!” Xander guffawed in his hologram. Professor Willow's eyes, however, glittered, and she processed the things Xander just mentioned.
”Anyhow, just wanted to tell you that after I complete the task my friend asked me to do, I'll probably disappear. So don't worry too much. I'll probably be done in like, 4 more days? In the meantime, don't bother or delay me ok? You won't like when I'm annoyed.”
”Oh, what, you going to kill us all?” Another sarcastic voice sounded. This time, it was a woman who looked like in her mid-30s. Xander just smiled, and raised his hand and pointed at her, and snapped his fingers.
”Martha Seward, A Demigod-4, one of the elders of the Seward family. Hmm, I wonder, check the members of your immediate family, maybe there's some of them that just suddenly... disappeared? Hehe.”
”Ah, what a pity, little Clarissa was just discovered to have 4 primary elements? What a pity she never reached her potential. What about little Henry, your great-grandson, already starting his first day in primary school... oops, I forgot, he just died right now.”
”Also I found an interesting fact. It seems your son is still stuck in Mythic-9? Pity, he won't ever breakthrough now. HAHA!”
As she heard these names coming out of Xander's mouth, Martha's face quickly changed. Martha quickly disappeared from the meeting, causing silence to permeate from the room.
”Ok, peace out, I'mma head out tomorrow for my task. Hope I don't see ya~” Xander did a peace sign before mockingly saluting everyone, and his hologram disappeared.
After a few minutes, Martha appeared, her face full of fury.
”WHERE IS HE?”
”Wait, he did it?” Another one of them asked, gasping.