CHAPTER 54: SILVERTOUCH

From different places, people watched the broadcast of the ongoing examination eyes glued to screens and holograms alike.

Lounges, hospitals, restaurants, resorts, homes and even bars.

Parents cheered their children, some just watching for entertainment, and many others, particularly noble families and large conglomerates, searching for potential seedlings.

In an office building, one such conglomerate, were having a discussion as they watched the test, multiple smaller screens shifting between multiple participants untill they stopped them upon anyone that picked thier interest.

"Wasn’t it said that the White Witch lived in the inner sector? And according to rumors, she had a younger brother." A black haired man in a neatly tailored suit, asked, his presence exuding quiet authority.

He was the CEO of SilverTouch an industry that focused on technological innovations, supplying a huge majority of military grade mechs, automatons and many other automated, mobile war machines to well... The military.

"It is..." A man to his right nodded. He looked quite rough in appearance but rather than making him look less of the position he occupied, it gave him a certain level of rugged charm.

"Amelia," the man called calmly, beckoning on his assistant to give report.

Standing by his right, a young woman pushed up her glasses, her sea blue hair (a mutation resulting from genetic enhancement), packed in a bun.

"Miss. Richelle Storme does live in the Inner sector, and does have a younger brother."

She tapped on her pad, and a 3-D holographic image of Sean appeared on the table, only this time, it was a younger version of him, possibly by a year or two.

"Although there was no active action on the part of the Miss. Richelle to hide him..." she continued.

"Not much about him is known, just as information on the White Witch herself, is scarce."

The room fell silent for a few seconds, as their eyes rested on the younger image of Sean, comparing it to the fifteen year old young man they were watching on the screen, small lightning crackling over his form as he moved, killing every out-worlder he came across.

"Could it be him?" A woman on the table asked, her tone implying caution concerning the person they were talking about.

"Possibly" the rugged young man sighed, as he sank back into his seat.

"Well, unless Noxus is trying to tie him to another company, I doubt that changes anything. As the brother of the White Witch, securing him and tying him to us is not an offer we can pass up on." The CEO reasoned.

"But it’s still Noxus though, and the White Witch we are talking about. Treading carefully around them is common sense." The woman argued.

"Like I said, approaching him to be the face of our company, or ambassador from the set of students, wouldn’t be a bad idea." The CEO repeated his point.

"The noble families would not allow their scions to do something like modelling gears that was not made by themselves, or allied companies, and since we’re on a contract with the military, we’re almost enemies." The rugged man chimed in, CIO of the company.

"The White Witch on the other hand, works closely with the military, so if she see’s no problem with allowing her younger brother work with us, I say its worth the shot." He concluded.

The woman went silent for a few seconds, before sighing. "Well, it’s a good point, but let’s not put all our eggs in one basket. We still have two other surprising individuals. That number two student is a must have."

"The student in third place, Thorne Hiddleston," Amelia began, highlighting Thorne’s movements in the Gate, particularly his shocking display of three affinities!

His fighting style, efficiency in killing... Everything pointed to someone who had training. Like martial arts.

His large blade could attack off handed, and he had used that deceptive attack of controlling the blade without holding it, to kill several out-worlders already. A clear display of metal affinity.

Then there was his flames, they were as terrifying or even more than that of the Hiltons taking the exams. Of course those were only the average members of the family.

While his flames were as impressive, his use of them, were unrefined. As mana enhanced humans themselves, they could see that.

Lastly, there was his movement as though he knew where each and every out-worlder was. Although Sean still dominated the leaderboard, it was Thorne who had the most kills.

There were also scenarios where the out-worlders he fought would freeze, as though something had attacked their mind... Psychic ability.

People with Psychic affinities were already supremely rare in Aegis and were revered just the same. To find one that didn’t just have psychic affinity, but two others as well... His value didn’t need to be mentioned.

"Unfortunately, he is already tied to the Hemlocks." Amelia continued. "From what I was able to gather, he was recruited by Michael Hemlock."

"Michael?" The rugged CIO raised a brow, his lips curling into a frown. "Forget it. Its useless. Michael I know would have already tied him down in every way. Maybe including his family if he has one. It’s a lost cause."

The others went silent, though displeased. They knew he was right. Micheal didn’t exactly have the best reputation in Elysium. And this time, the talent in question was one with three affinities!

"Pardon me but lest I forget," Amelia cut in. "About two weeks ago, Michael, Miss. Richelle, and Devon Harts were spotted in Morales Hospital."

"Together with them, were Sean Storme, Thorne Hiddleston, and our number three target, Andrew Cane."

"Devon? The Devon? That guy is still alive?" The CIO asked in surprise.

"Yes sir. He was there, and according to the hospital records, he performed a check on the three students, but the results of the test, nor what it was for, was cleared from every record or file we could lay our hands on."

"Devon has not been spotted since then, and the and Mr. Andrew Cane, had gone on to live with Miss. Richelle and her brother afterwards. From the boy’s records, he is an orphan."

Their eyes turned to the screen, watching as a black haired young man with a dark complexion, walked step by step, almost haggard.

His face was somewhat swollen with heat blisters, however his eyes were bloodshot and lifeless, and steam poured out of his breath like fog.

To his front, was an out-worlder that looked human in every sense, save for skin color and dwarf height. But the aura it exuded, was anything but dwarf.

A Stage-2 out-worlder!