Hansen Institute,

When Zack was studying in the library. A piece of news was released from the management. The news was about the competition going to conduct by Hansen Institute in a few weeks. This news spread like wildfire across the red stone city.

When the statement was published. It also made the people who were protesting outside of the gate disperse immediately. As the statement was released now, they had no reason to protest anymore.

So the entire place was vacated immediately. Except for a few people who came here for different purposes rest of them were gone.

The media houses begin to broadcast the news about the Hansen campus.

[Accoding to the statement released by Hansen Institute.]

[The competition's date will be decided after closing off the registration process.]

[The time limit for registration is 2 weeks and limited to Red Stone City's warriors.]

[Only warriors below 18 years old were allowed to participate.]

[Rules and Prizes of the competition will be announced after completion of the registration process.]

Time went by,

When this news was broadcasted to residents of the city. It immediately created a huge hysteria. Even the voices from the city lord mansion stopped disturbing Elder Thornton.

On the other hand, people who were waiting outside of the Hansen institute were immediately called back by their force. Some belonged to the local city while the rest of them came from outside of the city.

Though this announcement immediately lifted Hansen Institute's problem. But still, some media houses continue to inquire about Zack Lockwood.

Even some media houses began to hold debate shows about this. Some veterans felt that this move might have something to do with this year's star tower winner, Zack Lockwood.

But unfortunately, no one knows his current whereabouts. Zack was last spotted at Red Stone City's station a few months ago. Until now, they couldn't able to find out his whereabouts.

Unknown to them, Zack was gradually increasing his knowledge about the Soul power.

Elder Thornton's cabin,

Elder Thornton is currently watching the effect of their statement around the city. Apart from some big media houses, there are only a few local channels in their city. But all of them are showing the news about Hansen's competition.

He wore a wide grin on his face after looking at the reaction. This small idea has changed the circumstances of their Hansen campus.

Now no one will pester them anymore. Especially, people who maliciously spread lies about the Hansen institute and Zack, now need to come up with another tactic.

Feeling the accomplishment, Elder Thornton breathed in relief.

The next second his sci-fi watch buzzes with notification.

Seeing that, he lazily cast a glance at the contact name. He felt that people from the city lord mansion pestering him again.

But when his dull eyes saw the name of Ricardo Compton. His eyes gleamed with surprise. He quickly straightened his back and sat upright.

Then he attended the call and answered, "Ricardo?"

From the other side of the call, a deep voice came, "Thornton, what happened with the helper? I'll be leaving with my team in a few days."

Hearing the impatient voice, Elder Thornton replied, "Yes, I have arranged one of our students as your helper." He didn't want to repeat the same conversation. This was something that had already been talked about.

He felt his friend is confirming things again. Well, it's understandable, since they are going to leave in a few days.

The next second, Elder Thornton heard loud laughter from the other side of the phone call.

"Ha...Ha...Ha..."

"I knew you won't disappoint me."

"Get that chap ready, we will be leaving coming Monday. And you know where to find us."

After saying that Ricardo abruptly ended the phone call.

Seeing that, Elder Thornton was dazed for a moment. He wanted to remind him about a few taboos. He knows his old friend won't offend Zack. But it can be said the same with Ricardo's team members.

If something happens to Zack because of Ricardo and his team members. Then Zack's teacher will bury everyone alive.

So Elder Thornton has slight fear that someone will offend Zack. That's why he wanted to remind his good friend. But seeing that he ended the call all of sudden. He felt a quite headache.

Ricardo is a researcher. He rarely picks up a call. Even if he dials back him again, Ricardo won't pick it up. Knowing other person's character well, he had black lines on his forehead.

Since the exploration team is finalised. He will remind Ricardo when he and Zack reach their base. So it's unnecessary to wrap your mind around this now.

Then he sent a message to Zack. Requesting his presence here before he goes back home. Elder Thornton didn't know that Zack was inside the library.

He assumed Zack was practising inside one of the training chambers.

...

Crimson Hall,

The current crimson hall appeared to be deserted. Apart from the students, the number of staff was gradually reduced. Very few leaders can be seen inside the building.

At this time, outside of the headmaster's room. The female assistant quickly arranged the reports in her hands. Suddenly, her sci-fi watch buzzes with notification.

With all the reports in her hand, it's difficult for her to look at the message. At that time, "Creak" the door in front of her opened.

Seeing that, she immediately walked into the room with perfectly arranged reports.

Opposite her, the grumpy headmaster of the crimson hall was working on the protection screen.

When he saw the reports in the assistant's hands. His eyes gleamed with surprise. "Finally, the reports were here," He thought to himself.

First Elder Casey asked him about the progress report of their students a few days ago.

Right now, he saw his assistant place the report on his table. He asked her, "is that all?"

The female assistant nodded and answered, "Head, all the reports of our students are placed here."

Hearing that, the headmaster nodded with a smile. He decided to hand over the reports to First Elder Casey in a few minutes.

Beep!

Then he heard the notification sound from the assistant's sci-fi watch.

Feeling his gaze, the female assistant quickly begins to check the notification.

The headmaster didn't disturb her. But he wrinkles his eyebrows as he saw her calm face turned into total shock.

He asked, "What happened?"

Hearing that, the female staff quickly replied, "Head, check this news out." After saying that she forwarded the news to him.

Beep!

When the headmaster received the notification, he began to check it. It is a new article from the red stone city. If it were anyone they don't waste their time by reading a Tier-8 city's news article.

But for the crimson hall's headmaster, it immediately drew attention. He quickly accessed the site to read the whole article.

It's the article about the warrior competition that is going to happen in Red Stone City. What amazed him was? The event will be conducted by Hansen Institute.

A cold glint flashes into his eyes as he reads the familiar name.historical

After reading the whole article his expression turned solemn. "It looks like they counterattack the rumours by releasing this statement," He mumbled under his breath.

He is not oblivious about what was happening inside the red stone city. Few of their men were stationed there for a spying operation.

Especially, they are starting at Hansen Campus.

A quick glint flashes in his eyes.

"Is there any sign of Zack Lockwood?" The headmaster inquired.

Hearing that, the female staff commented, "Our spies haven't found him so far."

Most of his bad luck started when he began to deal with this kid.

From bounty missions to the assassination attempt. Then they implemented of killing scheme at star tower. The kid Zack has survived every situation.

Now he is gone incognito for a few months. Who knows? Where is he hiding right now? Including them, several hostile forces searching for his whereabouts.

The more he thinks about Zack, the more his face becomes ugly. He knows more than him, First Elder Casey wants that kid dead. Because of their misadventure at star tower. First Elder Casey had to deal with a lot of humiliation.

It all started with a small mission which further became a border dispute. So First Elder Casey won't leave that kid alive. If they had completed the mission, the border wouldn't have happened.

SIGH

He let out a deep sigh as he recalled those bitter memories. He saw his assistant is still waiting for his instructions. Then he told her to leave before his eyes set on the reports.

First, he needs to get permission from Elder Casey for the meeting. He knows for the past few months Elder Casey is working tirelessly. And he has no idea about that?

The dignified headmaster of the crimson hall doesn't know about their event. If the outside forces know about it, then they will laugh at him.

When it comes to the upcoming event, he feels helpless about it. He has attempted many times to inquire about news from First Elder Casey. But sadly, the elder didn't even put him in his eyes.11