NOVEL NEXT Chapter 504: Important News
Their skills began building energy as they prepared to launch attacks that could potentially eliminate the mysterious individual if he showed any hostile intentions or evidence of controlling their champion through any means.
Leroy frowned at their defensive reactions, but his expression showed understanding rather than offence as he recognised the suspicious way they were examining him.
Everything that has happened leading to this moment made them question whether he was acting according to his own free will.
He sighed with obvious frustration at the complications their reasonable paranoia was creating for what should have been a straightforward situation.
"I'm completely fine and operating according to my own decisions," Leroy stated with firm clarity designed to address their concerns directly. "You can ask me any personal questions you want, and I'll answer them accurately to prove my mental remains uncompromised."
The offer was designed to provide verification that his memories, personality, and decision-making processes hadn't been altered through manipulation, allowing his colleagues to confirm his authentic identity rather than some controlled approximation.
Arthur couldn't help but smirk inwardly. Whilst this was indeed a good way of finding whether someone was being manipulated or not, it was useless against Arthur. If Arthur had truly wanted to control Leroy, he would have killed him, then summoned him.
As a summon, Leroy would retain everything. Whether it was his looks, personality, tone, or memories. And, the way Leroy was trying to prove he wasn't being controlled would easily be manipulated.
But even as Leroy attempted to reassure his fellow awakened, Sarah and Marcus couldn't help but notice that the mysterious figure beside Leroy continued displaying the same unsettling calm that suggested he viewed their entire military response as harmless theater rather than a real threat.
The standoff continued as Australia's elite forces struggled to determine how to proceed when faced with someone whose capabilities exceeded their understanding and whose intentions remained completely opaque.
Sarah stepped forward, trying to conduct a crucial verification process. "Leroy, what was the nickname you gave me during our first joint training exercise?"
"Tempest," Leroy replied immediately with a slight smile. "Because you kept creating mini-hurricanes every time you got frustrated."
Marcus nodded with growing confidence but continued the interrogation. "What did we discuss during our private meeting last month regarding the new awakened recruitment?"
"You were concerned about lowering the minimum age requirements," Leroy answered without hesitation. "You argued that sixteen-year-olds were psychologically prepared for the kind of trauma combat creates."
The two questions and their accurate responses convinced most of the assembled forces that Leroy retained his memories and personality intact. But Sarah still didn't feel confident.
They were in a supernatural world, and anything was possible.
"Even if his memories are intact," Sarah whispered to Marcus through their private communication channel, "advanced mental manipulation could maintain surface personality while implanting deeper behavioural controls. He could be compromised while retaining all his original memories and thought patterns."
Marcus was beginning to nod in agreement when he noticed something that made him reconsider their entire assessment. Leroy's expression was shifting into a particular type of anger that Marcus had witnessed before during high-stress situations.
It was the specific way Leroy's jaw tightened and eyes glinted. It was a subtle physical tell that had developed over years of working together in life-or-death situations. Both he and Leroy were part of the secret forces, and they've been together for a long time. Luckily, both of them had awakened an S-rank talent. It was such a rare occurrence for two people who knew each other to both awaken an S-rank talent.
The micro-expression was so distinctive and personal that Marcus couldn't imagine any form of mental manipulation replicating it accurately.
"Wait," Marcus said with sudden certainty. "That's actually him. That anger—I've seen it dozens of times when bureaucrats question his field decisions. No illusion or control magic could replicate such an emotional response."
Marcus convinced Sarah that Leroy was actually the same person they knew. Sarah was convinced after a few reasons came from Marcus, a close friend of Leroy.
With the identity confirmation complete, Arthur addressed Leroy.
"I will be leaving now," Arthur stated simply.
Leroy nodded with understanding.
"I'll handle things from here; the situation will be managed appropriately without creating unnecessary complications," He replied with confident assurance.
Rather than employing the spatial teleportation that had characterised his earlier movements, Arthur chose a different departure method that demonstrated yet another aspect of his overwhelming capabilities.
Arthur moved.
His acceleration was so instantaneous and his velocity so extreme that nobody in the immediate vicinity could track his movement with senses or conventional observation.
One moment Arthur stood beside Leroy, the next he was simply gone—not vanished through teleportation, but departed through pure speed that exceeded their ability to perceive motion.
Those with the sharpest vision caught only a brief blur in the distance, a distortion that suggested something had moved faster than their processing power could follow. But even that glimpse lasted mere milliseconds before disappearing entirely.
The surveillance cameras positioned throughout the area failed to capture any useful footage of Arthur's departure. Their frame rates and resolution capabilities were simply inadequate for tracking his movement.
Military helicopters equipped with advanced tracking systems detected brief anomalous readings on their items. But they had no visual confirmation of what had caused the disturbances.
The assembled Australian forces found themselves staring at empty space where Arthur had been standing moments before, their senses struggling to catch his insane speed.
Had it not been for the blur in the distance, they would have thought that Arthur had teleported.
Leroy walked toward his two S-rank colleagues with a purposeful stride.
He needed to address important matters without delay.
"There's something I need to discuss with both of you," Leroy said with grave seriousness that immediately captured their attention. "It's extremely important."
Sarah and Marcus exchanged glances that reflected their recognition of Leroy's tone. They immediately recognised that the matter was related to the mysterious person who had just left.
They frowned slightly before nodding with understanding, their expressions showing readiness to receive whatever critical information he needed to share.
Before beginning his private discussion with the S-rank awakened, Leroy turned toward the assembled A-rank operatives and support personnel who had responded to the emergency situation.
"Thank you all for coming here and providing support," Leroy announced with sincere appreciation that carried across the entire gathered force. "I truly appreciate the rapid response and professional commitment you've all demonstrated during this situation."
His voice carried the authority and warmth that had made him an effective leader throughout his short career as Australia's champion.
"Everything is resolved positively, and you can all return to your regular assignments," Leroy continued with dismissive authority that made it clear the emergency was concluded. "I'll make sure to visit each of your units personally once everything settles down and we have time for proper tahnks of your service."
The assembled forces began their organised withdrawal, their response reflecting both relief that the crisis had been resolved and continued respect for Leroy's leadership despite the mysterious circumstances they had witnessed.
"We still have a country to defend," Leroy added as they departed, reminding everyone that