The Zetta Sonic
Video Calls

As Alex said, the wharf fire made headlines in various news, both national and international. Along with the news, rumors of his mother's affair graced celebrity news.

Of course, the portion of the fire pier eats up a larger portion. In the news, almost all said the cause was a gas pipeline leak. Only those associated with the ICPA know clearly that it is a lie.

In his large, airy office at the top of a skyscraper, Mark Hill sat his back against a large table. The scenery behind him is spectacular as well as dazzling. For Nadira who just connected with him, it just sucks. Mark didn't take a headache. The man just let it go on purpose.

Nadira appeared with a sullen face on the screen hovering on the table. The ICPA planted a tiny projector as thin as a ruler on the leader's plush table. It makes it easy to make calls. Nadira frowned at the background of Mark Hill who made his eyes hurt. After giving a warning and Henrietta doing a little setting, Nadira cleared her throat to Mark.

[There was no good news when ICPA leaders contacted other ICPA leaders. What do you want to talk about, Mark? Is this about the group of killers I caught? Those Kloster people I've sent to you unharmed.]

“I thank you for that. You helped us maintain good relations with the Kloster tribe. We know that this tribe has great potential, both human resources and natural resources. They belong to the continent Regis.”

[They make more trouble than profit.]

“Really? I thought you were just one of the parties who can benefit the most.” Mark watched his interlocutor closely. There were many things Nadira could not cover from the look on her face. Mark read it correctly. “You broke into my territory and abused my invention.”

Nadira chuckles. [Oh, Henrietta. You hear that? What kind of accusation is that?] Then, Nadira's short laugh vanished. [Listen, Mark. I never had Otto secretly enter Regis to make Dragon Blood. All he does alone. I only got the last result.]

“You just admitted it.”

[Acknowledging what?]

“You admit that you know the origin of Dragon Blood but let it remain created. You have already spent a lot of funds for it also makes the agents die.”

Nadira grunted in annoyance. He snapped a finger. Henrietta who was behind him nodded and walked out of the room. Nadira let out a long sigh and clenched his fingers in front of his face. [Just get to the point, Mark. What do you want? Sonic Zetta?]

“I'm sure what happened in Kloster village has reached your ears. Is that what you usually do as a leader? Letting your men move alone, fighting unaided against problems, even dying without anyone knowing? You are really cold-hearted.”

[Go to the point, Mark! Do you want to take Zetta Sonic away from me?]

Mark was silent for a moment and replied, “You know I can't do it even if you want.”

Both Nadira and Mark knew it was not something a continent-level leader could do at once. Mark has long been the ICPA leader at Regis. He should not interfere in Sinde's affairs even if his family lived there even his son became an agent in Sinde. Underline ‘not supposed’. Mark chose to comply with ICPA regulations.

Mark continued on. “As a friend and colleague, I just gave you a suggestion, Nadira. The Zetta Sonic has great potential to help the world. You should pay more attention to him as well as to your other agents. Perhaps that way, the death rate of agents in Sinde will not be the highest again compared to other continents.”

Nadira was upset. The wrinkles on his face became clearer each time he was disturbed. [He also has the potential to cause a lot of problems.]

Mark smiled and heard it. “It looks like he has made you dizzy.”

[Sissing like his father.]

Mark's smile expanded even wider. “I'm putting Alex on you.”

[Hey, didn't I hear wrong? Try saying that again so I can record it.]

Mark shook. He saw how Nadira also smiled because of him. “No. I'm not going to repeat it. You heard it quite clearly. See you later Nadira.”

[See you later, Mark Hill.]

Like Nadira, Alex's face also appears on a pseudo-screen that hovers over the table.

In the mansion of his residence, the sun had set. While in his current office, the sun was still just about to set. With a touch of a button, Mark closed the curtain behind him without being asked. He doesn't want Alex to be uncomfortable.

“So, what do you need for school tomorrow?” ask Mark, open the conversation.

[Nothing.] Their conversation had already taken place a few minutes before but both of them still felt awkward. Alex wondered why his father called.

Again, Mark understood that. “I'm worried about you,” he said. “You haven't been in school for a long time.”

[I'm going to catch up with me. I-i promise.]

“We know it's not about value, Alex.”

Alex fell silent. He avoided his father's gaze on the screen.

“You can talk to me about your difficulties or Preston.”

Alex nodded. [I'll be fine. Just need a break.]

“True. All right, let me know if there's a problem or you need something.” Mark didn't want to interrupt his son's break.

Alex was a little sorry to say that. He did not want to immediately cut off communication with his father. It was just the usual response he let out when he felt awkward or indeed wanted to escape from a conversation. Presumably, this is becoming a wrong habit. [What about dad?] Alex asked back. [What about work?]

“As usual, boring, monotonous. Many problems.” Mark imitated Nadira a moment ago.

[You read the news lately, dad? Is that one of your problems right now?]

Mark put his shoulders. “Don't worry about that. I'll take care of the problem with your mother.”

[But, what if it's true?] this time Alex asked more to fear, not to wonder. He wanted to know what his father would do if the whole rumor was true. And, he himself actually knew the truth behind it all.

After a long silence, Mark only answered briefly. “We will be fine.”

The answer made Alex roll his eyeballs. He did not get the answer to the desired question. His father seemed to not want to answer and let the problem roll over. Alex ended the conversation there. [I know. All right, it's time for a break.]

“Alex, one more thing.”

[Yes, dad?]

“I'm proud of you. Never forget that.”