Looking at the doors with a stoic expression, Logan waited patiently as around thirty people walked into the room.
'So these people are the elite of the elite, huh,' Logan thought.
Logan recognized the three S-rankers walking at the front, having researched their backgrounds thoroughly.
'They certainly aren't weak,' Logan thought, feeling a faint pressure land on him. 'One of their S-rankers is in the top 200, and the other two are within the 1000–2000 range.'
Logan kept observing them patiently as he waited for all of them to get seated.
Once the final investigator took a seat, the sounds of shuffling papers and chairs disappeared, leaving only silence.
Edric stood near the back of the room, arms crossed, giving a small nod of reassurance.
The lead S-ranker, an older man with silver hair and a long scar running from his left ear to the edge of his jaw, leaned forward slightly.
"Mr. Mercer," he said, his voice calm and firm, "we appreciate you reaching out to our agency. As requested, our team is fully assembled, briefed, and under strict internal confidentiality."
Logan gave a slight nod, standing as he activated the hologram beside him. A blue screen activated, projecting documents, highlighted names, and transaction routes.
"You've been brought here for a reason," Logan began, his voice clear and firm.
"There's corruption within the upper structure of my board and all throughout the company," he said, glancing at all the inspectors.
"Coordinated embezzlement, internal factions, possibly even murder. I have some evidence, but not enough to convict or clean house without risking legal retaliation."
Logan could see a few surprised expressions between the investigators, but all of them maintained perfect silence.
'They are professionals, after all,' Logan thought, giving a short approving nod.
Glancing around the room once more, he continued.
"Your task is simple in theory," he said. "Uncover the truth. Track embezzlements. Record everything. Every hidden file, every fake invoice, every encrypted message. I want these people nailed so precisely they can't get away no matter what."
One of the other S-rank investigators, a woman in her thirties with purple eyes and a tablet in her hand, spoke up. "What level of access are we being granted?"
"Full," Logan replied. "Anyone who obstructs your work, regardless of position, will be dealt with accordingly."
There was a noticeable change in the room. Many of the senior agents looked at each other with surprised looks before quickly changing back to their professional composure.
Logan continued, "Security will be coordinated through Silas. Any external threats or sabotage attempts will be neutralized by him directly."
Silas, seated near Logan, gave a small wave, his expression unreadable.
"You also have permission to take action yourselves if crucial evidence is at stake," Logan added.
Letting a moment of silence fall, Logan finished his speech. "Any questions before you begin?"
The investigators all looked among themselves, but it didn't seem like anyone had a question.
That was until the lead S-ranker leaned forward.
"What if certain evidence compromises your identity?" he asked.
Logan looked at the S-ranker, a soft smile growing on his face.
"There's no need to worry about that," Logan said. "I never expected to keep this a secret. Plans to preemptively reveal my identity to the public are already in motion."
The lead S-ranker looked at Logan with surprise, knowing the consequences that would follow if Logan's identity was leaked.
"That's all," the lead S-ranker said, leaning back as his expression returned to normal.
"Good!" Logan said, standing up. "Then I wish you gentlemen and women good luck.''
Logan didn't wait around and left the meeting room immediately. Silas followed closely behind him.
"You did that well," Silas said, walking beside Logan.
"Thank you," Logan said, smiling.
"What do you think the board will do?" Logan asked, curious.
"They are probably hiding as many of their traces as possible," Silas answered.
Logan nodded, having the same thought in mind.
"Say, how strong are the board members even?" he then asked.
"All of the board members are at least platinum cores, while many others are diamond cores like me," Silas continued. "But their strength isn't the problem. No, it's the people they have under them who are the problem."
"Their factions, huh," Logan muttered. "It looks like we'll have to replace a lot of people after this investigation."
Silas fell silent before nodding.
"It's better to continue with a clean slate in some cases," he said.
After a few more minutes of walking, they returned to Logan's room.
Saying bye to Silas, Logan turned on the safety forcefield around his door and made sure he locked it properly before going inside.
'Now that this is taken care of, it's time to reveal my face before rumors spread,' Logan thought, pulling up a hologram in front of him.
He searched through his open chats. After a bit of scrolling, he found her.
'It's time to speak to Evelyn,' Logan thought. 'I need to set up a press conference and spread the news all over the world.'
Logan typed out a message and clicked send before closing the chat.
'Now all that's left is for me to grow stronger,' Logan thought, standing up.
Putting on a different set of clothes, Logan walked to his training room.
"Let's try to make that fireball he showed me," Logan muttered.
Logan closed his eyes and raised his hand, aiming his palm towards a target dummy.
'Instead of guiding it to my fingertips, I'll guide it to the center of my palm,' he thought, concentrating on guiding the mana.
As the mana rushed out of his palm, he realized he hadn't controlled its release. Quickly trying to figure out a method to fix his mistake, Logan imagined the fireball inside his head.
Shaping the mana outside his body into a ball, Logan felt the mana leaving his body stop.
Opening his eyes, Logan glanced at his right hand.
Inside it, an extremely bright swirling fireball the size of a football.
'I did it,' Logan thought, excited.
That's when he realized something.
'Wait, how am I supposed to fire it away?'