"I would be happy to," Edric said, smiling.
'If he goes to that school, he'll be out of the board's hands,' Edric thought, having a good idea what they were up to. 'He'll also grow fast there and make connections with other families.'
'He might even find himself a wife there,' Edric thought with a faint smile, memories of his own school days resurfacing.
"There's about an hour left before I have to ready myself for the speech," Logan said, pulling Edric out of his thoughts.
"Do you want to help me with some physical training?" Logan asked.
"Yes, of course," Edric said, a broad smile on his face.
Two hours passed by. Logan stood somewhat nervous behind two massive wooden doors with beautiful carvings etched into them.
Right behind him stood Edric and Silas, both fully alert and extremely serious.
'I wonder what my old classmates will think when they see me on their televisions,' Logan thought, remembering his past. 'I hope it keeps them up at night until I pay them a visit.'
Concentrating, he went over the speech one more time.
'It's time to do this,' Logan thought, his jaw tightening.
Exhaling sharply, Logan concentrated before gesturing an okay sign to Silas and Edric.
Without hesitation, they both stepped forward and each opened one of the massive doors for him.
Light from the meeting room slowly fell on Logan's face. A storm of camera flashes from countless news reporters followed a moment later.
Logan didn't let them affect him and walked to the podium with confidence, maintaining his neutral expression perfectly.
Stepping up to the podium, Logan turned to the countless people gathered in the room.
He waited patiently for the camera flashes and murmurs to stop, before reaching out for the microphone.
"Good evening, everyone," Logan started calmly, adjusting the mic a little.
"My name is Logan Mercer." He paused. "And starting today, I will be taking full responsibility for the legacy that's been left to me."
"Many of you have questions. About who I am, where I've been, and where the rest of my family is. Those answers will come in time. But for now, the silence will end."
"Starting today, the Mercer name, and the businesses behind it, will begin their return to greatness."
"I recognize that the company has changed in my family's absence. Some of it for the better, some… less so. Thus, it's time for a course correction."
"I've already authorized a full internal review of our operations, in which we are taking a close look at every division to restore efficiency, transparency, and trust."
"From now on, we will be moving forward with the same clarity and purpose we used to have."
"Now then, I'd be happy to address your questions."
Looking at the crowd, Logan couldn't hear a thing. Countless news reporters started shouting questions at the same time, making all their voices blend together.
'I guess I'll have to get used to this,' Logan thought, sighing internally.
Gesturing for the crowd to stop speaking, Logan remained silent as he waited for them to settle down.
Then, he pointed at a young blonde standing at the very front. "Your question first, miss," he said.
"Thank you, Mr. Mercer," the woman said quickly. "Can I ask you, where have you been all these years?"
Silence fell inside the room. Everyone stared intently at Logan, waiting for his answer.
Logan gave a slight nod, his expression calm.
"Good question." He paused, letting the silence linger just a little longer.
"I've spent the last eighteen years out of the spotlight, for reasons that, frankly, aren't ready to be public yet."
He met the eyes of several people in the room.
"It was never planned for me to be here. Not like this."
"But when my family disappeared, the choice was taken from me. I had to step up."
Leaning back slightly, another news reporter raised his hand.
Logan gave a nod, while gesturing for him to start.
"Mr. Mercer, can you comment on your family's sudden disappearance?"
"Nothing has changed," Logan spoke calmly. "Their situation is completely unknown."
A few murmurs sounded through the halls, until another voice rose above all others.
"Do you plan on investigating what happened to them now that you're in power?"
Logan exhaled slightly, glancing at the middle-aged interviewer who asked the question.
"Of course," he answered, before glancing through the room.
Logan's voice stayed calm but firm as he added:
"For now, that's all I'm prepared to say."
Without waiting for another outburst of questions, Logan gave a final nod and stepped away from the podium, signaling the end of the conference.
Turning around, Logan walked away with Edric and Silas following closely behind him.
Some news reporters still tried to scream questions, hoping Logan would turn around, but he paid no attention to them.
After Edric and Silas closed the door behind him, Logan turned to them.
"Did I do well?" Logan asked.
"Yes, you came across very confident and strong," Edric said, smiling widely. "This should regain some public trust in the company."
"Well done," Silas nodded, satisfied.
"You keep surprising me," he continued, smiling. "I never expected things to go this way after picking you up half-dead."
"Heh," Edric started laughing. "Neither did I."
Without another word, the three of them walked through the long hallway, the sounds of shouting reporters fading away slowly.
As they made their way back, the three exchanged some light conversation. Nothing important, just small talk to break the tension after the conference.
Eventually, they reached Logan's private wing. The automated door slid open, and Logan stepped inside, undoing the top button of his collar. Edric and Silas followed, both silent until the door locked behind them and the security field reactivated.
Logan sank onto the couch, exhaling.
Edric walked to the corner console and poured a glass of cold water, handing it to him.
They sat in silence for a minute before Edric turned toward Logan again, clearing his throat slightly.
"By the way," Edric said, hesitating slightly. "There's something I wanted to revisit, now that we have a minute."
"The Global Arcane University?" Logan questioned, taking a sip of water.
"Yes," Edric nodded, also drawing Silas into the conversation.