OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 383: Quick Drink II

"Nah, I'm good, was just watching you guys."

Hiro smiled, leaning against the railing beside Emir.

"We've come a long way, haven't we?"

Emir nodded.

"Yeah, you have. I'm proud of all of you."

Evan, regaining his composure, looked at Emir with a hint of curiosity.

"Bossman, why are you always so rough with me, but uh, gentle with Hiro?"

Emir glanced at Hiro, a man almost half his size, then back at Evan, a man who was only a few inches shorter than him.

"Because you can take it. You're a Knight, a tank, built to endure. I push you hard because I know you can handle it. And deep down, you know it too. Hiro, on the other hand, has a different kind of strength. He doesn't need the same kind of push."

"Really?"

"Yeah, seeing you squirm is only a plus."

Evan grinned, taking a sip of his beer.

"So, it's tough love, huh?"

Puff...

"Mhm. You all have different strengths, and with Lyra's help, I push each of you in the way I think will make you stronger."

"Well, I guess that makes sense. Though I wish it doesn't."

Emir laughed.

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

Hiro did the same while patting Evan's back.

"You won't see me complaining~."

Clicking his tongue, Evan punched Hiro, but the man had already stepped back, dodging the blow.

He then rushed to hide behind Emir, using his body as a shield.

"..."

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11

They all looked at each other in silence, and after a few coughs, the two behaved themselves, stopping their childish play.

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11

""

There was another moment of silence before Evan spoke again, his voice quieter.

"You know, bossman, despite all the tough times and roughhousing, we... we like you. Hell, we just really really respect you."

That was alcohol courage right there, but no one pointed it out, and Hiro even nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, we love you! So you'll tell me about that technique, right? I NEED to know how your Flash Step works!"

Emir chuckled while grabbing the guy's head and pushing it away, sending him to the ground.

"Come talk to me when you and your lot pay your debts."

As he took another puff of his cigar, he grinned and added:

"Alright, enough of this sentimental crap. Go back to celebrating before you turn mushy- eyed."

They smiled at his words and left the balcony, leaving Emir alone with his thoughts.

'Wonder how long they'll feel that way... Will try to kill me if they find out?'

His smile died down, and he looked up, taking another puff of his cigar.

'Maybe... at least I would if I was in their shoes.'

At the other side of the glass window, Leo and Jack stopped talking and looked at Emir.

They exchanged a glance, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Jack, always the more perceptive one, sighed softly.

"You think he's okay?"

Leo shrugged, his eyes still on Emir.

"I don't think he ever is. He carries a lot on his shoulders. Much more than we know."

"Yeah..."

Jack agreed, nodding.

"But he's beyond tough. He'll be fine."

Emir, feeling the weight of their gazes, turned slightly and caught their eyes through the window.

He gave them a small, reassuring nod, and his smile returned like it was never gone.

"Come," he mouthed, gesturing for them to join him outside.

They did just that, stepping foot on the balcony, and coughing through the 'nasty' smell.

"It ain't that bad-."

Leo shook his head, trying to get his breathing under control.

"Y-you cough! don't know what you're talking about."

Jack did the same, but he managed to control himself much faster.

"Anything you want, Sir?"

Like the first time they met, Jack didn't change, always treating Emir as professionally as

possible.

Emir didn't mind it; in fact, he had no opinion about it; all he cared about was whether his people followed his orders or not.

Of course, loyalty and respect were also very important in his eyes, but those fell in line with following orders, so he saw no need to include them.

"Nothing, just interested in what you guys were talking about."

The tech junkie's eyes lit up as he immediately dove into his explanation:

"I was telling him about the cruisers and the modifications we installed on them! You know how they were originally designed for long expeditions, right? Well, they harness solar energy and hydrogen, but we've taken it a step further by implementing a multi-source energy matrix. We've integrated photovoltaic cells with high-efficiency monocrystalline panels, which are coupled with advanced Maximum Power Point Tracking controllers to ensure optimal energy conversion even under variable light conditions."

Leo barely took a breath before continuing:

"But that's not all. We've incorporated a redundant energy system that switches between solar and hydroelectric power based on environmental conditions. The hydroelectric turbines are equipped with microturbine generators that activate in low-light scenarios, utilizing ambient moisture to generate power. The turbines are encased in a dual-phase ceramic composite housing to ensure durability and thermal regulation under high-pressure conditions."

He went on, "We've also enhanced the energy storage capacity by integrating graphene- based supercapacitors with traditional lithium-sulfur batteries for rapid energy discharge and efficient storage during low consumption periods. With Lyra's help, we also have an AI- driven energy management system that predicts energy needs and dynamically adjusts the power flow, while a thermoelectric cooling system manages heat. It continuously monitors component health and performance, providing real-time feedback and predictive maintenance alerts to address issues before they escalate, and-"

"Alright, give me a second, boys."

Emir finally cut in, raising his hand to pause Leo's enthusiastic and seemingly unending

ramble.

"I'll be going to the toilet."

Leo took a deep breath and exchanged a glance with Jack, breaking into a mischievous grin.

Hiro chimed in all of a sudden, as he had come by during Leo's explanation:

"You're a Seraphim boss man; you forgot that?"

Even though he was still catching his breath, Leo couldn't help but quip:

"Yeah, you don't need to piss anymore!"

Jack commented as well, smirking:

"You can make a more believable lie than that, Sir."

Emir chuckled, ruffling Leo's green hair and flicking Jack's forehead.

"I'll just wash my face. I won't be long."

It indeed didn't take him long to reach the bathroom, as it was near their table.

Entering it, he went straight to the sink, turning the cold water on and splashing it over his

face.

The coolness was refreshing, grounding him momentarily.

As he looked up, droplets of water cascading down his face, he grabbed a towel and began to

dry himself. While doing so, he stared at his reflection, his mind clear of thoughts.

Before him was a handsome man in a suit with black, inky eyes; sunglasses sat on top of his

short hair, revealing a small scar on the side.

His face seemed older and wearier than what he was familiar with.

The weight he carried had etched lines into his features... Or maybe that was the result of his

momentary loss of Aether at Setrenc; he didn't know.

It didn't matter to him.

Just as he was about to turn away, something shifted.

The edges of his vision blurred, and the mirror seemed to ripple.

He felt a tug, as if an invisible force was pulling him away.

Emir blinked.

The next moment, his reflection wavered and then vanished.

""

The bathroom door remained ajar, the sound of running water the only evidence that he had

ever been there.