Chapter 890: Internal Conflict at the Star Academy
Fig Corporation Research Inst.i.tute 137, staff living quarters.
The atmosphere was tense. From one end of the corridor came three elders, who all bore domineering att.i.tudes. It was so much so that even Division 4 Director Muzen had no choice but to avert his gaze, silently backing away several steps with knitted brows, his head hanging low and him not saying a single word.
These elders in Cold Star Robes were none other than the famous three giants of Fig Star Academy, namely Laika, Krim and Yanfeng.
Technically speaking, Fig Star Academy was only a training inst.i.tution subordinate to the company, just like universities back on Earth, the exception being a more specific division of labor, allowing for a more rigorous teaching. How could the presidents of a training inst.i.tution compel a director of the research division to bow low, then? It was just something so unbelievable, especially considering that the star academy belonged to the Education bureau. While the four research divisions were under the Science and Technology Arbitration Bureau, there did not seem to be much of a connection between the two.
However, these three giants of star academy were different. They were certainly capable of affecting the Research bureau and even the board of directors. This was because they had all originated from Division 1, even having retired from their position as directors of Scientific Research!
Yan Feng and Krim used to be directors of Research Division 1 before they joined the star academy, while Laika was the director of Scientific Research before he retired.
The three giants of Fig Star Academy were previous bosses of the current directors, so no one in the entire Research bureau dared to go against any wishes these three spoke of. This was a tradition in the company, where any famous personnel would eventually end up joining the star academy after retirement. This way, they could continue imparting knowledge, as well as use what remained of their abilities there. The professor, Flynn, whom Xia Fei had not met, also once held the position of director at Division 4.
At this very moment, the three giants of star academy were standing not far away from Xia Fei, scowling at the young man with distinct fury. What he had said moments before was very discourteous, so the three elders appeared to be on the verge of storming off.
"SAY THAT AGAIN!" shouted Yan Feng as he glared daggers at Xia Fei.
Xia Fei shrugged, unfazed. "I said that I had killed plenty of people in my life; how would I know who"s the unlucky fellow without you guys telling me their name?"
*Zing*
Muzen only felt a jolt numb his mind. The three giants of star academy were standing in front of him, the former top bra.s.ses of Research bureau. Xia Fei was in big trouble now for speaking so disrespectfully to them!
"Esteemed presidents, why didn"t you inform me prior about you coming to Division 4? I would at least pull together a proper welcome for you three if you did." Muzen bit the bullet and approached the three elders.
There would still be some leeway for discussion with anyone else, but the elder Laika was well-known for his explosive temper; Muzen had been on the receiving end of many a lambasting when he was younger. Though he was now older, Muzen would still involuntarily begin mumbling whenever he was subjected to Laika"s glower. It could not be helped, as everyone in the entire Research bureau was afraid of the former director.
"Scram!" Laika did not even spare Muzen a glance as he spat.
Muzen instantly cowered and had no choice but to beat a hasty retreat.
Laika swept his gaze across Xia Fei and said in a low voice, "No doubt you"re a student of Flynn"s. There"s no need to waste my breath talking to such a person. MEN! Grab this Yin Fei, who pretends to be a graduate of star academy!"
The moment these words were uttered, four strapping star academy security officers appeared from the end of the corridor. They all wore the same uniform, striding over with verve, their cultivation nothing to be scoffed at.
Xia Fei slightly frowned. His ident.i.ty was fake, and he also did not know where this Independent College was situated. If he really ended up being escorted to star academy, the cat would most definitely be out of the bag!
His eyes quickly scanned his surroundings. At this point, avoiding a confrontation was clearly the best option; he should slay these three aggressive old coots and swiftly make his escape from Fig Corporation.
Xia Fei had never had a problem with killing, so it did not matter the position of authority that these three old men held. Death was death, and Xia Fei would never hesitate when it came to executing anyone.
It was just that it would mean all the hard work he had done prior would go to waste. Having finally managed to infiltrate Fig Corporation, having been entrusted with an important task by the Skywings, in hopes of him gaining a foothold in this megacorporation and uncovering its secrets, and having given his promise to Sentinel G.o.ddess Sophia, who eagerly awaited news of her father, everything would go up in smokes if he were to leave now.
Sighing softly, Xia Fei furtively hovered his finger over his spatial ring. Unfortunately, his plans could not keep up with the changing situation. Since he had been thrust into his current situation, he really had no choice but to kill his way out. He began to make a mental note of the present predicament: As long as the four security officers took three more steps to him and entered his kill zone, Xia Fei would attack sans hesitation, instantly wiping out the eight people present. He could then depart like a bolt of lightning, not leaving even the slightest trace behind!
One step!
Two steps!
Just as Xia Fei was about to strike, at that very moment, another old voice thundered from across the corridor.
"Who dares to touch a student of yours truly?!"
Everyone was surprised. They turned around, only to see a frail-looking old man dressed in casual clothes. His sharp eyes were filled with determination, approaching unhurriedly with every meaningful step.
Xia Fei flashed a bitter smile. This was bad; even Flynn from Independent College had appeared. There was no need to head over to Fig Star Academy. He could get exposed right here in this cramped corridor.
"Flynn, I haven"t seen you in so many years, yet you"ve managed to raise such a fine student," Laika raised his head and spoke with hands behind his back.
"He"s not so fine, but he"s at least better than your student," replied Old Flynn nonchalantly while he scrutinized Xia Fei with his two eyes. Xia Fei was quite surprised. He found it strange, for it seemed like this Professor Flynn was not denying his ident.i.ty! Just what was going on?
"What did you just say?!"
"How dare you say such things to the president!"
Two of the three giants, Krim and Yan Feng, instantly panicked. Meanwhile, the eyes of the ever-dour Laika had nearly popped out.
"Hmph! Since the three of you want to chase my student out of the door, do you expect me to be in a good mood?"
Flynn walked up to Xia Fei"s side and flashed him smile, which left Xia Fei feeling perplexed. Patting Xia Fei on the shoulder thrice, the old professor then said, "Student, I read that declaration of war you"d composed; it"s very well-written, though I think that you need to amend that last part. You shouldn"t be saying "you"re dead" but "you"re all dead", instead!"
The expression on everyone"s faces contorted almost immediately. Director Muzen of Division 4 nearly fainted to death on the spot after hearing that! No one expected the internal strife of Fig Star Academy to have actually reached such a precipice!
"Just what do you mean by that!" Yan Feng, the youngest of the three giants, asked with utmost urgency.
"What do I mean? It means that we of Independent College will be leaving Fig Star Academy!" spat Old Flynn aggressively.
"Leave?!"
The three giants of star academy were shocked. Independent College was actually seeking to separate from Fig Star Academy? They truly planned to go solo!
That was when the head of the three giants, Laika, suddenly ambiguously said, "Flynn, though you"re a member of Independent College, you don"t have the right to speak for the rest of its faculty! Besides, Fig Star Academy is connected to the board of directors; just because you said that you"ll leave doesn"t mean that you can do just that.
"As the president of Fig Star Academy, I officially withdraw your members.h.i.+p to Independent College, and of course, this also means that your student here will be formally delisted!"
It was at that moment when Laika finally revealed his plan: As the one managing the star academy, he definitely had the authority to do this.
Xia Fei, who remained standing on the sidelines, was a little confused. He could not understand why this old man by the name of Flynn would lie about him being his student. After all, this had been the first time they met; this old professor"s actions were really strange!
Suddenly, even more figures appeared in that corridor; there were ten men by Xia Fei"s count. These ten men were elders just like Flynn, each looking like aged scholars.
"You can"t fire Flynn because the departure of Independent College from the star academy isn"t just his decision but the shared decision of the eleven of us from Independent College!" an old man with a silver goatee calmly expressed.
Independent College was made up eleven tutors, who were also known as the Elderly Eleven. If Flynn was incapable of b.u.t.ting heads with the three giants, then the Elderly Eleven of Independent College surely had the qualifications to do so. After all, these old scholars were elites of every field born from Fig Corporation, and each of them had made great contributions to the company in the past.
At that moment, Laika"s face turned grim as he coldly barked, "Is Independent College looking to revolt?!"
Flynn did not pause, either, as he instantly answered, "That"s exactly what we"re doing; what are you gonna do about it?"
Reaching a hand to grab Xia Fei, Flynn began to make his move as he said, "Come with me. As someone from Independent COllege, you don"t ever have to endure the temper of these b*st*rds! I"m going right to the board of directors; let"s see what they"ll say about that! HMPH!"
Xia Fei furrowed his brows, following the crowd of old men to leave Research Inst.i.tute 137. It was only after he exited the building that he realized that there were even more people waiting outside. These were all students who had graduated from Independent College in the past, all of them now holding positions in various departments of the company. When Independent College gave the call, everyone answered the summon accordingly.
It was said that only freaks graduated from Independent College. It looked like the rumors were true. Some were munching on peanuts on the sidelines, and one of these people was even squatting, intently watching the ants crawling on the ground. This bunch of Independent College graduates were all evidently very abnormal.
They were not in the least bit respectful when they met their own tutors, merely offering a nod or a wave, as if they were meeting friends. Their att.i.tude was fairly casual.
"All of you should first return to college and wait. We, elders, will be making a trip to the board of directors," said Flynn with a grand wave of his hand.
...
Fig Star Academy, Independent College grounds.
The star academy was not located in the G.o.d Race territory but at an independent star system, with both Independent College and the Eternity Branch established on separate planets, while the rest of the branches were concentrated on three core planets.
Xia Fei followed the crowd here, feeling a little uneasy. After all, he was not really a Fig Star Academy graduate and was in no way Professor Flynn"s protege.
Fortunately, Independent College did one-on-one mentoring, so this was the first time many of these alumni were meeting. As such, Xia Fei did not arouse any suspicion while he mixed with the crowd.
About half an hour later, the Elderly Eleven from Independent College finally returned. Flynn immediately spotted Xia Fei in the crowd and beckoned him over. He got Xia Fei to take a walk with him.
Xia Fei had no choice but to get up and follow him into his office. Flynn looked to the left and the right before closing the door and staring right at Xia Fei.
"No need to be nervous. It"s Alpha who called me over," Flynn said solemnly. "He"s not just your friend but mine as well."