My Shard Bearer System - Elias's Legacy
Chapter 67: Elias’s diagram planning

Chapter 67: Elias’s diagram planning

The guard straightened his posture, his armor catching the sunlight—a sleek, semi-futuristic design that hinted at advanced technology without being ostentatious. Small, streamlined plates overlapped along his chest and shoulders, reinforced but flexible enough for ease of movement. "Good afternoon," he began, his voice formal yet approachable. "I assume you’re with the Federation Force. What brings you and your team to Tuiyaki today?"

Elara paused, her finger lightly tapping her chin in thought. Behind her, the faint glimmers of Ikonas swirled lazily in the air, their quiet giggles just barely audible to the group. "We’re here to locate two individuals," she said evenly. "They’ve got trackers on them, so locating them shouldn’t take long. But we need to be discreet. We can’t have anyone here—tourists or civilians—catching wind of what’s going on."

The guard nodded, his hand resting casually on a small console attached to his forearm. "I see. Fugitive types, then? Will you need assistance from the local police force?"

Elara shook her head slightly, her eyes sharp with determination. "No, not fugitives, but there’s a higher-than-normal risk of kidnapping. Some of the recent rebel groups have been targeting military personnel and vessels. Just to be safe, I’d recommend doubling all patrols in the area for the next few days."

The guard raised an eyebrow at her request, but after a moment of consideration, he nodded. "Understood." He struck a crisp salute, the sound of his glove meeting the metallic plating on his chest punctuating the conversation. "We’ve had some upgrades recently, thanks to Federation funding. That’ll help us keep things secure."

As he spoke, he pressed a button on the console. The large metal doors groaned softly before sliding open, revealing a sleek interior of polished steel and reinforced corridors. "Inside, you’ll find all the accommodations you need—clothing, supplies, whatever is required for your team. If your stay exceeds a few days, I ask that you maintain constant communication with us."

"Of course," Elara replied with a curt nod. She stepped forward, leading the group inside. The Ikonas trailed behind her, their glowing forms casting faint streaks of light along the walls.

Elias lingered for a moment, turning his head over his shoulder. His eyes landed on the guards, now chatting quietly among themselves. Just before the doors sealed shut, one of the guards called out, his voice carrying a hint of gratitude. "And thanks for the funding! It’s helped us immensely!"

Elias quirked a brow at the comment but didn’t say anything, turning back to catch up with the group as they disappeared further into the facility.

As the group walked down the catwalk it quickly changed from metal to a wooden platform with a single line of blue at the bottom -> Resort entrance this way VIP Guest.

Elias stated "Didn’t expect to be in a tropical paradise today; I wonder how Kikaru’s doing assisting with the operation."

Kimi walked ahead of the group, her hands clasped casually behind her back. Her tone was light, almost dismissive, as she remarked, "I’m sure they’re fine. They’ve got Jiece with them, after all. I don’t think there’s anyone better in his rank class for one-on-one combat."

The group moved through the resort’s main entrance, a vast, open structure designed to welcome guests with grandeur. Large glass panels lined the walls, offering an unobstructed view of the turquoise ocean that stretched into the horizon. The air smelled faintly of salt and sunscreen, mingling with the soft notes of a nearby live band playing an upbeat tropical tune. The polished tile floors gleamed under the natural light streaming in from above, and scattered seating areas with vibrant cushions dotted the space, inviting guests to relax.

At the reception desk, a staff member in a crisp, white uniform greeted them with a professional smile. "The gate guards informed us of your arrival. Your designated rooms are 104 through 108. Each is fully stocked with clothing and other essentials for your stay. Please ensure you check in with us if you plan to leave the premises."

Elara nodded politely. "Thank you. We’ll aim to wrap up our business and leave before the day is out."

The group dispersed to their rooms briefly, returning to the lounge area not long after. The lounge was spacious and elegantly designed, with plush chairs and low coffee tables arranged in conversational clusters. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a breathtaking view of the ocean, while modern, minimalist décor kept the atmosphere both relaxed and sophisticated. A small refreshment bar stood off to one side, where a sleek coffee machine hummed softly beside an array of colorful fruit juices.

Elias leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees as he broke the silence. "So, what’s the actual plan for locating these two people?"

Elara didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she pulled a folded diagram and a set of handwritten instructions from a leather folder, placing them in Elias’ hands. "We’ll need you to make this—a location receiver."

Elias blinked at her, his brows furrowed. "Wha—what? Why didn’t we just bring one with us? And why am I looking at an... install sheet?"

Elara let out a small sigh, her tone measured but firm. "First, because this document is classified. It’s for equipment that uses Iridamun tech. Second, I read your file, Elias. Both your fights and your skillset suggest that anything you create has a tendency to... disappear after a time. That can be incredibly useful for ensuring nothing gets leaked."

Yui raised a skeptical eyebrow, crossing his arms. "I think we’ve done just fine tracking shard users so far. We get intel from HQ, zero in on the target, and it works. Why complicate things?"

Kimi nodded in agreement, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "Seems like a stretch to bring him along at all for this."

Elara’s gaze hardened, though her expression remained calm. "Usually, you’d be right. But this isn’t a normal city or town. The dense population makes it a logistical nightmare to rely solely on HQ. Besides, this is a chance to test how useful Elias can be outside of combat. Fighting’s something he’s naturally good at, but it’s not always the solution we need."

Her words lingered in the air for a moment. Yui rubbed his wrist absently, avoiding her stare. Elara didn’t press the matter further but added, "This was my call. If things go south, it’s on me."

Elias glanced down at the paper in his hands, his eyes scanning the intricate design. The diagram was densely packed with arrows, measurements, and unfamiliar symbols, the handwriting almost maddeningly precise. The components listed included advanced alloy wires, energy cores, and other materials that sounded like they’d come straight out of a sci-fi novel. Each connection point was labeled meticulously, detailing how the energy from the receiver would resonate with the unique wavelengths emitted by shard users.