Chapter 61 Sarcasm
Everyone was captivated by the sight of the giant meteor that had created a large crater in the forbidden forest area. After the casualties were successfully evacuated, scientists began arriving to see the meteorite, estimated to weigh thousands of tons, for themselves.
"This is the first time I've seen a meteorite in person." Jean was amazed at the pitch-black meteorite before his eyes.
"The crater is too large and deep for a meteorite of this size," Levi remarked after observing the meteor, which was not as large as he had expected.
"Scientists from the ERI estimate that this meteorite weighs thousands of tons, given the depth of the crater," Violet said. Levi paused for a moment, examining the massive, pitch-black object that had captured his attention more than he had expected.
"Thousands of tons, huh?" He murmured softly. Not thousands, but rather, he estimated that the meteorite weighed much more than thousands of tons.
Not far from him, three scientists from the ERI, who had been observing him, walked over to him. Two expert staff at the ERI laboratory in Heleness City, Professor Ian Stewart and Professor Erick Martin, are known to be the most vocal in criticizing Levi.
"Good afternoon, Professor Levi. It's been a while since we last met. How are you?" Professor Erick tried to be friendly, even though he knew Levi wasn't one for small talk. Professor Ian, meanwhile, remained silent and composed, maintaining his dignity.
"As you can see, I'm fine." Levi responded coldly and unfriendly, his demeanor making it awkward for those who couldn't understand him to remain near him.
"Yes, you still look like a very handsome young man, Professor Levi. You daughter, Anne send greet to you."
"What do you think, Levi? Are you interested in taking part in this research this time?" Professor Ian asked. He got straight to the point, because what he really wanted to know was Levi's plans.
"I don't have any plans. I came here just for the meteor, not wanting to get involved myself."
"So, you haven't heard from the prime minister that scientists on the list of key scientists at Evangelia are required to conduct research on this meteor," Professor Erick said.
Hearing Professor Erick's confession, Jean had a sudden panic attack, remembering that he had forgotten something important: to give Levi an official circular from Evangelia's Prime Minister, Darius Stefanius. The letter had arrived yesterday, but he had forgotten to hand it over to Levi.
"Jean?"
"Y-yes, Professor?" Jean stammered. He hadn't realized he was supposed to hand the circular over to Levi immediately.
"Have you received the letter?" Levi asked, remaining calm. He showed no signs of anger or anything else.
"I-I received the letter yesterday, Professor. But I forgot to hand it over to you right away. I'm truly sorry!"
"You stupid Jean, how could you forget such an important letter?" It wasn't Levi, but Violet who was irritated by Jean's carelessness. She hated it when someone else found a small loophole that could tarnish Levi's reputation.
"I'm so sorry, I completely forgot!"
"Tch, it seems like the assistant with you isn't very competent, is it, Professor Sanders?" Professor Ian tried to quip, which only made Violet's annoyance grow even worse.
Violet's fists clenched, thinking that if she couldn't beat up these two arrogant old men, she would take out her anger on Jean, whom she considered the cause of Levi's taunts.
But Levi didn't react; he knew how to behave and controlled his reactions so as not to be too obvious.
"We hope we can work together in the same laboratory this time, Professor Levi." Professor Erick smiled with a strange grin that made anyone who saw it feel uncomfortable.
"Also, I heard that the orphan girl you kept in your laboratory has joined the Yeager military academy. Is that true?"
"Unfortunately, she's not my pet as you say, Professor Stewart. She's my daughter!"
"What...?" The hysterical reaction immediately shattered the tension they had been feeling. His shocking confession shocked not only Jean and Violet, but Professor Ian and Professor Erick were no less shocked.
His daughter? How could 25-year-old Levi Sanders claim a 19-year-old girl was his daughter? This seemed completely unbelievable to them.
"P-Professor Levi, what are you saying? How did Nami—" Violet remained in disbelief, as if she needed further explanation.
"Calm down, Violet! You don't need to be so shocked!"
"B-but that's-"
"Wow...wow...I've never heard anything crazier than this, Levi!" Professor Erick laughed loudly, as if mocking Levi.
Levi shot him a cold look that made Professor Erick's laughter immediately stop. Levi knew how to silence others.
"Do you have a problem with that, Professor Martin? If you have a problem, please write a letter and send it to my laboratory. I hope I have time to read it," he said as he left.
The sarcastic words that came out of his mouth silenced the two old men. Levi walked upright and with charisma, further highlighting his position and immense influence on humanity.
"W-wait for us, Professor Levi...!" Jean and Violet immediately hurried after him. They didn't want to be involved any longer with two old men who they knew had a dangerous reputation.
Meanwhile, realizing that they were just left in the middle of the conversation made Professor Ian and Professor Erick growl in annoyance, they felt that Levi was treating them with disrespect considering they were Levi's seniors.
"That damn brat, he's getting bolder in challenging us!"
"We'll see how far he can go alone and against the current like he is now. He won't last long."