Reincarnated as an Energy with a System

Chapter 1984: Stressing the President

Ning leaned back slightly in his chair and glanced toward the paperwork covering Morstell’s desk.

”If there’s something I can do to help with the serum or the fallout from the summit, just ask. I’m not exactly busy enough that I can’t make time for it.”

The president gave him a thoughtful look, though there was also a trace of exhaustion in her expression. ”The problem is that I don’t even know what I would ask you to do right now. There are too many things that need to happen before we can properly reveal something as important as the awakening serum.”

”That’s fine. You’ll figure it out eventually,” Ning said, earning the faintest hint of a smile from her. He watched her for another moment before remembering another issue that concerned him more personally. ”Although, you should probably work on getting your ratings back up soon.”

Morstell’s almost-smile disappeared immediately, replaced by suspicion. ”That sounded considerably less like concern for my political career and more like you suddenly realized you need something from me.”

Ning did not bother denying it.

”I do. I need you to remain president for at least a little longer because there are a few things I’m trying to establish, and having someone in charge who already knows what I’m doing will make everything much easier.”

Morstell folded her hands together on top of the desk and stared at him.

”Every time you say something like that, I end up learning about a new problem I didn’t know existed. What exactly are you planning this time?”

Ning started by explaining Jun’Tal’s situation, telling her that the boy had awakened an ability so powerful and difficult to control that he had temporarily needed to be removed from populated areas.

He did not tell her exactly how much energy Jun’Tal had produced during the incident with Tritus, since that number would only create more questions, but even the simplified explanation was enough to make Morstell lean forward and listen more carefully.

”There are probably other children with similar problems,” Ning said once he finished explaining Jun’Tal’s circumstances. ”Maybe not anywhere close to his level, but there will always be newly awakened children whose abilities are dangerous enough that their families don’t know what to do with them. That’s why I want to establish a proper academy for them, somewhere they can learn control without putting themselves or everyone around them at risk.”

Morstell considered the idea for a moment before asking, ”And who exactly do you expect to run a school filled with children whose abilities are dangerous enough to require special isolation?”

”I already have someone in mind,” Ning replied.

The answer made her expression tighten. ”Anyone I know?”

”Maybe by name or in passing. Just know that he’s qualified. He has enough money to establish the place and enough influence to make it function. He also has an ability that makes him very good at seeing dangerous situations before they happen,” Ning answered.

”I’m not so sure you’ve made me less worried.”

Ning ignored the comment and continued. ”I’m also going to speak with Void and Prince Tarian. If the academy gets support from several countries instead of just one, parents will be far more willing to trust it, especially if they’re being asked to send their children somewhere outside their own borders.”

Morstell remained quiet for a while as she considered the larger implications of what he was proposing.

”That could actually work. There are already families who isolate awakened children because local authorities have no idea how to handle their abilities, and some of those children end up being treated like criminals before they’ve even done anything wrong. A proper international academy could prevent a lot of that.”

Ning nodded. ”That’s more or less what I was thinking.”

Morstell gave him a faint smile. ”I’m quite impressed. You’re not taking as heavy-handed an approach as you took with Tritus and your wife’s killer.”

Ning shrugged. ”If Conjora officially supports it, that will help make the academy legitimate instead of looking like some strange private institution run by a mysterious noble.”

”I can help with that,” Morstell said. ”I’ll need actual details before anything official happens, including where it will be built, who will teach there, and what safeguards will exist, but I’m willing to support the idea.”

”Good. That makes one thing easier.”

Ning paused for a moment before moving on to the next matter, and the slight change in his expression was enough for Morstell to notice immediately.

”There’s something else you should prepare for.”

Morstell leaned back and sighed. ”Of course there is. There is always something else with you.”

”This one involves Senator Grace Wyndham.”

That name got her full attention.

Ning explained enough of Larissa’s investigation for Morstell to understand that the senator was connected to something serious and that the case was gradually reaching a point where action could be taken.

He did not reveal every detail Larissa had discovered, since it was still her investigation, but he made it clear that the matter could become public very quickly once the evidence was complete.

Morstell listened without interrupting until he finished, then leaned back with a deeply displeased expression.

”So you’re telling me that one of our senators may be involved in something serious enough to get her arrested or removed from office, and you already know this before any official report has reached me.”

”Yes. The daughter of the investigator who was killed is now a detective, and she is the one gathering evidence. Once she’s ready, I doubt the matter will remain quiet for very long.”

”And you’re warning me now because you expect the political fallout to become my problem.”

”That’s one way to put it.”

Morstell shrugged. ”From what you’re saying, the crime was committed back when I wasn’t president yet, so I don’t have much to worry about. But can you trust this detective friend of yours?”

Ning nodded. ”Remember the serums you gave me? I gave one to her, and she’s awakened a power that allows her to see the past of a location to an extent and learn about everything that has happened there. It’s a powerful skill.”