The Shards of War: Balancing Power

Chapter 27

Matsu entered his office at Kagayaki Industries, a realm where decisions carried weight and innovations awaited his attention. As he settled into his chair, he retrieved the aura artifact from his pocket, a delicate yet potent item. Gazing at it for a moment, he decided it was a day to harness its power.

With a flick of his wrist, Matsu sent the artifact into the air, and his aura manifested into the form of an avatar—a mirror image of himself, ready to assist. The silent duplicate couldn't speak, but it flawlessly replicated Matsu's abilities, a testament to his mastery of aura manipulation.

"Alright, let's make some progress today," Matsu said, a determined glint in his eyes. The avatar mirrored his enthusiasm, ready to tackle the workload.

As Matsu engaged with the tasks at hand, the avatar seamlessly executed his instructions. Files were organized, emails were responded to, and strategic plans were set into motion. Matsu marveled at the efficiency of his aura avatar, appreciating the assistance it provided.

During a momentary break, Matsu spun the artifact in his hand, contemplating the balance between utilizing its power and preserving his own energy. "You know," he said to the avatar, a grin forming on his face, "sometimes, I wonder if I could convince the board that you're the real CEO, and I'm just the consultant."

The avatar, incapable of laughter but expressing a certain energy, seemed to play along. Matsu chuckled, appreciating the light-hearted interaction. As the day progressed, Matsu and his avatar worked in tandem, a dynamic duo navigating the challenges of corporate leadership with finesse.

Then Matsu looked up from his desk as his assistant's voice came through the phone, announcing a surprise visitor. Before he could inquire further, Blaze spiritedly intercepted the call, her voice ringing with mischief. "Guess who~," she teased.

A grin played on Matsu's lips. "Come into my office," he replied, a playful lilt in his tone. The prospect of a break from the corporate grind was a welcome one, especially with Blaze involved.

As the door to Matsu's office swung open, Blaze entered with a charismatic flair, holding the phone in her hand. "Hey there, CEO extraordinaire!" she exclaimed, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Matsu stood up, setting aside the aura artifact for the moment. "What brings you here?" he asked, feigning ignorance and playing along with Blaze's theatrical entrance.

Blaze, with a theatrical gasp, placed a hand over her heart. "Can't a friend drop by to say hi without a reason?" she quipped, a sly grin on her face.

Matsu chuckled, realizing that Blaze likely had some scheme or another up her sleeve. "Of course, Blaze. You're always welcome here," he said, motioning for her to take a seat.

With a twirl, Blaze settled into one of the chairs in front of Matsu's desk. "So, anything exciting happening in the corporate world today, or are you drowning in paperwork as usual?" she asked, leaning back comfortably.

Matsu leaned against his desk, a playful glint in his eyes. "Just the usual chaos, but having you here adds a welcome twist to the day. What mischief are you planning?" he inquired, fully aware that Blaze rarely showed up without a purpose.

Matsu's initial amusement quickly shifted to genuine concern as Blaze's laughter turned awkward. He watched her, sensing there was more to her visit than just a casual drop-in. His avatar hovered nearby, ready to assist with any task.

As Blaze tried to steer the conversation away, asking the avatar for a high five, Matsu, undeterred, repeated his question about what had truly happened. He observed Blaze's attempt to put on a brave face, but the cracks in her composure betrayed the gravity of the situation.