The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

ASTRID was startled when he heard the way Wulfric said the word 'why'. As if the other was about to bite through someone's neck. Realizing that Wulfric might have misunderstood and thought that someone had used that ability on him. 

Well, he's technically right. But he had a feeling that if he made it seem like Lance was doing some hocus-pocus so he could seduce him, Wulfric wouldn't hesitate to come here and arrest the other. That's not exactly his goal for calling Wulfric. 

He only wanted to make certain that his guess was correct. After all, he didn't want to accuse someone blindly. And now that it's proven, it wasn't his intention to get the guy arrested. 

They were already at the beginning of filming. All of the cast members were carefully chosen by Director Scott. And that included Lance Reid. Changing his role to someone else at this stage would just push back production. No matter how much of a scum Lance was, he's an integral part of the cast. He didn't want the director and the staffs' effort to go to waste just because he couldn't stand the guy.

"It's one of the cast members. But don't worry, he didn't try that pheromone thing on me," he quickly said. "The victim was another cast member. I just happened to be nearby when it happened. I smelled the scent coming from him so I thought it was weird. That's why I called you to make sure I'm not being paranoid. By the way, do you know why I wasn't affected by it?"

Astrid asked that last part to make it clear to the other, in a not so blatant way, that this pheromone ability had no effect on him. That seemed to be effective because Wulfric's furrowed brows finally loosened. 

"It's most likely because of your SSS level mental strength," Wulfric said. "That guy's mental strength is definitely lower than yours."

Astrid had already thought of that possibility. That's why he wasn't surprised hearing that explanation. 

"I thought so too as well," he said. "Since you said earlier that people with this kind of ability are conscripted by the Empire to the military's intelligence department, could the person I just mentioned actually be a member?"

"What's his name? I'll check it on our database," Wulfric said.

Astrid thought if doing that would be okay. But then again, the other was one of the five generals of the Empire. Accessing the military database for such a reason probably wouldn't be too much. 

"Lance Reid," he said, answering at the end.

Just hearing the name of that person, Wulfric quickly felt annoyed. Although Aster made it clear that he wasn't a victim of the guy, he still felt anger at the thought of the other accidentally smelling the pheromone of this bastard. 

"Please, wait awhile," he said to the other while connecting to the military's database.

He then entered Lance Reid's name. It didn't even take a second before the words 'no results found' appeared. Thinking of the possibility that the other might be using, what do you call that, ah, a stage name, he opened [StarNet] and searched for this Lance Reid fellow.

What he first saw was a picture of a man with golden brown hair and a pair of gray eyes. Wulfric snorted seeing the other's sleazy look. Just one look and anyone could tell that the guy was up to no good. He copied one of the photos he saw and cross-examined it in the database. Just like earlier, there's still no match.

This meant that this bastard, Lance Reid, had been keeping his ability a secret. There was a law that required citizens of the Empire to register their ability if they ever manifested one. It was so they could monitor any possible danger in the future. 

But since people with abilities were not exactly a dime a dozen, the corresponding division responsible for it was not really that strict. So, the rules for it were basically very loose. Not to mention those ability users who were living in Lawless Dens. So, it's not weird if not all people who manifested an ability was registered in the military's database.

Still, doing so was something a law-abiding citizen would do. So, the fact that this Lance Reid was not registered despite having such a rare ability meant that the other was a crook. And apparently, someone who would rather use his ability to become a legal pervert rather than used it for the good of the Empire.

"He's not," he said, responding to Aster's earlier question. 

That was also something Astrid expected. Someone from the military would surely not blatantly use their abilities just so they could have a fling with someone. But there's also one possibility.

"Would it be possible that he didn't know that he actually had no idea that he has an ability?"

Yes, that was a bit stupid. But Astrid had a feeling that if it was that Lance Reid, it was possible.

Wulfric had an incredulous expression on his face. "So, this Lance Reid is a fool?"

"Let's just say I'm giving another alternative possibility."

"Never mind that. Just ignore that person," Wulfric said, changing the subject. "I will send military personnel to take him back to the base at the capital and interrogate him."

It was an outcome that Astrid wanted to avoid. "Ahm, I'd really rather not have him taken away from filming. It would bring huge lost to the production. Could it be possible to interrogate him here?"

Wulfric scowled, not liking the idea of this person continuously being near to Aster. But since this was what Aster wished for, he couldn't really bear to refuse. Another thing was because he knew that the other wasn't doing this because he liked being around that guy. It's the reason why he could agree so easily.

"I will make arrangements," he could only say.

He narrowed his eyes, thinking of the 'best' person for the job. After all, he couldn't go there himself. So, it's best if someone who could give the same 'suffering' would go instead.