Chapter 7.5. The Seven Sages

"Well, that didn't go as we planned. Even the name of our organization was leaked by some underling moron." Old man in a striped black suite commented, turning off the screen of the TV.
"YOU DON'T SAY, BALDY. I TOLD YOU ALL WE NEEDED TO DO, WAS TO SEND ME! THE STRONGEST OF THE SEVEN SAGES!"
"Ugh, can you lower your voice, you piece of junk? My head is about to explode because of you." A little girl in a pink dress lamented, massaging her temple as if to emphasize her point.
"IT CAN'T BE HELPED! POWER IS THE ONLY DISTINCTIVE FEATURE OF MY CHARACTER, SO I CAN'T ACT NOT LIKE A MAN!"
"You're not even a human to begin with. Geez, why do I have to work with morons…" She sighed, burrowing her head in her arms on the large glass table.
"Shut it, both of you. We're getting nowhere arguing in circles." Though the woman in glasses reprimanded her comrades, she was pretty much ignored, like always, as the old man took the initiative.
"We've all seen how our plan failed. Michael Runcorn, wasn't it? Does any of you know anything more than we already have regarding this person?" His question caused the witch to perk up in her seat.
"After I could take a closer look on him, I think he's the one who did it to me. That bastard! I'll never forget him!"
"Hold on, you think?" A man in a pink mech suit interjected.
"He was wearing a mask then, but it's gotta be him!"
"He really did a number on the hag, chu. An eye, a hand, a leg and most of the stomach. If it wasn't for me saving her from the goddesses in the last second, we would have been Six Sages now, chu."
"Begone, you disgusting rat! I've never needed your aid." She snapped at him.
"Sureee… Although the loss of the Anticrystal is still on you, chu." The rat shrugged his tiny shoulders.
"He's right. If it wasn't for your failure, our plot would've come to fruition much earlier than that." The old man crossed his arms, sending her a scornful look.
"Let the bygones be bygones. Overcome, adapt, improvise. That's a strategy I'd like to suggest."
"What do you mean by that?"
"We simply have to remove the obstacle and then, we won." The sound of his clapping was greatly empowered by the metal of his gauntlets.
"Easily said, harder done. Considering that he defeated the subject 2-JA, he is at least a formidable enemy."
"Subject 2-JA was an unstable sample, which was our mistake to be released that fast. The loss of it puts us in a predicament if they discover what's inside of it."
"THEN WE'VE GOTTA ACT FAST. THAT MAKES ME THE MOST APPROPRIATE OF US TO HANDLE HIM." Nevertheless, the first volunteer had been ignored.
"With this body I'll defeat him for sure. I know him better than any of you together." The witch's eyes sparked with frenzy as she leaned forward.
"You think so again?"
"I'll make him suffer twice as much as I did." Having realized witch's resolve, the woman in glasses made up her mind. A vicious smirk formed on her face for a second, although no one noticed it.
"As you wish. Go. If you're victorious, you'll be handsomely rewarded." Donning a fake smile, she encouraged the witch.
"Just wait here. I'll bring you his head in no time!" The witch declared, limping on her staff towards the door of the conference room.
"I'll go too to pick up the scraps of her, chu." The rat tagged along, being silently watched by the rest of Seven Sages.

Once he was sure, the duet departed from the headquarters, the old man sighed.
"With those two hindrances out of the way, we may finally proceed to the real topic of this meeting…"