"Greetings, your highness." a man that stood beside Estella handed his hand to Lawrence.
Grey eyes, ash-black hair, thin lips, long nose, tall, moderately masculine, defined jawline, thick eyebrows, long black eyelashes, perfect set of white teeth, and a rough voice. Who was that man?
Lawrence accepted his hand.
"I'm Chas Prowess Stone, your highness. Sir Leighton's companion a long time ago." he introduced himself.
"Elijah Sage." with a blank face, Lawrence shook Chas's hand.
Chas remained smiling, "I'm supposed to be your Martial Arts adviser and foreign study teacher. I'm also here to guide you to inherit your ability to manifest your Inheritance."
Lawrence let go of his hand and sat on a sofa. "I can study those myself."
"I'm sure you haven't understood nor utilized the Zodiac Martial Arts even after all the years, right? And the second history only gave you brief information for each race and continents. You have no idea what is there outside these lands. I'll teach you something prohibited, forbidden, 'Souls.' But only restricted amongst ordinary citizens. So, in all Aqes, I am the best person to have as a Master." he casually explained. He didn't make it sound like he was bragging, but he made it sound accurate and convincing.
"Souls?"
Chas smiled, "That's all I can say," he spoke.
"Clever. But you realize that you're proposing to be my master, correct?" Lawrence leaned over, placing his palm on his chin.
Chas, "May I sit down?"
"Go ahead."
Chas sat down across the sofa of Lawrence and smiled, "I do understand. But it is only fit for Prince Xavier to have a worthy teacher such as I, isn't that right?"
"I hear you are a known Professor of the most prestigious Hesperia Academy. A VIP?" Lawrence asked.
"I don't know about not being known in Hesperia. So what I am saying is, all of the Professors that teach in Hesperia are known, be it one of the lower class or higher class academies. But I can guarantee you, your highness. I am much capable of becoming your 'Master.'"
Lawrence looked elsewhere, "The moment you stood to shook my hand, you've failed to meet the qualifications of becoming my 'Master.'"
Bamboozled, Chas spoke, "What do you mean, your highness?"
Lawrence shifted his gazed and fixed it on Chas's eyes. He let out an astounding aura, intimidating, one he had accomplished cultivating for the last year of hunting and subjugating demon raids. "You wish to become my 'Master?' You've got to have something better than brains."
Chas frowned at the intimidation, "Young Prince, I may not have substantial power, but I have skills. The skills I possess outsmarts and outskill any brawn-type Inheritors. So I advise you to cease your aura."
Lawrence ceased his intimidating aura and crossed his legs. Chas let out an exasperated sigh.
'What a terrifying Soul Aura...' Chas's eyes studied Lawrence.
"May I ask, your highness?" he requested, raising a hand.
Lawrence glanced out of the window, "Speak if you wish." he casually replied.
Chas's studying eyes intensified. "Do you know..." he glanced at Estella as if he was about to ask something sacred, "what a Soul Aura is?" he turned to Lawrence again, his face serious.
It caught Lawrence's attention, making him turn to Chas. "Soul Aura?" he asked.
'It seems he does not...' Chas sighed. "It seems I've revealed secrets." Chas smiled. "Elijah Sage. You have the surpassing potential for securing a line for the crown. If you cannot accept me as a 'Master,' then take me as a teacher, and I'll teach you all you want to know. Although, unless a contract settles, my vast knowledge may never reach your mind. Say, Elijah. What do you think? I won't take you as my apprentice, but you can take me as a teacher. Let's form a contract that binds me to you but not connect you to me."
Lawrence frowned, "Why do you go so far to binding yourself to me?"
Chas smiled, "I confirmed that whether I become your Master or Slave, I would benefit in the end. Even if you are eight years of age, you are an excellent prodigy worthy of becoming my apprentice or my master!"