After they finish lunch, the two were still red face from embarrassment. They sat in the living silently feeling awkward. Seven, in order to break the silence decided to shift the topic.
"so general is there anything you want" he asked.
When Cross heard he remembered the important matter that needs to be discussed.
" I already finished your papers for entering the military but the thing is, the higher-ups wanted to meet you, I can't decline this request but I was able to move the date to next week" he was worried that Seven might get pressured so he could only delay the meeting. Seven's talent was boundless, any of those men would want him by his side. If they were to ask Seven to transfer to their brigade, it would be difficult to decline.
"oh" Seven utter helplessly, those oldies wouldn't just call him to simply meet him, he reckon, those guys are planning whether he can be useful or not.
"for you to be safe, the best choice is to find someone to back you up, someone who those people from the military can't easily touch, has high prestige in the whole empire, and is willing to take you in without forming guardianship" it was easy to say those words but it was difficult finding one especially if Seven wouldn't agree being adopted.
"That's quite difficult" Seven thought as he grab a fistful of hair. He didn't want to be adopted, he would rather go into hiding and break the law.
"I know, there is probably no one who would agree" Cross agreed. The two sigh, feeling defeated.
"isn't there already a person like that" Maddox who has been listening suddenly spoke making the two look at him.
"there is! Who?" they both ask. Isn't that person too lackluster, agreeing on something so one-sided?
"you're obviously looking at one" he proudly said. Though in the back of his mind, he was wondering why this two never thought of him.
Who else in the empire had such qualities? It was none other than Dr. Zaldric Maddox.
Someone who the military can't easily touch. Check.
Had high prestige in society. Check.
Will more likely agree to anything Seven asks. CHECK.
Looking at Maddox, Seven was having a hard admitting this fact. Maddox was right, there was non-other than him. Not to mention the military even the emperor would not disturb those people under him.
Additionally, the citizens of the empire were very respectful to him, and even if he didn't participate in the war, the weapon he created contributed to half of their success.
No one can probably force him to do something he didn't want, unless if that person is someone he respected dearly or if that someone fulfilled this condition.
Flashback to what Maddox stated earlier 'if you are someone who has a 3S class mental power, a spiritual power that could be as beautiful as the galaxy, an ability that could swallow space and a once every then ten thousand prodigy, I would gladly do any favor you ask if you have even one of this qualities'
Seven was more than qualified to ask a favor from him. Even if he didn't ask, Maddox would probably volunteer.
"you're OK with it?" they wanted to confirm if was serious.
"of course, I would, though the guardianship might need to be changed a bit"
"on what aspect of it will be changed" Seven wanted to know what he was planning.
"we can just say that I'll become your teacher, as my students, no one will disturb you, and the only thing you need to worry about is the royal family aside from that you can do what you want. Doesn't that sound good"
What he suggested was indeed good, but Seven wasn't planning on becoming a researcher, even if he had talents for it, he didn't want to cope up with research all the time, and more importantly, he didn't want to be with Maddox 24/7.
"but I don't want to be a researcher" he reason out, though was in a bind, he was still being picky. If this was someone else they would have agreed.
"you really don't have to be one, just use the title of being my student... Though there is something you have to do in return" he hesitated for a bit, but still utter those words.
"what do you want me to do" he would agree depending on his answer. If he was planning on experimenting on him then Seven would just break the law.
It took a long time for Maddox to answer "err.. Can you cook for me" his face was a bit red. He knew it was wrong for him to ask a 5-year-old child to cook for him, but he can't help it, the moment he tried curry there was no turning back.
"even if it's just once a week, if that is too much then make it once a month"
Seven was bewildered, he was not expecting this kind of request, to be honest, cooking isn't much of a problem.
"just this?" he said feeling a bit confused.
"It's not 'just this' OK, are you even aware that the food you make contains spiritual energy? Just having one meal heals 1/4 of the damage in my mental power."
"is that so" he reacted unimpressed, he didn't really get this part of mental damage. Maybe because cooking was a normal thing for him and he has yet to understand this world fully.
"What kind of reaction is that?" both Maddox and Cross were shocked to see his reaction.
"Seven, don't you know that being able to supply energy to a food was something only high-ranking chefs could do, even they couldn't do this much in one try." Cross explains.
'This kid has been left all alone that he didn't even no such thing. Children were taught this thing first to make them understand the importance of mental powers' he thought sadly
" anyways! let's not talk about that for now, Dr. If it's only cooking then I don't really mind but you have to prepare the ingredients, I don't have any money with me right"
He wasn't exactly penniless, but the monthly allowance he received from the empire wouldn't be enough for the both of them. Real food isn't cheap.
"don't worry I'll take care of it, I'll even prepare your room here, just do what you want I'll prepare everything here." he immediately call someone to buy a new bed for a child and his daily necessity. He even ordered clothes from well-known brands. He didn't have any family, so it was his first time shopping for someone else.
While he was busy shopping Cross and Seven prepared for the upcoming meeting.
" right we already pass your examination, because your result was top notch the empire will give you probably around 10 million crystals or maybe even more." He said before leaving. Seven who suddenly became a millionaire couldn't help but jump. He forgot about this fact.
Returning to the leaving room he received a notification from his terminal watch. The message was from Cross.
He opened it and was shocked to see so many zeroes. There was a message written on the chat box.
"Thanks for the food"
He wasn't expecting that the food he make would earn him 1 hundred million crystal. It was really good to be rich.
When he arrived at the leaving room he saw Maddox almost every clothing he find.
"you don't have to buy so many you know, your family might wonder why you're buying this much"
"it's fine the dead won't complain anyway, I have been an orphan since I was a baby" he happily said and continue shopping. Maddox wasn't sad about his parents since he didn't meet any of them.
"so you're like me... Wait aren't you still 23, so does that mean you got adopted or something"
" I wasn't adopted but stayed in the orphanage till the age of 7 before I got first place in an international contest, so the empire decided to sponsor me seeing my ideas were great. I move into the institutions since then, but of course, it wasn't easy, especially when those geezers were there. But too bad for them, I easily surpass their fame in a short period of time. Aren't I good! " he boosted
Seven was impressed to hear such events from Maddox. The first time he met him, he thought he was from a rich family, who nurtured him ever since he was born. Only then was he able to achieve fame. But who would have thought he actually came from rags to riches. You really can't judge people from their appearance.
"Will I guess you're pretty impressive" he said but I guess that was not good seeing as how Maddox is hugging him tightly.
"Seven this is the first time you actually praise me, I'm so happy"
"I take it back"