Noah Liebert was a famous man in Germany. Before becoming a professional awakener, the twenty-five year old man started his career as a featherweight boxer. He recorded 20 wins over his five-year career, with no losses or draws.
However, one day Noah experienced an awakening. His career as a professional boxer had to stop because of his status as an awakener. He then decided to follow other boxers, starting a new career as a professional awakener.
Unfortunately, his career was not as bright as when he became a boxer.
Noah had a hard time adapting in the dungeon. Fighting monsters felt different than fighting humans. He didn't need to risk his life when he was in the rink, while in the dungeon his life was at stake. Noah may be a fighter, but he's not a killer. He didn't have enough courage to kill monsters.
This made his career dim. Noah had no experience in the world of work other than fighting on fists, falling into depression. He became a man who had no clear goals. Plus, Noah's relationship with his father was not good, causing him to fear a bleak future. Only Liliana cared about him, but she couldn't help him forever.
And then, an opportunity arose.
Robert Lee announced that he would pass on all of his shares and assets to the grandson who was able to create a guild, and Noah decided to compete in the battle for inheritance. He might not have had the skills to manage a company, but the wealth of his grandfather could have met his needs until he died.
With money and connections from Liliana, Noah teamed up with one of the rising S-Class awakeners in Germany, Gavin Schneider. Taking advantage of the man's fame and abilities, Noah hoped to win this inheritance competition.
That's the information Sheila got after absorbing Noah's memory.
Klaus moistened his lips. "So, he recruited an S-Class awakener, as his guild's magnet later, is that it?
"Yes, Boss. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about Gavin Schneider. Noah doesn't have much information about him, other than a contractual employment relationship. His mother introduced Gavin Schneider to him."
Klaus sighed. "Noah is as careless as ever, he doesn't deserve to be a guild master. Getting rid of him isn't a big deal."
He knew his cousin's personality very well. That's why he introduced Sheila as his girlfriend, and she absorbed all of Noah's information and plans.
"Good work. As expected of a former CIA employee." Klaus patted Sheilla on the shoulder.
"Thank you boss."
Justin just eavesdropped on their conversation.
What Klaus did back in the courtyard was improvisation, he didn't instruct Sheila to use [Absorption Memory] on Noah, she took the initiative to do it.
Currently, they were in the lobby of the 30th floor, Branch Office of the Awakener Association. They were waiting for their turn to meet with the Association Director, and they had been sitting there for thirty minutes, though Noah and his right hand had long since left.
When their patience was about to reach their limit, a man in black suit approached them.
"Mister Law, Mister Lee. Please come in."
Klaus pushed open the door and stepped into the Association Director's office. It was spacious and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out onto the city skyline. The room was elegantly furnished with plush leather chairs and a large desk that dominated the space.
The Association Director was seated behind the desk, poring over a stack of papers. He looked up as Klaus entered and gave him a poker face
"Sorry to keep you waiting so long, I was busy." The grizzled man motioned for them to sit down.
As Klaus sat down, he couldn't help but notice the details of the room around him. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork, and the shelves were lined with leather-bound books. On the desk was a sign that read "Logan Pierce".
"So which of you has any business? I heard that there was a guest from the Lee Family. And earlier too." A hoarse voice escaped Logan.
"I am Klaus Lee. It's not just me who has business, but this man as well. Justin Law."
Justin smiled while Logan looked at him, with a condescending gaze.
"Recently, there have been many celebrities who turned into professional awakeners after they got certified. But they end up being monster meals. I'm sure you're not one of them."
Instantly, the smile on Justin's face vanished as he heard the sarcasm. "Before I came here, I went through heavy training. I'm much better than you think." Justin gave the old man a stern look.
Logan snickered. "Changing hair color proves nothing."
Goaded by the Association Director's words, Justin clenched his fists, holding back his anger.
"You know, Logan? I didn't think that at your age, you would be interested in the celebrity world," Klaus commented.
"Well, I have a granddaughter, and she loves watching beautiful men dance on stage." Logan slapped his thigh. "By the way, you want to get a guild license, right?"
"Yes," answered Klaus simply.
Logan sighed. "Too bad you can't get it..."
Naturally, Klaus squinted. "Can you explain why? I believe a few minutes ago my cousin came out with a happy face, it can't be because he failed to get his guild license, right?"
"Well, the problem is, we've run out of quota."
Logan said that every day there were at least 50 to 60 awakeners who applied for a guild license, and not all of them were accepted. This month, they received almost 1000 requests, and this was just one branch of the Awakener Association in the USA.
The Awakener Association only accepted 10 requests per month. They did this so that they could easily handle the situation. Because, the more guilds that were out there, the harder it was for them to control the awakeners.
Logan was unable to grant Klaus' request, asking him to apply again the next month. Of course, Klaus couldn't accept it. He knew this was an excuse.
"So, Klaus. Forgive me."
The atmosphere became silent for a few moments. Justin couldn't help but lower his head, hiding his bitter expression. He felt useless, and Sheila could only do nothing.
However, Klaus didn't give up, he always prepared a plan B.
Klaus sighed as he slumped on the chair. "It's a shame then. Even though I came here, bringing good news that can boost up your influence."
His remarks caused Logan to raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" asked the old man in a skeptical tone.
"You know, my father recently founded a company. Mors Industries, soon we'll be bringing a major breakthrough that will rock the USA, no, but the whole world. And I wanted to invite the Awakener Association to be our partner. Unfortunately, it looks like we'll have to postpone it."
Logan chuckled. "Mors Industries? I've never heard of it before. Is that a subsidiary of LR Electronic or a shell company of LR Enterprise?" Logan shook his head. "You can't use your parents' influence on me. The world has changed, and I can't blame you for not seeing it. You're too young."
"And you're too old," Klaus said. "to the point where you can't see a new era is coming."
All of a sudden, the atmosphere became heavy and bone-chilling. Sheila shivered, and even Justin, who was capable of manipulating ice elements, felt the impact.
This cold aura was emitted from Logan. The old man stared at Klaus.
"Be careful when you speak," Logan said in a displeased tone. "You know what. Conglomerate companies are starting to lose their influence in this country. It's only a matter of time before they get knocked out by those damn guilds. You better watch your mouth, because your father's money can't save you forever."
Without saying much, Klaus threw something at Logan. The Association Director squinted as he saw the ring on his hand.
"Common-grade arcana? Why are you giving me this?" asked Logan, his brow furrowed.
"Well, to be more precise, it's an artificial arcana. Made on Earth," said Klaus.
Logan spontaneously stood up, surprised to hear that the object in his hand was not an arcana from the dungeon. "Impossible! How can you create arcana!"
Klaus hissed. "Sorry, but that's a company secret." He stood up. "Since we have nothing more to talk about, we'll leave."
He gestured for Sheila and Justin to leave. As they walked to the doorway, Logan suddenly called out to them.
"Wait! We can talk about the license for your guild."
Klaus grinned. He turned around and said, "Fine, if you insist."