Liam raised his gaze towards the vermillion sky, spotting the crimson sun setting over the horizon.
'I'm tired.'
Panting heavily, exhausted both physically and mentally, the last thing he saw before collapsing were his dumbfounded teammates arriving at the scene.
'Took you long enough, you pricks.'
Thud.
.
.
.
Liam's eyes flickered open.
He found himself in a small wooden room, lying on a bed with bandages covering his body, which ached and stinged with the slightest movement. Not to mention the migraine that throbbed with pangs of pain.
Grunting, he sat up.
"Oh! You're finally awake!" Lloyd exclaimed from the side, his mouth full of food which he hurriedly attempted to swallow.
"How long was I out?" Liam asked with a strained tone, rubbing his temples.
"Eight hours." Lloyd revealed, licking his lips and cleaning his mouth.
His face grew somber a moment later as he scanned Liam's figure.
"How's your body? Don't move too much. Your bandages have been laced with multiple medicines, so there shouldn't be any permanent scars or burn marks as it heals."
Liam let out a concerned sigh. "It's fine… when can we get back to training? Also, how'd the test go? And… does my mother know about this?"
Liam's fight with Wryel made him realize how weak he really was.
Hearing his words, any worry or solemn emotion disappeared from Lloyd's face, replaced with a prideful smile.
"Yep. You're definitely my student. I've told your mother a few lies, but she didn't really buy them. Just have an answer sheet ready.
"Someone'll tell you how the test went in a couple of hours. But man, to think you killed more than ten people on your first mission without batting an eye. Not to mention another cultivator…"
Liam lowered his head, his expression indiscernible. "In the first place… is emotion a good thing to have as a cultivator?"
Lloyd paused, pensive. After a few seconds of silence, his face turned dark. He answered with a low voice:
"No… at least, not when killing."
Knock, Knock.
The door to the room creaked open, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered man. He wore a pearly white robe stitched with the image of a golden dragon.
He had a serious expression, his sharp eyes azure while his short hair was black.
For a moment, his gaze lingered on Lloyd, before shifting towards Liam.
He began with a respectful greeting and introduced himself.
"I'm David Leros, one of the senior members of the guild association board. I apologize for our lack of preparation. If our test protractor did his job, you wouldn't have suffered so much."
Liam limited himself to a quick nod.
"It goes without saying that you've passed, but as an apology, we'd like to reward you with 200 'Ora' Stones and a Rank-2 cultivation technique for when you awaken your core."
Liam suppressed a smile from appearing on his face, nodding again.
David's gaze shifted from Liam to Lloyd, then back to Liam once again.
"There is another guild branch." David said, his sternness slowly softening. "Not too many people know about it. Kid, with your talent in cultivation and killing, I'd be a fool not to extend you an invitation."
Liam listened intently, assessing Lloyd's expression from the corner of his eye.
His teacher had a cold look on his face, chilling, almost.
"What guild branch?"
"You'd have to make an oath not to speak about it to anyone outside this room." David said with a severe expression. "A nod would do."
Liam promptly nodded.
"The Assassin's branch. Only a handful of people know about its existence, including your teacher. The rest is need-to-know unless you accept, but I assure you, if it's strength you seek, you'd be foolish not to join.'
'Lloyd's an assassin, then?' Liam realized with shock.
"I'll leave the decision to you. If you decide to accept, your teacher knows exactly where to find me."
With that, David had left the room, but not before handing Liam a paper slip to cash in his rewards. It took a few minutes for Lloyd's expression to go back to normal.
"What do you think I should do?" Liam asked, brushing past the cold looks and tense air surrounding the two.
Lloyd realized how tense he was and cleared his throat before speaking.
"At the end of the day, it's your choice. He didn't lie. As an assassin, you'd have access to higher ranked techniques and spells, and even better conditions to cultivate. Keep in mind, though, you'd get a lot closer to nobles who look at you as a pawn."
Liam inwardly cursed.
'Other than the Opposition, there's also the giant hurdle that is my social status.'
"I suggest taking some time to think it over. At least, until you heal and get better. When you heal up, I'll buy you a pair of blades from the underground." Lloyd promised, before parting ways.
Liam inwardly agreed. He quickly wore a tight black gymsuit over his bandages — masking it — before making his way back home.
Night fell, and the endless stars revealed themselves, flickering as they adorned the heavens.
Due to the lack of light pollution, there was nothing clouding that majestic sight, allowing him to see the countless constellations that reflected on his irises.
Eve was knitting Liam's clothes when he entered his house.
"Welcome back, dear." She said with a soft smile, hugging him and kissing his forehead. Traces of tiredness could be seen on her face. "What took you so long?"
Liam did his best to focus away from the stinging sensation in his body — which burnt with the slightest touch — and flashed a quick smile.
"Sorry, ma. Another long day at work. Can I go to sleep?"
Eve opened her mouth to say something, but let out a weak sigh. With a slightly solemn look, she responded:
"Of course, dear. Sleep well."
Liam entered his room and instantly sat on the floor, taking out his Psionic Rune from behind his drawer.
'I'm sorry, Eve. But for your sake and mine, I'll spend this time getting stronger. I won't amount to a pawn. Never.'
Liam thought, before pressing the rune against his forehead, the pain of which now brought a strange comfort.