In a tiny, square-shaped room, a small bed and a single shelf were the only furniture. The shelf was for Azrael to keep all his belongings.
In his room, Azrael spent hours seated in a lotus position cross-legged on the bed. The guidebook on mana control was spread out in front of him. As he closed his eyes, concentrating on heightening his sensitivity to the surrounding mana.
For a human to be able to manipulate and control mana effectively, their body first needed a heightened sensitivity to the mana itself, and that was the purpose of his training.
"The technique seems rough," Jing Qiáng commented, as he read through the book's contents.
This is bound to happen. Since advanced mana control techniques were not easily accessible, they were closely guarded and rarely shared.
Only those who were born into established, influential families or those who were fortunate enough to enroll in the Magicia Academy could learn the advanced version.
As in most aspects of life, power was never been an easy thing to acquire. Since the ruling powers always maintained a tight grip on such knowledge.
"I possess many techniques that can significantly accelerate your growth. Interested?" offered Jing Qiáng.
Azrael paid no attention to Jing Qiáng's words, well aware that striking a deal with such a figure without careful consideration could only lead to disaster.
Azrael wasn't as naïve as the others that recklessly jump at any opportunities, only to regret them later, nor does he want to become a slave of others.
Finishing his training, Azrael opened his eyes, his body drenched in sweat. He stood up and reached for a towel, walking past Jing Qiáng figure, who was still engrossed in the book. Then he headed to the bathroom for a refreshing shower.
**********
Azrael didn't dress up much after his shower. He wore a denim jacket layered over a hoodie in shades of white and blue, and paired with sweatpants, and not to forget his small dimensional pouch dangled on his pants.
He effortlessly pulled out a casual, yet appealing, look. Azrael put on his shoe, prepared to meet a recruiter's agent who had been contacting him over the past few days.
"Where are you going, Akki?" Luna asked.
"I have a meeting with someone," Azrael replied.
"Akki… I got another scholarship letter," she said hesitantly.
Over the weeks, Luna received numerous scholarship letters from a Magicia academy across the nation, and some even came from abroad.
The intentions behind these letters were clear—besides trying to rope her into their academy, they were attempting to establish a connection with a future S-rank Magicia prospect.
Meanwhile, for Azrael, that awakens a common talent, like many low-tier talents. Forget about receiving any invitations. No one pays any attention to such a low talent.
A Magicia with a common talent was no different from a normal human. They that awaken such talent had to work tirelessly, even if that's mean ruining their own bodies.
Azrael cast a slight smile at Luna, knowing that she deeply cares for him. "Why don't we have a sleepover at Theo's house like we used to? We can talk about the offer with him there."
She replies slowly, "Okay."
"Go get ready. I'll join you after the meeting."
"Is it long?" Luna asked.
"No, I'll meet you there before night."
She nodded and headed back to her room, while Azrael stood up and left the house.
"That's not a bad preemptive measure," said Jing Qiang.
'Shut up,' Azrael retorted inwardly.
**********
It was in the evening, and the sun was still shining, but it would soon set and give way to the night. Inside, the cafe was buzzing with activity. People were chatting, laughing, and enjoying their drinks and snacks.
In a secluded corner, two figures sat across from each other, their presence contrasting yet oddly harmonious.
Lukas Müller, a recruiter from the Violet Scorpion guild, exuded an air of formality in his black suit. Azrael, on the other hand, leaned back against his seat with casual confidence, his denim jacket lending him an air of rebellious charm.
Violet Scorpion was one of the revered powerhouse guilds in the Zurra Country. And Lukas's purpose today was to draw Azrael into their guild, as to rope Luna into the folds of Violet Scorpion, by leveraging her connection with Azrael as an entry point.
The atmosphere held a subtle tension, an undercurrent of hidden intentions between them.
Lukas asked, "So, where's lady Luna?"
"Busy," Azrael responded casually.
Lukas leaned back, his gaze intense. "Rumors suggest you have a common talent."
Azrael's expression remained impassive as he acknowledged, "Yeah."
"Life's not always fair, isn't it? Especially when some talents shine brighter than others." Lukas remarked his words weight with implication. "So, have you planned your future?"
Azrael's response was a subtle shake of his head, while his demeanor remained unchanged.
Lukas withdrew a paper from his bag, placing it on the table between them. "Take a look. We had a spot for both you and lady Luna, in the Violet Scorpion Guild."
Azrael picked up the paper, his eyes scanning its contents. The terms of the contract were laid out on the paper.
"As many people know, our guild, the Violet Scorpion, holds considerable influence," Lukas explained. "We possess licenses to dungeons and gates across the country and overseas."
The contract outlined a role for Luna as part of the main team, while Azrael was to join a supportive unit, with his path less defined.
"Resources, protection, and your future was guaranteed," Lukas continued. "As for lady Luna, her path to becoming an S-rank Magicia is within her grasp."
Lukas' gaze bore into Azrael's, his voice taking on a more personal note. "You could ensure her future, Azrael. A brighter path than she could imagine."
Azrael's fingers traced the edges of the contract, his thoughts a labyrinth of contemplation.
The document had many points that can be exploited by the contractor, but the sum of 73,000 Magidollar per month was hard to ignore. As Magidollar were Zurra's national currency, and they held immense value in the magical world.
The value of Lukas' offer was staggering. But what weighed most on his mind was the chance to secure Luna's future in a prominent guild like Violet Scorpion.
Azrael sat there, not sure of what he had to do.
Lukas continued, "If you accept it, Luna's future will be secured, and she'll be grateful for it. Don't you want to see her shine?"
As Lukas spoke, Azrael's mind went back to the past.
The memories of Luna's arrival at the orphanage, her tears, and their shared struggles played like a filmstrip—leading up to the present moment where they lived together in such a small and crappy house, and yet she never complained even once.
Azrael understands that she deserves better. And now, before him, a better path for her was presented—a chance to free her from the hardships.
Satisfaction tinged Lukas' voice as he leaned in. "All you need to do is sign the contract and I'll handle the rest."
The waiters come, placed their drinks on the table, then swiftly left, understanding that they had an important conversation taking place.
Azrael placed the paper down, his gaze meeting Lukas. "Interesting offer, but it's not enough."
"State what you want?" Lukas questioned, his irritation evident in his voice.
Azrael's gaze back into unwavering air as he raised an unexpected request, "Your guild leader position."
"Watch your words!" Lukas slammed at the table. Drawing numerous glances as a hushed murmur spread across the cafe, everyone's gaze shifting to their table.
Sensing the attention they were attracting, "Cough, please be mindful of your words." Lukas leaned back, trying to regain his composure.
"It's my condition. Make it happen, and I'll bring Luna over."
Lukas' face reddened, his voice dripping with frustration. "You're standing in the way of her potential! Do you understand that, right?"
"I do."
"You're just being selfish. You scared that she will leave you behind while she shines brighter than you." Lukas blurted out.
Azrael's gaze remained steady, his response calm as he locked eyes with Lukas. A glint of amusement danced in his eyes.
He found the entire situation to be funny—so much talk, all just to make him feel guilty. Azrael knew that the moment he accepted the contract, they would forcibly separate him from her. As it would make it easier for them to control her.
Since, rumors about the guild's shady practices and treatment of its members had begun to surface. It was undeniably bad environment for her.
Life had never been fair, so why should he hand her over to some stranger? Abandoning her and hoping she'll be happy with her newfound situation.
NO! She is happy with him.
They had gone through ups and downs in their entire life, weathering many challenges together. Nothing would ever change that; it will remain till the end of the world, as it was a promise they had made together.
"Think about her future, Azrael. About what she could achieve." Lukas tried to persuade.
Azrael's chin lifted, his voice firm. "And that doesn't matter. She's mine."
Their negotiation clearly doesn't work. With that, Azrael stood and left the table.
Lukas shout, "Think about my offer. Other guilds will not give you much with that talent of yours."
"Sure, and you should think about my suggestion."
Azrael walked away, leaving Lukas dumbfounded in his seat.
Lukas watched Azrael's retreating figure, a mixture of frustration and disbelief gnawing at him.
The rejection baffled him—someone with a common talent rejecting his offer that was fifty times more than what others could obtain with their trash talent.
But what he hated the most was the humiliation that he felt.
"You're leaving me no choice, Azrael."
Lukas knew what needed to be done, and the steps to ensure his success.
Lukas dialed a number on his phone, his voice carrying a dangerous undertone. "Proceed with the plan."