Ryan felt happy that one of his colleagues and his disciple were getting along right from the start. After all, both couldn't help but smile at each other.
Siras finished evaluating Levi's stats. Turning to Ryan, he said:
"Can you let us have a private conversation?"
Ryan didn't know why Siras had asked him this. What could they start talking about that Ryan wasn't allowed to hear? He didn't think more and just left the arena, saying,
"Don't make Levi uncomfortable."
He was about to make the situation messy for Levi. Once Siras confirmed Ryan was far enough not to hear them, his smile vanished. "You are one of the most unusual humans I have ever seen in my life."
Levi too nodded his head in agreement. He was normal, but something about him felt abnormal at the same time.
"I can say the same things about you. Your stats aren't human."
Levi didn't try to hide that he too, like Siras, could see the stats. He wanted Siras shocked with this, and it definitely worked. Siras's fingers were twitching in excitement and astonishment. Pointing at his forehead, he mused,
"So you can also see a blue window floating above my head."
"Yeah."
Siras laughed sarcastically hearing Levi's answer.
'He is trying to fool me and gain an upper hand, but it isn't going to work.'
"You have no skill, no titles, nor any traits that help you see it. You really need to work on your bluffing skills."
Letting out a small chuckle, he pointed at the floating screen above Siras's head.
"It's not that I don't have any ability; your 'Appraisal Eye' doesn't have the ability to see it."
Siras's eyes widened. Levi was speaking the truth, and he couldn't believe someone else than him could see the mysterious blue window.
Levi was lying of course. He could only see the stats on the items and not living beings. Just like Eliza, he knew Siras's major strength.
In Servania, everyone had their stats and could see them, only if they got an appraisal evaluation test from the church. That is why they would only evaluate their strength if they felt a change in their mind, mana, and body because getting an evaluation was expensive.
Many noble families did their own tests because sometimes the church would leak their stats to the world, which could let their enemies gain the upper hand. Having the power to see it was a game-changer.
Another reason Siras was so shocked was that he had hidden his "Appraisal Eye." Using some items or magic, an awakener could hide his stats, though it wasn't easy to find or use. Only some could do it, and Siras was one of them. He didn't want the world to know he had such powers and hid it. Nobody knew except him, until now.
'Is he hiding his observation ability, then why cannot I see his and why can he see mine?'
The ultimate S-rank skill he had so much faith in betrayed his expectations for the first time. He usually would get an upper hand during any negotiation, but now both were at a stalemate.
He did ponder Levi's ability and came to a conclusion. 'It is probably an item giving him the power.'
Siras couldn't see the stats of the items Levi was wearing. He started guessing; maybe it could be his clothes, the ring on his hand, the earrings he had, or the wristband.
Levi felt Siras trying to find his observational powers but it was of no use. Shaking his head, Levi pointed at his eye.
"It is useless trying to find something that doesn't exist. I had these observational powers since I turned eight.Don't ask me how."
Lying seemed the best course of action, and Siras had no way to fact-check about it anyway. Looking at the sky and smiling, Siras reached a conclusion on Levi's personality. He wasn't someone one could control; put a leash on him, and he will drag you down to hell with you.
'But that doesn't mean I will give up this easily.'
Putting his hand up, Siras admitted his defeat. "Fine. I will believe you. Your observation skills are superior to mine, but that is all. In other ways, you are inferior to me, a lot."
Siras's attributes, his social status, and reputation were far beyond Levi's now. If he sees Levi as a threat, killed him and told the world about it, nobody would call him a murderer. If the child of God kills you, then definitely the victim is to blame.
Though Siras had no intention to do so. "Let's keep this a secret; you don't talk about my powers, and I don't reveal yours too. Deal?"
"Deal." Siras still had his eyes glued to the titles and still looking at it for ten times, believed Levi killed two demons. One of them was the Silkworm Demise which he knew where Levi could have got it from, but the other title proved to be a mystery for even Siras.
'When and how did he manage to kill the demon with a hundred eyes?'
And these titles would evolve more as Levi's rank soared up. Just thinking of Levi having them on his side took a lot off Siras's shoulders.
"I will keep it simple. Join the church and work for me."
Levi shook his head and turned his back.
"No."
And started walking away.
Siras, not predicting he would be rejected this fast, could help but call Levi with panic.
"Wait, Levi."
Levi didn't wait. His pace increased even more. Not knowing what to do, Siras decided to lure Levi with what he had the most. "I can give you money."
'Shit… money, I couldn't come up with something better. This guy doesn't look like the type to like money too.'
The word money rang in Levi's ears and it intrigued him. Stopping in his tracks, Levi asked.
"How much are you going to pay me?"
Siras did feel shocked because he definitely felt Levi wasn't the type to go for money, and that was true. Levi would be needing a lot of his endeavor in the future. It was better to have a lot than none.
"One million Dale for a month and additional money depending on the job I personally give you."
A salary of that would mean he didn't need to work at the academy anymore and could spend a lot of money on buying items and good quality potions. Also, working in the church could possibly help him invade the noble's social circles. Being a church member could also let him gain access to some skills and make his healing abilities better.
But Siras didn't want him just for healing. The Church also had a battler force, and they dealt with demons and devils. Levi knew it, and that would probably be what his personal missions would be after all.
Even for Siras, sending a kid alone to fight demons would raise some questions about his sanity and virtue.
The city of Hilica did have a church, but most of the time it was used for prayers. The members of the church who were healers, like Ryan, worked at the hospital. This was mainly because not every healer's work was a part of the church, and most people preferred going to the hospital. The church would only make use of their priests during any battles or emergency; otherwise, they worked at other places.
Priests and Healers are the same; just their association with the church gave them different names. Even healers could cast any kind of purification, making no difference between them.
Ryan was the head of the church in the town, and being the head, only he could give orders. So, that meant even if Siras would give Levi a mission, Ryan would be there for the cover-up, though he definitely would allow Levi to take on dangerous tasks.
"Ok. I will start working from tomorrow. You should also tell Professor Ryan about this."
He had stopped working at the hospital after the Noel incident was over. Though it would be easy for him to integrate into the workflow. Without saying his goodbyes, Levi left the cemetery, leaving Siras bewildered.
Levi's witty and not-giving-a-fuck attitude entertained him. He too was tired of everybody looking at him like an angel; that is why he sometimes did the work of the devil too.
"Levi, like my God said, you are special."