"So go ahead and pass whatever punishment on the human race in Genesis you deem fit, it's not like I will be there to care anyway."
"You still don't plan to ever join Genesis?" Tia asked
"Those who don't work, don't eat and if I don't eat, I won't have to worry about anything ever again." John replied simply before sitting down opposite Sarah.
Tia looked at John Michaels for a moment before saying.
"And if you never had to work again?"
"That would be a fine thing and a dream of many, though chances are in a few months I won't be able to work anyway."
"What do you mean?" Sarah asked this time.
"I currently work under the counter so the companies get to pay me as little as they want and there is nothing I can do about it, but tell me what happens when I leave school? John asked in return.
"You will be classified as a full adult and be able to get full paying jobs." Sarah replied.
"Correct, now tell me this, what company out there would want to pay the guaranteed minimum wage to an orphan who lives in a shack and does not have any references from his teachers since they pretend he does not exist?"
Sarah was silent for a moment before she replied.
"So, what you are saying is that once you leave school you don't think any of these companies will want you anymore because they will have to pay you the legal minimum wage as it will be monitored more closely, and you will have legal rights if they don't."
"Bingo, though it's not a question of me thinking they won't employ me but me knowing they won't since they have already told me as much."
There was silence for a moment before John decided to ask a question.
"So, Miss Lapis, what is it that Tia has offered you in return for your help might I ask?"
"I don't mind telling you, but I thought you were not interested in Genesis?" Sarah asked back curiously.
John smiled before replying.
"I never said I was not interested in Genesis, I just know what my priorities are, after all there is no one in the world who does not want to play Genesis."
"I see, very well take a look at this item." Following that Sarah used her access band to display the information on the 'Blood of the Immortal Phoenix Pearl'.
"I see, so I am guessing Tia offered you the missing drop of phoenix blood?" John asked after reading the description.
Sarah nodded and replied.
"Correct, Ice Phoenix Blood to be exact, though I am unsure what will happen when I receive it since the item only hints at a perfect rebirth."
"Can you go through with it though?" John asked.
"With what?" Sarah asked in return.
"With rebirth, having your character reset to level 1 and starting over from the starting village, sure you may get extra stat points but is it worth sacrificing what I am sure is already a fairly high level for you?"
"Yes, it's not a problem for me, if it was before I broke up with that snake then I may have had a hard time deciding but now I have no problem going through with rebirth depending on what the final result is after adding the last drop of phoenix blood."
"Maybe it was a good thing that you broke up with him then, now that you're single you can chase your own dreams and follow your own path." John said offhandedly.
Sarah looked at John and for the second time realized how attractive he was when his face was not covered up.
"You know you should really get a haircut; you look much better when you show your face." Sarah said with a giggle.
"Nah too expensive." John replied with a laugh causing them both to chuckle.
***
"Wait, are they flirting?" Rose suddenly asked.
"I was wondering the same thing." Oracle stated before continuing.
"Though I will give credit to Sarah on her choice this time, that John Michaels is quite the catch in both looks and smarts, even I find him pleasing to the eyes."
"You do?" Rose asked, looking at Oracle in shock.
"Why is it that surprising?"
Rose nodded before Silver Queen replied.
"Indeed, it is my daughter even I am surprised, after all your standards are higher than even mine and I have only ever been with one man in my hundreds of years of living."
"Hump" Oracle pouted and crossed her arms to which the other women laughed.
"Tia, may I speak with him?" Fire Empress suddenly requested.
Tia looked at her for a moment before answering.
"You may, though I have not quite finished yet, I would like to hear your conversation with him."
Silver Queen looked at Tia before asking.
"Tia, what are you up to? this is not like you."
"You will know when I have made my decision about him." Tia responded, confusing the women even more.
"Decision about John Michaels?" Oracle asked but this time Tia did not reply
***
"Mr. Michaels, can you hear me? This is Empress Alexia Bristle; Tia has given me permission to speak with you."
"What can I do for you Mrs. Bristle?" John replied in a calm voice catching Sarah by surprise.
***
"Hoo, Mrs. Bristle , it seems he does not recognize your position, Alexia." Silver Queen said with respect showing in her eyes.
Both Red Rose and Silver Oracle were surprised by John's form of address to his own empress.
***
"First off I would like to apologize on behalf of the royal family for our failure in protecting you from this injustice you have received." Alexia stated.
"While I am grateful for your apology it is not really fair for me to blame you for what others have done, you may be the ruler of the human race however you can't know what is happening in your borders without proper advisors, I suggest you take a careful look at each of your advisors from now on." John answered before saying.
"Even though I do not blame you I will not show you any respect or address you as my empress because the human race really does mean nothing to me."