I see Dawn who is trying to control the tears forming in her eyes. I wish I could console her and try to be the person they know. But the attack in the forest has changed something in me. Now, I only want to become powerful and not be a helpless kid like that again. Being in a relationship might slow my progress.
With these 2 opposing thoughts in my mind, I choose the later, to keep away from a relationship until I become powerful enough to keep my family safe. With the decision made, I look at Dawn and say "Dawn, you will always be my best friend nothing less, nothing more."
This makes her even more sad and the tears she tried to hold started rolling down her cheeks and Zaana goes close to her and hugs her trying to console her, but it only makes her cry more sobbing on Zaana's shoulder.
I look at my mother who is looking at Dawn with sadness on her face clearly not expecting this to happen. With all that has happened from the day I got the system, everyone might have an impression that I like her, which is true. But they don't know I have a goal and decided the path I will take to achieve it, which will be a lonely one.
I am still feeling weak, not sure if it is because of the forest incident or because of my downgrade. I let them know I am going to the Hammerand office to accept the offer and go there. It is a little early, but the offices of the top companies are open all the time.
I reach the office by 8:53 AM. It is a 3 floor building similar to the Hunter's Guild. I go to the reception asking for the time of arrival of Mr. Cooper so I can speak with him. The receptionist woman said he will usually come after 9:00 AM and I can't see him without an appointment as he will be busy the whole day.
I wait for him in the lobby that is near the entrance and after a few minutes, I see Mr. Cooper enter the building. He identifies me immediately as I am the only person in the lobby and comes to me. He asks "Good Morning Alex, what brings you here this early?"
I just reply "I have decided to accept your offer." With a small pause I continue "But on 1 condition." He becomes happy after hearing I am accepting his offer so soon. He asking "Shoot it kid."
I tell him "I will not be teamed with anyone. I will be doing everything alone, after the training if there is any of course." To which he smiles saying "So, a lone wolf ye.. Okay. I agree."
He looks at the receptionist as if he wants to kill her. For some reason, I know I have become his favorite person. I am not sure if he will be showing this same to his son or daughter if he has any.
After reading the contract which says I can leave the company anytime I want with no penalty and can get any weapons and armor I want from them, I sign it knowing everything in the contract is only for my benefit with no disadvantages.
I go to the armory after signing the contract in his office to get my armor and weapon. I chose an armor that is fully in black color with golden boarders and a big golden single handed hammer on the chest, which is the symbol of the Hammerand. It is made of leather from the crocodile skin and shell of a turtle.
I choose a slightly curved single handed sword with a meter long blade and 5 inch handle. I also choose a golden round shield that can cover from my neck to hip if I hold it at my chest. I chose the shield as it will help me to defend against powerful enemies like the masked men who attacked me in the forest.
All 3 equipment are grade D which are the best grade equipment that can be forged in this small town. Every one who gets recruited here gets only the D grade equipment as only few are selected from a 1000 applicants and they are the best in any way in our town.
After selecting the equipment, I go to meet Mr. Cooper again as he wanted to share something with me after I come back from the armory. He looks pleased with the selection of my equipment. He is in High-B grade, but knows how to encourage the young people with just his expressions and motivate them.
"I wanted to tell you, you will be having only 1 person alone with you during the training which will be starting tomorrow. Come to the office by 9:00 AM and you will meet your trainer." He says to me to which I just nod. After that I am given a small tour of the entire office to know the layout.
I reach home just in lunch time and I can see my parents and Zaana are mad at me. They didn't talk to me when we have our lunch or after that when I go to the garden to train with my new weapon and shield.
I know why they are mad at me, but decided to let them come to terms with it at their own pace. I tried to do the Battle Exercise, but I couldn't do it even for a minute as I started feeling dizzy.
The doctors have advised me not to strain myself for a few days and still I strained my body a lot in the last 2 days in the name of trying and learning the Ice Armor. I sent an email to uncle Jon that I have joined the Hammerand and will not be visiting the Hunter's Guild anymore.
The dinner also went the same without speaking a word. I tell them about the training starting tomorrow to which my father just nods to acknowledge and my mother says "Hmm". I didn't get a single expression or sound from my sister who is very very angry at me.