Alastor looked at the man who controlled the majority of the commerce and businesses within the Alliance, sitting calmly on a simple wooden chair like a harmless old man.
"I greet the Elder of the Alliance, Sir Ethan Evan Asher."
The old man looked at Alastor critically, smoking from a pipe made of amethyst crystal. Just the remnant smoke carried an immense amount of mana within it.
Finally, Elder Asher spoke up, "So you are the one they call Unrivalled under the Sky. Sit."
Alastor sat, scanning the place for any traps, "I wonder why the Elder has called me here?"
Elder Asher replied, "I have heard much about you. A hitherto unseen genius. You are proficient with the Common Runes, yes?"
"Merely passable," Alastor denied the praise.
The old man said, "Impressive for your age."
Their banter continued for a while, dancing around the real reason as to why Elder Asher had called Alastor here.
'A test. He's trying to see if I have the ambition to at least hear him out.'
That was what Alastor's analysis said.
He interrupted, "While this is quite novel, Elder Asher, I would prefer if we stopped beating around the bush. What would you request of me?"
Asher thought to himself, 'So he isn't an absolute moron. Besides, he has the ambition to carry this out. He's acting like he knows it is illegal by using that word, but he's gambling on that, there is simply no way for him to know.'
'Daring and bold. Yes, he will do perfectly.'
Elder Asher made an offer to Alastor, one that made Alastor's eyes widen, but his soul smile.
"Kill the Spear Hero. "
"Ensure it is a spear which takes his life in the end."
Alastor 'regained' his composure quickly, focusing back on the old man sitting in front of him.
"And what makes you think I would be able to do that?"
The old man smirked and said, "You haven't refused."
Alastor finally let out a small smile onto his lips, "Now, why would an Elder of the Alliance wish to kill one of their greatest assets?"
Asher replied, "There is no personal grudge. Just business. And I do not ask you to do this task without recompense, of course."
The meeting had turned from an awkward interaction between two generations, to two scumbags willing to destroy the majority for their own proft.
"I will ensure that you become the next Spear Hero. You will receive Level Zero Access clearance for the Treasury. You may take the Spear Hero's weapon or switch it for something else from the Treasury."
"I will also ensure you do not lack financially, as long as House Asher stands. You will be backed by the most influential House in the Alliance. As a Hero, any crimes you commit will also be handled by the Alliance."
"What do you say?"
This was Asher's offer in it's entirety, a plain appeal to Alastor's Greed and ambition.
His Greed clamoured to take it immediately, or try driving the price up further, but he waited, adding tension to the moment to make it look like he was truly thinking about it.
Alastor stopped using honourifics with the old man, "Ethan. What makes you think that this much is enough for me to kill my master?"
Elder Asher chuckled, "Experience. Experience dictates that this is the value of the Spear Hero's life."
"There are two types of people in this world. Those naive fools who give up their ambitions and are content with their current standings in life, as long as they have their own false bonds intact."
Ashes arose from the bowl of burning incense nearby, as Elder Asher's voice rose.
"Then, there are those who know that when the universe gives you a chance to profit, they -"
Alastor interrupted, "- ask for even more."
Asher seemed to be satisfied with Alastor, "From what I have seen, you are not a naive fool, Alastor Stele. I hope you will make the right choice."
It didn't take long for Alastor to make his decision, "I accept."
Asher smiled, "Smart boy. Drip your blood on this contract while infusing your mana."
'I, Alastor Stele, swear not to harm the House of Asher or any being, structure, or organization affiliated with it in any way, financial or physical, and shall fulfill my objective of killing the Spear Hero within the next 5 years.'
'I, Ethan Evans Asher, Head of House Asher, swear to not harm Alastor Stele, in the name of my House. I swear to provide an instant reward of 50 million gold, as well as an Asher Chamber of Commerce VIP pass, along with a yearly payment of 2 million gold for the next 10 years.'
As they both agreed to the cotract, a clear bell sound was heard before the contract vanished.
Elder Asher examined the chain created in his soul, he thought to himself,
'Truly, an artifact of the Fifth Heaven God of Contracts.'
"Pleasure doing business with you, boy- No. Alastor Stele."
Alastor left the room with a smile, his soul as unfettered as ever.
'It didn't take effect, huh? As expected. After all, no matter how long I use this name, or how many people know of it, my True Name will never change.'
'At the core of my being, I will always remain-'
"Alastor! Look! I won the first match!" Axel was positively vibrating with joy as he bounced up to Alastor.
"Is that so? That's good. You have improved drastically from that time in the forest," Alastor commended Axel while noting his progress.
Axel remembered the time when he couldn't even swing a blade properly, and his face was flushed red, "T-That was a long time ago! I'm not that person anymore."
While walking back, Alastor paused to see what was happening in Arena 3, where Julian's fight was nearing it's end.
'Good. He's drawing on the Basics more and more. Unfortunately, he met one of the seeded contestants in the tournament, though I doubt he'll make it either.'
'As for killing the Spear Hero, I still have time.'
'Two years. Within two years, I'll kill him. That should be enough time to get to Marquis rank or higher.'
If any demon heard his thoughts, they would surely spit blood and die from his sheer confidence in advancing to Marquis rank within a mere two years.