Liam looked at the offered hand in front of him with an almost offended expression on his face.
There was something about the man in front of him that made Liam feel as if he was being tested, and that made him hesitate to take the offered hand.
Seeing his hesitation, the old man standing behind him got annoyed and decided to push Liam forward.
"Kid, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and shake that hand. Do you think you will get an opportunity like this again?"
Elowen Starwind's agitation was what made Liam take that extended hand and shake it.
As soon as his palm touched the hand in front of him, Liam could tell that Victor was trying to gauge his power.
The small bumps of power that collided against Liam's hand made him feel as if he was being doused in water and then wrung dry. It was invasive and uncomfortable.
[Error: Detecting unusual disturbance in user's mana channels. Mana channels will be forcefully closed off.]
The system decided this on its own, based on what was good for Liam.
Because of the system's interference, a small shockwave was created, causing Victor to pull back with a grim expression on his face.
Liam looked at the hands that finally broke off their handshake, and he could see a small lightning spark between his hand and Victor's where they had been connected.
He expected Victor to comment on it, but the older male never did. The only thing Victor did was give Liam a calm look before turning to Elowen Starwind, standing behind Liam, and then back toward Liam.
"You look like a nice guy to be around, but a little rough around the edges. Hmm, but I think I can make your powers bloom if you give me a chance. Here, this is my card. How about you join my guild?"
Liam was offered a small business card, but his mana-detection sight told him that this card in his hand was no ordinary card.
The way it pulsed indicated that it was filled with magic and could also act as a tracker. Liam had no intention of accepting such a burdensome thing.
But Elowen Starwind's burdensome gaze and Victor Rhemington's expectant look made Liam extend his hand and close his fingers around that tracker.
"I see. I will think about it. As I told Master Elowen before, I have offers from a few guilds, but I have not made a decision about which one I want to join. Now, if that is all, I would like to take my leave."
Liam wanted to get out of the situation as soon as possible.
The longer he stayed here, the more chances he had of messing something up. And he would rather not take that chance.
"You still have to think about this, kid? I am starting to think that you are likely mentally challenged or something. What do you even have to think about when you are being recruited into the No. 1 Guild, Emperor, by its guildmaster himself? Do you know how many people yearn for this opportunity?"
The craftsman tried to make Liam understand what an opportunity he was missing. But no matter how much he tried to convince him, Liam had no intention of signing his life away.
"No. 1 guild? Then it is even more important for me to think about it. Doesn't high reward come with high risk? I have my current life to live as well, and I don't want to abandon it. Now, I should head out."
Liam quickly left before he could say more. He left behind a stunned old man and an amused Rank 1 guildmaster.
Elowen Starwind took some time to gather his thoughts and snap out of his shock. But as soon as he did, he could not help but let out a laugh filled with disbelief.
"That shitty kid! Not only did he not buy anything, but he also dared to disrespect you. I am so sorry that you had to face someone like that, Master Victor. Please tell me what I can do for you."
The craftsman asked in a low voice, wanting the No. 1 magician of their time to forget about what had just happened.
But instead of anger, what he got was amusement. Master Victor let out a chuckle before looking at Elowen with a curious expression.
"Master Elowen, do you have anything I can buy that can help me keep an eye on someone? I suddenly feel like I need to get it."
Victor's words had enough jest to categorize them as a joke, but Elowen had a feeling that this man was not joking.
"Stalking someone is a punishable crime. I hope you won't ask me to participate in something that can get me in trouble."
Elowen spoke softly, still trying to save himself. But the look he got back did not convince him that he was safe.
"Don't worry about it. I promise you that I will not get caught using any of your tools. And even if I do get caught, who is going to say anything? Besides, I just want to deliver a gift to my new friend and future guildmate. Surely no one will fault me for this?"
Victor asked with a small but creepy smile on his face.
The old man instantly wanted to tell him that this was not how things worked, and those who wanted to bring Victor down would use this opportunity to their fullest capacity. But as soon as he thought about it, he gave up.
What use was it to try and convince this man that he was making a mistake anyway? Knowing Victor, he would continue to make them even when he knew it was a mistake.
"Fine, I will get you something nice. But make sure to keep my name out of your mess. I do not want the police or security to come and crash my shop again. Once was enough."
The old man muttered under his breath before he walked toward the back and brought out a small scroll for Victor to take.