[she may seem gullible, and naive but…. ] Glacias spoke advised from within my soul
With an exerted and quivered voice, he resumed talking.
[any airy words you utter, she would see for what they are, lies]
[…Edward?...]
[Edward?,]
[Edward?,]
[…]
[Nevermind]
***
As the dullen pastel white colored doors rumbled open, an overbearing flood of spiritual residue escaped,
Earth, and lightning, were the most predominant spiritual energies within the presence.
It was no surprise; even a fool with limited knowledge of magical lore would recognize the grainy texture of earth energy and the faint static of lightning coursing through the air.
Such a presence of abundant energies could only be sourced from a limited range of people, and that prospect is further diminished when both energies were as concentrated and fluid as they were.
The person was obviously Melkith.
'Quite interesting, to hold such concentrated energies without recoil' I mused.
Navigating the mix of spiritual domains was extremely challenging, requiring considerable effort to avoid exhaustion and lethargy. The domain was powerful, and thus the presence of Melkith needed nearly perfect control and unity over her respective elements to create such an instrument.
It resembled a controlled and condensed natural disaster, moving in perfect harmony with mana and spiritual essences alike.
'It's revolting to see, but it seems slightly useful' Edward thought as he observed the the abusrd complexites held within the webs oof intnets weaving thorughout the office.
As I fully entered the office, the grand doors closed, and an overpowering presence bore down on every fiber of my being.
Click
Creak
Raising my gaze from the finely tiled floor, I was met with a distant pair of striking turquoise eyes, their irises showed no wavering and held boundless confidence.
Clad over her natural curves was a short, tight gray gown that was slightly revealing at the top. Draped over her back was a long, flowing white robe. Cascading from her scalp was a fine set of short silver hair.
She sat perched behind an elaborately crafted and organized desk.
Rested on the slick and shiny surface Melkiths elbows lay rested as her hands supported her head in a lazed way.
Matching Mekiths challenging gaze Edward reciprocated with his normal stoic features. His messy ashen gray hair cascaded down by his shoulders his hair diffrent from its old look now was muddled with pigments of ashen gray coupled with a tint of black by the tips.
After months of neglecting his hair care, Edward's hair had suffered greatly and grown to an impressive length. However, he saw no reason to cut it, so he allowed it to grow as it pleased.
At the Lionheart estate, the only reason why Edward had ever had his hair fixed to its regal look was merely due to the constant nagging from the maids.
Young master that and your master this, such annoying utterances.
Curious by Edward's lack of a reaction , Melkith further tilted her head as she gradually increased the potency of the pressure she was emitting.
Yet as this happened Edward's face and body showed no response, his face stayed indifferent, and Edward's multi-colored eyes showed no brilliance or emotion, like a doll without a marniet he stared motionless waiting.
Every fiber of Edwards' being screamed and pleaded for him to resist using his mana. The heat from his body's overexertion was palpable, but thanks to his natural cooling factor, the overheating posed no threat. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, and his heart raced faster.
Despite the nagging pain, Edward's mind remained calm and collected as he gazed at Melkith with a hint of curiosity. In fact, he rarely registered the physical discomfort his body experienced.
It was as if it was never there if he felt it made no difference.
Was pain supposed to hurt?
What was pain?
Physical exertion?
Mental toil?
Why would it matter, it's just pain? A figment of our imagination, which could easily be nulled by mental fortitude.
His body's muscles felt as if they were on the verge of collapsing and snapping, yet he stood firm with a regal gate and unwavering gaze.
He merely looked towards Melkith.
"Well let's not waste further time shall we?" Melkith abruptly spoke as she slightly sighed Finally giving in to the lack of a response ", Well I should at least be courteous,"
Lazily gesturing toward the empty space in front of her desk, manifested a simple wooden chair.
Following her insulting gesture, I took my seat on the uncomforting bland wooden chair.
"If I may ask, why did such a noble figure as the Towermaster, call upon my audience?" I questioned as I locked my gaze with her own
Nodding her head in understanding Melkith responded with a question.
It was rather simple really, but her tone and demeanor spoke lengths.
"Examinee 93, or Erebus? Correct"
Leaning back into my seat I continued to stare at the White Tower master with an indifferent gaze.
"Why Beat around the bush Towermaster,"
"Both you and I, know that that's not my name but rather an alias"
I already knew the reason for this meeting so why falter for such an obvious ploy, Glacias already Informed me about this woman and her ability to see through airy words, so why not use it?
Melkith just stared at Edward, her graze finally faltering.
"What?" she asked baffled
"Tower master, the only reason why you even cared to request me was due to me being contracted with Glacias,"
"Do I stand correct in my assumption?"
Within my soul's domain, Glacias toiled to alter the outward appearance of my soul for any onlooker. As he drew intricate arrays of runes in this decayed region, he suddenly heard his name.
In curiosity, he asked Edward.
[Why was my name mentioned in this affair?!]
As if on cue Edward responded
'Never mind that, follow along,'
[What?]
'I can place a temporary veil over my soul, I just need you to manifest your corporal form when I give the signal.'
Pondering over Edward's odd utterance for several more seconds he finally complied.
[splendid,]
Sensing the exit of a frosted present from within my soul's domain, I placed a temporary array of Ether over my soul.
Finishing my preparations internally, Melkith responded to my assumption.
"Well, yes, your assumption would be correct."
Melkith was not oblivions she immediately deduced after Edward's curt response, that she had obviously fallen for two read hearings.
"So, what do you want?" Melkith firmly asked
"I want to tend to a deal, care to hear?"
"That would depend,"
If you recall, the last time Melkith made a deal, she was scammed and taken advantage of due to a loophole that Eugene created.
Hence she laminated a negative view of deals.
"Well I believe the deal I have with satisfy both parties," Edward said, as he spoke through a thin grin.
"As from what I can recall Tower master, you have only contracted with two spirit kings, am I correct thus far"
"Why or how does this have to do with the deal you're proposing," Melkith said slightly annoyed "but yes I am."
"It will make sense soon enough"
"Naturally I'm enticed to believe quite the opposite, why should I believe you?"
"You don't have to believe me, that would be naive and foolish"
"Continue," Melkith pressed further.
"Why not be a legend, do you want to be a mere name that children would glance over with glazed eyes or would you rather have your name stained into history, essentially weaved,"
"Imagine the power and achievements you would gain if you contracted with three spirit kings," Edward said before continuing. "Why settle for just two measly spirit kings when you can essentially become a master of all trades?"
"I won't continue spewing words any further and I'll make myself clear,"
Saying this I leaned forward from my chair nearly falling off before indulging my intention.
"I can get you contracted with the ice spirit king, Glacias"
"..."
By now Melkiths demeanor had significantly changed from the previous firm and unwavering attitude to a more, convinced and slightly hopeful one.
I had nicked her weak spot, and by now her mind was filled with a plague of thoughts centralized around one thing.
'A third Spirit king?'
'I'm already the first to contract with two spirit kings, what would be the issue with a third'
'A third, Eugene, that fucker, scammed me out of my Darkness cloak!! With that damn deal for Wynnyd, but this one is different from Eugene,'
'Unlike Eugene who had the backing of the Lionheart family, what does this bastard have, no one!'
'Wait I can't act rash…'
'I'll hear out his proposal further,'
Like all humans, Melkith fell for one of our most destructive of desires...
greed
"Fine show me pliable evidence of your proposal,"
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