'What is that thing...?'
A hand rested on his shoulder, and Quinn felt a jolt of surprise. He turned to see Azra standing beside him, a look of concern etched on his face. "Dude, your nose is bleeding," Azra said, his voice low. "Are you okay?"
Quinn's hand instinctively rose to his nose, and he felt a warm trickle of blood. He was taken aback, realizing that he had been so lost in thought that he hadn't even noticed.
The figure he had seen was gone.
Gone as if it never existed.
Unless, it was his mind playing tricks on him.
"I didn't even notice." Quinn said.
Azra sighed, pulling out a piece of cloth. "You can use this?"
Quinn grabbed it, wiping off the blood with a single swipe. "Thanks."
"No need to thank me just yet." Azra said. "But are you okay though?"
"I'm not sure...I thought I felt something." Quinn mumbled. "Did you feel anything when that knight walked in?"
"Well....." Azra was silent for a minute. "....can't exactly say I felt anything really."
"Okay." Quinn sighed. "I guess, I was just daydreaming."
"It happens sometimes."
On the other hand, Ares stood, staring at the countless number of faces that were eager to hear what he had to say. He looked at the instructor, an old friend of his, and a smile forced itself on his lips. "Please tell me this isn't a waste of my time."
"Trust me...it isn't." The instructor said, fixing his glasses with a finger. "Y'know, my class has gotten better over the months."
"Sure it has...." Ares said. "...and now, I'm being forced by bloody Valerie to recruit students for my guild? She sent word to the other guild masters."
The instructor cocked a brow. "Why would she do that?"
"She says it's another way to grow? Help them gain experience..." Ares spat. "..but to me, it's just another room to make us clean up her mess for her and I hate it!" He let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. "I swear, Valerie's going senile. First, it's demons, then it's this Catalyst thingy... now she wants me to babysit a bunch of students?"
The instructor chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Well, someone's got to keep you on your toes, Ares."
Ares rolled his eyes, handing the instructor the paper. "Here, take a look at the list Valerie gave me."
The instructor's eyes scanned the paper, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment. His gaze lingered on the last name, his eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"I don't even know how strong this one is, yet," the instructor muttered. "I don't think we should let him in the field."
Ares snorted. "Go tell Vanessa that. Heard he summoned a Demon Fox."
The instructor's face broke into a wide grin. "I'm still trying to understand the nature of his magic. He showed potential for caster magic back at the Selections, and yet he demonstrated his ability to summon."
Ares cocked a brow, a spark of interest igniting in his eyes. "Now that's some talent I'm willing to work with....In fact, let them fight a little," he continued, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I want to see how they fight... want to know what I have to work with."
The instructor's eyes narrowed, a hint of warning in his voice. "Ares, don't push them too hard. You don't know what you're dealing with yet."
Ares waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, come on. I know what I'm doing. Besides, it'll be fun."
The instructor cleared his throat, his voice ringing across the Great Hall. "Class, I'd like to introduce Ares, the Guild Master of the White Lotus Guild. He's here to recruit members who'll be joining his guild by order of the principal."
A murmuring spread throughout the room, whispers racing through the air. The instructor's eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on the students. "If your name is on this list, I want you to come forth." He paused, his eyes scanning the paper in his hand. "Azra..." he called out.
Azra's face paled, his eyes widening in surprise. "Wait, what?" he muttered, his voice barely audible. "I'm being recruited?"
'The little fox might just surpise us....can't wait to see.' The instructor's gaze moved on, his eyes scanning the room once more. "Quinn."
'So that's what you're planning?' Quinn took a deep breath, his eyes staring at the instructor. "I'm not interested in the offer," he said, his voice firm.
A gasp rang out in the air, the room falling silent. Hanzo smirked, Lilith curling her hair around her finger. "Violent, pretty much," she said, her voice dripping with amusement.
'Rebellion?' The instructor's expression turned stern. "You're here to learn, Quinn. Your duty is to obey commands."
Ares narrowed his eyes. "What exactly are you not interested in?"
Quinn's eyes flashed with rebellion. "Being turned into some sort of theatrical spectacle for everyone. But I'm up for the recruitment."
Ares smirked, his eyes glinting with interest. "And how did you know we want you to fight?" he asked, his voice low.
Quinn's eyes narrowed, his gaze sticking on Ares. "Aren't you?"
'Just who exactly are you? I know you can read my mind...' Ares thought, and Quinn felt a shiver race down his spine.
A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, and he ran a hand through his soft hair. "I'm Quinn. Quinn Winter."
Ares chuckled. 'Quinn Winter.....Quite an interesting person are you not? Never thought a summoner would be able to use telepathic abilities.'
'You might be shocked by the things I can, and can't do,' Quinn thought back, focusing more on wanting to respond rather than using his words.
Ares' eyes widened for a moment, before he chuckled. 'You're already impressive. I believe there's more to your story than what meets the mind's eye. I already have a better use for you already...'
Hanzo cleated his throat, snapping them out of the moment. "Why do I feel like there's something going on between us? Like you guys are admiring each other in silence."
Ares chuckled. "It's nothing really ...."