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Lucian sat in the dimly lit room of his office, the faint hum of magical energy the only sound accompanying his thoughts. The city outside continued to bustle with life, but within these walls, time seemed to move at a different pace. The weight of the transactions he had made over the past few days lingered in the air, the invisible threads of debt pulling at the souls of those who had borrowed from him.
His latest client, the noblewoman, had already begun to feel the subtle burden of the skill he had lent her. She had returned to her manor, no doubt testing the limits of her newfound power. Lucian wondered how long it would take for her to come to grips with the growing debt she owed. Would she become desperate before long, seeking more power to match the ever-increasing interest? Or would she prove more cautious, more aware of the cost of her ambition?
Lucian didn't know, but he didn't need to. The game was always the same. Power was a drug, and once someone tasted it, they would always seek more. The key was to know how far to push, how much to offer, and when to pull back. But for now, the noblewoman would be left to her own devices, her debt slowly building until the day it broke her—or until she made another deal.
The door to his office creaked open, and a new figure entered the room. This time, it was not the desperate merchant or the ambitious noblewoman. No, this one was different. The man who stepped inside was tall, broad-shouldered, with a hardened expression and a calm, controlled demeanor. His eyes were dark, almost unreadable, and there was an aura of quiet authority around him. Lucian felt a slight shift in the atmosphere as the man closed the door behind him.
"You are Lucian Vale?" the man asked, his voice low and steady.
Lucian didn't need to ask for his name; he could already tell that this man was no ordinary client. He had the presence of someone who had walked the fine line between life and death for years, someone who had seen the consequences of power firsthand.
"I am," Lucian replied coolly, studying the man carefully. "And you are?"
The man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked slowly toward the desk, his eyes scanning the sparse room. There was something almost mechanical about his movements, as if he was accustomed to being in places like this, dealing with people like Lucian.
"I've heard of you," the man said after a moment, his gaze settling on Lucian. "The Broker of Power. They say you can give someone anything they need, in exchange for a price."
Lucian raised an eyebrow. "And what is it that you need?"
The man's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—a brief hint of vulnerability that he quickly masked. "I need a skill," he said finally. "A skill that will allow me to protect someone. Someone I owe a debt to. Someone who has been targeted by a group of powerful enemies. I need something that will give me the edge. Something that will allow me to protect them, no matter the cost."
Lucian's interest was piqued. This wasn't the typical request. Most people came seeking power for personal gain, for ambition, or greed. But this man, this client, spoke of duty and protection. It was a rare thing to hear, especially in a city like Arkaris, where survival often came at the expense of others.
"You seek power to defend someone," Lucian said, his voice thoughtful. "Not for yourself, but for another. A noble cause, I suppose. But I have to ask—why come to me? There are other ways to gain strength."
The man's eyes darkened. "I've tried every other means," he said bluntly. "But my enemies are too strong. They've already made moves against us. I need something that will ensure I can protect them. I need a skill that will turn the tide in my favor. A skill that can grant me the strength I don't possess. Something to defeat those who think they can take what's mine."
Lucian leaned back in his chair, considering the man's words. The request wasn't the typical kind of deal he usually made, but it had potential. Protection was often a motivator that led to both unexpected power and devastating consequences. The question was—what kind of skill would suit this man's needs?
"I can lend you a skill," Lucian said after a long moment, "but as always, there is a price."
The man didn't hesitate. "I understand. The price is irrelevant, as long as the power is real."
Lucian studied the man for a moment longer before speaking. "Very well. I can lend you the skill of Absolute Defense. It will allow you to create an impenetrable barrier around yourself, capable of blocking all forms of attack. This skill will protect you and those you seek to shield. But the cost, as you know, will be ten percent daily interest. The longer you hold the skill, the greater the debt you will accrue."
The man's jaw tightened, but his resolve didn't falter. "I accept."
Lucian stood from his chair and extended his hand. A faint glow pulsed from his fingertips, and the energy of the transaction began to weave itself into the fabric of the man's being. As the skill settled inside him, the man shuddered slightly, his body reacting to the infusion of power. It was a power that would protect him, but it came with a cost—a price that would grow heavier as the days passed.
"Remember," Lucian said softly, "no one escapes the debt. Not even you."
The man nodded, his expression unreadable. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the office, his footsteps echoing in the stillness. Lucian watched him go, his mind already turning to the next transaction, the next deal.
The city of Arkaris never slept. Power was always in demand, and the debts would always be paid—one way or another.
Lucian returned to his desk, his thoughts already shifting to the future. The man's request had been an interesting one, and it was clear that the skill of Absolute Defense would not be enough to protect him in the long run. The interest would accumulate, and soon, the man would find himself facing a dilemma. Power always came with a price, and Lucian was more than happy to collect.
As he sat back in his chair, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. This was only the beginning. The debts were growing, the power shifting, and Lucian Vale was at the center of it all. The Broker of Power had only just begun to make his mark on Arkaris—and soon, the city would feel the weight of every transaction.
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End of Chapter 3