My lips twisted in a grimace. I had everything but a container to hold the soul of a space mage. According to this, it had to be of the same element to hold a being of that element. Space crystals were notoriously hard to get.

My eyes kept glancing at the boy as frustration bubbled up in my heart. I turned to the little lady that I thought was some big royal blood.

I jerked forward, scaring the newly bought. Pulling out a gem to check the location, chucking it back into my pocket. Four hour journey. I tapped my feet, crossing my arms.

Fuck, I grabbed raven haired girl’s arm, pulling her into side room. Slamming the door behind us after tossing her onto the bed. I licked my lips, unbuckling my pants. She crawled backward, bumping into the headboard.

I kicked off my shoes and dropped my pants. I grabbed her leg and she kicked with her other. I slapped it aside and jerked her to me. A lovely scream left her mouth.

She swung her fist at me. Leaving behind whatever training her Grand Magus father taught her.

I flipped her onto her stomach, pressing her down into the bed. Her angry tears were the only sound she made.

***

My soul trembled.

I felt someone releasing power that was enough to wipe out kingdoms. Upon searching around for the source, there was nobody casting such a powerful spell. However, the more I slowly inch by inch scanned the area up ahead. The closer I get to the source and the more fear I accumulate.

The reason? This was just someone emitting their aura. Their level of power was so far beyond mine that it was enough to the face of fear behind my eyes.

I jumped to the center of the field and found an old man. He had several strong enchantments blending space around him and I was sure if I hadn’t switched my summon to heavenly angel that had Aether magic.

I took a second look and realized he wasn’t even in this dimension. He was just hiding behind the bend of space that was thinnest. Hiding was the wrong word, he was co-existing with that space. Watching students show up and walk into the large stadium upon the mountain.

The man wasn’t alone but his presences obscure the others. However, I was used to paying attention to everything and thus spotted them. I put on my clothes, missing a button or two as I stepped into the main carriage.

I noticed the girl didn’t seem agitated. She was really weak and foolish if that was the case. There were a lot of very expensive enchantments she should have bought. Any nobleman would not spare wealth on fortifying their homes and the only place they were most likely to let down their guards.

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“We are here.” I said and waved at one of the newly bought slaves. “Help me with this.”

The brunette shot up and began unbuttoning my shirt, rebutton it correctly.

The lady straightened her clothes, moving closer to the seat edge. However, she watched me with a new set of emotions. Contempt and something else that I couldn’t read. Her nose was obviously flaring but why?

I shook off my concern for her and checked myself in a crystalline mirror before walking out the carriage.

“You guys can wait inside the carriage.” I declared.

The little assassin girl appeared beside me. “Do you mind if my..”

I looked at her like she was stupid. “Are we friends? Are you providing me some benefit?”

Her eyes widened for a moment. She touched her chest, where the necklace laid. A bag appeared in her hand a second later, she extended it out to me.

“Sea gems. Ten.” she said, thrusting it at me.

I grabbed it and put it into my storage ring, waving at my men to handle it. “Count Clarke of the Emerald Mountains, your name?”

The girl looked at me with hesitation at the corner of her lips. “Kathleen Wise of Danburg city. My father is the city lord, Mayor Keith Wise.”

My lips twitched and I had too close my eyes for a second. I just turned away and walked away. She wasn’t my subordinate, no need to give her anymore attention. She might have been beautiful but I could buy that. If I was lacking money, I just had to walk among those willing to sell themselves for status.

The stadium wasn’t like I was expecting. There were no rows upon rows of seats surrounding something in the middle. It was a huge indoor building and servants usher us to a big auditorium based on our response to the enchantment at the door.

Kath was separated and I felt that she would look for me later. I clicked my tongue as I took a seat at the back off to a corner. I noticed a few more walked in. All of these had to be nobles for they were dressed as impressively as I was. With their insignias on their cuffs and another on their fingers.

The first commoner came in and all nobles, myself included, turned to him. Unlike the others, I didn’t show an emotionless face. I sent the lad in a grey tunic a gentle smile. He smiled nervously back. His foot turned towards me and I gestured to the chairs in front of me.

“Hi, my name is Jordan.” he held out his rough hand, speaking in a deep voice.

I showed the card I was flipping between my fingers. It was a meditation tactic, allowing me to focus on channeling Aether which isn’t an internal form of energy. Throughout my body without losing an ounce of energy.

“Training. I am Clarke Lewis but it is best that you call me by my title in formal situations such as this. Count Clarke.” I suggested.

Jordan nodded and took a seat, retracting his hands. “Do you know why we are being split up?”

My dark greens eyes flashed golden, retreating the next second. “Mm, they are separating us based on talent, comprehension, and perception.” I leaned forward as his lips widened with understanding.

“Hey, do you feel anything odd when you walk in?” I asked, curious about whether or not they noticed or not.

Jordan tilted his big nogging before shaking his head. “Can’t say I did. Is there something I was supposed to have noticed?”

I shook my head and went back to training.