“No way!” The young lady exclaimed, her face lighting up as she stared at me like I was some sort of exotic creature.

‘Hollow Count…’ this was a nickname given to me due to the fact that unlike most others, I didn't have a core.

It was a double insult, one at the fact that my title of count was essentially useless and the other at the fact I was essentially useless.

“How did you find him?” She asked Gilma but before the latter could reply, the girls face lit up and a smirk crossed her lips,

“You were hunting with those smelly thugs, weren't you? Vin is gonna be mad if he hears that you were playing with Sabbath's lackeys.”

It's almost like I'm not even here. I remained still, listening to their conversation and trying to gather as much as I could.

“If I wasn't playing with Sabbath's lackeys, I wouldn't have been able to find the hollow count now, would I?” Gilma rolled her eyes.

“Come with me boy.” She gestured before walking past the young girl and heading inside the house.

The girl stared at me as I approached her, a strange glint in her eyes. When I was close enough, she reached out her hand,

“Hi, Nira.” She introduced.

“Sera.” I returned, shaking her hand. It was both soft and hard, delicate flesh with callouses that told of her training.

It wasn't bad.

Nira led the way into the house and I followed after her. We walked past the living room, through the corridors before stopping at the end of the hall.

“Hey Vin, I got you a present!” Gilma yelled as she opened the door, not bothering to knock. Nira followed behind her and I in tow.

The room was well lit with lanterns, there must have been three bookshelves all filled to the brim with books and tomes, there were also scrolls on the floor.

At the center of the room was a large table and seated around was a middle aged man and another young man in his twenties.

‘He doesn't seem that old…’ I thought as I stared at the middle aged man.

He really didn't. In fact, if his white hair and beard were black, I would have assumed he was at least ten to fifteen years younger.

He was reading through a thick tome, one that would have been an encyclopedia back on earth and across from him, the young man was reading through a smaller book.

He had pearly greyish skin that had a strange glow to it, and his ears were pointy. He was an elf.

I looked away, not wanting to stare too much. It didn't matter though, because just as I was about to look away, he raised his head, his eyes locking with mine for a brief moment.

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I looked away, focusing on the old man I came to see. He didn't look like I was expecting, which was a let down, but I still held the hope that he would have something useful for me.

“You seem disappointed.”

My eyes widened at his voice. How the hell did he know? I was sure my face didn't reveal anything.

I was too stunned looking at the elf to have had a facial expression that would show my disappointment.

“Body language.” He replied once again, answering me as if he could read my thoughts. And the most annoying thing was, he wasn't even looking away from the book he was reading.

“Who are you?” I asked.

It seemed like a stupid question, but I had to ask anyway. Among all the things I wanted to ask, that was the one I wanted to know the most.

Whoever he was, he must at least have some sort of mysterious identity, one that could possibly help me. I was curious at how he would answer and even before he did, I already made up my mind,

‘He would be my first teacher.’

“Intriguing.” He said, and I could hear the amusement in his voice.

He finally raised his head, turning around to look at me. The moment our eyes locked, I felt a shiver run up my spine.

He's dangerous…

That was what my instincts were telling me and I felt it was reasonable. I could already guess that this man was most likely very powerful, after all, he could read my body language without looking at me.

That wasn't the sensitivity of just anyone. Not even Gilma, who the thugs were afraid of, could do the same.

Either that or she didn't bother doing so.

“Last son of Astris… I can only say that it is fate that brought you here.”

“You could tell?” Gilma asked. She seemed surprised yet not too surprised as she walked to the table, taking a seat.

Nira walked around, standing behind the elf man. He looked at her warily, like he knew she was about to pull some silly shit and from the sly glint in her eyes, my mind was telling me she most likely was.

“Tell me, young lad, why did you wish to see me?” The middle aged man asked.

“I'm desperate. I want power but I don't know how to get it. When I heard of an old man that apparently might be showing kindness towards house Astris, I knew I had to meet you.”

“And what do you think now that we've met?” he asked. Everyone at the table all focused on me collectively, their gaze bearing down.

I felt pressured, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.

“A butler, a valet, a cook and a maid.” I replied.

There was silence. The middle aged man raised a brow, clearly surprised at my reply. Gilma burst into laughter while Nira and the elf man stared at me like I was crazy.

“That's quite bold of you.” He stood up, walking towards me. He was taller than I thought, with broad shoulders and a build that made it seem like I was standing before a giant.

He must have been almost seven feet!

“I know. I also know that you probably don't need whatever money I can give you.”

“Then why do you ask?” By now, he was standing before me and I had to raise my head to look at him.

I felt extremely pressured, more than when they were all staring at me. Something was telling me that this was a test and I had no intention of failing.

“Simple, because wherever you go, they'll most likely follow.” I gestured at the group at the table.

“And I know you will accept my offer if not to satisfy your curiosity more than to help a blood relative.”