Snap!

Renata flicked her finger, and the Shadows moved and presented us with a new set of documents.

There were some profiles of the children we rescued.

I knew what this was, but that was not true with Trodin and James.

"This is a list of children I want to groom to become the next Elites of Shadows. I have discussed this with Milord, and per his thoughtful consideration, I now want to discuss it with you, Paladin...One way or another, I am trying to poach people from you." Explained Renata.

"Is that why the Shadows often train these kids on separate occasions?" Trodin stoutly remarked.

"Correct. I want them to be at least presentable when I'm presenting my case. Why? You have a problem because I'm doing things without consulting you first?" Her voice was laced with a hint of displeasure.

"...Hm." Trodin didn't answer and hummed as he usually did, lost in his thoughts.

"Then we have no problem, right? It is for the good of the House."

"For the good of the House. Hm..." Paroting her, Trodin took his eyes off the documents, hugging his arms.

'Well, that's not so bad...' I inwardly thought.

Then again, I thought too fast.

"They're the best ones..." Remarked Trodin.

Easing her posture, Renata landed her back on the chair. "So they caught your eyes too?"

"Not all. You can take five." Then, the man stated.

"Five? I never realized you're a man with such a bland taste of humor, Paladin. I'll take Fifteen; you can keep the rest." The glint in her eyes turned sharp, a bit bemused, too, if you're asking me.

"Their potentials are massive. With proper training and the correct mindset, they will serve as the anchors of our army in the future, and I will make that happen. Six is me being generous." And for a chance, Trodin had for once spoken some complete sentences in one breath.

'...They're talking?' Meanwhile, I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that they were negotiating with each other. 'They're only talking? Seriously...?'

I looked at James, who could only smile wrily at the two Seatholders haggling like some vegetable vendors.

'Them not butting heads is the best you're going to get...'

As I was lost in my wandering thoughts, the haggling continued. Hell, they were cranking it up a notch.

"Anchors? You picked a great term, Paladin. Do you see the two Shadows standing there? Are you blind to their capabilities? Or are you willingly trying to forget about us, who deals with all the House's dirty jobs? Half. I am being overly patient in the presence of Milord, and I want you to know that, you useless piece of hulking meat." Snided Renata cynically.

"You only speak by seeing things from the short-term perspective. And mind your tongue. My men do not play well with insults." Rebuked Trodin in place of his men, who were looking as though they couldn't wait to rip Renata to shreds for insulting their lord.

"Now they'll know what it felt like when you questioned Milord earlier." Scoffed Renata menacingly, flaring her aura wildly.

The Knights drew their weapons in reflex, steaming with auras and bloodlust alike. Meanwhile, the Shadows had also responded in kind, ready to burst in and go for the kill as soon as Renata gave the signal.

'Yeap. Now it feels like them...I got worried for no reason in the end.' Earlier, seeing them talking so cordially with each other was the strangest thing ever. I mean, the tiniest spark between them would surely turn into fire, just like this. This might be wrong of me, but seeing them like this felt more familiar to me than when they played nice with each other. The latter felt like they were scheming against the other one. It just felt wrong.

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Anyway, James flinched in panic. His eyes swam around the two parties, wondering if the situation would escalate any further. Finally, he looked at me, pleading silently for me to handle the mess.

'Okay, we'll have someone dead at this rate...' I don't know about Renata and Trodin, but I could clearly see the tension in the eyes of the Knights and Shadows. They looked like they were literally at the tipping point, and it was just about time for someone to do something stupid.

"Don't move," I commanded and directed my words toward both the Knights and Shadows, binding them in place as my mana was drained tremendously.

It felt like I was bullying them for the third time, but it was way better than having to bury someone because of some stupid shit.

"Cool down and just listen to them...They might look like they're going to jump at each other, but Assassin and Paladin won't fight as long as I am here."

I articulated to everyone inside the tent.

After making sure they get what I'm saying, I let them loose.

Renata and Trodin were staring at me in the settling silence, each to their own thoughts.

"Go on. Do your thing. This involves each of your divisions, so we might as well get this over with now rather than later." Now that I knew for sure they were still the same rough and crazy pair of people who would fight just by hearing the sound of the other one's breathing, I decided to take on the role of the mediator between the two.

Then again...Maybe I should've done this from way earlier...Ah, hell, it is what it is...I'll remember it the next time.

Hence, the second round of the talk continued with my cue. And it went on back and forth. Insults, rising auras, threats, even petty profanities. They did them all.

It was kinda funny if you think about it. They get so mad at each other, yet still play nice enough not to cross the line.

I guess, besides getting annoyed to death with each other, they could still think clearly in the end.

The arguments went on for some time. Thankfully, with James providing masterful suggestions, the two were able to find a middle ground at long last.

"Let me say the clause again to make sure nothing is missing. Assassin will pick eight of the soldiers from this batch. And from now on, for every batch of new soldiers in the future, Assassin will get to choose five soldiers to be groomed as the future Elite Shadows. Do you consent, Paladin?" I summarized the point when they finally finished.

"I do." Answered Trodin short.

"Do you consent, Assassin?"

"Fuh...It doesn't feel good, but let's say I yield today because I want to put on my best manner in front of Milord." Said Renata with a tinge of irritation.

'You call that your best manner?' I sarcastically rolled my eyes mentally at Renata's shameless remark. "Then that shall be it...Do we still have another item on today's agenda, Assassin?"

"Just the last one, Milord. A showcase of the Seedlings I've said on our way here."

"Ah, that's right. Go on, then. Let's see them."

Finally, we went outside, following the Shadows.

They took us back to the now empty lot, and soon before long, eight children were brought upon us.

They seemed surprised and fearful the moment they caught the lines of our silhouettes standing there, waiting for them.

"Report." Uttered Renata cold to the Shadow who brought the children.

"Yes, Assassin. Considering the short time frame in which the slaves were brought and also the lack of free time given, they have been taught one basic spell and one set of movements based on your order." Described the Shadow.

"Show us." Added Renata crisply.

"You. Demonstrate the spell Umbral Cloak and the footwork of fleeting wind. Remember, in whose presence are you standing, and show us why you are worthy to serve the House." After singling out a certain boy, the Shadow told the boy to start the show.

'Oof...Talk about putting pressure, man.'

I gotta say, though, contrary to what I feared, the pep talk seemed to be working just fine.

The boy was now staring at us with rapt attention; his chest heaved up and down in excitement. Long gone was the look of hesitation, replaced by the conviction that gleamed brightly in his eyes.

He closed his eyes, mumbling the sets of words beneath his breath while pulling and guiding mana to a pattern surrounding his body. The second he finished miming the incantation, a sigil materialized in front of the boy, and from it emerged the black fog from the crawling darkness that was untouched by the lights.

They flowed and wafted slowly, hugging the boy's body close before swallowing him whole.

The mana felt murky and rough; the control was also crude at best.

But to be fair, considering these kids didn't have much time to learn this, to begin with, I could say he passed with flying colors, and judging by the approval nod from Trodin and the satisfied crescent on Renata's eyes, I don't think I was wrong.

"Good. Now, the footwork." Praised the Shadow before urging the boy once again.

Cued by the Shadow, the boy released the spell and let the fog scatter back to the dark.

He then took a deep breath to calm his erratic nerves. Slowly, he moved and adopted a stance. With unwavering focus, he stood still, not even blinking.

And the minute he moved, air streamed in his wake.

It was weird. He was not that fast, yet it felt like he was. It was like his upper body and lower feels were moving at the same time but with unmatched rhythm.

It didn't make any sense whatsoever? I know...

It is what it is.

"Hm..."

"Satisfactory."

Trodin hummed softly while Renata offered a brief and straightforward praise.

She then turned to me as if waiting for me to say something.

I honestly didn't want to say something only to appear like some smarty pants when I didn't have a fucking clue, so I merely nodded in reply.

Thank god it was enough.

"The rest." Said Renata to the Shadow.

'Hey, this kid ain't half bad at controlling her mana...'

And that was about it...