The black H.A.R.M. uniform accentuated my physique, its tailored lines lending an air of authority to my stance. As I stepped out of the house, the old woman's face lit up with a warm smile. "My, aren't you a dashing young man," she chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Much more handsome than Max, I must say. Come, sit and join us."

Max Vierkant, his expression impassive, moved a small table into the courtyard. He arranged several plates of light dishes, his gaze lingering on the star on my sleeve. Without a word, he filled three bowls with steaming porridge, the aroma of hearty grains filling the air.

He guided the old woman to her seat, his movements gentle and respectful. "It's just us and grandma here," he said, his voice soft. "The food is simple, but I hope you'll enjoy it."

"Thank you for your hospitality," I replied, my stomach growling in anticipation. After two days of travel rations, the sight of a home-cooked meal was a welcome relief. I eagerly dug in, savoring the warmth and flavor of the porridge and the delicate dishes.

The old woman beamed, her eyes crinkling with delight. "You're from Pinewood County, aren't you?" she asked, her voice filled with warmth. "Rose mentioned you in her letter. Said you were a fine young man. Are you married? Perhaps Grandma could introduce you to a lovely girl..."

I almost choked on a spoonful of porridge.

Max, seemingly unfazed by his grandmother's matchmaking attempts, continued eating, his focus solely on the food before him.

When the last grain of rice disappeared from his bowl, Max Vierkant set down his spoon with a decisive clink. "Master won't be back for at least two months," he stated, his voice firm. "Until then, you're welcome to stay here."

He rose and disappeared into his house, returning moments later with a book two fingers thick.

"When Master was young," Vierkant explained, his voice tinged with reverence, "he made a name for himself with five extraordinary skills. Mastering any one of them would grant you the power to dominate vampires of the same realm. Each of us has learned one. This is not an official H.A.R.M. technique, so teaching it to you doesn't violate any rules."

He paused, his gaze meeting mine. "But remember," he warned, "you're not Master's disciple. You may learn, but you may not teach."

After days of camaraderie with Garcia, I was no longer naive to the harsh realities of the martial world. Leaking forbidden techniques was a grave offense, punishable by mutilation or even death. It was a risk neither the teacher nor the student could afford to take.

Rose's desperate attempts to fabricate martial arts names suddenly made sense. Her playful cajoling and sly smiles replayed in my memory. What had been annoying at the time now evoked a warm sense of longing. The Harmonious Quartet, the technique she had reluctantly shared, was likely the only one she could offer without risking severe consequences.

"The technique I'll impart to you is called the Shadow Touch," Max Vierkant declared, his voice resonating with a quiet power. "It's a profound martial art for the Wave Realm, focusing on punches and palms."

He paused, his gaze meeting mine. "I'll be on leave for a month. During that time, I'll demonstrate the technique three times a day - morning, noon, and night. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask."

Vierkant rose, his movements fluid and graceful. "Until you've mastered the basics," he added, his tone firm, "you are confined to this courtyard. And avoid fraternizing with those... undisciplined individuals like Ethan Atzmon. The star on your sleeve were not earned through favors or connections."

I met his gaze, my expression neutral. The subtle challenge in his words was not lost on me.

I initially thought Rose was hard to get along with. Unexpectedly, after coming to Seattle, I noticed both Ethan Atzmon and Max Vierkant shared a similar air of quiet arrogance, their pride a constant undercurrent beneath their calm exteriors.

Their commanding presence and unspoken expectation of obedience were indeed unfamiliar to me.

The old woman's face creased into a frown as she listened to Max's words. With a swift motion, she snatched a twig from the ground and swatted Max's shin. "Must you be so blunt?" she scolded. "Can't you let the boy finish his meal before you start lecturing him? Rose spoke highly of him. I'm sure he's not the sort of person you're describing."

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Max Vierkant bowed his head and stood quietly, accepting the gentle chastisement without moving. "Consider me wrong then.”

When the old woman's anger subsided, Max walked over to a small tree, about the size of a bowl. His muscles coiled and uncoiled with deceptive ease. Then, his fists and palms shot out like arrows, striking the tree trunk with seeming casualness.

The tree, though slender, remained unyielding under the onslaught. Not even a tremor disturbed its leaves.

"Everything has its veins. Find them and cut them," Max Vierkant said as he slowly retracted his palm and turned to me. "By the way, have you received the three vials of Vein-Opening Elixir?"

I produced a vial, its contents swirling with an iridescent sheen. "You mean this?"

Max nodded. "Aside from the medicinal baths, every H.A.R.M. agent receives three of these upon joining."

"Drink this, and its medicinal properties will relax and expand your essence veins," Max explained. "Take one vial every three months. After you've fully assimilated all three, the twelve major chambers in your body will widen by nearly ninety percent. This will greatly boost your ability to temper and store essence."

I gazed at the vial, awestruck. The ramifications were profound. Doubling essence refinement efficiency wasn't just an improvement—it was a quantum leap, a shortcut to power beyond my imagination.

The second effect, however, was even more significant. I had concluded, after consuming an extensive amount of lifespan, that the major chambers could only store a fixed amount of essence.

If I could expand the chambers by 90%, wouldn't that essentially double my stamina in combat?

Such a treasure, freely given to every agent... I couldn't help but marvel at the resources at H.A.R.M.'s disposal.

"Is this elixir... common?"

Max Vierkant raised his gaze, as if looking into the distance. "It was once the pride of Everwatch Securities. They called it the 'Dew of the Boundless'—a treasure reserved for their most promising prodigies. But after their collusion with vampires came to light and H.A.R.M. wiped them out, we reclaimed the formula."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard. "Other schools have their own versions, but none rival this one's potency. At best, they achieve half the effect."

A wry smile twisted his lips. "H.A.R.M. might not offer riches," he continued, "but the benefits are substantial... for those who survive."

With that, he turned and retreated into his house, leaving me alone in the courtyard.

My gaze fell upon the small tree. Its once vibrant leaves had begun to wither and turn brown, its trunk seemingly drained of life. The sight was unsettling—a testament to the destructive power of Max Vierkant's seemingly effortless strikes.

Though the mechanics of the Shadow Touch remained a mystery, its potential was undeniable. A martial art capable of rivaling the Harmonious Quartet was not to be taken lightly.

I reached out and seemingly absentmindedly flipped through the book on the table.

A moment later, the panel flickered to life, a new line of text appearing before my eyes:

[Wave Realm - Shadow Touch (untrained)]

The old woman's voice, warm and motherly, broke through my contemplation. "Child, who flips through books like that? " she chided gently, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Are you full? Did you enjoy the food? If you're done, take the book to your room and read it carefully."

She gently pushed me to my feet and urged me to go into the house.

"There's no rush," I said, a genuine smile spreading across my face. The old woman's fussing and concern for my well-being were a welcome respite from the harsh realities of my life.

I put away the book and reached for the dishes, my movements swift and practiced. "Let me help you," I insisted, my voice gentle.

Although I was used to ordering Wade and Rose around, the thought of allowing this elderly woman to wait on me felt wrong.

In her simple act of kindness, I found a sense of peace that had eluded me for far too long.

After recent encounters with H.A.R.M.'s geniuses, I realized I was actually more comfortable in the company of ordinary people.

Even their prying questions about my love life and salary were preferable to the detached, strategic assessments of those who saw me only as a potential asset or a rival.

… …

Max Vierkant stood in the doorway, his expression hardening as he observed his grandma's animated interaction with Kane. The newcomer's audacity rankled him.

Kane had exploited Rose's predicament, demanding not one, but two Wave Realm martial arts techniques: the coveted Harmonious Quartet and the elusive Shadow Touch. Even his own talented senior brothers and sisters had been limited to a single choice.

The newcomer, a mere First Realmer, dared to covet such power.

And that wasn't all. From the moment he arrived at H.A.R.M., Kane had seamlessly integrated himself with Ethan Atzmon's clique of privileged agents. On his very first day, he had somehow managed to acquire a star-adorned uniform, a symbol of rank and accomplishment.

Even his grandma, a simple woman with no martial arts background, had fallen under Kane's charm. The newcomer's attentiveness had clearly won her over, painting him as a respectful and considerate young man.

Vierkant suspected Kane was playing a carefully calculated game, hoping to impress the old woman, perhaps believing her to be some hidden expert.

The combination of greed and naivete was infuriating. It was natural for newcomers to aspire to greatness, to seize every opportunity for advancement.

But Kane's ambition was blatant, his motives transparent.

If this wasn't opportunism at its worst, then Vierkant didn't know what was.