The walk home was a little strange. I was going through the Outer Ring, with such a force immediately made me out as a big shot.

It was something to think about for the future. Using these babysitters as a means to spread awareness about Sammy's gang would be the best use of them now that the threat is gone for the moment.

My childhood home remains unchanged. There wouldn't be space in the house for them to stay, so they would have to squat in one of the abandoned buildings nearby,

With Ayda's ability, I didn't think that would be an issue.

"here we are. I would hope you guys won't follow me in. You are more than welcome to keep an eye on me from a distance. But some privacy might be nice."

"Very well, but we won't be far."

Magic power rose around her. I was curious about what she was going to do.

There were quite a few abandoned buildings surrounding us, giving them quite the choice of accommodation. That was when an explosion of roots surrounded the nearest house to ours.

The wooden seemed to rejuvenate entirely. Making the run-down shack the nicest place on the street. It looks like we would be getting some new neighbors after this.

She was making a darling new residence in one of the worst parts of the Capital. It was amazing how quickly she could rebuild a house to what looked like a reasonable level.

Now that the small bit of remodeling was done. The group proceeded into the renovated house.

It looks like I found another use for these bodyguards. I would have to get her to work before I met the Grandmaster tomorrow. I was confident I would be able to get rid of the entourage.

I was left with the same old decrepit house. The door wouldn't last too much longer. Not that we had much of worth in the house. Anything of mine worth stealing was in my storage ring. Anything my father had would be quickly sold to support his vices.

I looked around the house, seeing if my father was anywhere to be found. Climbing up the stairs sent enough noise through the house to wake even the dead. So I could only assume he was gone or drunk out of his mind.

I still wanted to help him despite everything. The few moments of joy hidden deep in my mind still made me long for his care. His door was shut, so I could only turn away.

Soon, I promised myself. I would find him and drag him out of whatever hole he was in.

Once I reached JourneyMage, there wouldn't be many around us that would be able to ignore me.

For now, a night of quiet meditation and sleep would be for the best. I could always plan tomorrow.

I had never been awoken by a tree before. It was quite a novel experience. It was made even more surprising by the fact that until very recently we didn't have a tree near our house at all.

These new babysitters were really doing something for our property value. Maybe they were worth keeping around after all.

Looking outside, the sun had long since risen. It seemed I had overslept after my meditation. My first official meeting with the Grandmaster would be quite soon. No wonder Ayda had taken the initiative to wake me up. Couldn't be late for her master after all.

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I decided to style my gear in a little better style than I had been for the past few days. I was going to be such a pushover in the future.

They were waiting outside for me—all very intimidating. They weren't taking no for an answer as they immediately began heading towards the inner circle. I would have liked to prepare a little more for the meeting.

Ultimately I knew I had the upper hand. The knowledge and advancements I had access to were worth too much, and I truly trusted the heart of the Cilka's. They did too much good in the future when they could have done otherwise.

With my help, they would be able to take that ethos to a whole new level. I believed in that future.

My effect on the crowds was even more pronounced at this time of day with my entourage. The crowds seemed to split before me. Obviously wanting to have nothing to do with some wealthy scion of the Capital.

That was fine with me. Cut down on the travel time by quite a bit.

"The Grandmaster won't like it when we are late. You'll have to be careful talking with him today."

Ayda had been talking up the Grandmaster since the moment we had left my house. I didn't know if she was trying to put me on the back foot so I would reveal even more information when I met with the Grandmaster. Either way, it wasn't particularly effective.

It had never been so easy to get into the inner Ring as well. Usually, it would require a little bit of convincing. But now, I could stroll in with my head held high.

It was an invigorating feeling. Soon It would only be my force of presence that would be able to accomplish that.

The doors to the Cilka's Alchemy Emporium was wide open for us when we arrived.

"Grandmaster is expecting you. Please follow me."

I was left to follow the same attendant. For a brief moment, I would be free of my guard dogs. Of course, that came with having to face a shrew old goat.

Surprisingly enough, the attendant didn't bring me towards the Grandmaster's laboratory.

I would have thought he wanted to test out my theory as soon as I gave them. Squeeze me for all I am worth.

Yet, it seemed he had a different plan in mind. We walked towards another area within the Cilka's compound. Into another building. We climbed higher towards the top of the building.

The Grandmaster was sitting behind a far more opulent desk.

His eyes much the same as yesterday. He of none of the calm and gentle that once was there when I had first helped him.

I hoped after today that would return at least a little.

"Welcome, Young One. I hear congratulations are in order. You managed to beat back the Orots for the time being. Quite the accomplishment."

"Thank you, Grandmaster. Such things are only possible thanks to your help. Otherwise, it might have been a much worse situation."

"With your resourcefulness, I wouldn't be so sure. Now speaking of such means. I believe we have many things to discuss."

"Ah, I believe we do. So how can my knowledge help you today, Old man."

"Ah, you are a cheeky one. We are starting you off easy today. A question that many apprentices should have the answer for."

"Well, that makes things considerably more manageable. Are you sure you want that to be your only question of the day?"

The Grandmaster's smile only grew as we talked. He motioned to the side. Allowing the attendant to bring me a piece of paper with a so-called simple question.

"Are you serious? This is the question that you want to ask me first after going through all the intimidating trouble yesterday."

"Ah, Ganley, Young one. It would be best if you had patience with these things. Everything takes time. Getting a baseline of your abilities over the next few days will be just as useful for us. Believe me."

If he was sure, I still wasn't sure what game he was playing. It certainly wasn't for the basic knowledge I had that he was blackmailing me.

He seemed happy with my bare-bones answer. There was no point going above and beyond just yet.

"Very good. That is all for today. I am looking forward to seeing you tomorrow."

"Listen, Grandmaster. I am hoping that we don't have to make this a daily thing. It simply takes far too much time. I am more than happy to answer all the questions I promised right now. Surely that would be more beneficial for both of us."

"That is an interesting proposal, Ganley. But you must know that even if you answer all the questions today. I will still have my subordinates protecting you."

That was annoying but unsurprising. There was a lot I could do with them anyway. So it wouldn't be too much of a loss.

"Of course, Grandmaster. That was never in doubt. Since there is such a stipulation, I was hoping to get proper compensation for each piece of information I give."

"I don't know what gave you the impression that I would not be forthcoming with the rewards as long as your answers prove to work. You will be paid appropriately. It doesn't matter who you are working for after all. We will still be benefiting a lot more in the long term."

"Well, that makes me glad to hear. Now shall we begin. I wouldn't want to waste too much of your time, after all."