4th chapter : knowledge .

After that little fight, Marco and Carla became partners living under the same roof. Marco got used to the euro flow in the surroundings easily, now he’s at home doing the chores or preparing lunch and other stuff. In the meantime, Carla is helping him as well as teaching him about the order and what he doesn’t know about the new world he just entered from its big front gates.

In the afternoon, both were sitting in the kitchen looking at each other silently.

“Look, I’d love to do that but seriously, I don’t have money and you don’t wanna pay, let’s find something else then” Marco averted his gaze aside.

They were talking about how they will split the bills and other stuff, such as work shifts and who needs to stay home, as well as Sophie’s current state and what they should do about getting her to go to school.

“I don’t wanna pay because the serments need a lot of money”, Carla's voice tone was serious “To be more simple a fortune, the serments are weapons based on oaths with its user, it can give you a great push when you fight. although I don’t see fighting as an option in your situation. Thus without a serment you can’t do a quest job, not like we're getting a lot. I guess the best thing is to conserve our errands and then wait for the time to get a serment”. Carla added as they were playing cards while talking.

“I won, anyway I got your point, I’ll try to save money as much as I can. Although I don’t really see what push this serment will give me. I understand that the oath of the serment is a win win weapon, as long you give it euro for the release, it enhance the physical abilities for a certain state like it serves for the lack of strength or fixes vision problems for example therefore you said that it won’t give you a high speed regeneration”, Marco said while serving the cards again.

“Exactly, the council is making it an important rule to work as a holder in one of the guilds, yes!! I won !! I guess it’s your turn to cook dinner” Carla finished her words with a smug face as she won the card game after having a small bet.

Marco sighed as he stood up, “Ok, so next on the list is saving money, sounds good as a plan”, he wore his apron and started to wash the vegetables.

Carla smiled as she saw him a little determined.

“Marco nii , I’m hungry !!” Sophie suddenly entered the kitchen as she was half awake rubbing her eye, Carla smiled as she patted Sophie’s head.

“You gotta wash your face first, then we're gonna eat ok!! Now, did you have any sweet dreams?!” Carla said, taking Sophie to the bathroom and after dinner, she played with her a little.

Early in the morning that day, Emilis went to the council to give his report, therefore the council went and had it as a meeting to discuss.

“Unacceptable!!! we don’t accept such a thing!!! you should contact the council for orders not go with your own orders!!! you’re a guild master not an Elder!!! did you forget who put you in that position Emilis Vengeance!!”.

The elders, the top of the council and known as one of the great holders, in addition each one of them goes by a title. Emilis smiled at them awkwardly then sighed completely changing the tension of the surroundings.

“Honestly, I remember every event in my life. And as much as I remember, it was the former guild master’s decision that I’ll succeed him. And one last thing, I don’t remember that I give a damn shit about y’all orders. Do I need to remind you who is the strongest? I’m here to give my weekly report and the application form of Marco Deca, the new member of my guild red mermaid, see you later then”.

Emilis had that cold smile on his face as the elders couldn’t do a thing but to accept Emilis' decision. Emilis was about to leave the council as he met an old man.

“Free in your doing as usual Emilis!!!”.

Emilis smiled at the man and shacked hands with him

“Nah don’t say that! I’m doing this for my children, my guild isn’t big like yours Alexander san. my children as well as my new one, needs protection and they will have it, I’ll be sure they will have anything they want in this life”.

Emilis said as he had a little talk while drinking instant coffee with the old man named Alexander who replied to Emilis answer.

“Well, as much as you say that, Grey Lions are the same as you, maybe I need to go more off way too once in a while ”. Alexander added as he left after that, Emilis went on his way too.

“I guess you are officially one of us Marco. although I can’t afford to buy you a serment, you gotta wait until the blue Monday next week, lucky you, because on that day you can get a serment”.

Emilis was holding a meeting with all the members.

“I appreciate it Master, I’ll do my best regardless of what will happen. Honestly, I’m still thinking that this is a dream but Sophie knows and I’ve been living like this for quite a time, I don’t know whether you guys will see me as one of yours, but I’ll make sure you do that”.

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Marco bowed calmly. A couple of seconds passed and everyone was looking at Marco silently, but soon started to laugh out loud.

“Pfft Ahahaha!! You sure are a hit!!! And what’s with this formal speech, and the gloomy look. Seriously!! Listen man, here you act freely, do what you want, live the way you want, I mean that’s what we do here!! So don't mind and be yourself!!” Xavier tried to pat Marco’s head but he didn't let him as everyone listened to his words.

Marco looked at him then sighed as he stretched his head a little bit after seeing that the situation wasn't like what he expected.

“Then, I guess I’ll make myself comfortable. Xavier senpai you smell like a burned wood stick use a deodorant sometimes! Zack Senpai needs to work more on his communication skills. You look like a pillar not a person. Alice senpai! you act like a goddamn tomboy, what happened to the girly side of yours? Alex sensei, well I barely catch what we study in class. You work so fast, also what’s with the short hair are you some kind of those girls who love to act bad …. What?”

Marco started to criticize them as Carla patted his shoulder, he looked at her then without noticing he got a few punches right in his face.

“And you said I have to act freely around. I just said what was on my mind” Marco said as he was washing dishes in the kitchen.

“But you passed a lot of lines by that!! still you got a point in my smell, I guess I’ll stop smoking”, Xavier replied to him but soon returned to his words out of thought.

“I don’t mind you having the notes on us, still you gotta respect what we have, we are a small guild and on top of that a family. We welcomed you among us so you gotta do the same by respecting your older brothers and sisters, am I wrong?”, Zack responded to Marco as he finished his words with a smile.

“Zack Senpai is surprisingly wise with his words, that's surprisingly shocking I guess!!” Carla said as she heard him too.

“Right! He can be like that sometimes, so the main point is we are a family. We protect each other's backs and help each other. and again welcome among us Marco!! ” Alice spoke with a happy smile on her face too. Zack sighed to her words and had the same reaction after.

Marco looked down and had some time to reply “ family …. Huh ” he mumbled one word as he was looking at his hands.

One week later.

“Thanks, Alice senpai, I didn’t think it was so soon. I guess I’m lucky after all”.

Marco thanked Alice as the two along with Carla were heading to an antique store around downtown.

“Antique store?”, Marco asked as soon as they reached the destination.

“yeah, is it different from what you imagined?”. Carla answered his question with another question right before they got inside.

“Welcome!! oh Alice chan and Carla chan too, I guess I’m having two beautiful ladies … in .. my shop … what are you doing with them Marco kun?”.

The owner of the antique store seemed to know Marco from his words. Marco didn’t notice at first, but soon he had to change his expressionless reaction to a sigh.

“Long time no see, old man Eyezar”, he greeted him coldly as Alice gently slapped his head.

“Ehehe! as cold as ever! well it seems you’re doing good” Eyezar said with a little smile, “So you already reached that age huh what can I help you with today ?”, on the other side Alice and Carla didn't understand a thing from what just happened, they shook Marco dozens of times for an explanation.

“I see, so he was an acquaintance of your grandpa!”, Alice replied to Marco’s explanation as she was surprised. The three of them talked to Eyezar while drinking some tea after accepting his invitation.

“So you have awakened your euro. I’m glad you could use it and sad at the same time. Your grandpa would be happy to see you now”. Eyezar added with a smile while drinking his cup of tea.

“More importantly, you said grandpa would be happy. Could I take that as…?”, Marco asked looking seriously at Eyezar who interrupted him.

“That’s right! Your grandpa didn’t die yet. He just had some business and since you were kids he couldn’t have you come with him for a particular reason. So for now, I would love to see what kind of serments you would catch in this whole messy store. I haven't opened yet and not a single order has been made by now. Take your time in choosing, until I open my store no one will interrupt you!!”.

Eyezar interjected as he pointed to a lot of items and stuff behind his back “But first let me check something … hmm let’s see”. Eyezar pleaded as he got out his one eyed glasses, that was his serment. In the moment he wore it Marco and the girls saw him in a different form as if he was an aged Elf having pointed ears, long beard and some black bangs on his hair. The moment he used his serment on Marco to check his vitals he laughed a little after seeing the states of Marco’s body and the euro reserves inside him.

“Is there something wrong?” Alice calmly asked as she found his laughter unneeded whether Marco was weak or strong.

“Nothing wrong!! I’m just having some memories back to me. more like because of Marco kun’s vitals and infinite euro reserves inside him, you are truly a Deca member”.

Eyezar said as the only thing that Alice and Carla noticed was the infinite word that came from Eyezar’s mouth. After checking his vitals, Marco saw Alice and Carla glaring daggers at him because of what Eyezar said .

“Now I guess you just need to choose or be chosen, it depends on what your mindset is”.

Marco was listening to Eyezar’s words as the euro around him suddenly got dense and cold. He looked around to see a thread only he could see. He caught it and went after its base. As he was walking the whole place started to dissipate around him, then everything went dark, not a single thing could be seen from the closest scene anyone had.

“So what happened to killing them all?”.

Marco heard a sudden voice as he turned around, and in a blink of an eye Marco found himself standing in the middle of a white huge hall filled with big statues. He saw the white haired guy laying on the ground having a scary smile on his face, the next second Marco experienced the deep ocean feeling again but instantly stopped as he heard other voices.

“Don’t do that Selicia , it’s kinda our duty to have him learn about his serment and what we are … Yuna!!!?”.

Another guy said as he grabbed Selicia by her arm after she appeared in front of Marco.

“Cedric san!! you are acting strict today, let’s have some fun!! After all, what can we do when we see one of our grandchildren in front of us!?!!!” Yuna said as she got closer to Marco from the left side and fixed her gazes on his face.

Marco looked at them as the white haired guy had already disappeared. He sighed then took a deep breath and dashed to the gates in front of him. The three saw him running as he crossed the gates. He appeared from the other side and kept doing it until Yuna grabbed him to stop.

“Calm the hell down and pay some respect to us!!” Yuna said as she scolded him.

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