"Aghgbgahagahaggahagaaagahaaa!!!!" The loud roar of the Horrific Tetra Giant priced Gabe's ears like sharp cold ice. In the woods outside the Greenwood manor The Four armed twelve foot beast was on its knees in pain. It's off white skin like a tainted cloud, glistening like a Pearl, and it's six eyes unblinking as it stared at Gabe with a Hateful aura, Knowing he was the cause of all it’s pain. The Tetra Giant was a Low blooded Giant that was known for it’s stamina and skill with weapons, its many eyes were piercing and stark black as the showed great distress about this fight. Such a low blooded giant wasn’t a very notable beast but it was better than nothing. Gabe had been looking for a beast to fill up his New Beast slot in his soul room for days now and decided to stop being picky about it. At least a giant type beast with the blood of the titans would help him With his move training since their innate skill and dexterity were much higher than most creatures on Primeway. he would keep this one until he found something better. Or something that would give him better traits. If only all the high quality beasts sold in the cities weren’t so unreasonably expensive. Even this giant alone would be worth a full gold ring on the market. Of course it would have to be caged, put to sleep with powerful slumber herbs, and registered with the breeders and hunters guilds in whichever city you wanted to sell it in. Before you could even put it up for auction. Thus was the bureaucracy of the trade. This was the reason most poor Channelers had to settle for less than their best fitting soul beast.

Before the giant could rise, Gabe threw a glob of his Black fire at its face. This was the Dark flame he had now obtained into his soul. It was pitch black and left a trail of dark smoke as it sailed through the air at high speeds, it felt hot to even look at as it hit the beast squarely in the forehead. The giant roared again as his tough white skin began to melt from the heat and his eyes were seared just from being near the impact. This giant was a full realm and a half above Gabe, at the 6th level of the champion realm, which was a testament to just how powerful that dark flame was. Still without his Neptune Anklet on stand by Gabe wouldn't have challenged such a powerful to a full on battle. He was all alone in these jungle Treasure lands, as he couldn't take anyone with him or they would see him bond with a new soul beast and questions would be thrown up that he couldn’t answer without giving himself away.

He'd been searching the wilderness for two days when he stumbled upon the Tetra giant. And he'd only found one weak useless treasure around here that he could keep. Clearly these lands had already been mostly picked dry by the Greenwood family. The Giant started to get back up on its feet with a furious glare and a spirit powered fist. Gabe didn’t bother waiting for it to stand he just Kicked hard with his left leg, activating the Anklet he was wearing for the second time in this fight. A Gush of water swirled around and down his leg before focusing into a water jet and shooting at the giant with more force then a Canon. The Giant was hit directly in the head and snapped back falling backwards passed out. Gabe had not used the full power of the anklet. Shown by the fact that the twenty foot tall giant was still breathing when the move Finnished, still from the way his head was bleeding and his face looked disfigured Gabe didn't think he would live very long. Gabe ran up to it and quickly bit his finger, drawing the binding rune even faster then he had before. With his new Speed traits and Hand eye coordination he could do it in a minute and a half flat now. With his power and cultivation growing quickly it wouldn’t be long before he’d cut that time in half. The giant shot into his mark like a bolt of lightning moments before it would have died, becoming his soul beast for the rest of it’s life. Gabe smiled even though this wasn’t a perfect catch This made his trip into the jungle worth his time.

He made it back to the estate a little later in the day, not having wondered too far from it to catch his prey. and he was walking up the stairs when he remembered that he planned to talk with Gelgar today. The man was leaving the manor soon to go on a Family mission that would take him quite some time to return from. He was a very powerful Channeler at the Totem realm and was putting off the Task until after the Family's group Dinner. Gabe had talked with Matthew about what the mission was but it wasn't something they were willing to tell him. He had also asked about some of the Family rules for Acolytes, and found that the Greenwood family was both less strict with their Contracted counterparts and more separated. They viewed the Acolytes as a business. Not a lesser part of the family like Other houses usually did. Meaning the Acolytes were free to do mostly as they pleased as long as it didn't bring any harm to the family or it's reputation, but were separate from the whole of the family and used as tools. Gabe also snuck in a question about marriage and Courting, he was curious if a Greenwood family Acolyte could court a Greenwood family member. Some families forbade it seeing it as Distorting their blood lines. But others were nether for it or against it, as they saw Acolytes as powerful, and Powerful Channelers usually breed powerful Channelers. The answer was yes they could, but it hadn't happened in over ten thousand years. The family was just so separated from it's tools that the young of the family didn't even consider Acolytes for courtship. It was all for the best anyway, Gabe wouldn't want to become an Acolyte to any family even if he wasn't bonded mortally to a contract. If only because he knew Colin would take it so hard. Even though they were living it up in this free beautiful manor, with plenty of food and freedom to do what they want, Colin just couldn’t seam to relax. He keep talking about how all of this wasn’t free. And that the Greenwood family would want Gabe to become their acolyte after all this. And how if Gabe turned them down there would be consequences. Gabe just smiled and nodded every time the man brought it up again. Right now they were guests, and by the honor code of the Greenwood family that meant they were under the Greenwood family protection. Even if Gabe angered them the most they Could do is kick him out of their home for now. And if they did, Gabe had plans to keep him and Colin safe afterwards. From both the Greenwood family and any other family that wanted to look for them.

Gabe went to his room first to bathe quickly, washing off the filth that he'd picked up in the Jungle. Colin was using the Cultivation closet, focusing on his slow cultivation even though it was almost useless on this side of the world to even try for a life channeller like him. Gabe Hurried to the office that Galgar resided in, when he felt he was now presentable. He knocked and was let in a by a family servant. The woman left as Gabe entered and straightened her clothes as she walked. Gabe entered into a big and extravagant office with the family colors of green and brown on the decor. The Greenwood family was originally from the Geo continent, they branched out to the Chaos continent over a million years ago because of lack of resources and over time this became the stronger branch, so it was made the main branch long ago. They still had a large footing on the Geo continent, but they were now run by the Chaos branch instead of the other way around. Gelgar welcomed him and asked him to sit down in the chair across from his desk. The office was well decorated with small treasures, beautiful paintings on the walls. And a soft expensive rug on the floor. "Well I'm glad to see you Gabriel.” Gelgar began. “I've been wanting to make you an offer for some time now. After watching your hard work in the Mansion training room the other day, and hearing you went out to train on the jungle for a while I must say that I am very impressed with both your talent and Dedication to your Channeling. I can only imagine where it will take you if you acquire the right backing.” the dark headed man with a proud air about him sat forward in his chair and gave Gabe a look that said he was about to offer Gabe a great deal. “You could become one of the most powerful Channelers to ever ascend from Primeway, your talent is extraordinary already and with just a little shove I’m sure you could become unrivaled within your power realm no matter which realm you reach." Gabe held back a laugh at the broad and extraordinary statement. He didn't think Gelgar was far off the mark though, except he was actually far underestimating what kind of powerhouse Gabe would soon become. Unrivaled In his realm? Soon realms would mean nothing to Gabe, he would be the strongest Channeler on primeway long before he reached even being a deity. It was only a matter of time before he was a one man army. His presence would be something frightening for even the heavens. "thank you. That means a lot coming from you Mister Gelgar." Gabe responded respectfully. He'd learned at least one thing after living in this house for a week, the Greenwood family was always formal regardless of situation. They bowed and spoke to each other with calm Even tones as if they were guests at a kings palace instead of at their own home. It was a stifling For Gabe's adventurous spirit, but he held back his angst about it trying to impress Seygo and trying not to bite the hand that was currently feeding him. Thinking about Seygo Gabe sighed inwardly. The entire week she had been cultivating, not seeing any of his good manors. Apparently she was just as tight about training as Matthew was. Matthew could always be found in the training room or in meditation. He never stopped moving, always pushing his power to it's limits. Gabe was impressed by his drive, and was inspired to do the same, to push himself even harder than he already was. So he hadn't stopped ether, not for a second, and without even stopping to worry about his junk artifact business his cultivation speed had almost doubled. Practicing and Training, Cultivating and studying, he was never idol. The Greenwood family had allowed him to borrow a few books from their library. None of their martial moves as those were kept for the family to know. But he was able to have a few books on Runes which Gabe was always up to learn more about and a Big tomb on Alchemy to study while resting his body from so much work all the time. The Acolytes that helped him acquire the tombs were incredibly surprised by his choice, as alchemy was a hard art for anyone, and took steady hands and good memory as well as a master, you couldn’t just pick it up on your own otherwise everyone would be an alchemist. Not to mention it required beat traits that young Channeler’s couldn't have until they grew much stronger. Most often Channelers didn’t even start trying to learn alchemy until they had at least one of those traits. Otherwise they could learn all of the art and never even be lucky enough to use any of it before for thousands of years later in their cultivation.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Now as I'm certain you have already surmised the Greenwood Family wants to offer you a Contract. But not just any Acolyte contract. No we believe you are worth much more then the average Acolyte. We are willing to offer you Only a Five hundred year service, with The perks of a Wonderkind of your Realm, and a possible discipleship at the Red fang League if they will Accept you, which we are almost certain they will. We have deep ties with them." Gabe took in a deep breath. What the Hell was this? The perks of a wonderkind? Training at a league? His service after becoming a deity realm channeler cut completely in half. They were throwing everything they could at him here. Gabe suddenly realized why He'd been invited here so graciously. They had planned to show him how free their Acolytes were, even had some of the men stand outside his room and talk the family up. He'd known the Acolytes were under orders to do so, and Expected a Decent offer from the family. But he hadn't expected this. This was the once in a life time offer that even the richest Channeler without a big family house would jump to accept. Heck, even some from low Family houses would take this deal if it was offered. A league was one of the best ways to train, and could sometimes double the cultivation rate of a channeler. Each student was taught by a personal high Ancestor Realm Channeler, and would receive perks based on their power and growth. Gabe Suddenly had to try hard to remember why it was he didn't want to sign with this family. Combined with the fact that he wouldn't actually be obligated to the spirit contract made his Heart race at the idea of the opportunity he could get all of the gold without any of the load. But Colin wouldn't forgive him if he did this. And he knew it. Plus there was a dozen other reasons not to do it and he was sure that if he stopped drooling over the Offer and thought about he would remember them. "I'll have to..." He coughed into his hand. "I'll have to turn the offer down." He answered to the shock of Gelgar. The man recovered quickly and rose an eyebrow. "Why exactly is that?" Gabe shook the visions of how fast he could grow with this kind of backing behind him out of his head. "Because sir, I'm still very loyal to my own Family. The Hellvine family. And I wouldn't want to dishonor them." He spoke Colin's feelings like they were his own. The man was almost as tightly wound as these stiffs, this polite atmosphere most likely felt perfectly normal to Colin… like his natural habitat or something. Gelgar frowned. "You don't have to worry about them, or whatever you did to be banished from them. We will take care of all of it. Plus include caveats into the contract so that you never have to betray them in any way." Gabe shook his head. "I'm sorry sir. Your offer Is more generous then I deserve, but I just can't Accept. I won’t even lead you on, I’m just not going to bow my head to another family ever again. I’ve already been burned once, I just can’t put my trust and loyalty into another family." Gelgar let out a simple, "huh." And and took a deep breath. "Well young man I can't help but feel this is a big mistake your making. Your letting your feelings about the past keep you from your future. Fortune like this deal doesn't fall on a man twice in his life. But if your sure then you can go." He looked at Gabe with the final question in his eyes and Gabe stood up from his chair with and nod. Gelgar nodded back. "Alright, I admire your loyalty and your strong headedness young man. Though it only makes me feel this loss was even greater. You truly are a fluke." He pulled out some papers from a drawer and began to go back to his work for his family. As Gabe started to turn around though he spoke again. "Oh, I want you to know this." He said sternly. "The Greenwood Family Will accept your answer. We will not hold it against you. No reprisal or harm will be sent after you for your answer." Gabe smiled. "If I hadn't believed that from the beginning mister Gelgar, I wouldn't have agreed to come. And I definitely wouldn't have turned you down." Gelgar didn't say anything more but he did raise a curious look before going back to his papers. The Greenwood family didn’t have to worry about Gabe falling into another family’s hands since they knew no other family would ever offer him a better deal. And it was their policy not to harm others for no reason. Whether Gabe lived or died no longer had any meaning to them so they would just leave him alone. One might think that Gabe might be indebted to them for the time spent at their home and their good treatment, but without a binding agreement who could count on that? Not to mention it would be years before he could ever be of use to the family, and without a backing he would likely be dead by then.

Gabe walked to the door with slightly regretful footsteps and was about to open it before he turned back. "One last thing." He said and the dark headed man looked up at him. "How long will my welcome here last? Or is it over now that I've turned you down?" Gelgar looked thoughtful for a moment, flipping a metal pen between his finger. He finally answered firmly. "You are welcome to stay here for One year if you'd like or until Matthew says otherwise since you are his guest, and our offer will stand until then. If you change your mind." Gabe grinned and bowed respectfully. "Thank you Sir. Thank you very much. I will never forget your hospitality or your Kindness. And I will not linger any longer than what you have said." He left the office with a sense of unending good fortune. A year was perfect. If he couldn’t woo a girl after a whole year of living in the same house then he wasn’t the genius he thought he was.

Still inside the office Gelgar let out a sigh and a smile going over his business for the day. A major family was no small thing to run. And he was a high Elder, so he took part in almost all of it. "That one is really something." He said to himself repeating the same thing he'd said about his great grand nephew Matthew, and his Great Granddaughter Seygo. Both were extraordinary talant's in the family. "I would have to agree with you old man." The voice of Gelgar's soul beast rung in his head. "He shows both strength and intelligence beyond his age. Perhaps we should look into why it was he was Banished from the Hellvine family." Gelgar nodded deeply he'd already been planning on doing just that. The Hellvine family didn't just banish Channelers willy nilly. Especially Rare powers like Gabriel. What must have occurred to banish such a talent… or perhaps… Gabe was not banished but still a member in secret, that would explain why he turned down such a good deal so quickly, and why he had a bonded servant. These things would have to be brought to light by an investigation.