I woke up to the sound of shallow breathing, as well as some moisture on my chest.

My eyes fluttered open to see the Rail car around me, filled with couches and chairs and tables, of which were occupied by sleeping Elites.

And laying on my chest was Umara, the drool from her mouth being soaked up by my shirt as her light breath tickled my neck.

I smiled and shifted, hugging her body comfortably as I simply relaxed.

Over the last few days on base, I had noticed a bit of a change in her demeanor. She looked at me with a bit more… passion.

It was also a bit more difficult to get her flustered. Usually my public shows of affection caused her to blush profusely while attempting to hide. It was pretty easy to tease her that way.

But now, it was like she didn’t mind. She still got embarrassed, but she no longer hid from it. If anything she seemed to welcome it, starting to reciprocate by kissing me back or walking around with our arms linked.

By all means, it was welcome. But I couldn’t help but wonder what spurred the change, and why.

I could clearly sense her feelings, but she was more confident now and our practice with telepathy meant that she had learned to conceal her deeper thoughts. The details I could glean were fewer.

Not only that, but I had run some tests, both with and without her.

For one, when she was sleeping like this, linking to her mind would immediately make her conscious. I had woken her from three naps that way, much to her irritation.

I had a feeling that this phenomenon had to do with the lack of dreaming people in this world experienced. After asking her about it, I confirmed that dreaming was an extremely rare occurrence in this world. Whereas I had been dreaming almost every night, Umara had never had a dream before. The only thing close to that was when she was being enlightened, but that experience wasn’t much of a dream.

However, I also discovered that, maybe because there was no dreaming, they needed less time to sleep as 6 hours was enough for most people to feel completely refreshed.

Regardless, linking to Umara’s mind woke her up by activating her consciousness, whether it was a defense mechanism or not.

Secondly, there was a certain range I could use our telepathy within.

We had tested it on a field, maintaining the connection while slowly increasing the distance between us.

The result was that I could maintain my telepathy with her anywhere within the base. Even when she moved beyond my sight and around buildings to reach the opposite end of the base, I was still able to communicate freely with her.

However, disconnecting from that connection and attempting to reconnect proved to be impossibly difficult. The reason for that was due to the interference of other minds.

My Aura was visualized as a foggy medium, like a long wispy cloud. I was able to extend this cloud to great distances, but because it wasn’t very solid, it could be distorted by obstacles.

This included the minds of others as well as their Auras, at least the Auras of those who were aware of theirs, which was uncommon.

Finding Umara in that mess was beyond me right now unless there were no obstructions or interference. As for the maximum distance we could maintain the connection at, we hadn’t yet found out.

The only other experiments we carried out were in regard to the type and volume of information that could be sent over telepathy.

For one, images couldn’t be sent. Or, perhaps they could, but I wasn’t able to see them yet.

As for volume, that proved to be finicky.

Telepathy inserted words directly from one mind into another. There was no need to process it like sensory information. However, things could get overwhelming very quickly.

I’ve caught glimpses of Umara’s inner thought process before, and the amount of information I received over mere seconds was enough to make me blank.

Most minds were like that. Inner thinking, depending on the person, could happen at a speed far greater than anything we could communicate externally. Every thought was associated with the senses while simultaneously being linked to a dozen other thoughts and memories. A brain could process terabytes of information on a whim.

And the only reason I was able to process some of her bursts of uninhibited thought was due to my own speed of thought which vastly surpassed hers. Still, a lot of the information was garbled, like files trying to reference others that didn’t exist while forgetting others fractions of a second later.

Still, it made me realize that telepathy had great potential. Only, I was reminded of one issue.

Plex once told me that I had to carefully pick a path to take my Aura, because once I found an ability for it, I wouldn’t be able to go back and learn another.

And I had a sinking feeling that telepathy was an ability that I had inadvertently yet irreversibly picked.

I didn’t mean to. It simply came to me and I had been too interested in it to let it be. I had been training and using it every day since then and it was becoming well developed.

It was possible that, from now on, this would be the shape my Aura took, and the only ability I would have. So much for invisibility.

Part of me felt like I was losing out, but it wasn’t like telepathy was a bad ability. It was a high level form of communication and I knew that I was only scratching the surface of its true potential.

After all, I had developed this power on the assumption that Aura was an extension of one’s magical power. And things were working in that direction.

So this meant I might be able to exploit it. For example, if my summons were reliant on a direct connection to my mind and Psyka, then by using my Aura as a medium, I could separate them from my body and allow them to function in the hands of another person. Perhaps my telepathic connection would be the thing to allow something like that.

After trying I found that I couldn’t, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t be able to in the future.

Extending Psyka and the abilities of my mind beyond my body. That was my power, and I intended to do much more with it than just telepathy.

These thoughts all ran through my head as I relaxed with Umara in my embrace.

I glanced down at her, letting out a small chuckle.

“Not a single thought between those eyes, huh?”

I combed back some of her hair before stroking her scalp.

At some point, I sensed her wake, but she simply kept her eyes closed and enjoyed the sensations.

We were like that for another hour until everyone around us started to wake as well.

The ride home took about a day, and when we docked in the terminal, it was late in the afternoon.

We disembarked and went back to the Magisterium where we were welcomed by students and parents alike.

“Elites, gather!”

The Puppet Master shouted, drawing us all in.

He scanned all of us before announcing.

“Congratulations, especially to our top two squads, who survived an unexpected ambush by an Authority 7. All your training managed to keep you alive, along with the exemplary actions by John Cooper, who single handedly killed that Cyclops Scout. Let this be an example of how easily a situation can turn dire, as 10 soldiers were lost in that ambush and several of our Elites sustained injuries. You may be better than the average, but in front of your superiors, you are still no more than chickens.”

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

He spoke with solemnity, turning the mood serious.

But then, he sighed.

“Keep it in mind, but don’t let it cloud your head with fear. Today, your Christmas vacation starts, so all of you are dismissed. Be with your families and appreciate what you have been blessed with. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas!”

We all chimed back, dismissed with those words.

This time, the Duchess wasn’t here, nor were my friends from work, so Umara and I took our luggage back to our rooms.

That’s when I received a well timed call. It was from Plex.

“Hey Plex.”

“Hello John. Since you’re back early, I come with some news and a request.”

I sat down, curious about the news.

“The Major Auction accompanied by Vatsy’s Christmas Gala is coming up in three days so as to end four days before the new year. This is the biggest auction of the year and there’s plenty of work to be done. I was hoping you would be able to come in and assist us.”

“Oh. Sure.”

I accepted readily. I needed to make some money anyway and fill the fat gaps in my bank account once again.

“Good. I’ll see you tonight then for the first set of jobs. The day after tomorrow we also have a job from Apocryon, so we’ll all be tackling that together.”

“Oh. Great.”

“Indeed. It’s amazing pay though, and this time, you’ll be getting a larger portion. Anyway, I have another piece of news. Patriarch Tavera requests your presence as soon as you can make time. Go talk to him before you come in for work tonight.”

“Mm.”

I agreed, wondering what the Patriarch wanted from me.

“Well, that’s all the news I have for you. Clear your schedule because we’ll be busy until the auction.”

*Click*

He hung up with those words, leaving me pondering.

Not long after that, Umara knocked and entered my room. I looked up at her, smiling.

“Hey.”

“Hey. I have a message for you.”

“Oh?”

Yet another piece of news. I took an envelope from Umara’s outstretched hands. Her face was a bit rosy, but I didn’t think into it that much as I looked at it.

The envelope was closed with a wax seal, addressed specifically to me, the seal carrying the regalia of the Talerria Dukedom.

I broke the wax and pulled out a parchment, unfolding the white paper and reading the fancy cursive writing.

“John Cooper. You are hereby invited to the Christmas Family Gathering of the Talerria family, beginning two days before Christmas Eve, and ending the morrow after Christmas Day. You will take up residence at the Talerria Mansion within the City of Joffrun and participate in any gatherings the Talerria Family attends for the duration of your stay. Your transportation will be arranged for the evening before the day of your planned arrival, and you will be accompanied by the First Daughter Umara Talerria. We look forward to your arrival.

“Signed: Duchess Talexia Talerria, Duke Ikhor Talerria.”

“...”

I stared at the letter for a few seconds after finishing before looking up at Umara standing before me.

She gave me a weird smile.

“Merry Christmas!”

“Heh, this is quite the surprise.”

“No kidding. Rest assured though their intentions are genuine. You’re being invited to spend Christmas with the family, no drama or politics attached.”

“How nice. Let your mother know that I appreciate it and that I look forward to it.”

“I will. I’m glad that we’ll be able to spend Christmas together. I initially thought we’d have to celebrate early, or late.”

She mumbled while taking a seat on my bed beside me, resting her head on my shoulder.

I looked at the invitation some more before stowing it back into the envelope. I intended to keep this.

Then, I thought about how my schedule would be rather packed from now on.

I nudged Umara.

“I’ve got some business to take care of over the next few days. We’re preparing for the Black Spider Auction, so for the next three days I’ll be delivering items. The day after is the auction itself. And speaking of, would you care to accompany me to it?”

“Oh! Yes! I’d love to go.”

She nodded instantly, making me smile.

“Alright. The day after though is when we have to leave. At least it's in the evening, so we’ll have some time to recover.”

“Mm. By the way, the knights and I were called in for questioning in regards to you killing the Cyclops Scout. It’ll happen tomorrow.”

“Sure. Let me know how it goes.”

“I will. And… Oh, wait.”

She suddenly sat up, remembering something.

“There’s a noble gathering the day of the auction. It’s an early Christmas gathering, meant to occur during the evening.”

“The Auction goes off during the evening.”

“...Oh well.”

After thinking for a second, she just shrugged.

“I didn’t really want to go anyway. Let’s just attend the auction.”

“If that’s what you want. The auction is also accompanied by Vatsy’s Gala, so there will be a party afterward that will go on into the morning.”

“That long?”

“Well, everyone is usually gone or passed out by that time, but yes.”

“Oh. Sounds fun.”

She nodded, her eyes sparkling in curiosity.

I chuckled, thinking how cute her inquisitive nature was.

After discussing all the details of each event, we settled on a schedule that would make things work. However, there was still one variable that might put a spin on things.

After hanging out for a few more hours, we separated so I could go make a stop.

I entered the Founder’s Market, making my way to the Tavera territory.

Soon enough, I had an audience with Patriarch Tavera.

“Ah, John. It’s good to see you in good health, though I notice you’ve come back with some trophies.”

“It’s been an eventful few months.”

I shook his hand as he noticed my new scars, taking a seat with a smile.

“Indeed. I’ve heard many rumors.”

“They’re probably true.”

“Haha, well, at least I know you’ve got balls. Which is good, because I have a difficult mission that I’d like for you to take on.”

The old man leaned forward, laying down a small stack of papers before me.

I picked them up, seeing a picture of a man.

“This is Henevue Rence. He’s a warlock affiliated with the Clockwork Association, not officially one of theirs, but a valuable asset. I want you to kill him.”

“...”

I was silent, my mood suddenly turning complicated.

It was a hit, and I was being hired as the hitman.

I looked at the man on the paper. He looked rather ordinary, with brown hair and blue eyes, he was a regular middle aged man that wouldn’t be noticed walking down a street.

I frowned, looking back up at the Patriarch.

“Sir, I have an issue.”

“Go on.”

“I’ve killed a lot of people, primarily in the trenches, but not entirely. If I recall, that number has surpassed three digits. I’ve got a lot of blood on my hands, but as far as I’m concerned, none of it was innocent. Every single one of those people wanted to kill me, and I simply killed them first. So I would never in my right mind seek out an innocent man simply to rid someone, even you, of a financial competitor.”

“Hm, I see.”

The Patriarch nodded, gradually baring a smile.

“You have a strong set of principles. I respect that a lot more than someone who would do anything should it benefit them. Rest assured, John, this man is the furthest thing from innocent. Please, take a look at the other pages.”

“...”

I silently looked back down, seeing the other papers covered in images.

“Henevue trades in people. He’s responsible for running a shadow company that provides the Association with a constant supply of slaves and corpses to fuel all of their experimentations. Since it was founded, the Clockwork Association has made significant progress in the field human alterations. Their advancements led to artificial limbs and better medical magic. But in their quest to mimic Crowns, they’ve killed thousands in horrible experiments.

“Today, this side of their organization is hidden deeply as they’ve expanded into other businesses. However, they’re making progress, and we’ve decided to put a little roadblock in their way. If you kill Henevue, it’ll hamper their supply of people, halt their progress, all while erasing a bloody human being. I admit, we have something to gain from this which is why I’m handing you the mission at all. But he is not innocent, that much I can assure you. You would be doing humanity a great deed by killing him.”

“...”

I went through the papers, reading about all kinds of personal details and seeing plenty of images about his dealings and whereabouts.

Apparently he was preparing for the auction, which was why he was in town, making it the best time to kill him.

However, he was also Authority 7. This meant that I had to utilize the element of surprise.

But, what better person than me to do such a thing? I was still only Authority 4, but warlocks had weak flesh like summoners. The only thing that could protect him was his magic, but if he didn’t have that activated, he would perish all the same.

I would still have to be careful, but it was definitely possible for me to pull this off.

And since he really was a criminal, a human trafficker at that, then it was no question that he deserved to die.

I read for another minute or so before looking up at the Patriarch.

“Alright. I’ll do it.”

“Fantastic. The payout for this job is twofold. This man has a bounty on his head. Just check the Black Spider Repository. That alone is worth 190 thousand coin. And my personal payment will match that, making for 380 thousand coin. And if you happen to loot anything from his corpse, it will be yours.”

“Wow. That’s very generous.”

“And yet the benefits to the Tavera Family will outweigh such a cost heavily. This man is smart, calculating, and meticulous. He has been the broker for the Clockwork Association for five decades, a veteran in his field. But my hopes are hinging on the fact that not even he could prepare himself for you. The name American has become a small legend within the market. So go and show them why.”

“Will do.”

I stood with a smile, shaking his hand.

“I wish you luck, and take all the time you need. Don’t take this target lightly, and perhaps someday, the Founder's Market will be rid of this rat.”