Faron looked at the Azure Flame and was a bit shocked that a sentient fire seemed to be talking to him. He didn't know why but felt like even though it was just fired it could still see him, it was still talking to him in his head. it was too bizarre even for all the things he has seen or heard of in this world. Not once has he ever heard of a nonliving thing becoming alive. aside from some type of robotics or puppetry. This seemed different though. Faron knew this was different. This was no simple magic or anything this was a living thing. an entity made purely of fire hiding inside of his mind. How did he get here?

"So, You wish to know how this Great One ended up inside of your Mind?" Faron stumbled as he was walking closer it seemed this thing could read his mind as well.

"Yes, I can read your mind Faron Alverone. Orphan, Bullied, Weak, Protective, frail, ambitious. I have been with you since you were born. I was passed onto you unwittingly. Not a soul alive knows that I am still hanging on. They all thought that I died when that "Large Golden Finger" Came down from the heavens to "Squish Me" A story I find quite disrespectful by the way." The temperature in the room seemed to rise drastically. "I was not squished. I was ambushed by over a dozen fighters that are stronger than your Ascendant friend hundreds of times. So close, Yet here I am but a fragment of my consciousness that managed to escape destruction. Having to leech onto your life just to live. Yet still, I am bound in here. Those fellows were truly vicious. They had no reason to believe this King was still alive, Yet just to be sure...Well, you can see." The flowers, chains, and runes started to glow.

Faron found himself at a bit of a loss. The large blue claw should have been this fire. but how did he get here? Was he not destroying the city just fighting others in his death throes? Everything seemed different. Faron was perhaps one of the only people or the only person on earth that knew the real truth of the events. The mass destruction that almost ruined the world was...just a dying creature's movement. it was surreal. If this was true then no one on earth could hold a candle to these individuals. the power gap was too massive. If they were truly hundreds of times stronger than Ascendant Marzan what did that even look like if they were going all out?

"Eventually when you are strong enough I can show you what happened that day. But before we get onto the topic of the future I think we need to discuss ourselves. You are currently harboring this king, In return for your life force I even made sure you inherited my Cultivation Method, or as you call it "Meditation Technique". Let me make it simple. I am the reason you are so weak. I am the Reason you will be Strong. I altered your Fate. So, in return for my guidance, there will be some things I need. First of all, we will die in 4 years if you do not make it to the Sage rank of your human civilization. Second, your journey will be much harder thanks to my presence, but It will also be much more fruitful. Lastly, I need you to help me reconstitute my body. We will get on to how to do that at a later time. Until then do not think about it. Now that you know all of this what will you do?"

Faron looked where he thought the eyes of the flame were. this was the reason he was sickly and frail. all of his life's problems are caused by this parasite coming into his body.

"I will stop training immediately. You have ruined and limited my life. Why would I want to help you? If this were something common I would fight through it but I want you to die" Faron's resolve was strong. There was a looming silence for a long time from the King. Everything became still. Farons temper was flaring. The Kings flame seemed to have grown cold. Faron was not sure if this was scarier or the high heat, but he did not care.

"HAHAHAHA. Kid, It seems fate brought us together for a reason. This King likes you. When offered the power to stand at the pinnacle of the universe, you deny it out of spite. You truly are ** **** **********" For some reason, the last three words he spoke seemed to be silent. Almost as if someone was censoring something on TV or the Radio.

"Shame still seems like there are certain restrictions in place. Well, I will leave you with this before ejecting you out to think. Your parent's Death was no accident. However, if you wish revenge you will need to be at a bare minimum a High Sage before you can do anything about it. Go, Return to this sovereign in three days. I have halted the so-called protocol on you for now. Arrange your life then I will speak to you again."

The Faron was about to speak and felt himself flying at an ever-increasing speed towards a speck of light before he found himself sitting in the meditation room. His eyes overflowed with tears, but he didn't remember crying. Breathing raggedly. One of the medical robots floated over.

"Do you need medical assistance, Sir?"

"No, I'm fine. Just please get me some water" The robot quickly flew to the corner and small tendrils reached out to grab the water in the fridge that was set up in these rooms for everyone.

"Here you are, sir...Heartbeat lowering...sweating stopped...evaluation: Panic attack"

Faron took the drink as well as a deep breath. He started counting in his head while following the breathing patterns that were taught to him by the older woman. after about 10 minutes his mind was clear and his body started to calm down. Processing all of his thoughts Faron got up and stretched a bit before heading out of the meditation chamber. With a quick look, he saw the time and realized he should leave soon if he wanted to go buy a phone before his graduation ceremony. As he exited the building he saw that in the front there was a driving company that worked solely for Members of the Protocol and that he could get a ride for just tips. Faron got in and asked if he could be taken to the local mall, Then to his school. The driver agreed and drove him to the mall. Faron went in and bought a medium-priced phone. Much better than the one that Jason broke and a case to help protect it from breaking. He transferred over the contacts and added Ashley as well. His contact list now had 4 people and a few businesses. With a smile, Faron sent a message to Ash confirming his number and went back out to the ride waiting for him. The driver was leaning against his car smoking a cigarette. When he saw faron he got back in and drove him toward the high school.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Excuse me, Sir. I am new to the association and was wondering how much I should pay you. I saw that this was just for tips but I'm not sure what is appropriate. I don't want to give you too little."

The driver who looked to be in his late 20s looked up in the rearview mirror and gave a hearty chuckle.

"Hey, kid don't be too nervous. My name is David not sir. I appreciate the respect. The average tipping rate is about half of what you would give a taxi or whatever you feel comfortable giving. I have gotten nothing on some rides, and a lot on others. We are paid by HQ so don't worry too much. Today I won't accept a tip. Think of it as a welcoming gift."

Faron got a little flustered and could tell that this man's personality that he wouldn't take no for an answer. So Faron thankfully agreed and made a note to pay it forward to David in the future. He thanks him many times and the two started talking about the Association. David had been stuck in the C rank for a long time and took an injury about a year ago. However, he didn't want to leave the association so he decided to be a reserve member and took up driving people. It wasn't ideal but it was the best he could do.

When finally Faron arrived at his school. this year's graduation ceremony would begin shortly. Diving congratulated Faron on his graduation and drove off wishing him a good night. Faron walked in and went to the classroom with everyone to be briefed on where to sit, what to do, and how to accept their diploma. Everyone cheered for their last time being in this building as students. Faron Looked down at his phone and saw that Ash had replied with a simple message of "Saved". Faron started making his way to the auditorium where everyone would undergo the graduation ceremony.

"Hey shit for brains, I thought I told you if I saw you during my big night I would cripple you. Come here for a second." Jason started walking faster toward Faron. They were the only two in the hallway. Jason leaned his shoulder back and launched a punch right into Faron's gut. Falling over, Faron exhaled and felt like he would have vomited had he eaten recently.

"You don't understand, do you? Even if I do cripple you, What's going to happen. You are some shitty weakling with no family or friends. You make me disgusted just from being around you. At most I will get a simple slap on the wrist. My father will get me out of any trouble I may find myself in. Dealing with a little stain like you won't cause me anything but a small headache."

Faron crawled to his feet and without warning punched Jason in the face. With a crack, Jason's nose broke. But he didn't even flinch. He looked down at Faron and a bloody grin could be seen.

"You see, Now that I didn't dodge your punch I can claim this as self-defense and an even easier time for my father to help..."

As he was talking Faron kicked Jason right in the testicles. Hoping that this would stop him. Faron never previously felt that he could even stand up to this boy. But after spending some time in the tutorial he started to feel more confident. Jason grimaced and grabbed Faron's hand. His grip was like an elephant holding onto an ant. Faron could hear his wrist popping and the bones moving in his hand. Jason was sweating from pain.

"Now I'm not going to cripple you, I'm going to kill you" Jason pulled out a knife and stabbed it directly into Faron's shoulder. Thin strands of blue blood were floating around in the red pool coming from the wound. Faron started to panic. Jason was planning to kill him. Faron started to shake. When suddenly the temperature started to raise. The blue strands of blood seemed to be giving off an intense heat. Jason looked confused as to what was happening. realizing something strange happened and Faron must have a tool from the Protocol he lashed out with two large punches. Faron fell to the ground unconscious. As Jason lifted his leg getting ready to stomp on Faron's head. The looming leg suddenly fell off. Blood was sprayed everywhere. a waft of smoke was seen coming from his leg. The unconscious Faron didn't seem to have done anything.

"Hey. Whoever fucked up will die. come out here and apologize, My father is a high Legend ranked member of the protocol and I joined it a week ago. You can't do anything to me or you will be killing yourself." Jason's voice was scattered and nervous. hoping that his words would cause the attacker to stop.

Ascendant Marzan walked out, Smoke swirling around him, his eyes completely white. Rage on his face.

"Your father wouldn't do a fucking thing to me. The thing we as race hate most is people that abuse their power from the Protocol. Now that I have it on record that you activated you used an item given to you from the Protocol, I do not need to be nice."

Jason immediately wet his pants.

"Ascendant Marzan. I didn't know you knew this kid I'm sorry. This was just a misunderstanding. I'm sure he will tell you when he wakes up. Look my leg can be regrown in a couple of months. No harm no foul, right?" Jason was shaking like a leaf in a violent storm.

"I will take this up with your Father personally. But for attacking a watched member of the Headquarters and attacking what you believed was an innocent civilian with a weapon from the protocol. You will already be dead." with a wave of his hand, the smoke from Marzan's pipe started flowing out like a raging stream. filling the entire hallway in the blink of an eye. Just as quickly it disappeared. Nothing seemed different. Except for the fact that aside from Faron there was no one else in this hallway. The only remnant that Jason was even here was the blood stain.

Marzan walked over to Faron and touched his blood.

"Interesting. This kid is special."

He brought the unconscious Faron to a teacher before enveloping himself and smoke and swiftly traveling back to the Local Headquarters. He poured himself some Whiskey before finding the number and calling that boy's father. reporting his crimes and subsequent execution.