Noah found himself sipping on what he could only imagine was the Tower’s equivalent of wine, a delectable, fruity wine that was a mélange of flavors that were barely familiar, yet blended in such a manner that he couldn’t place them. Long story short; he wasn’t much of a wine drinker, but this had to be better than anything he could get back on Earth.

Noah was half submerged in a pond of the same ethereal, milky white liquid that he’d learned to grow familiar with, with a glass of wine in one hand and a book in the other- The History of the Wailun Clan. When he’d asked Liam if this was a place that had actually existed at some point in time, or merely a figment conjured up by the tower to serve its purpose, he had given a vague answer that, perhaps, hinted more towards the first option. That intrigued him, so he’d asked Sanaya to fetch him a copy.

It was an odd sensation; to be immersed in a liquid that seemed to have a physical aspect to it at one moment and utterly devoid of it the next, but Noah could feel the concentrated origin seeping through his skin and into the core, the source of some of his more fantastical abilities.

You Origin Limit has increased by 1.

“Finally,” Noah blurted out loud, relieved to see some progress after half an hour of bathing in the Origin Pool, he was beginning to think Bulai had scammed him.

“Finally? Lad you have any idea how much of a cheat this is or what kind of hell people have to go through to increase their Origin Limit? All you have to do is sit in a pond and sip a martini, how about a ‘Thank you, Liam?’” Liam seemed absolutely miffed, though with him you never could really tell.

“Hey, I didn’t ask for any of this. But I was thinking, since I’m here and all that, might as well enjoy the ride. Company’s paying anyway,” Noah said with a chuckle, and took another sip of that divine fruit wine.

“Well, at least you’re learning one thing right from your esteemed mentor.”

“And what’s that?” Noah asked with mock inquisitiveness.

“How to cut back loose and enjoy life. The world always needs saving, but there’s always tomorrow’s you to figure that bit out,” Liam said with a chuckle and dug into an extra-large serving of double chocolate ice cream.

“So, the previous savior of humanity was a serial procrastinator. You know, of all we know of the human race, that’s oddly fitting,” Noah said with a laugh, and threw his martini glass crashing into the wall after he was done drinking it. Rude, and uncouth; definitely not like he’d ever act, but right now he wasn’t ‘himself’.

“Sanaya!” Noah called out, and the dutiful maid came rushing in. She paused to see the remnants of the shattered wine glass, but her gaze only lingered on it for a second. It almost made Noah wince apologetically, but he continued to maintain an arrogant smile on his face.

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“Yes, young master. Is there anything you require?”

“Ah, yes. Can you tell the chef to send me one more plate of that delightful eastern dish you served me for dinner? What was it called….”

“Masonara, young master. It is a local specialty, made by one of the three great culinary masters of the Saemanis Sect City that serves under our retainer.”

“Yes, that! Tell the chef he’s welcome to visit the Western Prefecture anytime he wishes, the great culinary masters of the San Sect would love to exchange some pointers.”

“As you wish, young master. If I may, there is also one matter that Master Bulai wishes to discuss with you.”

“Ah, is that so? Please, tell Bulai that he would not be imposing on me, and he is welcome to approach,” Noah replied with a prideful tone, still refusing to address the Sect Leader by the proper honorifics.

“I will convey the message, young master,” She gracefully dipped out of the room, and a few minutes later far heavier footsteps made their presence known.

“Young master, there is a rather trifling matter that I may be compelled to ask for your assistance in,” Bulai stated in a polite tone that was not the slightest ounce subservient; Noah was a member of the San Sect, but his rank and importance in Sect were unknown, only that his skills lived up to the mark. It wasn’t necessarily the case that Noah held more importance than him on the political field, in fact his identity could be practically worthless compared to a sect leader. Liam’s future knowledge sure was handy, the only reason his disguise worked was because he didn’t claim to be someone too important, i.e., someone who could easily be verified.

“There you are, Bulai. I have found your arrangements satisfactory so far, so you needn’t hesitate in asking for my help as long as it does not deviate from my quest.”

“As you know, young master, my granduncle and the three reserve elders of the alliance have gone deep undercover; The Saemanis Sect presumes them to be long dead considering they didn’t meet any resistance during the brutal assault the Saemanis Sect unleashed on the local sects. Under the orders of my granduncle, I have already chosen a suitable assassin, but granduncle, as usual, has outdone himself by enlisting the services of a prodigy such as yourself.”

“What are you getting at, Bulai?” Noah turned his gaze towards Bulai, looking at him with inquisitive eyes.

“Young master, the assassin we have enlisted is completely loyal to our cause and he is someone I’d trust with my life. Due to the sudden change in plans, I have been forced to tell him that his services won’t be required, as a more suitable candidate has been found. I fear that his pride has been wounded, young master, as he demands a fight with you to determine which candidate is more suitable. As you are aware, young master, matters relating to pride needed to be handled delicately, so I thought best to relay his demands to you.”

“He… wishes to challenge me? Hahaha, Bulai, that is very amusing; Just the laugh I needed to brighten up my day. I hope you don’t take it personally when I give him the beating of a lifetime,” Noah boisterously proclaimed, but inside he was getting considerably more nervous with each passing second, him and his big mouth kept getting him deeper and deeper into trouble.

“Of course not, young master. I hope that he learns something from facing such a grand foe as yourself. Let the fight be set a day from now, at the first break of dawn."