Finishing his meal and paying for it, Teo went toward the table where Elena was still petting Wéidù Māo, clearing his throat. "It's time, Māo, let's go," he stated.

Elena looked devastated. "Do you really need to go already? Can't you stay longer?" she said, tears forming in her eyes. Grabbing Māo tightly, not wanting the cat to leave.

Her eyes grew impossibly wide, shimmering with tears as she gazed at her mom, her lower lip trembling in a silent plea for help.

"Listen to the man, Elena; he already accommodated you by letting you have the cat while he eats. I know you love cats, but be a good girl now." she said, sighing, looking at Teo apologetically; she mouthed. "Sorry, she can be a bit stubborn."

"How about this then? Give my mom your phone number, mister; that way she can contact you when I want to see Kitty." Elena suggested.

Teo looked baffled, while Wéidù Māo looked up at him with pleading eyes. Almost as if saying, Please just do this; it might be good for you.

Sighing, he shrugged. "Is your mom even okay with that? Maybe ask her before asking me." He said dismissively, after all, there was no way she would agree to having Teo's number in her phone.

"The name's Ava and Elena. Please be a bit more discreet. I know you love animals. But you can't just force other people like that, okay?" Ava replied, looking dotingly at her daughter.

"Do you really like this kitty that much, sweetie?" Ava wanted to be sure that Elena would not just forget about the cat after she got the man's number; he was not just anybody but an active A-rank hunter.

"Yes, mom, I'm sure. This kitty can actually understand me and is so fluffy and cute. I absolutely love it." She responded, her eyes sparkling with expectation, her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she leaned slightly forward, clearly waiting for the answer she was sure would be yes.

"So what do you think? For me it's fine." Ava said.

Teo now looked nonchalantly at the little girl and Māo, both with pleading looks on their faces. He sighed and just nodded. "Alright, but don't expect me to always answer fast; I'm busy with association work." He replied, writing his number down on a coaster.

Elena was ecstatic hugging Māo tightly. "Now you and Mr. Whiskers will be able to meet more often."

"Elena, don't forget your manners. What do you say to the hunter?" Ava reminded her daughter.

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"Ah!" she turned toward Teo, grasping Māo tightly with both hands, offering it to him. "Thank you, and here is the kitty back."

Taking Māo from Elena Teo, he placed it back on his shoulder and walked out of the establishment unbothered by the sad look on Elena's face.

"What's next?" he mumbled to himself as he looked around the busy street.

Māo, who was lying on his shoulder, had a grin on her face. "I like that girl; she wasn't afraid of your dirty looks and bad attitude. I have a feeling we'll be seeing her more often," she stated.

"Nah, I'll be way too busy after the big news is announced. Speaking of that, I wonder how Selene is doing. Well knowing her, it should be fine." He muttered, shrugging as he entered the subspace.

***

Selene had arrived at the high chamber to brief the council member about the birth of a new S-rank hunter, but this time she was nervous.

Teo acted as he pleased and did not have a good reputation, so they might just straight up refuse to acknowledge him, but that plan could backfire if something happened and the public found out it could have been prevented. If they just employed every S-rank.

Breathing in deeply and exhaling slowly, Selene knocked at the huge golden door and entered slowly.

"Hello, everyone. I am Selene Karmov, the vice president of the hunters association." She began, her voice steady despite the weight of her news. "I come before you to report the emergence of a new S-rank hunter."

Murmurs rippled through the chamber; the council president looked at Selene with a slight smile. "Finally another S-rank hunter. But Selene, are you a hundred percent sure that he is truly an S-rank hunter?" he inquired. This is a big deal; there are not even thirty S-rank hunters in total, so every single one is a very important asset.

"Yes, he is undoubtedly S-rank; he solo cleared an S-rank dungeon during his assessment." Selene replied, projecting several data crystals, showing his magical power, physical abilities, and five familiars.

The council members inspected all the data Selene displayed thoroughly. All impressed by his numbers.

Selene let out a deep sigh, the weight of the moment heavy on her shoulders, before addressing everyone. "But the identity of the new S-ranker could be a bit of an issue," she declared.

Now she had all the attention of every council member; they were very interested in the identity of this new S-rank hunter now. The room was dead silent as they all waited patiently for Selene to continue.

"It's Teo Amanar; after his awakening, he went from A-rank to S+ rank, because, as you could see in the numbers, we couldn't measure his full mana capacity, and his physical aspects are also S+ rank. This was judged by Ashura, so the information is definitely accurate." She finished, waiting for the councilman to try and dispute it.

Which she knew would happen, Teo had always acted without care for his public image. So he has some nasty rumors and nicknames among the common people.

"What! Miss Karmov, watch out what you say. There is no way that useless murderer is S-rank!" screamed Matthew Amanar.

Seeing who was screaming so barbarically, Selene just rolled her eyes; she wasn't surprised in the slightest that the family head of the Amanar family had such a dramatic reaction. He was none other than Teo's father, the one who had left him to die in that dungeon, where Selene and her squad had found him.