Alister found himself surrounded by a crowd of excited faces. Guild masters and
representatives, all stared at him with a look in their eyes that made him feel like a prize racehorse.
Before anyone could launch into their pre-rehearsed recruitment pitches, Alister held up a hand, silencing the murmurs.
“Whoa, hold on a second.” he said, his voice surprisingly calm in all the chaos.
“This is all a bit much. How about we talk somewhere a little less…crowded?”
Anya, the Berserker guild master, raised an eyebrow but gave a slight nod. The others seemed to agree, the idea of a more private discussion appealing.
“Excellent,” Alister said, a small smile spreading on his lips. “I know just the place.”
“But I’ll need a sec to change, be right back.” Alister said as he turned around and stepped back into his room again locking the door behind him.
Just like he said, the next second he emerged already dressed in a casual white hoodie and black pants.
Anya, the Berserker guild master, smirked. “Well, well, look at you, eager to get this over with, are we?”
“Alright then, let’s not waste any more time. Let’s go.”
Alister, who had just re-emerged from his apartment door replied, “Alright, let’s get going then.”
Before anyone could react, Alister strode towards the balcony overlooking the street. A collective gasp escaped the crowd as they watched him climb onto the railing.
“Wait… what’s he doing?” Eryx of the Blue Seals asked, his playful demeanor suddenly changed into a look of genuine concern.
“Isn’t he a summoner, not a daredevil? He could break his legs!”
Anya’s eyes narrowed, but she remained rooted to the spot, a look of something simmilar to respect appearing in her eyes.
Ignoring the gasps and shouts of the onlookers, Alister took a deep breath and… jumped.
He didn’t leap gracefully, nor did he plummet like a stone. Instead, he landed with a soft thud on the balls of his feet, a casual grin plastered on his face.
Silence suddenly fell upon the crowd. The guild representatives, mouths hang open, stared at Alister as if he had grown a second head.
“What’s all the fuss about?” Alister asked, his voice filled with amusement.
“It was just a little shortcut. Now, shall we get going to the place I mentioned?”
All of them still stood silent in shock.
Anya, the first to recover her composure, let out a laugh.
“Bold move, kid.”
“I like your style. Lead the way.”
As Alister led the guild representatives through the bustling streets toward a nearby restaurant, murmurs of curiosity and speculation buzzed behind him.
“Did you see that?” Arden whispered to Eryx. “How did he land like that without even flinching?” he said, smiling, clearly fascinated.
Eryx nodded, his eyes still wide. “I don’t know, but it definitely wasn’t normal. There’s more to this kid than meets the eye.”
“Maybe it has something to do with his talent rank being SSS.” Eryx said. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Aria, walking a few steps besides him, exchanged a glance with Eryx. “I was hoping to offer him top A-rank bodyguards to ensure his safety at all times.”
“But it seems he wouldn’t be needing that if he’s that strong already.”
Cheng Zhi of the Black Reapers smirked. “He’s got some tricks up his sleeve, that’s for sure. Maybe he doesn’t need protection, but I’m more interested in how he achieved that feat.”
Anya chuckled. “Whatever his secret is, it’s impressive. But let’s see how he handles himself in a real negotiation.”
A crowd of people slowly followed behind Alister and the guild masters, pulling out their divices to imortaloze the moment by take pictures and recordings. Alister led the guild representatives away from the prying eyes of the increasingly agitated crowd.
Kenji and Maya, finally arriving in their battered van, watched in dismay as the spectacle unfolded before them.
“Blast it!” Kenji slammed his fist on the steering wheel. “We finally get a lead, and look at them! Already halfway to who knows where!”
Maya, her brow furrowed in frustration, peered through the van window. “There goes our exclusive interview.”
Across the street, a pack of paparazzi had descended upon the scene like ravenous vultures. Cameras flashed, microphones thrust forward, as they desperately tried to capture a glimpse of the young summoner and the high-powered guild representatives.
“Who is he?”
“They say he’s Alsiter, a real prodigy.”
“Which guild will he choose?”
“Is this the rumored new summoner who summoned a drake?”
The questions flew thick and fast, but without any answers.
Kenji, fuming but not giving up, slammed the van into gear.
“We might be late, Maya, but we’re not out. There’s still a chance to get a scoop. Follow them!”
With a roar of the engine, the battered van hoverd forward, slowly following after the crowd. Meanwhile, the unlikely group led by Alister arrived at their destination – one of the pinnacle of luxury dining in menga City I, the Five Emperors Restaurant.
The entrance slowly gilded open and a whole other wield of luxury welcomed them inside.
Alister and the guild representatives got seated around a massive table, the atmosphere was tense as they settled into their seats. Anya, the Berserker guild master, leaned forward, ready to dive straight into negotiations.
“Alright, let’s get down to busine-”
“Hold on,” Alister interrupted, raising a hand. “Before we start, let’s show some sincerity
first.”
Arden of the Red Phoenix guild raised an eyebrow. “And what mey that be exactly?”
Alister leaned back in his chair, a casual grin on his face. “How about you all treat me to a meal? I may not look it, but I’ve been eating a lot lately. Or at least, it feels like my hunger just
isn’t going away.”
The guild representatives exchanged puzzled glances, but Anya’s smirk returned.
“Fair enough, kid. A full stomach makes for a sharper mind. Let’s order.”
Menus were quickly distributed, but only Alister picked up his.
Aria whispered to Eryx, “He’s got a point. We need to show him we’re willing to invest in him,
even if it means starting with something as simple as a meal.”
Eryx nodded, still intrigued by Alister’s earlier feat. “Let’s see how this plays out. He’s already shown he’s not afraid to take control of the situation.”