Esdras was jolted from his bed by the sound of loud and insistent knocking on his door. He frowned, wondering who could be calling on him so aggressively in the middle of the day.
Even his friends wouldn't behave like this unless there was an urgent situation. Celine was playful but not annoying, it couldn't be her.
As he stood up from his desk and made his way to the door, he couldn't help but feel a sudden sense of foreboding. The knocking continued, louder and more insistent than ever, until he finally reached the door and flung it open.
But it was not anyone he knew, they were two strangers.
"Hhm?… you are?" He asked carefully.
They were two people outside of his room, a huge and imposing man, his presence seemed to overpower the surroundings and exuded a great authority. To the side and a step behind him was a fit but petite woman with short hair and frown that made her look dissatisfied all the time.
"Do you have no manners?! Great mage Lent Fayner is here personally and what do you do? Just stare, and not even invite us in?"
The woman scolded him, her voice was high and annoying but she also introduced the man as a Great mage.
The sudden turn of events took him by surprise but before he could say anything Lent Fayner and the woman pushed past him casually and into his room. His long black cloak billowed behind him, and his hair was slicked back in a severe style that made his sharp features all the more intimidating.
Esdras was taken back with anger, this was an extremely rude intrusion but that also made him feel what kind of man Lent was, his arrogance and entitlement was plain to see.
The bad feeling he felt settled in his stomach, this was not going to be a friendly conversation. Nonetheless he must absolutely not offended a Great mage unwittingly.
"Aah, please excuse my rude behavior, I was simply in awe that someone of my humble station would be visited by such an esteemed personage. Please have a seat."
Although he said that, Lent already took a seat on the fancy chairs in the living room.
"A trivial matter," Lent waved his hand, "forget about that. Although my talkative attendant already said it, I will introduce myself again, I am Lent Fayner, a great mage and I happen to be the grand vault keeper of the tower of secrets."
It was a simple introduction but it was enough to show Lent's power and influence. Esdras was able to remember him now, he heard about him a few times, he is the right hand-man of councilor Yoric.
"I am Esdras Varthos, I am an apprentice at the moment. It's a great honor, if you had summoned me instead of troubling yourself to come here personally."
"Clearly, it's not great enough of an honor for you to serve some tea."
The woman standing behind Lent, his attendant as he introduced her was obviously not the type to let people talk in peace and she enjoyed mocking him clearly judging by her condescending tone.
"Erina!" The great mage scolded not too harshly, "we are guests here, pointing out the host's lack of manners again and again is not appropriate… despite how right you may be."
Esdras felt his temper flaring up, but he managed to keep himself from saying anything. This bastard looked like he was scolding her on the surface but in reality he was approving of her words and even insulting him along with her.
Although he suppressed his outburst, he no longer cared about hearing what Lent was hear to say. He had no desire to entertain Lent's demands for proper hospitality.
"I am sorry if I've offended you, master, but I was not expecting any guests today."
His words were polite but this time there was a firm edge to his attitude.
"Could it be… you're saying I am an uninvited guest?" Lent asked, no longer looking as amused as he was a moment ago.
"You insolent cur! How dare-"
The woman was clearly unable to contain her rage and killing intent seeped out of her in waves towards him. Esdras's eyes widened, he didn't think she would actually be crazy.
The killing intent was so dense that Esdras even had the illusion that he was in a battlefield.
'This bitch! How many people did she kill!'
Esdras couldn't fight her and Lent together but if it came to it he wasn't afraid. Although he didn't want to use it in such a place he had a trump card that he obtained after clearing the dungeon.
It was strong enough to kill any rank three being, even if something went wrong he was at least confident of escaping.
However the killing intent disappeared, Lent raised his hand and Erina returned back to normal.
"It is clear that you have much to learn about proper etiquette and respect for your elders," he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "But we can discuss that later. Right now, why don't we talk about serious matters, apprentice Esdras?"
"That would be for the best." Esdras sat down and nodded, he wanted this to be over as soon as possible.
"Well, I have heard much regarding you. I also noticed a great difference between the reports about you for the last five years and a great discrepancy in the last few months. It's almost as if… you're a completely different person."
Esdras had an understanding expression on his face and nodded along, "ah, it's something I've heard frequently from quite a few people. Well, I really don't have much to say about that, it just happened. I've thought about it and I can't give a logical reason, but I think that humans can surpass our own expectations of ourselves, don't you agree?"
Lent had a stoic expression on his face, "oh, yes. I agree completely. Still I can't help but feel slightly uncomfortable that we had such wrong readings. Well, things like this happen from time to time."
"Well, if that is all, then…"
"That is not all, in fact." Lent interrupted forcefully.
This chapt𝒆r is updated by free(w)ebnovel(.)com