Although Esdras knew that his rise in power was bound to attract suspicions he thought it was over already. And yet it looks like the issue was not easy to brush off to the point that an important figure got involved.
Evidently Esdras was not concerned that they would find anything against him, his possession of this body wouldn't get exposed with the investigation methods of this low level world.
Furthermore, Esdras already completed his assimilation to this body and the spirit of the original host thanks to the divine shard. It would be truly extraordinary if they found out the truth.
Esdras had nothing to worry about in this regard but nonetheless he was still vexed that some dogs were sniffing at his past.
"Actually, you introduced yourself as an apprentice but we both know that is not the entire truth, right? Well, how you got here, whether it's a mistake on our part or not doesn't matter. I will applaud you on your achievements so far, we appreciate talents such as yours in the Secrets faction."
Esdras raised his eyebrows at the sudden change in tune to the point that he wondered if this was still the same person who ridiculed him not even a whole minute ago.
More importantly, it seems his fears weren't in the right place, Lent wasn't here to investigate him, he was here to offer him a job. This was both good and bad.
Good because it's clear he didn't come here to humiliate him for fun or to look into things best left alone.
Bad, because Esdras was already affiliated with someone else. He had a feeling Lent wasn't a man to take rejection with an open heart.
Moreover, this Lent guy was not as simple as he portrayed himself to be. At first glance he seemed careless and reckless but in truth what he did since he came to this room was a form of psychological suppression method to gain the upper hand from the get-go.
Then he brought up an unrelated issue to throw him off guard and finally he started randomly complimenting him. This would have created an atmosphere where Esdras would agree to whatever terms Lent wanted to gain his approval and dispel the initial negative impression.
This is why he visited so suddenly. He even got his little bitch to participate in his little play.
It was an excellent strategy, if used against any other apprentice he would have gotten what he wanted by now. But he chose the wrong target this time.
"You mean to say…"
Esdras probed carefully.
"I mean we could use your talents." Lent smiled triumphantly as if he could see his plan working as he intended. "We think that you will be a great fit for our—"
However he didn't get the chance to pitch his offer as he was interrupted by Esdras immediately.
"I have no intention of offending you, master Lent." Esdras said carefully as if he was unsure of himself, "but I will have to reject your offer."
Lent's expression crumbled and he frowned deeply, "you have yet to hear my offer. If you think it's not to your liking we can see what works out."
"I-I-I absolutely can't. This is my final answer." Esdras stuttered as if he couldn't speak properly.
Lent leaned forward and his face began to grow red with anger, "calm down and explain yourself. What is causing you such distress? Are you worried that you haven't passed the Rite of passage? It's not a problem at all."
"That's not it." Esdras said with a final sigh as if resigned to his fate. "I actually joined with the Crimson faction already, Master Meeralah gave my an offer yesterday and I took it. This is why I can't accept your offer."
"…what?" Lent looked shocked genuinely for a moment, "they were faster? No, that's not the point, you actually joined with that pathetic Crimson faction!"
Esdras just sat there and didn't say anything, however on the inside he was actually enjoying Lent's panic. He could see now Lent was determined to get him today but he was shocked that he was a step too late and as if that was not enough he was actually beaten by the Crimson faction which he looked down on so much.
"No matter, it's nothing that can't be fixed, just resign." Lent suddenly said.
It was Esdras's turn to be stunned, he couldn't believe that Lent would actually suggest such a thing seriously. He didn't even start day one and he wanted him to resign with one order? What a joke!
"You must be joking, master. I signed the contract with the councilor herself. It would be extremely offensive, don't you think?"
Esdras was having a hard time maintaining a respectful demeanor.
"I am not, the Crimson faction is the weakest and can't offer you much in the long run. They don't have a Master mage at the helm, that is more than enough reason to not waste your talent with the likes of them."
Esdras sighed deeply and bowed, "although I appreciate your offer and encouragement, I still signed a contract with my honor on the line I can't just do whatever I want. I would like to work for the Crimson faction and see where it takes me."
In fact even if he didn't sign a deal already, he wouldn't have agreed to work under someone like Lent either way.
Esdras shifted uncomfortably under Lent's hard gaze, already knowing his true motive. Locking eyes with Lent, he clarified that he had already signed a contract to join another faction. He could feel the tension and hostility rolling off the great mage in waves.
Lent laughed in disbelief. "You made a foolish decision, boy. But I suppose it can't be helped now," he said, his voice dripping with an arrogant superiority.
He made a gesture of dismissal before turning and stalking out of the room, his stance and expression conveying his disgust and contempt for the apprentice mage. With that, he slammed the door shut, leaving a deafening silence in his wake.
He made a dangerous enemy today.
Esdras deflated in his seat and sighed, it was not over. Lent was the type of person to perceive an insult where there's none, he wouldn't forget this.
Even worse, in Kazzat the most powerful force was the Secrets faction. In the future he will have to deal with Lent.
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