Chapter 2: I see something Red

I cringe as I let the spiciness run it's course. "This is no good."  I said even as I swallowed the mochi that Shiori prepared. "This is supposed to be sweet why is it so spicy!" I complained, as usual Shiori showed no competency in cooking.

"Eh? Doesn't Yama-chan like spicy food." She replied cluelessly.

"I do but this is just wrong. You need to do it like this..." I began explaining the correct process. Why am I the one teaching her? Simple all the maids have given up. Shiori is way too untalented as a cook however she still needs to pass home economics so I have taken this herculean task of teaching her basic food techniques.

I myself learned these because my parents aren't usually at home. Their jobs required them to travel so I usually am left at the house alone. I needed to learn how to be independent at a young age, thus I have accumulated enough experience to be considered adequate by Hikari-san the head maid.

"By the way Yama-kun, tomorrow don't come." Shiori said while she prepared another mochi.

"It's that time again." I said, every once in a while Shiori's grandfather forbids anyone even the servants into the clan grounds. Only clan members were allowed, kinda like a reunion I guess. I'm used to it so it wasn't a big deal.

Like that I spent the weekend teaching Shiori how to cook, unsuccessfully unfortunately.

°°°°°°°°′°°°°°°′°°°°°°°°°

"I'm Home." I say as I entered my house. As usual no one greeted back. My house unlike Shiori's is modest. Enough for a middle class family at best.

I relax at the sofa and turned on the T.V.

"- red by an unknown assailant." The news channel popped up. the newscaster was describing a murder. I didn't have interest in that so switched to the anime channel.

I made to lie down on the sofa when something hard hits my thigh. I rummage through my pocket for the offending object and pulled out the bead that the old beggar gave me a week or so ago.

So it was here huh. I kinda forgot about it for a while.

I stared at it for a second, studying it for a bit. It looked like an ordinary black bead but it was heavy. The old man wanted me to eat it but I won't of course. There were small concentric markings that left minute ridges, meaning the bead wasn't smooth at all.

"∆∆∆∆∆~" What was that. I heard something. It was like a soft murmur. A whisper on my ear, I couldn't make sense of it though.

I looked around and there wasn't anything amiss. Must have been my imagination or maybe the TV?. Even though I say that I was seriously creeped out. I pocketed the bead again, turned the TV off and went upstairs to sleep.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

"Using the derivatives you can find the slope of the function with ease." The school bell rang signifying the start of lunch time."That will be all for today, remember your homework for tomorrow." Owa-sensei kindly reminded. He's the kind of teacher who makes you feel at ease.

We stood up to say goodbye to him, then I started packing up my things.

"What's up?" a good looking guy greeted me unexpectedly. This was Hattori Akio. Very popular and charming, smart and athletic pretty much the ideal person. I never talked to him much, unless if it's for schoolwork.

I wonder what he wants?

"Nothing much. Is there something you need from me?" I asked, It was best to get to the root of the matter after all.

"Ahahaha, don't be so cold. Tell you what, I'll treat you for a bit so why don't you come with me and talk?" He said, laughing so naturally. This guy normally wouldn't take the time to bother with me. For him to do so suddenly is suspicious.

"I'm sorry I have arrangements already." I politely declined.

"You're meeting Watanabe-san right?" He asked. So it was that? It wasn't much known that I associated with Shiori since our interaction usually happens when at her home. Shiori is at another class after all.

Shiori is popular, this guy is popular. Doesn't take a genius what this guy wants.

"Yes. I will now take my leave."

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Something's wrong. She should be here right now. What's taking her so long.

My phone buzzed. I received a message from Shiori.

"Help me! I'm at the happy forest park." It said. What was that? Why would she be at that park?

I quickly head there. That park was the one I met the old man who gave me the bead. Actually the bead was in my pocket, I've been bringing it along sort of like a good luck charm.

"So you've been going at it with Watanabe-san for a long, long time have you?" The detestable voice of Aki washed my ears.I saw three figures standing there. My blood ran cold. What! Aki was there standing smugly holding a phone. Shiori's!

Why was he holding it? Where was Shiori? If this fucker dared to hurt her I will... what will I do? What can I do? I was weak.They were strong. The bead in my pocket grew heavy as if responding to my thoughts.

"∆∆∆∆∆~" Something whispered on my ears. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it beating in my ears.

Looking at the smug bastards I asked, "What did you do to Shiori?"

"Shiori is it? So damn familiar. You fucker you've been so insolent these past few months. Wouldn't you like to know what we've done with Shiori? I'll even let you watch." He said his voice oozing with mocking and perhaps smugness?

Anger flooded me. They couldn't be implying 'that'. I took the bead and swallowed it in one gulp. Even if it was just a joke by that old man this was the only thing that I had. Even if it didn't work I would kill these fuckers with my bare hands.

I saw red. Literally. The Red slowly crept into my vision like ink proliferating on paper. It was as if I was looking at a tinted glass. So it worked? Heat burst from my stomach to my chest then dispersed throughout my body. I felt stronger. I felt invincible, as if I was suddenly turned into a tiger when once I was a kitten.

"∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆~ ∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆~" The whispers grew stronger, like incomprehensible mumbling at the back of my mind.

"Sweet sweet Shiori." The rat said mockingly. A disgusting look appeared on his face.

"I will kill you guys." I said. I walked to them, they didn't know I've somehow change. Eating that bead made my heart beat calmly. Anger still coursed through me but it was the cold type of anger.

The three guys laughed at that. Aki and Daisuke and  produced baseball bats while Shigeo brandished a knife so casually. Normally I would be scared.

"Crush these ants~" The voice on the back of my head whispered roughly.

I didn't pause my approach. Daisuke attacked me first with an overhead swing. I caught his bat with my left hand, then slapped him in the face. He flew the east.

The other two bastards were rooted at the spot as if unable to believe what happened. I turned my attention to those two.

It looked like Shigeo wanted to run but I appeared in front of him and kneed him in the stomach.

Like that, only Aki was left. He held to his bat like a lifeline.

"Tell me. How would you like to die?" I ask him. I really will kill them. If they did what they implied they did then even death would be too kind.

"W-wait. We were just joking earlier. It was a joke!" He said hysterically as if he'd seen a monster.

I tilted my head and forcefully took his baseball bat from his hands. I moved so fast that he still stood there dumbly holding nothing.

"A joke? I do not find it funny. You know what's funny?" I asked. I showed him the metal bat and then with a bit of force I bent it all the way. "This bat is funny. How about I make you funny as well?"

Aki dropped to the ground. I smell piss coming out from him. How detestable.

"I-I swear on my honor we didn't do anything to Watanabe-san!" He desperately pleaded.

"Watanabe-san now is it? Earlier you were just calling her Shiori? Besides do you think I'm a fool what would someone like you know of honor."

I grabbed the upper portion of his shirt and lifted it easily, naturally Aki was lifted as well.

"I swear! We heard you were close to Watanabe-san that's why Shigeo took her phone when she was at P.E."  Aki blabbed pitifully.

I felt a sting on the back of my head. It was Daisuke he smacked me with his bat. Normally I'd probably have my brain leaking out but right now? It was as the voice said, it was only like I've been bitten by an ant.

I threw Aki at Daisuke and they ended up in a heap. I stared at their groaning forms. Should I kill them?

"Crush them, destroy them. They dare hurt one of yours~" The whispers answered.

A buzz interrupted me though. A message from an unknown number.

"Yama-kun, lost my phone sorry for being late. Where were you??? P.S. Borrowed from classmate." It said.

I breathe out a sigh of relief. It looked like she was alright. With that message the Red slowly bled out of my eyes. I took Shiori's phone from Aki and told him. "If you ever dare to do this again, or even think of harming Shiori then there would be no place to hide. Do you understand." The three of them nodded as if their life depended on it. They probably thought it did.

I immediately texted Shiori, asking where she is. The strength had faded leaving behind a dull ache in my body. As if it were a fading memory.

I met up with her. The moment I saw her whole and healthy all the tension in my body left.

"Yama-kun! I'm sorry I lost my phone. I kept looking for it and I forgot to tell you." She said apologizing profusely. I felt happy that she wasn't harmed. My heart would break if she is harmed, I knew I would discard even my humanity to punish anyone who tried.

"∆∆∆∆∆∆∆~" the voice sent an incomprehensible whisper again. I ignored it for now.

I gestured for her to stop."Here, take better care of it next time." I said handing her phone back to her.

"What?! Where did you get this?" She asked relief flooding her face.

"I saw thieves playing around with it. I beat them up and took it from them."

"Seriously? Don't tease Shiori Yama-kun!" She whined as if I told her something unbelievable.

I ignored the question for now, it is rather unbelievable for the usually wimp like person that was I to beat up a couple of thieves.

"C'mon let's eat." I said putting aside the thought of the bullies and the bead for now. Besides the old man said he'll find me, so I'll wait till he can explain what kind of shit I've found myself into.



-------------------------> Next Chapter

Chapter 1-Divine Usurpation Bead

Life is cruel. This is a fact. The fate of the strong is to prey on the weak. The fate of the weak is to meekly endure. Thus one can say life is unfair, the heavens clearly favors the strong.

My name is Takehashi Yamato, I don't consider myself as a strong person. In fact it is I, who is often the target of bullying.

Life has granted me nothing but troubles. Fortune and luck is decided by the heavens and the heavens have decidedly crapped on me.

"Takeshit* where's my money." The sneering face of Mizuri Aki greeted me. We are in . He was a burly kid, for someone who is only in my year level(Third year junior high) he looks like an uncle already.With a wide ogre like face I'd say he's similar to Tokyo Zoo's gorillas.

Note: Read as Ta-Ke-Shit not Take-shit.

Aki, this brute has been taking liberties with my money ever since I started junior high. His grandpa is the school principal so he could just do what he pleases.

He rules the school I'm in with an iron fist and since no one can oppose this, he had become quite a tyrant. Right now I'm meeting this thug on a park near the school because I need to give him his monthly 'fee'. The park is always empty aside from the occasional beggar.

As I've said before, the strong prey on the weak. In my hands is 3000 yen, in 3 stacks of 1000 yen bills. This is my fee, only I'm short 2000 yen. Asking 5000 yen weekly is unreasonable for someone like me who has a poor family.

Note: 5000 yen is roughly 40$

As I hand him the bills, his ugly face turned uglier. Quite a feat I assure you.

I felt a sharp sensation on my stomach followed by a yell of "You bitch!"

As I crumpled to the concrete floor I realized that Aki punched me. Pain started to localize on my stomach. I coughed a few times as well.

"You've been skimping on my money!" He yelled at me, he kicked me in the ribs too as he did. He's wrong of course since it is my money.

The truth is I could have paid him the whole amount and he would still beat the shit out of me, so why would I burden my family that 2000 yen if I would still be beaten up? I call it being prudent.

"He's getting cocky ain't he Bozu." A rat faced teen added a few kicks to me as well. This guy is Aki's lackey Minoru Shigeo. People call him the 'Rat' because of his disposition. One can say he's really disgusting because of his behavior. Many girls have already filed complaints of harassment but it has been ignored.

"He's getting used to beatings." Muttered a heavyset teen with a Mohawk,his name was Futeru Daisuke. I think the rival gangs call him 'Elephant'. This guy has connections to the Yakuza or so the rumors say.

These three delinquents are the top brass of the gang in school.

"Eh, what can we do? This bitch, no matter how much we beat him won't. give. more." Aki grunted between kicks to my person.

I endured it all, because enduring is all I can do. If I fought back things just get worse.

After they get a few more licks in try got bored and left me alone. I with my injured body could only manage to get to a nearby bench.

This life, this shame... I have considered washing it away if not for the ones I'd leave behind.

Bzzzzt Bzzzzt.

My phone was vibrating. I received a message, It says Watanabe Shiori in the display with a heart added to both the start and end. She was the one who put it there so don't misunderstand. Watanabe-chan is my childhood friend, she is one of the reasons I don't just go jump the highest tower at the earliest convenience.

"Where are you? I've been looking for you everywhere." It said, followed by an angry animated emoticon. Beneath it was "Meet you at my house or else."

Once again, you might misunderstand. Shiori is my neighbor since my family transferred to Ichinomiya. That was when I was 9 years old. Ever since then we've been playing together.

I typed in OK and that was that. I slumped a bit on the bench. If someone were to see me they'd surely comment on how unsightly I was at the moment.

An old man, dressed like a beggar passed in front of me. His clothes can be considered as rags and he wore a wide brimmed hat folded so that if you were to look into his face you would only see one eye staring at you.

He is looking at my direction. I really couldn't afford to care right now so I just sit there recovering my energy.

The old beggar approached me, I think he wants to ask for alms. Even if he does I already gave all my money to that bastard Aki save a few yen I hid in my right shoe.

Looking more closely to his grime covered face and equally sad looking rags he used as clothes I sighed. This man is hated by heaven more than I, what was a few more yen to lose.

I took out two 100 yen coins and gave it to him without prompt. He bowed in thanks but didn't go away. Did he want more? Oi, we are both impoverished you know!

"You have purity." He said. Hopefully it was a compliment instead of pointing out that I'm a virgin.

"Uh, Thanks?" I awkwardly replied.

"Tell me, do you wish to be strong?" The old man asked as he himself sat on the opposite side of the bench I was at.

Do I wish to be strong? "Of course I do." I muttered to him.

"Why?" He asked, he was looking at the scenery of the park which I admit is peaceful without Aki and his henchmen.

Why? "So I can protect myself." That answer should be self explanatory.

"How bout this, If I change the question to 'do you wish to be the strongest'?" The old man asked again.

Why was he asking this? Honestly I really don't care, I just want to go back home, meet Shiori then go to sleep after. My body protested however so I might as well talk to grandpa.

"Being the strongest sounds like a bother, I mean I'd always think about how I compare to others right? I'd just like to be strong enough." I answered him as truthfully as I can.

"Strong enough?" He asked for clarification. I guess I was too vague.

"Strong enough not to be bothered by anyone, I guess. I want to be strong enough no one can bully me, strong enough no one can hurt me or my love ones." That's the only strength I wanted. I'm actually afraid if I grow too strong I'd end up like Aki, I'd rather die if I did.

The old man chuckled at my answer. I just sighed again, don't laugh at people grandpa. It was you who asked a silly question in the first place!

The old man rummaged something from his pockets and produced a smooth black bead the size of a marble.

He offered it to me. "Eh?" was all I can say.

He kept his hand extended, eventually I accepted. I didn't want him to tire himself like that.

"Eat it." He said. Was he crazy? I eyed the bead. No way.

I looked at him incredulously. Don't just go making people eat weird stuff old man.

"Keep it then, eat it when you need that strength. I'll find you when you do." He said before standing up and walking away.

I looked at his back till he vanished from view. The bead in my hand felt heavy, heavier than I imagined when I first saw it.

My phone vibrated again. It was Shiori, she sent another message. "House. Now!" it said. What a bossy girl.

I decided to keep the bead, I essentially bought it for 200 yen after all. After I recovered my strength I hobbled towards the direction of my house. I shouldn't keep Shiori waiting else she turns into an oni. Again.

-_-

The Watanabe, or at least Shiori's Watanabe is a wealthy family. The clan has existed even during the Heian period up until now. What I'm saying is you shouldn't be surprised of the mansion in front of me. Compared to our modest house Shiori's 'house' is the Watanabe clan compound.

A maid greeted me by the gate with a "Good evening Goshujin-sama." and let me in with a smile.

You can guess that I've been here a lot. I blame Shiori. She is an insistent and stubborn girl. I just can't say no, specially when she cheats and tear up.

The compound is composed of three sections. I am going towards the main section, Shiori's grandfather has restricted me to this area, stating that the others are for family use only. He's a strict but fair kind of grandpa, even I admire him.

I took off my shoes, opened the door and was greeted by Shiori who bowed deeply and said "Do you want dinner, a bath or me?"

I stared blankly at her, then gave her a karate chop to the head. If it were somebody other than me, they'd probably ravage her on the spot. Shiori is rather popular at school, having long smooth flowing dark hair and delicate features, she can be considered a yamato nadeshiko. In school she's always so quiet and melancholic but here in her house she's way too cheerful.

"Fumu, Yama-kun is so mean, even after I practiced so hard." She complained.

"Watanabe-chan is an idiot." I say bluntly. I hear a giggle from one of the maids.

"Wah, I won't let you in until you call me Shiori-chan. Shiori-chaaaan~" She said in a sing song voice.

I sighed, she is often this unreasonable. I know, I grew up to her antics. I knew she wouldn't budge until she gets what she wants.

"Shiori-chan let me in. Happy?" I said already forcing my way in. Shiori takes my hand and drags me to her room though.

Her room is a well lit and proper room. Large as one would expect from the only child of the main branch of a wealthy clan. She is treated like a treasure by the clan. She had a bed with hello kitty designs, on it were more than a few haphazardly thrown notebooks and books.

"Shiori-chan, you haven't done your homework yet?" I sighed in defeat. So this was the reason. Beautiful and athletic as Shiori was she was a bit weak on the academic side.

"Yosh, since Yama-kun is here I have no fear!" She enthusiastically announced. Have some pride please.Like this, I ended up being an unpaid tutor. Even if I sound like this though, know that I treasure these moments with this airhead.

-------------------------> Next Chapter 

Chapter 6-Shard City Auction House

"My secret?" Sun almost took a step back before he caught himself. "What do you mean?" Sun said presenting a calm demeanor despite worrying in his thoughts. Was he found out? If so the punishment for masquerading as a mage is quite severe ranging from hefty fines, a thousand or so lashes or imprisonment.

"Please do not play coy with me, even if I have been blind to it first you cannot fool me any longer." She said resolutely.

Sun felt that this route was already blocked from the start so he tried a different tactic, "This secret can you not keep it to yourselves as payment for me saving your lives?"

Levaria paused for a second as if thinking, "Do not mistake this for ingratitude! We are all members of the hope alliance, even if I myself do not talk this will eventually be revealed thus it would then cast doubt on my position."

That was true enough, but Sun couldn't accept this as it is. He did after all save them with the equivalent of half a year or so's profit.

Before he could say more to rebuke her, Levaria shushed him and continued...

"I don't know the reason for your deception, but please be at ease we are all allies are we not?" She said causing Sun to droop his shoulders and release a sigh, something really uncharacteristic for a mage that he claimed to be.

"As I thought you already were finished with [Concentration] and I suspect the other two stages as well." Levaria said proudly. How rare was a mage who finished concentration? There were magi in their 50's who hasn't finished the first stage! Let alone all three!

"W-what?" The dumbfounded Sun replied, a bit dazed. So he wasn't discovered after all.

Taking the look of his face as confirmation that she was right Levaria continued.

"I don't know if you are aware, but now as a saint your status has risen far above whatever it was. Many people will come seeking to recruit you to their banners. Even though we cannot keep your power under wraps know that we, the Hope alliance will at least keep these people away if you do not want them. So long as you are in Hope alliance territory you have a place to take shelter." Levaria said trying to at least provide a bit of comfort.

"Even if you say it like that isn't the Hope alliance trying to recruit me as well?" Sun asked, he really didn't want to be apart of this but it seemed he had dug himself too deep this time.

"If you want to join you are free to do so, our Hope alliance rely on the good will of our members. While it would be good to have another Saint, it would be no good if you yourself have no interest in what the alliance stands for." Was what she said, quite resolutely in fact.

Sun bowed his head slightly and said, "I see, then I thank the Hope alliance for their offer. Is that all that you have to say?"

"That is, I also want to apologize for my behavior. This whole time I suspected that you were hiding something bad, I was wrong. All this time you have been patient and understanding while I kept on harassing you. I give you my oath that I will repay you in time for saving me and my people as well as for my misconduct." Levaria said with an air of extreme seriousness.

This! This girl had sharp instincts! Sun thought as he listened to her confession. She got it all mixed up though. Sun felt something building up on his chest, an almost indescribable feeling. His talent was activating?

"I will hold you to your oath." Forceful words came out from his mouth without meaning to. What was this?

It looked like the words satisfied Levaria though. She bowed once and went on her way leaving behind the confused Sun.

Why now did his talent activate. Wasn't it supposed to be the other way around? Did it mean Levaria is oathbound or was it he the one bound by that oath?

Either way is troublesome. Truly Sun felt that his talent was too much trouble sometimes.

----------


Shard City, Sun breathed a sigh of relief. They were finally here. It took a few more days, but the pace was faster since no monsters attacked.

This is where he will sell all the remaining goods he had. He still had some gold coins for capital. Even though he wasted a crazy amount of gems on Tiangou he had been repaid with the horn his Poun was carrying right now.

S Class material! The thought made Sun salivate. The plan was simple. Sell the horn in the auction, then disappear.

He somehow got promoted to a saint. From [Rank E] to [Rank S], the kind of crazy tale that if one were to tell Sun before he'd be forced to call the city guards. This type of event made vanishing more important. Otherwise people would eventually realize he had virtually no battle prowess. Then where would he be?

"Onii-chan! This is goodbye. I will be attending the Fitterlain Magus Academy come visit me OK?" Domu said sadly as they left. The brat was crying so pitifully Sun could only nod in response.

Similarly Talia said some remarks as well. "Sun-sama it was a pleasure aiding you. In the future I aim to become as reliable and humble as you." She said all that with a straight voice. What a mature kid Sun thought at the time.

Sun certainly was going to miss those two kids. He had deposited the Poun to the city's equivalent of Thrush City's travel agency. He took the 50 silvers but really he considered buying the Poun, after all didn't it serve him well? It can be counted as a

an investment, he reasoned to himself.

"Sun-sama, I'm glad I caught up to you." It was the captain of the soldier's platoon. He had fair skin and a typically handsome face, he was two  heads taller than Sun. "Rayu-sama told me to inform you that he had taken it to himself to have the horn processed by the Hope alliances best Tinkerers.

Sun's eyes widened. His S class horn! No! "That old man. Where is he?"

To understand Sun's panic one must know what tinkerers are. Tinkerers are people whose talents lay in creating and enchanting weapons and trinkets like Sun's [Storage Bag]. It's highly probable that they were already making a staff out of it!

Earlier Sun told Rayu "I'll leave the horn in your care. Please take care of it in my stead." Back then Rayu excitedly accepted the job. It seemed that Rayu misunderstood!

"He's currently in the City's auction house. If you wish I could escort you to him." He said.

Sun nodded and was led through the busy streets of Shard city. Shard saw a lot of merchants and slaves selling a wide range of goods, there were particularly a lot of crafting materials and trinkets. Shard city was the Tinkerer's capital after all.

Originally he planned to sell all the gems he had and buy trinkets to sell on other cities. Now though, if he gets enough money for the horn then he might just get away from the city and buy a stand in the next city which should be Ravale City.

The Shard City Auction House looked incredible indulgent as expected of a rich city. It was Three times larger than the one In Thrush and twice as large as the largest Sun had seen so far. It was made of high quality marble and was decorated by stone arches. There were stone statues of the living saints Verdant and Devilin in the entrance.

Verdant is the famous warrior saint who defeated 2 S class monsters that simultaneously attacked the imperial capital three thousand years ago. He looked incredibly heroic as a statue, impeccably dressed in a regal armor with a sword raised towards the air.

Devilin in contrast is the legendary sorcerer considered to be the strongest existence. Not much is known about him other than he battling the demon lord and his army of no less than 2 S class monsters plus a couple of thousands of lesser monsters reshaped the continent as it is today. He vanished abruptly a thousand years ago. Devilin cut an imposing figure holding an impressive staff, his face is hidden under a cowl however.

Among the saints in recorded history these two were considered as beyond the norm, there had been talk of putting them in a new rank, [Rank L]. L for Legendary.

It was a long standing tradition to put the image of saints in important buildings such as this. It is said to ward off bad luck(as well as monsters).

The inside of the auction is incredibly posh as well. All the furniture and decorations were made from high class material. A pleasant smell wafted into Sun's nose too, he recognized it as an expensive men's perfume.

A middle aged gentleman greeted them at the entrance. He had neatly trimmed dark hair showing hints of white streaks. His face was sharp, shaven and imposing, he wore a monocle as well adding to his refined image.

"You must be the rumored Sun-sama. The Shard City Auction House is honored to have you as a guest." The man bowed deeply.

Sun could only let out an embarrassed chuckle. To have someone as distinguished as this bow to him a lowly merchant?

"No need to bow sir. I am but a humble mage." He tried to get the man to stop being so respectful.

The older gentleman instead bowed deeper. "Nonsense, Sun-sama is a saint. It would shame my ancestors and this auction if I do not give proper respect."

In the end Sun could do nothing so he decided to go with the flow.

"My name is Rimmu I am the master of this auction. If Sun-sama would please follow me." The man said leading Sun to a large room, there was a round table with seats.

Rimmu offered a seat to Sun. When he was seated a maid entered and poured Sun tea. Pilant tea at that. Sun knew no other tea more expensive than this particular type, he had only tasted it once back when he was still in his father's care.

"Is the tea to your liking?" Rimmu asked as he sat on the opposite side of the table.

Sun nodded as he savored the exquisite flavor. This tea costs a gold coin a cup. That kind of price meant even rich people seldom drink it.

"I'm glad.If I may be blunt, I'm aware that you acquired S class material recently. Rayu-sama has had it commissioned to be made a staff. We of the auction is petitioning that you let us auction the leftover material."

Tsk, it was as he feared. Had they dismantled it already?

Seeing the slight crease in Sun's brows Rimmu added "The making of your staff is personally headed by Vy-sama I can assure you of the quality of the finished product. She was quite excited about the project actually, S Rank materials are quite rare."

"H-how much is left to auction?" Sun asked his heart clenching painfully.

"It depends on Vy-sama, I'm sure she'll maximize the use of the horn to provide you with the best staff available. Even then I expect we will have a good auction in the leftover materials." Rimmu's words simultaneously made Sun despair and hope.

"Do it then. Auction every bit that's left." Sun said.

Rimmu let out a pleased smile. "Very well it shall be done, If it pleases Sun-sama he can stay at our guest rooms until the auction finishes."

Sun nodded, even though he probably missed out on a large profit, the leftover materials should at least get him more than what he used on the Tiangou. In addition he got free room in this extravagant place, all in all it wasn't so bad.

Monster Corner

Name: Tiangou

Rank: S

Element: Heaven

Skills:

Godlike Regeneration

Elemental Mastery

Heavenly Body

Notes: The Tiangou is a race of S class monsters who live solitarily. Named after the legendary beast said to eat the sun during the eclipse these dog like monsters carry the Tiangou name with pride. The main purpose in a Tiangou's life is to take part in battles and to find it's rival. Often a Tiangou will spend more than half it's lifetime finding the 'worthiest of foes'.

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