Blake is walking around the castle. King Valerian apparently gave him his own quarters in the castle. He has been looking around for over 15 minutes now. Bracken was sent out around five minutes ago to scout the castle. However, it seems he will not be coming back anytime soon.

  *Blake: This place is huge!*

  Blake keeps stumbling around until he unexpectedly encounters an older man. In his early 60s, he has a tall and slender build. His long white hair and beard distinguish him, and his piercing blue eyes reflect his vast knowledge. He wears elaborate robes adorned with mystical symbols and carries a staff topped with a glowing crystal, adding an air of mystery to his persona.

  [???: Can I help you?] The older man says with a smile and a head tilt.

  Blake just looks at him. Blake was briefed about all of King Valerian’s top officers during the following meeting. If Blake can remember correctly this should be Valerian’s magical advisor and one of the strongest mages in the country, the high mage Aric Solis. With his wisdom and deep understanding of magical arts and ancient lore, Aric commands respect. He is calm and contemplative, often serving as a voice of reason. Aric is deeply committed to the protection and advancement of the kingdom through magical means.

  [Blake: Nothing much. Just looking for my room.] Blake sighs in defeat. Aric laughs, pulls out his magic staff and starts chanting a search spell.

  In an instant, a map of the entire castle was given to Blake. The map was so advanced that it even had everyone’s current location in the castle.

  *Blake: Why is Bracken fighting Selene in the training grounds?!? That Elysia girl and King Valerian are having a meeting. I guess I’ll leave them. Now, where is my room?*

  Blake finds his room on the map, thanks Aric, and heads over to his room.

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  7 minutes ago…

  Selene walks into the medical facility in the castle. She walks around until Selene sees the person she was here for, Lyra. Lyra is still not awake; however, her condition has stabilized. 50% of her body is covered in unhealable burn marks. Selene puts a rare plant next to Lyra.

  [Selene: I brought you a rare plant. You will love it when you wake up.]

  Selene just looks down at Lyra for a moment when he hears. [AY MOTHERFUCKA.]

  Selene quickly turns around to see the 8-foot monster known as Bracken.

  [Selene: What the hell are you doing here?!? Leave!!]

  Bracken just smiles.

  [Bracken H-HE-HELL NAH!!! I’m here for my run back!!!] Bracken puffs his chest out like a real one. Selene gives a devious smile.

  [Selen: Oh? Here to get your sorry ass beaten again?] Selene laughs to herself as Bracken gets very clearly angered by the statement.

  [Bracken: Wanna fucking go?!? I’ll beat your ass right here ya hoe!] Bracken takes a fighting stance. Selene just looks on.

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  [Selene: We are in a hospital dumbass. Let’s go down to the arena if you want to fight.] With those words, Selene and Bracken head down to the arena.

  —----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Back in the present, Elysia was called to King Valerian’s throne. She bows reverently in front of her king, and Valerian speaks up.

  [Valerian: I would like you to be the one to go on the mission to recruit Pax to my vassals. Pax might be one of the most important members. You must recruit him.]

  Elysia looks up.

  [Elysia: Me? By myself?] Elysia is surprised at the importance of this solo mission.

  [Valerian: Well, we know he has a significant distrust of all nobels. You very controversially forsake your noble lineage in order to live in the lower class. This is one of the reasons you are my minister of relations. At the same time, you haven’t lived in the slums. However, you have the most experience outside of a noble family. So you are the most qualified to talk to him.]

  After stating his case, Elysia has no option but to accept this mission thrust upon her, however, as she is about to leave.

  [???: Wait!]

  King Valerian looks on at the man, and Elysia turns around. It is an older man with a long white beard and white eyes.

  [Aric: I would like to go as well. His ability {Unfair} is a negation ability, the rarest form of ability this world has. Only 28 known negation abilities exist. Unfair allows him to copy and use multiple negation abilities. It also allows him to copy and use one normal ability. I would like to see him personally and observe his abilities in action.]

  King Valerian thinks for a minute and speaks.

  [Valerian: I appreciate your input, Aric. However, sending in a ton of people might have the opposite effect. I ask that you stay back until he is brought back here.]

  Hearing his reasoning, Aric backs down. Elysia walks out of the room. She enters the carriage and heads down to the slum town, The Iron Quarter.

  ========================================================================

  After an hour or two, the carriage arrives at the Iron Quarter. It gets envious looks by all as Elysia steps out of the carriage. Elysia immediately looks for the first person who looks even semi-friendly.

  *Elysia: Pax is very well known, according to the information. The problem is that slum people usually don’t give their own quickly.*

  Elysia walks up to a man.

  [Elysia: Do you know a man by the name “Pax Stone”?] Elysia looks at him with determination. The man just scoffs and responds.

  [???: What would you want with Pax, hot stuff?] The man laughs.

  [Elysia: Official order from King Valerian for me to meet Pax. Should you interfere, it will be considered treason.] Elysia is trying a brute-force strategy. The man just looks unfazed.

  [???: You know what’s crazy? A barrier terrorist has been running around, causing issues and destroying towns. Yet all you guys seem concerned with is some random slum guy. A cell would probably have better living conditions than I’m in now.] The man has a very apathetic tone to his voice. Elysia was about to raise a counterpoint when suddenly he was whacked on the head.

  Elysia turns to see who whacked him. It seems to be a woman in her late 40s. She has long brown hair and seemingly closed eyes.

  [???: Jarek, you shouldn’t antagonize the rich folk, alright?]

  The man, Jarek, now looks up at her.

  [Jarek: The hell Mira? You didn’t have to hit me for it. This bitch was talking about Pax being wanted for something. It’s serious; not giving his location is a treason charge.]

  Mira wacks Jarek again with a [Language!] Then looks back at Elysia.

  [Mira: It’s that serious, then? I always taught Pax to be a good boy!] Mira puts her head in her hands. [I will take you to him then.]

  Mira gives Jarek a stare that immediately makes him fold Pax’s location.

  [Jarek: He is at the orphanage building various stuff for the kids!] Jarek quickly says, not wanting any retribution.

  Mira takes Elysia to a giant building with the words “Iron Orphanage” written at the top. Mira talks Elysia into the orange. In the middle is a bulky man with short brown hair and piercing green eyes. His hardened skin is a testament to his lifestyle in the slums. He has multiple little children playing around him. As he starts to play with the children, Mira walks up to him.

  Pax looks up at her.

  [Pax: Sup, Mom!]

  *Elysia: The reports said all of his family are dead. They couldn’t have been wrong, so I’ll ask him later.*

  Mira just looks down at him.

  [Mira: A member of King Valerian’s top officers is here to talk with you. It’s serious.] Pax looks over in confusion and sees Elysia. His face immediately contorts into a more neutral look.

  *Pax: A noble?*