Kaelira raised her big gold coin pouch that housed the 100 coins triumphantly into the air for all to see before walking up to me in the stands, kneeling down on one leg like an honorable knight would in front of their lord, turning both of her palms toward the sky, and devoutly offering me the pouch.
“My Lord.”
…
“Huh?”
“What?!”
“Why is she doing this?!”
Numerous such shouts erupted from the stands near us. While it should’ve been obvious for all that Ambition was my ally with her Heralds sitting next to mine and all that happened between us throughout the Trials, however, Kaelira’s antics were no longer that of a steadfast ally but a loyal follower.
She won the once-in-a-decade event organized by one of the largest organizations in the kingdom, and the first thing she did was offer me the entirety of her rewards.
“You’ve done well.” I decreed before letting go of my plump alchemist’s thick thighs and taking the pouch from her outreached palms. I weighed it in my hand for a second before putting it away into my dimensional ring.
“You may rise.” As soon as the words left my lips, Kaelira regally rose, bowed, and walked to her Heralds where she took her place, leaving an utterly shocked audience in her wake.
This lasted for only a few seconds though, and hushed murmurs soon sounded from all directions.
Why did she do this? The answer was simple.
She wanted to make it clear to all that she was my follower in hopes of the Consortium allocating her to Black Fang as well.
Kaelira was my sole craftsmaster and being a tanker was not her passion, she wanted to create gear and artifacts first and foremost.
The Phenoms enjoyed numerous privileges, but it was not a one-sided ‘they give as all while asking for nothing’ relationship, the Phenoms were expected to contribute.
By being allocated to the same circle member, we hoped that she would not need to go on many missions and be left alone, because Black Fang seemed to be only interested in me. She would likely do the bare minimum for Kaelira and not expect much in return, allowing her to at long last live her dream of being a craftswoman, while also getting some free funding from Black Fang.
This was exactly what I wanted as well. By stationing Kaelira in my home, I could also have her Heralds, namely the 6 women Kai gifted me, be present and act as high-tier guards.
Our wishes came true when Vex announced the results.
Black Fang got me and Kaelira, the finance head got Iris and Pox, the information head got Selene, the army head got Whirlwind and Cedric, the logistics head chose Ice, and the human resources (trafficking) head got Massacre and Abudha.
This was a rare instance in Consortium history because 10 Vesper Phenoms were selected instead of the usual 5 or so.
Many sentiments already began lingering in the air about the new generation being the most promising upstarts, perhaps ever. 10 selected candidates and two of us even beat veteran combatants that no one ever expected to happen made people think that perhaps a new age was coming.
…
“Here we are, future husband.” Vex decreed slyly, seemingly fully changing the way she called me. I used to be ‘little brother’, but now I was future husband instead. Can’t say I disliked the change.
Once the event was over, she came to us and said that it was time to make my and Ambition’s ranks official. She then took us to an administrative building where this could be done.
“When do I get to meet Black Fang?” I asked. While I was a bit apprehensive when it came to the mysterious woman, it would be a lie to say that I wasn’t curious. However, I knew that she was a real recluse, basically, no one ever got to meet her.
“Just because she became your sponsor doesn’t mean that she is your master now, you’re not her disciple. Typically Vesper Phenoms don’t get to meet the circle member responsible for their nurturing, it’s usually us, the disciples and other trusted subordinates who interact with you. However, in your case, I can’t help but get the feeling that you’re going to meet her very soon.” She replied with a coy smile before adding,
“She never takes Phenoms under her wing. The last one who made her interested was Raika, but that happened about 150 years ago. Since then, Black Fang has become an even bigger recluse yet you still made her come here so that she could watch you in person. I think she just needs a bit of time to arrange everything, at which point you will meet her face-to-face. But don’t take that as a guarantee, it’s just my guess.”
Arrange? Arrange what? Shouldn’t it be me who needs to collect myself and get ready for a meeting with one of the strongest and most mysterious entities of the entire continent?
However, I couldn’t complain. By participating in the life of the Vesper Consortium before our meeting, I could get a better understanding of how this whole syndicate worked, which would allow me to be properly informed once the time for our talk arrived.
“Are you disappointed that it will be little old me who you have to interact with for the time being?” She asked with pretend droopy eyes.
“So you admit to being old?”
The air around Vex became a lot more ominous as she replied with narrowed eyes and a smile that promised me anything but a long and healthy life. “If you want to remain on my good side then my age should be left out of our conversations.”
It seems I’d found her kryptonite.
I couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Women and their useless insecurities…
Vex was one of the most accomplished woman alive today and considering where she was in life, she was incredibly young. That didn’t seem to be enough for her not to take up arms when someone called her old, however.
“My apologies. You’re an incredibly youthful and beautiful woman, and that’s what’s most important. In a world where one can live many times their intended life span, age is just a useless number best left forgotten.”
“So you do get it.” Vex nodded and her ominous aura evaporated as if it never existed.
She then presented a paper to both me and Ambition. “This is your official contract. While it’s not binding in the sense that no magic is involved, should you be caught violating the clauses, you will be punished. Think of it as a formality.”
