[How sweet,] Lucius said, [you are in the negatives now.]
"You ignored me on purpose?" Ajax asked, furiously, "I could have died, you know?"
[I knew you wouldn't die,] Lucius teased, [You are too weak for that.]
"This isn't funny. You ignored me for almost a month," Ajax said, furiously.
It's been a little over three weeks since they explored the Gleam Catacomb. Ajax and Storm strolled to find a broad and isolated field for their personal training.
They still struggle to get themselves out of the negatives, Skylar however, had managed to gain over 100 credit scores over the course of the weeks.
They found a secluded spot not far from an explored dungeon, it was a right spot for their training, so they secured it.
It was a serene spot, no monsters wandered around. Ajax took the opportunity to meditate before starting his training.
Storm on the hand, immediately began practicing a specific technique, Lightning Step—closing a specific distance with a step.
In a little while, Ajax finished with his meditation. Storm asked Ajax to help him practice. Ajax hesitated but Storm claimed he needed it to perfect his new technique. Ajax eventually gave in because of Storm's persistent pressure.
Storm drew two wooden swords from his dimensional ring—storage—and handed one over to Ajax.
The task was simple: Storm would activate his lightning magic and try his family's technique, Lightning Step, and Ajax had to block it.
Storm tried multiple times, he couldn't close in the gap between him and Ajax.
Storm decided to try one more time, before he could take a step, a huge wind blew and there stood a man.
[Such an aura,] Lucius said, [Who is he?]
"Hey, kid. I just used your technique," he said with a smirk as he patted Storm's head.
Storm's face started to tremble, and Ajax took his stance ready to attack.
He raised his hands, "Hey…Hey…I mean no harm," he said and turned to Ajax, "You are the prodigy, yeah?"
"Huh?" Ajax replied, still holding his stance, ready to attack.
"How sweet," he said and started to walk towards Ajax. Storm attempted to attack from behind but his body couldn't move.
"I've been wanting to see for a lifetime now," he said.
"Who are you?" Ajax asked.
"Don't worry, kid," he replied, "You will find out soon enough."
Ajax clenched his teeth.
He tilted his head to Storm, "I will be borrowing your technique, okay?" And smiled.
Immediately he took off, Ajax copied the lightning step and attempted to follow him.
"You copied it?" He said and fastened his pace, "You are indeed a worthy foe."
Ajax was able to take a few more steps before he collapsed—he needed practice.
Storm hurried to Ajax to check on him.
"I'm okay, don't worry," Ajax said, clenching his fist.
Storm stared at Ajax in confusion, "Did you just do a lightning step?" He asked.
Ajax brushed off his question with another question, "Do you know that man?" He asked.
Storm assured him of knowing nothing about the man. They knew nothing of the man, but they were certain of one thing, he was strong and if he ever attacked them again, they would take their last breath that day.
They decided to head to the West Sacred guild. As they strolled, there was an awkward silence between them but Skylar and Lisa met them midway and killed the silence. "Ajax, your grandparents wanted to see him." They informed.
"The Romanovs?" He asked.
He hurried to the administrative office, and saw his grandparents having a friendly chat with the principal like they were old friends.
Ajax approached them respectfully, "This is your grandson, huh?" The principal asked and ruffled Ajax's hair.
Suddenly the atmosphere changed, "Did he hurt you?" The principal asked with a serious tone.
Ajax had no idea what was going on but he was certain the principal wanted to know about the man who approached him.
"No, sir," Ajax replied.
The principal's expression changed, "Cut the formalities," he said with a smile, "a grandson of Sire Jade and Silver is my son.
"Call me Elion."
"Okay, Sir Elion," Ajax replied respectfully.
Principal Elion sighed in disappointment. He handed over a crystal to Ajax and asked him to break it if the man or any of his kind approached him again.
Ajax accepted it gracefully but a few questions wandered through his mind, "Uhm… How did you know he approached me, who is he anyway?"
Before Principal Elion could speak up, Ajax's grandfather, Sire Jade, spoke up, "Your work here is done, you can leave now."
Ajax respectfully made his exit. Ajax strode to the West Sacred guild, pondering what might be happening. He paused mid way and took a seat on a bench by the walkway.
"I hate being a part of these Romanovs, what a pain," he thought.
As he relaxed, a figure sat close to him.
"You seem down, is there anything that troubles you?" It asked and took her seat.
Ajax tilted his head to take a glance.
"I'm Ivy Wager, a North Sacred representative," she said.
Ajax didn't respond, but she was more persistent than Ajax anticipated. She relaxed on the bench just as Ajax, intending to wait for when Ajax would be ready to talk.
Ajax rolled his eyes and tilted his head towards her, "How may I help you, Ivy?"
"Oh calm down, I was just passing by, and I had a sudden feeling to befriend you," Ivy said with a smile.
Ajax took a deep breath, "I'm sorry to say this, I have no intention to join North Sacred," he said.
She smiled, "I figured that much," she said, "care to tell me your name?"
Ajax took a brief moment, "I'm Ajax, Ajax Romanov."
She got up, grinned at Ajax and waved as she walked off.
Ajax continued to relax for a moment.
"I must put all these behind me and work on getting to Central Sacred for now. I would figure everything out later." He thought.
His stomach started rumbling, he got up and headed to the cafeteria.
The night collapsed. Ajax though promised to put everything behind him, lay on his bed pondering what had transpired within the day.
"If he had fought me, do you think I would stand a chance?" He asked.
[No way in hell,] Lucius replied, [I already told you, you are too weak to die.]
"Will it kill you to be a little cheerful?" Ajax asked, bothered, "You used to be very helpful, what happened?"
[Tch… Have you forgotten we are one?] Lucius replied, irritated. [You are rotting my brain, you lazy bones.]
Their little quarrel went on until Ajax slept off.