11th September, 1507

After everyone had settled down and celebrated in their hearts, they quickly started planning how they were going to progress moving forward.

Their thoughts were interrupted when one of them said in confusion, “Isn’t there supposed to be 3 phases in total, but we have only just completed the second phase”

“The third phase is not much of a test but a recruitment process for the 3 governing families to take one of you guys in as a vassal” Elara confirmed.

The hearts of the teenagers shook with excitement because if they managed to become vassals of these families, then their future was basically guaranteed, and the commoners would even have a chance of developing a Lexarch family of their own in the future.

Before Elara could announce the beginning of the recruitment, Luna’s figure that was standing on the side quickly got engulfed in flames before reappearing beside Susie.

Luna quickly grabbed Susie’s hand, holding it up to her chest as she said in an excited voice, “Susie, do you want to become the vassal of our Ashbourne family. I’m even willing to take you in as a disciple”.

“Old hag, step aside and quietly wait for your turn. The family she will be joining is the Valorhearts” Logan’s voice resounded as he emerged from the ground beside Luna.

“Hmph, it’s fascinating how you always see things in a unique light, isn’t it? Almost like you have a special filter for reality.” Luna sneered as she said to Logan who was blind in the right eye.

Having his blindness made fun of pissed off Logan as he taunted in a restrained voice, “Shut it, If my dog had a face like yours, I’d shave its ass and teach it to walk backwards”.

Before Luna could retort, her gaze froze for a second as she realized Susie, who was standing right beside her had vanished into thin air.

“Kaelen! Take your hands off that girl. She’s the Ashbourne’s future asset!” Luna shouted at Kaelen who had his hand over Susie’s shoulder. He was standing on the other side of the group with a smirk on his face as he watched Luna and Logan rushing toward him.

The group of teenagers watched this drama unfold not sure if their eyes were hallucinating. The elders they had revered since they were little were now bickering with each other like immature brats.

“Now, now, how about we settle this like civilized adults instead of fighting over the girl,” Elara said with a smile as he appeared in front of the other 3 elders out of thin air.

“Hmph, fine” Luna grumbled in an annoyed tone.

“Whatever you say, boss” Logan complied with a helpless tone.

Elara with a smile, looked at Kaelen who was still holding onto Susie by the shoulder. With a sigh, he promptly let go of Susie without saying a word.

Elara then turned to Susie, gracefully taking her hand in his own. With a slight bow, he pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand, embodying the mannerisms of a true gentleman. He locked eyes with Susie, with his gaze half-closed and voice alluring, he spoke softly, "Miss Susie, would you do me the honor of allowing me to take you under my wing as a disciple?"

“YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE!!!” Both Luna and Logan shouted at the same time.

Elara ignored those two and gazed deeply at Susie with his dark abyss-like eyes.

Under the weight of Elara's influence, Susie's response came with a stutter, laced with a hint of apprehension. "I-I'm sorry," she began, her words faltering slightly. "It's not that I don't want to become your disciple, but I still need some time to consider my situation."

Turning to address the other three elders, Susie spoke with a respectful tone. "Elder Luna, Elder Logan, and Elder Kaelen, I am truly grateful for your faith in me, but I am unable to accept your offers at this moment. I still need some time to think over this."

The elders were a bit stunned after hearing the girl’s response because they didn’t think someone would take the chance to reject them, who belonged to one of the highest positions in Chimera Vale.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Elara smiled warmly at Susie and said, “Smart. Most kids, if they were to receive offers from all the elders would most likely succumb to choosing one side. Take your time and let us know when you’re ready”

Susie bowed deeply as she thanked them for their understanding. Just when the elders were about to leave, Susie called out, “Does any of the elders know if it’s possible to get my arm reattached?”.

The elders thought for a moment before Kaelen said in a knowing voice, “It’s not impossible to reattach your arm or grow a completely new one, but you will likely have to pay a hefty sum to a Lexarch who has some control over the law of healing or some complementary concept. Of course, if you join one for the 3 families then it will be free of charge as a gift” he emphasized the last part.

Susie thanked the elders again and drifted off into her thoughts possibly thinking about what her life would be if she decided to join the elders.

While the 4 Elders were busy with Susie, Landon and Darius were recruiting the other talents that had displayed formidable skills or grades during the 2 phases. Although most of them will receive average treatment, unlike Susie who was an ethereal grade.

There weren’t many students to choose from since only about 24 made it to the second phase and only 21 were left after some of them didn’t receive a grade.

Seren stood on the outer periphery of the group with a look of pensiveness as he gazed upon the colossal tree that stood under countless stars in the night sky.

“Quite beautiful, isn’t it?” Elara, who had quietly appeared beside him said in a nostalgic tone as he stared at the Luminar tree.

Seren didn’t say anything for a while as he continued to watch the stars. He then broke the silence, “That was a nice little game you elders pulled there with that girl Susie, trying to peer pressure her into choosing a side without even telling her the benefits or privileges she will be entitled to”. Elara kept quiet as Seren continued, "And even going as far as using her injury as a bargaining chip? That’s quite low of you”.

Elara chuckled softly at having his strategy revealed, and spoke with a knowing expression, "I'm certain you've come to realize by now that the world can be an unforgiving place. Those who fall for these petty ploys are simply fodder for the ruthless jaws of society”

Then without waiting for Seren to reply, he said confidently, “It seems none of the elders are interested in your Lumina grade. How about this, I will make you an offer. If you tell me what gift you received from the Luminar tree, I might be willing to make you my assistant and possibly the future secretary of the Chief after my retirement”.

After hearing this unexpected offer, Seren had an expression of being in deep thought for a second. He then replied in a humble voice, “Thank you for the offer, I can tell you my gift, it's a perfect memory, but I do not wish to be restrained or become the future secretary”.

Elara frowned slightly at Seren rejecting his offer as he replied disappointedly, “Is that so.... Well, everyone has their preferences. I will be on my way then”.

Elara then walked away slowly, seemingly still thinking about something.

Watching Elara’s receding figure, Seren’s lips involuntarily curled up into an evil grin as he thought with amusement, ‘Elara you are too naive to think using such tricks could let you probe me’.

The offer made by Elara had been nothing but a probe to understand the true extent of Seren’s intellect and to also know what kind of gift he had received. Elara had access to the syzygy stone of the Law of Truth and it lets him know if the other person is telling the truth or a lie.

Everything Seren said was the truth, he did receive perfect memory as a gift from the Luminar tree and he also didn’t want to be tied to a position or become the future secretary.

Elara’s test was along the lines of: If Seren had lied about his gift, it would have shown he was sufficiently smart enough to not reveal his cards to other party without insurance. Elara would then choose to act benevolently and make Seren his assistant because his position needed intellect rather than strength. If Seren had revealed his gift, then Elara would still have chosen to make him his assistant for nurturing since he had already displayed great intellect beforehand. If Seren hadn’t accepted his offer while lying to him about his gift, then Elara would have placed Seren under surveillance and kept a close eye on him. But Seren had brilliantly disappointed Elara by telling him his gift but still rejecting him. This effectively made it so Elara would have no reason to seek out Seren because not only did he reveal his cards making himself out to be a naive kid, but his cards weren’t even good! Seren didn’t know if Elara could tell lies from the truth, but he chose to play safe and only list half the truth.

In reality, Seren had received 2 gifts, not just one from the tree. The other gift was conceptual creation.

The ability to create concepts!

Had Elara known Seren received this ridiculous ability from the Luminar tree, he might have killed him on the spot. He was too dangerous to be kept alive because Seren was an orphan and didn’t belong to any family so there was no reason for him to be loyal to the 3 families of the Chimera Vale. A dog you can’t control might bite you in the back someday.

...

The recruitment phase commenced as normally planned and the students asked the elders some questions they might have or were negotiating the terms they were getting for joining their families.

While no one was looking, Seren discreetly made his way to a certain individual with hidden intentions.

The person Seren was eyeing was none other than Susie, who was still standing all alone in deep thought over her precarious situation.

Susie noticed Seren’s gaze and how he was sizing her up, it made her feel a bit uncomfortable. Not waiting for the other party to do anything, Susie went over to Seren and asked in an apprehensive voice, “Is there something you need from me?”

Seren smiled lightly and put on an innocent face as he said, “I would like to make a deal with you. I can help you reattach your severed arm and you also don’t have to join any of the 3 families or become someone’s disciple”.

Susie was caught off guard at what Seren had just said, she was flustered at having her thoughts revealed somehow and didn’t know what to say for a few seconds. After a moment of consideration, she said with some anxiety “How do you know that I don’t want to join any of the families or become someone’s disciple? Did you get a mindreading ability from the tree?”

“No, I didn’t do something like mindreading, but I just concluded that after looking at the way you act. Logically speaking, unless you're from a mid or even a small-sized family, there would be no reason for you to refuse an offer to join one of the strongest forces in Chimera Vale. I doubt you're doing this to increase your value in the eyes of the elders and with how much you were fidgeting just standing there all alone in deep thought, it’s reasonable for me to assume you’re very conflicted over something. Am I correct?” Seren asked with a sly grin.

Susie was once again at a loss for words, having not expected her body language to reveal so many things about her. With a shy and embarrassed voice, she asked “Did you receive a healing ability from the Luminar tree?”

“You could say it’s something like that. I am willing to heal your arm, but I have 2 conditions. The first is to become my friend and second, in the future, you have to do 1 favor for me. Don’t worry, the favor is not going to be anything hard or difficult for you to do and I certainly won’t force you to do something against your wishes” Seren said trying to ease any worries she might be having.

Susie was dumbfounded for a bit because she thought she would have to agree to some unreasonable requests, but Seren’s demands were completely different from what she thought.

Susie then relaxed her body and said in a friendly voice, “Thank you so much for helping me. I’m sorry I can’t tell you the exact reason why I am not able to become someone’s disciple or join a family”.

Seren imitated Susie’s relaxed and friendly behaviour and said, “It’s fine everyone has their secrets and leave the thank yous for when I manage to heal your arm”.

Just as Seren was about to leave, he asked curiously, “By the way what is your full name?”.

She replied, “Susie Verlain”