Taj went to the pub and stayed there for a few hours. He read messages from Rowan and thought over the whole situation. 

She seemed safe there. It looked like she was still outside the Sect, but her messages were rather optimistic. Taj had a thought he should earn more money, sign up for more fights, to repay his cartel's debt, but also save something for a ticket, to go there and meet with her.

But first things first. 

He submitted his thesis early in the morning. Would it be possible for TU University to accept his candidacy? 

Could he be allowed to work as a regular scientist? 

If so, then his future would change for the better. He would earn money without needing to teach fighting or attend arenas. He could live a normal life.

Taj had the thought that he could let go of his past. Having the future open, he thought that yes, he could even do it. 

... Not yet, though.

Clar. The idea was simple and could work. It wasn’t sophisticated or smart, but it was the only way Taj currently had to annoy the Clar family, even if only through his small actions. 

Taj was aware; he noticed. It was like this for weeks. Clar was around. Taj checked and knew that Clar tried to gather information. Before, it was not clear why he did that or why he paid so much for answers to his questions. 

Currently, there were no doubts. 

Clar wanted to buy him.

When Taj learned Riley was Clar… and that Clar thought, this whole family thought they could do whatever, as with Rowan, simply whatever. It was pure anger.

This small revenge idea, though. Tease and reject. This way, Clar would have to deal with being treated as a thing. 

Exactly as Taj was treated by others for so long... always?

During the evening, when Taj was in the pub, Clar stared the entire time. He didn’t even try to talk or do whatever people do to get to know someone they like. 

Theoretically, if one were to think about it, Clar was surrounding him, watching. He said no words, and he asked nothing. Wanted to pay him; Taj even knew what Clar wanted to buy. How could it work with anybody? And how to believe Clar’s intentions when he acted like this? 

Not that Taj wanted to be engaged in anything with Clar. His plan was simple—to get his revenge. 

Taj sighed heavily. 

That was all for now.

…

[TU University confirms receival of doctoral student Taj Manh’s thesis submission.]