-Fuuua!

White steam rose in the air as I stepped out of a capsule.

"khh...

"

Groaning out loud, I frowned and massaged my forehead. Squinting my eyes I softly mumbled to myself.

"...no wonder there is a time limit for using the virtual time regressor

"

The reason why I was massaging my forehead was because I was currently experiencing a mild migraine..

..and I believe that the migraine I was experiencing was probably due to the fact that I had just used the time regressor machine that was accessible by everyone in the dorm. With the machine injecting neuron-enhancing substances into my body, in order to slow down time, the neurons inside of my brain were being enhanced and stimulated in a way that everything would flow so fast inside of my brain that it would feel like time itself had slowed down.

...still, it wasn't a pleasant experience.

Honestly, the reason why I tested the time regressor machine today was because Leo and Ram were still in the middle of their lessons and I had nothing to do...and, wow.

Just wow.

Only after using the time regressor machine for myself that I finally understood why it was so coveted by Gerrard and the others...it was simply a cheat code.

I only spent an hour there but it felt as if I had stayed there for a whole day. Though it didn't sound like much, on that one day I spent in the machine, I constantly practiced all of my arts without any distractions.

One full day of training without getting tired nor losing focus...it was simply absurd. With it, not only did I improve my arts by a lot, but I also managed to consolidate most of the knowledge that I had learned this morning from Donna.

As of right now, my Keiki style, Ring of vindication, and Drifting steps were one step closer to breaking through the greater realm of mastery. A huge step for me.

Once I reached the greater realm of mastery for my sword arts, I would definitely see a massive boost in my strength.

With just a few more lessons from Donna accompanied by the time regressor machine to consolidate my knowledge...reaching the greater realm of mastery within two months wouldn't be a problem. Just in time for Immorra.

Thinking thus far, calming myself down. A frown appeared on my brows as I thought to myself.

'...if I have two time stamps rather than one the rate of my progress would definitely drastically increase...It's too bad that I have to give one of my time stamps to Gerrard each week. Hmm'

The more I was reminded of the fact that I had to give Gerrard a time stamp, the deeper my frown became.

After a bit more thinking, I shook my head.

"...this won't do

"

Now that I had finally realized the importance of the time regressor machine...brushing my hair to the side as I calmly walked back to my dorms, I softly and coldly said

"I guess it's about time I set up my board...

"

...

The next day, Northern district, Caïssa headquarters

-Click!

Opening the door to the warehouse main building, I was instantly greeted with a deathly silence. Frowning slightly, turning to the corner of the room leading to the main hall of the building, I raised my voice and said

"...anybody here?

"

Soon after, as I entered the main hall where a large squared wooden desk sat, I found three people sitting on it quietly staring at each other. Noticing my presence, turning their attention towards me, the first one to greet me was Smallsnake.

"Ren you're finally here

"

Thereafter, after Smallsnake greeted me, the next one was Leopold who had both of his legs on the table followed by Angelica's cold voice.

"Welcome back boss

"

"Human, you're finally here

"

Staring at them for a brief moment, I nodded my head and greeted them back.

"Mhh hello...

"

Thereafter, sitting at the head of the large table, interlocking my hands and supporting my chin on them, I calmly looked at Smallsnake and asked

"So what seems to be the issue? Please explain to me in detail

"

For the past few days, I've constantly been getting text messages from Smallsnake regarding Angelica.

Although I mostly ignored them as I wouldn't be able to do anything as I was in the Lock, now that I was back here, it was about time I tackled the issue.

...I just hope it wasn't something annoying.

Nodding his head, Smallsnake immediately started complaining

"It's Angelica. She's been trying to go out in the streets every day. It's gotten to the point where I have to rely on Leopold to restrain her. You understand what the consequences of her leaving this place are don't y-

"

"Shut up stick-like human, this Matriarch signed the contract not to be caged like a bird.

"

Interrupting Smallsnake midsentence, Angelica crossed her arms and glared at him.

"If this Matriarch wants to go out, she will naturally go out

"

Pointing at her, Smallsnake looked at me and exclaimed.

"You see what I'm talking about?

Nodding my head, I responded

"I see, you have a vali-

"

However, before I could finish speaking, cutting me off, Smallsnake continued

"Also, because you have her core and she is too far away from you, her powers are significantly reduced. If not for that I wouldn't have minded letting her go as she's simply is too annoying at the moment.

"

"This is on you. With her powers significantly reduced because of the core problem, she can't go out as her concealment abilities are currently drastically weakened. Moreover, if she was spotted leaving our building...do you want me to go on?

"

Shaking my head, I stopped Smallsnake from talking.

"...no, I understand

"

What Smallsnake said made sense.

Because I had Angelica's core inside of my body, her strength was a far cry from what it was at her peak.

Unless she stayed next to me, Angelica's strength would be cut by more than half. The reason for this was because the further demons were from their core, the weaker they became. The reason for this was obvious.

If I made it so that demons could only die unless their core was destroyed, and if there were no repercussions in them not having their core, the demons could just hide their core and literally be invincible.

...however god was fair (me)

In order to rebalance the demons, he decided to make demons weaker the longer they stayed away from their core....

"Also tell her that I don't like being called stick-like human. I've got a name and it's Smallsnake

"

Staring at Smallsnake weirdly as my brow inadvertently raised, I shot back

"You call Smallsnake a name?

"

Hearing my reply, Smallsnake froze for a second before softly saying

"...it's a codename

"

"Exactly...and to be honest, stick-like human sounds better than Smallsnake...it's got a nice tinge to it no? What do you think Leopold?

"

*Puff*

With his legs on the table and puffing smoke in the air, Leopold nonchalantly looked at me before shaking his head.

"Don't look at me, I have no interest in joining this conversation

"

He really didn't have any interest.

After having dealt with Angelica for the whole week, Leopold was tired.

...even though he still hadn't accomplished a single mission, he felt more tired now than back when he was tutoring in the Moonlight mercenary group. Still, though he complained, he wasn't dissatisfied with this place.

After all, they at least treated him well here unlike in the Moonlight mercenary group where they didn't even bother promoting him.

Noticing Leopold's attitude, I shook my head. Thereafter, as I inhaled some of the smoke coming from his cigarette, I couldn't help but add.

"You should probably stop smoking. It's not good for you

"

*Puff*

Briefly glancing at me, patting onto his chest as he took another puff of his cigarette, Leopold reassured

"It's fine, I've got lungs of steel. Smoke ain't gonna kill someone like me

"

"Tell that to all the people that die of canc...never mind, forgot that wasn't a thing anymore

"

Right.

Cancer and all other diseases that plagued humanity back in my word were practically something that didn't exist in this world anymore.

...no wonder Leopold smoked like crazy.

Thinking of something and turning my attention back to Smallsnake, I asked.

"So regarding Ryan, did he contact you?

"

Shaking his head, Smallsnake responded.

"...no, not directly

"What about indirectly

"

Placing his hand on his chin, Smallsnake nodded his head

"Indirectly yes

"

Surprised by this news, I raised my brow and eagerly asked

"Oh? How did he do that?

"

Seeing my exited face, Smallsnake's face twitched for a second before he softly recounted what had happened these past few days.

"Yes...but it seems like he has tried to hack into our main computer system. If not for the fact that I was awake at the time he tried to hack us, he would've most likely have succeeded. I also want to add that he tried to hack a lot of things. From computers to the cameras and security systems added in the building...

"

Hearing Smallsnake's recount of what had happened a few days ago, leaning on my chair a faint smile appeared on my lips.

"So he tried to hack this place?

"

Nodding his head, looking at me, Smallsnake doubtfully asked

"...yes, that's why I want to ask...do you think he's trustworthy?

"

Was Ryan trustworthy?

...no, not in the least bit. Especially since I knew nothing about his real character as he dies in the novel like an extra. As of right now, he was untrustworthy.

Still, that didn't matter. In a relationship where all that mattered was our self-interest, signing a mana contract with him would be the most ideal option.

The rest of the things like loyalty and companionship could be developed later...

Thus as my thoughts reached there, without answering Smallsnake's question, a small chuckle escaped from my mouth as I softly said

"hahaha, what a cute little boy...don't mind his little hacking game

"

Opening his eyes wide, Smallsnake's voice grew louder

"What? He just hacked into our system and you're letting him go scot-free?

"

Smiling at Smallsnake, I replied with a question of my own.

"...Smallsnake, do you really think he hacked us with the intent of not being noticed?

"

Impossible.

With how smart Ryan was, there was no way he would make such an obvious and blatant attempt of hacking us...he was definitely just trying to test the waters.

"...what do you mean

"

Smiling at Smallsnake's confusion, I started explaining.

"It's obvious that he hacked us fully knowing that he might get discovered...it was sort of a test from him to us. A test to determine whether or not we were not all talk...

"

Glancing at me by the side, Smallsnake curiously asked

"Did we pass?

"

Hearing Smallsnake's question, I shrugged my shoulders.

"Who knows?

"

I really wasn't sure.

Maybe or maybe not. Who knows.

...only time will tell, but what I did know for sure was that we had caught his interest. Had he not have had any interest in us, he would've never have hacked us.

With a frown on his face, Smallsnake asked

"So what do we do now?

"

Briefly glancing at Smallsnake, I leisurely said

"So we wait. It's obvious that right now he's observing us

"

More than Ryan wanting to hack us because he wanted to find out about our operations, this was most likely an attempt from him to let us know that he was watching us.

...he was telling us that depending on our performance in the future, he would decide on whether or not to he would sign the contract.

How interesting.

Crossing my legs as I tapped on the table, the corner of my lips curved slightly as I amusingly said

"What a cautious and cute little boy. The more I get to know about him, the more I'm starting to like him...I especially like the confidence he has in himself. Though I don't know if this was forced on his end to look stronger for his mom, it doesn't matter...he'll for sure make for a great piece

"

====

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