4 Eidos

They entered the building; the layout was very simplistic and not overly decorated. There was a desk with a lady sitting there, when she saw Hitman Bang she politely stood up and bowed. Hitman nodded in response and she sat back down. Hitman Bang led the two boys through a series of stairs and corridors. Bringing them to an office on the top floor.

Inside was an office set up, a big chair behind a desk and a few chairs in front of the desk.

Hitman Bang sat down in the big chair and gestured for the two young men to sit, which they obliged.

"Let's cut to the chase. I want you two to form a group. A duo. You both have incredible potential and I want to help you utilize it."

Namjoon was expecting it but it was still a shock to hear it said out loud. He already felt at home at this place and was going to agree.

But Hun-cheol spoke up first.

"Is this an Eidos group? I don't know if I'd want to be a part of it if it is."

Hitman Bang smiled, he of course was expecting this. He knew the culture, the history of Magic-Channellers and would have thought it strange if they didn't bring it up.

"I'm assuming you both know the history of the Underground battle scene."

Namjoon nodded and replied.

"The Underground movement started from the streets. In the hands of the commoners. It was created to empower those that struggled. Magic-Channelling was created, as was the Underground Battle Mage fighting style."

"Correct. It was made by the commoner. A tool to fight for their beliefs and those around them. It was an incredible breakthrough that brought about a revolutionary change."

Namjoon listened to Hitman talk. He obviously knew all of this already. Hun-cheol had a look of annoyance as he cut in.

"And the nobles looked down on it. Saw it as a lower magic form. A savage and barbaric way of energy manipulation. That of course was before they started using it in their Eidos teams. A manufactured version of what should've been a pure and raw form of magic. Instead of empowering the disenfranchised, it became a tool to exploit them instead."

Hun-cheol wasn't pulling his punches. He said it all with conviction and stubbornness. Namjoon sighed. He knew these thoughts, even agreeing to a certain degree. But he wasn't an intellectual for nothing. He knew that Hitman Bang had more in mind if he approached them. He wanted to see what he had to say.

Hitman Bang sighed as he nodded his head.

"What you have said is also correct. The Eidos system was created to control, manufacture and use those with talents and gifts. As you are both know, magic is a tool to help better lives, bring resonance and hope to those with none and to strengthen and empower.

"However, the same thing can be used to entertain, corrupt, control, extort and subdue. It can be used to forward agendas, views and mindsets. Blinding the masses with pretty and cheap parlour tricks. The Eidos system is one of those ways. It wasn't always this corrupt, there was a time when it was about expression, bettering yourself and putting yourself up against other Adept's. It was just about creating, improving your power, sharpening yourself."

Hitman Bang had moved over to the window and had a look of sadness and grief.

"But the Eidos system now is about Academies and the nobles trying to gain profit. Putting themselves over the art and beauty of magic. It is a painful thing to watch. How far we have fallen."

Namjoon understood where he was coming from. He got into Magic due to famous Adepts. What they did had inspired him and wanted him to pursue a similar path. But Anima, and the whole country, the Eidos system manufactured Adepts that had no say in how their Magic was used. They were just tools and public figures that other people controlled. Of course there were some who weren't restricted and had an amount of control, but for the majority, this was the sad reality.

Hun-cheol was also clearly deep in thought. He didn't like the Eidos system, but he could understand Hitman Bang's side of things. It wasn't like all nobles were the same. And Hitman Bang clearly had a passion for magic and Adepts. And also about keeping true to the origins and history of the craft. This was someone he could respect, but he still wouldn't accept the path of an Eidos just based on that.

"I see where you are coming from, and I can guess why you would explain it in that way to us. But you are going to need to more than that if you want me to be an Eidos." Hun-cheol's disdain was clearly seen in his face when he said the word.

Hitman Bang chuckled as he walked back to his seat and looked at the two young men before him.

"Being Underground Magic-Channeller's, I'm sure you both have heard of the Renegade Movement."

At this, both Namjoon and Hun-cheol's eyes lit up. Of course they knew about them. The Renegade Movement was what had created Magic-Channelling. The Renegade Movement was a revolution in how magic was being used. It created styles and techniques that helped commoners utilize their gifts and talents, even if they had nothing.

Renegade Adepts evolved through many different styles, one being Magic-Channellers.

"Many Eidos today take the fighting style and teachings of the Renegade Movement and use it in their own way. As they have changed the style to a degree, it becomes hard for them to be seen as Renegade Adepts, thus the continued hate from the Underground Adepts. But there is another means of entering the battle."

Hun-cheol and Namjoon were now intrigued and wanted to hear where he was going home this. Hitman Bang continued.

"There are many different arenas for battle, each with their own pros and cons, we don't need to learn about the all just yet. The one that brings the most attraction and has the most influence is, of course, the Eidos Arena. Although it is mainly for Eidos, it is not uncommon for other brands of Adepts would come and try their hand at the Arena. One of the types of Adepts that enter are, of course, Renegade Adepts. Although it is tougher for a Renegade Adepts as they aren't as funded or supported as an Eidos, they are able to fight more freely than an Eidos. They are able to take advantage of the typical Eidos set in rules. But they are also less promoted. They are looked down upon by the nobles and Eidos."

At this, Hun-cheol cut in again.

"But Renegades also don't have to pander for the crowd. They don't need to act pretty for sponsors and promote the nobles. They can stay true to the purity of magic and just focus on displaying their talents."

Namjoon nodded. He agreed with Hun-cheol on this. He didn't want to be a figure head for some noble, being forced to look and act a certain way to draw in a crowd and gain sponsors. He just wanted to cultivate, get stronger and show his power to the world.

Hitman Bang sighed.

"That is true. But Eidos have the advantage of the nobles. Tapping in to their ability to have them showed to more people, thus gaining them more followers, which are also an important part of magic."

Namjoon went into thought. Magic was something that was cultivated from within, but could be empowered by outside sources. From equipments to weapons, Magic could be made stronger by outside forces. But one of the strongest ways was known as Spiritual Reinforcement.

To tap into this, you needed people who believed in you, were willing to get behind and support you. In this way, they could transfer their energy to you. Even those you may never meet, if they believed in you, they could transfer their energy to you.

This is how Magic became a business.

Being able to draw energy from the masses and cultivate it brought unimaginable wealth and power. This was why having the backing of a noble was what many wanted. They could display their powers to more people and gain a larger following, thus gaining more power.

Namjoon and Hun-cheol's looked at each other. They both knew what we're the choices that were laid out before them, but now it was time to decide whether or not they could walk down the path of an Eidos for power. A system they both didn't agree with, but might need to still enter.