Noble Balin (Narrated by Benjamin Kane)

The newest Noble Balin that Fridericht recently resurrected threw an ignorant glance toward me and Ste, as we entered the room which Fridericht prepared to be the Balin's personal laboratory. That Noble Balin died in the tender age of sixteen. He looked very childish and as innocence as a juvenile zombie could look like. His Eurasian face beamed with enthusiasm, his black eyes focused on a glass, crystal ball set on a stand in front of him. He filled the ball with his power, made it glow with flashes of golden electricity. His fingers made the electricity dancing vigorously, following the trace of his movement.

"What is he doing?" I enquired Fridericht. The Viking warlock did not move his eyes, fixated to the boy. His round, fat face beamed with satisfaction when he was observing his own masterpiece, like a proud father at the sight of his son's success.

The fat sorcerer shrugged his shoulders and played with his long, braided, blonde beard as he answered. "He said he wanted to perfect his pet Balins' transformation ability."

I could feel my face got stiffened upon hearing the statement.

"I heard his four Balins had successfully drawn Law family and their subordinates' attention. Not to mention The Magellinian warlock, McAllen's, attention."

Fridericht's green eyes disappeared under his thick eyebrows when the middle-aged man grinned. "As usual, your information is always up-to-date, Young Master Kane."

I cleared my throat. "Do remember that my father does not expecting unwanted attention before our objectives achieved."

Fridericht broke into laughter. "No need to worry. That kid is almost perfect. If I able to create one Balin like him, then the rest would not be any problem. Especially, if you manage to find that Aramanth girl. I believe, with her talent and skill, we will be able to create perfect catalysts."

I cleared my throat once more. From my peripheral vision, I could see murder in Ste's eyes. The older warlock's jeer was indeed right on the money and especially a slap in the face for Ste. It was his task, nonetheless, to find Megan Aramanth. ASAP.

"Don't you worry about Megan Aramanth. We will deliver her in time. Anyway, you still have stocks of her catalysts to create dozens of Noble Balin, right? Why don't you take my advice: focus on this Noble Balin you recently created, make sure that he is flawless, and, after you've done it, create more of them. With that, your duty will be a lot of easier, since Noble Balins could create their own Balin army for our disposal."

Fridericht chuckled to my warning. He did not say another word and returned his focus toward his pet. The said pet was now making the crystal ball glowing with more brilliant golden electricity. The golden light blinked a couple of time, before it finally broke away and raided the whole room.

"Young Master, look out!" Ste warned me. His hands had shone to cast his magic in order to protect me, but my own hand had rose faster. I pulled out my power and my own silver-blue electricity immediately swallowed the golden ones.

"So, you are an Esper," said a boyish voice from the end of the room. The Noble Balin cocked his head and observed me profoundly.

"Insolent brat!" Fridericht yelled. He approached his pet with wide steps. "Lucky you didn't hurt Young Master Kane, Yuspov!"

The Noble Balin rolled his eyes and ignored his master. He was, conversely, approaching Ste and I, dumping his master on the other end of the room. Fridericht's jaw dropped open and his eyes gawked in disbelief. I held the urge to laugh and saw Ste also desperately try to hide a smile.

The boy was now standing in front of me. He tilted his head so high. With his 163cm height, he desperately tried to take a good look of my face in 196cm height. After he satisfied, he paced around me, as if I was a piece of art at some exhibition. He then stood once more in front of me, cocking his head aside like a bird.

"Yuspov!" Fridericht warned from the other end. "Don't you dare to be disrespectful to the Young Master!"

Like previously, the boy turned a deaf ear for any of his master's command. He just looked at me with interest. I could feel Ste's aura started to grow at my back. He put his guard on, in case the Noble Balin tried to lay his hand on me. I threw a faint smile to my bodyguard to calm him. I had feeling that this boy warlock had no slightest intention to hurt me. And not that I couldn't handle him myself if he did, anyway.

"You're an Esper," he affirmed. I nodded. "I think that girl's an Esper too. Do you know her?"

"What girl?" I asked, utterly confused.

The boy shrugged, pouting. "She could change herself to various kinds of mythical creature..."

I glanced at my bodyguard, hoping that he could shed any light for me. He understood my inquiry and hastily extended his pad to my view.

"I think what he meant is one of the Law's subordinates. Her name is Alexa Blaire, an animorpher."

The Noble Balin tiptoed and invited himself to peek on the pad screen. His boyish, speckled face promptly beaming when he saw the picture of a ginger with chin-long, red hair, and blue eyes. He even clapped his hands and jumping on the spot.

"Ah! That's right! It's her! It's her! So, you do know her!"

I flashed a smile when I saw his reaction. "Why'd you ask about her?"

"I need her. Her DNA could help me."

"Help you how?"

The jet-black hair was dancing in the air as the boy nodded his head. "I need her DNA to create more mythical creatures. I think her blood could help to stabilize the transformation of my pets. No matter what, I need her! I need her! I need her!"

He suddenly stopped dramatically and tiptoed again to look straight into my eyes. "Could you help me?" He asked sweetly.

I smiled to his plea, casting a glance to the end of the room where Fridericht merely glared at his pet. His fat hands were folded on top of his fat belly. However, this time he did not scold his pet for his impudent behaviour.

I turned my glance toward Ste. He immediately stepped forward, was ready to execute my instruction.

"What do you think, Ste? Could we help him?"

"I'll deliver the girl in two to three days," Ste promised.

"I know you're up to speed, however, it's not fair if it's only my bodyguard who do the hard work, right?" I gave the boy warlock a pointed look.

He frowned. "What do you want?"

"Lend me some of your pet Balins to help, then you may get the girl tomorrow. What do you say?"

He frowned even deeper. The boy's tall nose let out unwilling snorts a few times. "Two," he eventually gave in.

I flashed three fingers. "Three."

He snorted once more, but nodded to my term. "Fine, three."

"Then wait for her tomorrow," I promised.