111 Chapter 111
Aaron sensed he had a breakthrough at hand. That faint trail left by the dagger... it had a smell of danger to it.
Although he hadn't been able to figure it how it worked or why it happened and what would be it's consequences, he knew it was something important. It was a gut feeling.
He had been busy experimenting with no results though. But failure has infact failed to break his spirits. With each failure, perhaps he was moving closer.
He had to give it to the realtor who got him this place. The place only wasn't good which suited all of Aaron's requirement, he had indeed found staff who were good.
He hardly noticed them, that was perhaps the sign of the best workers.
Only one who really had a conversation with Aaron was the appointed head of staff Alfred.
Alfred was a man in his fifties. He had been working for the mages for the last 30 years and it showed in how he managed the place.
Mages lost track of time often when they were deep into research. Edward made sure not to disturb them in the slightest. He trained the people under him in similar way. He though made sure the master was well fed, even when he was working.
Aaron was astonished at deft the man was. How he managed to leave a plate of food besides him while he working left Aaron in awe of his abilities. Sometimes he wondered if the man was normal as he said or was a mage himself who excelled in stealth.
Another thing which Aaron perhaps needed the most was the knowledge on the political structure of Tulip city. He had blindly stumbled upon Rogan with good luck. That had saved him a lot of trouble. He was keen on not making similar mistakes again.
Alfred once again would prove to be a blessing. He had for long worked for mages. He had good knowledge on the political structure at least. Who was in power, who was not. He had inevitably heard his previous masters discuss a lot of things over his life. He perhaps was more knowledgeable than half the mages in Tulip city.
He though like most commoners kept his mouth shut in presence of a mage. He knew giving advice to a mage was the most foolish thing one could do. People have been punished for less.
So when, he was asked to work under a new mage, he had been like usual. Keeping his thoughts at Bay.
But as he kept working, he realised the young mage wasn't too biased against common people. He treated them with enough respect and not like it was their honour to be working for him.
It did make him feel human and perhaps more concerned towards the young mage.
The young mage it seemed was a little famous. He had some people coming up to meet him. He chose to meet some and others were asked to leave since he was busy most of the time.
But when he was about to refuse to meet someone Lord Matthew had send, he knew it would be best to intercede.
"Master. Is it alright if I say something? "
Enquired Edward politely.
"You don't need to refer to me as Master. Call me Mage and it will be okay with me. And yes, you could say whatever it is in your mind. " Aaron was indeed a little interested in what his usually quiet head of staff had to say.
"Master, the person you are refusing is actually a representative sent by Lord Matthew. " Alfred was silent after that. He had hoped Aaron would get the hint.
"And? " apparently Aaron didn't. He was still far to green.
Alfred continued trying hard not to let out sigh.
" Lord Matthew is one of the most important figure in Tulip city. Half the lower council is under him. It would be best if you meet the representative. "
Aaron was a little surprised at the knowledge of the man.
"Alfred, do you know this Lord Matthew? "
Aaron asked interestingly.
"No Master. How would I. I am but a simple worker. But I have heard from my previous masters about him. " That explained his knowledge. Aaron had failed to realise the man had been working for mages. He perhaps knew a lot things Aaron didn't have a clue about.
Aaron was determined to pick his brain on things, but for now he had a representative to meet.
The representative from Mage Matthew had left Aaron in sour mood. Aaron had thought perhaps giving up on his artifact and staying low would help him get ignored and let him stay in peace. But it seemed the play didn't work as expected.
The representative was high and mighty and held veiled threats in his voice asking Aaron to join their factions.
Aaron was perhaps wise enough to come up with a excuse saying that he hadn't considered it for now and he had other offers to think about. If he joined a faction, it would be the one who made the best offer.
Hearing about other offers had finally made the man back off a little. Little did Aaron know he was backing out just because he had thought of a certain someone.
Aaron found it hard to concentrate on work after the man left. He had left Aaron agitated.
Aaron was silently sitting in his lawn when Alfred once again appeared.
"Master, there is someone to see you. "
"If it's someone who doesn't have a business here, refuse them. I am not in a mood to meet anyone else today Alfred. " Replied Aaron in a flat tone.
" Master, is it alright if I say something. "
" What this again? Who is it time? " Aaron hated this. This was almost a Deja vú.
Alfred grimanced at his master's tone, but he replied.
" It's from Lord Theodore. He controls the other half of the council. "
" I have to meet him them?" Aaron asked in a defeated voice.
" Her. It would be best if you do Master. " Alfred said with his dead pan expression.
"Okay. Lead me to her then."
When Aaron entered the room, he was shocked to see a beautiful girl sitting in the room. Not a girl perhaps, a woman. He immediately knew what this meant.
This was perhaps the most beautiful woman he had seen in this world after his rebirth. She had green eyes, beautiful Auburn hair, fair skin and was wearing a rather tight fitting robe over his body which highlighted her beauty even more.
Yes, she was the most beautiful woman Aaron had seen in a while, but was she the most beautiful woman he had ever seen? Not even close.
Even his college on earth had girls at least at par of not more beautiful than the woman sitting in front of him.
With the actressess and models enhancing their beauty with make up and the modern balanced diet, they looked way more beautiful than the woman sitting in front of him.
Seeing all the beautiful women everywhere around him on earth had perhaps desensitized him a little to be effected by beauty alone.
So yes, the beauty in front of him had left Aaron eying her a little, but it was within Aaron's control.
As Aaron entered the waiting Room. The woman stood up to greet him.
The woman had already scored more point than the other man who was here earlier. He was seated and expected Aaron to greet him first.
"Hello. You must be Aaron. I am Amelia, pleased to meet you. " She gave him a smile.
To be honest, that smile did help Aaron feel better.
"The pleasure is all mine Mage Amelia. " Aaron used her name with respect, since she was his senior. He had seen a flash of a yellow badge on her.
After they had the pleasantries out of the way, the mage Amelia bent a little towards Aaron. Aaron couldnt but help notice the neckline.
He still tried to keep his attention on her face.
"So, what are your plans for the future?" She asked in a casual voice. It was like talking to a friend. A casual question with no hidden agenda.
Aaron had to admit. Amelia had a way about her. He wanted to lay out whole of the plan on how he wanted to proceed and the new artifacts he had been planning. But he knew that was what she was after.
"Nothing really. I got a decent amount of money and would perhaps want a peaceful life. Infact I am working upon improving my own spells and hope to increase my own battle capability. "
The casual answer left a weird expression on Amelia which she covered quickly with a smile as beautiful as ever.
A space mage increasing his battle capability? Totally absurd. You need to have battle capability before you could improve it.
"I see. You perhaps know why I am here though. I heard someone was here to meet you earlier. "
" I guess so. So, you have an offer?"
"Directly on the point I see." She moved even closer to Aaron, bending further below, clasping her hand over his.
Aaron felt the soft skin over his hand. No matter how he had convinced himself thinking about beauties back on earth, what was in front of him had more effect on him than he was letting on.
"Don't think it as an offer. Think of it as an opportunity for your future. Yes, you have money. But what you lack is power and backing. We could give it to you. You don't have to do anything different than what you are doing. Just need to come to us in case you develop something new. This way the situation you faced this time around, will not repeat itself. "
" I don't.." he was interrupted by Amelia who had straightened herself by now.
"You don't have to answer right now. You lack understanding of the situation in Tulip city. Talk to anyone you know. Think, discuss and consider your answer well. Answer me then."
" If you are too hard, you will be cut down easily, only when you are soft will you be able to fend the sword that comes towards you. "
With that she left leaving behind a lingering smell of lavender.
Aaron was left surprised with such sudden exit. He had mind to refuse her straight away, but she left without hearing him.
She did have an attitude about her which made Aaron want to think about her offer. But Aaron had decided not to compromise on his freedom.
She had left with a saying famous in this world.
But those word had left him wondering about something.
Was it what he was thinking? It it was, he might have found a big lead to his new spell!
