First Step

Rise never left his gaze off Kamille, fearlessly meeting those gray pupils. It was a regret that he was not able to see the real color of his eyes, but it was better than nothing. 

Step by step... Rise would do just that, but with bigger strides this time. 

Seeing Kamille not saying anything, which he also did not expect him to do, Rise took the initiative to continue their conversation. He was completely unconcerned about the murderous glares the guild members were giving him at this moment. 

Rise took another step forward, just as his first step was about to commence. 

"Is the Guild Leader free?" he asked, his lips arched up, playful but also different from his usual sinister smirk. It even appears gentle for some reason. 

Kamille slightly narrowed his eyes, but still responded shortly. "It depends."

About the subjugation, then he was quite busy. However, since it had yet to start, then he was a little free. Most of the work was done by his guild members. 

Rise was also accustomed to his short words, which only became long when a mission was going on. 

"Then, may I request to be with the Guild Leader?" Rise's words did not even stutter as he requested this. There were a lot of gasps and refusals around him, but it was like the sound of a mosquito for him, annoying but manageable.

"Rise Lee," Hayes, the Vice leader, finally could not take it anymore. He stood beside Kamille while glaring at Rise. "Don't go too far. This is not your turf, you better behave if you want to stay with us." 

Rise took a glimpse at Hayes, but only for a second, and he shifted again to Kamille. He was clearly ignoring him! His eyes were only locked with Kamille, without any fear. 

Hayes hated being ignored the most, as he clicked his tongue and was about to show Rise his real place when he was interrupted by Kamille. 

Kamille raised his hand, stopping anyone who might launch an attack at Rise. His gray eyes stared firmly at Rise, the most infamous Esper of the Union, as if wanting to know every secret he had. 

"Why?" He simply asked, but was also curious. Most people would already be intimidated by now, but Rise remained fixated on him, never breaking their eye contact. 

His gaze even held... anticipation. This made Kamille extremely intrigued. Was he reckless or just plain fearless? 

Rise with the shadow of loom surrounding him, and invisible daggers aimed at him answered rather carelessly. 

"You see, Guild Leader. Everyone here doesn't like me, which is obvious. A lot of people are, honestly." Rise sighed, ignoring the sneering at his surroundings, and continued. "Except you... I guess? You don't hate me, right?" Rise seemed to want to confirm it; his eyes displayed his curiosity to know the answer. 

At this, he even looked innocent in front of Kamille, stunning everyone. After all... Rise's appearance was really pleasing, to say the least. 

Kamille still did not know where this conversation was going, but he decided to just continue. He could also confirm that everyone in the Guild disapproves of this temporary member. 

"Not really..." Kamille replied honestly, pausing, then added. "I don't even know you." Since that was the case, how could he hate him? Kamille did not even know he was slowly falling for the trap with that answer! 

Rise's eyes lit up, his innocent and almost pitiful expression seemed to be only an illusion. 

"Then, that's it. Guild Leader, aside from you, no one will want to talk with me. And I'm here to be part of the subjugation; what happens if something happens to me because of miscommunication?" Rise began to lay out the consequences; knowing Kamille, he was always serious with missions. 

Any variable about it must be eliminated earlier on, or the risk of failure would become higher. Gate raids were already a risk to begin with, so communication was always crucial. 

Sure enough, Kamille's expression turned slightly serious. Inwardly, Rise smirked. You can't escape from me this time, Kamille. 

Yet, before Kamille could answer Rise, Hayes suddenly interrupted their conversation. He was more agitated than before. Like Rise, he was also obsessed with Kamille, but in a different way. In his eyes, Kamille was their powerful leader and should be respected at all times. He was at the top of the pyramid.

And Rise's request was like Kamille lowering himself to be with him, which was totally unacceptable.

"I can." Hayes voluntarily offers himself as tribute while gritting his teeth. "I can be with Mr. Rise in his time with the Guild." 

Rise's smile slowly dropped. He gave Hayes a side glance; his gaze was not impressed in the slightest. 

"You're so generous, Vice Leader. Can you even last for a day with me?" Rise mocked; his eyes rolled to the side, and he stopped paying attention to Hayes. 

Hayes and him would not be able to stand each other for even more than an hour before they murdered each other. He doubts they could even last for an hour. They were just similar people with different intensities of insanity.

"You... Rise, don't trouble our Guild Leader for your useless whims!" Hayes exclaimed, earning agreement remarks. 

"Look, Guild Leader." Rise smiled again, pointing at the fuming Hayes. "Do you afford to team him with me?" 

Again hitting where he could gain the best reaction. 

Kamille, who was only silently observing them earlier, could not help but brush the space between his brows with his index finger. He was well aware of Hayes' temper; these two were not compatible. 

"Okay." He could only agree to the mission. That was more important for him. And he did not think being with Rise was that bad; at least, the other still had to consider his status. 

"But Guild Leader!" Hayes and the others called for Kamille, offering strong objections. Rise was a walking calamity that should be away from the Guild leader at all costs. 

Compared to them, Rise's lips grinned victoriously, provoking the guild members even more. 

"Enough." Kamille's firm voice caused the objecting members, just with this, anyone would see how high his authority over his members was. "My decision is final. During this mission, Rise Lee, our temporary member, will stand beside me." 

This is not only to maintain order but also to keep an eye on him. Kamille did not want any variables for his team, especially for an important mission like this. 

Seeing his members disliking Rise, Kamille genuinely thought he had made a good decision. 

No one dared to object this time after hearing his firm voice; even if they hated it, Kamille's decision was always the first priority in the guild. 

Rise had to bite his lips; otherwise, he would betray himself and laugh so hard. This situation was even better than he had planned. He was really loving this, so much. 

When Kamille finally turned into him, Rise did not hide his smile at all. 

Kamille's eyes flickered, confirming Rise was a trouble he needed to keep by his side to be able for this mission to go smoothly. 

"Follow me," Kamille calmly instructed, and without waiting for Rise, he went ahead, not before instructing his Vice Leader to organize the members. 

The time of their gate raid was fast approaching, every moment counts. 

"Yes, Guild Leader," Rise affirmed. Strangely, the way he called seemed not out of place at all, as if he had been calling Kamille like that for years. 

This went unnoticed a few seconds later, though, only attributing to Rise's peculiar personality. 

With a smile on his lips, he followed Kamille obediently, his eyes staring at his toned back. Licking his lips, Rise averted his gaze. At this time, he had to control himself. 

Kamille was very sensitive to such gazes, and any of his intentions might be seen through. Otherwise, his plans might be derailed from the start if Kamille suddenly became wary of him. 

Step by step... and the first step, creating an opportunity to interact with Kamille freely, was smoothly accomplished. Heh, that was only the start... Just at the start, Rise chuckled inside, filled with mischief.