Taking up the mission

It was a dull moonlit night when two people entered an old watch shop in the corner of the street. Though the shop was dwindling in appearance like it was standing on its last legs. But it wasn't as abandoned as it appeared from the outside. The watch shop was full of all kinds of local people chatting leisurely, most of them belonging to the middle Class of the Skuph. 

It was a kind of hangout spot for non-drinking people, the complete opposite of the bars and taverns that most people prefer to visit. The two newcomers walked leisurely to the man on the counter and the man in lead smiled warmly as a greeting to the curious onlookers he knocked on the table to call the shopkeeper. 

"I am here to deliver the parcel."

The shopkeeper kind of froze seeing the man's face but outwardly he tried to remain calm as he nodded his head. He swallowed dryly, sneaking glancing at one side with the corner of his eyes. Though the old shopkeeper tried to remain discreet in his actions, watching him the smile on the face of the man in lead slowly reduced as he sighed regretfully. 

He was about to withdraw silently when an individual dressed in a suspicious black cloak, with a mask on his face entered the shop from behind the counter. He replaced the nearly trembling Old shopkeeper and asked with a smile in his voice, 

"Gentleman, what kind of watch do you prefer?"

Suddenly there was pin-drop silence in the shop as every customer gazed suspiciously at the newcomer in weird clothes. Even the man in the lead was glaring at him in annoyance. Only then did the man in black notice the weird atmosphere, as he found himself the object of the suspicious gaze of every patron in the shop. 

"What? I am not the bad guy. " Finding no response from the tough crowd, only then he looked down towards his robes and shrug his shoulders, 

"Okay it figures… "

Minutes later, two men followed by a suspiciously dressed guy, silently walked out of the shop without causing any ruckus. They tacitly moved to a dark alleyway to settle the altercation between them. There was no need to waste time talking, or at least it was determined by the previous exchange that the other party wouldn't be leaving without a fight. 

In the alleyway, another similarly dressed individual in black robes and a mask welcomed the two gentlemen, who seemed surprised but only for a second, to see the helper of the first man. 

"Ha! It should be two VS two right? " muttered the man behind them as he snapped his fingers and a thin wooden fence conjured out of nothing blocking the alleyway and shielding them from the main street. 

*****************

Several hours ago just after Mark sent away those two shadow guards on some mission, in the office of Souther Library. 

Young Master Rook checked out the youngster, who was somewhat younger than him and right now standing in front of him. Similar to him this youngster was also boldly gauging him. 

Alex was able to find this Young Noble's office without much effort owing to the reputation of the Youngest and handsome Noble of the Empire. Now looking at him, he accepted wholeheartedly that rumors of him were completely true.

The man in front of him was freakingly handsome! Unlike his rough skin, this Noble was blessed with soft and gentle skin as he had never stepped out in the harsh sun even once.

Though Alex was a shade fairer than him it only accentuated his exoticness over his rough weathered looks. Only at this moment, the Young Master Rook opened his mouth, halting the envious comparison running fiercely in the heart of Alex.

"You are a San Soothsayer?"

"What?" Alex was caught off guard by the sudden question. A sudden piercing question was akin to dumping cold water over his head making him look bewildered at the young Noble, who mistook his surprise for Alex not believing his doubt. 

Young Master Rook turned slightly towards the girl in servant clothes behind him and asked her, 

"He is a San Soothsayer?" 

Avery took out a brooch from her pocket and then after examining its silver shine, nodded a second later at the Young Master who turned towards Alex, with an expression of 'Do you still want to feign it? '. 

Alex bashfully chuckled, as he stopped compressing his energy, letting it reach the level of the average San Soothsayer, similar to what he had shown to the Owl Division Shadow Master. 

"Hehe.. I just never expected the people of the Inner City to be so accomplished. Everyone can so easily discern my power level. Guess my crass technique is nothing in front of the learned people of the capital."

Young Master was unamused as he waved the fan in front of his face hiding his feminine features behind it. There was a look of refreshing sobriety in his eyes, unaffected by Alex's attempt at flattery. 

"Your Visualization technique of 'masking energy' is of a little poor level that's all. In fact, your mastery of the technique is certainly commendable. I was barely able to raise a doubt, only with an inspecting artefact could I be sure of your level that's why I asked Avery. 

But leave that aside, you are saying that you are a new Shadow Guard? And Shadow Master sent you to help me with my mission?"

Alex nodded honestly, "Just an hour ago I was taken in by Shadow Master of the Owl division. "

"Where is your uniform and weird mask? Or do you not fear letting everyone see your identity so openly? "

Alex cursed in his mind as this was the same question he had asked just before Shadow Master had kicked him outside with this test. He ascertained that everything else could wait after Alex passed his test. But quick on his feet, Alex quickly made up a sensible reason on the spot, 

"Ugh, Master said it doesn't matter. As I told you I am not from this region at all. No one would know me anyway, so I don't need to hide myself. At least for some time."

At this moment Avery took the opportunity to interject in their conversation in a smooth voice, "Young Master should I prepare two sets for tonight then? "

Mark had a headache as he glanced at this boy and then at Avery, only after realizing that there was nothing he could do but accept this responsibility.

Mark Rook was aware of his own shortcomings. He likes to shirk work and laze around, and if a San Soothsayer like this Young Man was offering a free service to him, rather than being worried he should be happy. 

But…. 

"Sure… But I should remind you, Alex. You have to follow my lead, we can't blow up the place, we have to remain discreet and you have to follow my instructions. OK? "

Alex was finally relieved, and nodded seriously, "Don't worry. I know most rogue Soothsayers have pretty destructive techniques but I can control mine to a very discreet state."

Only after giving some other necessary instructions to Alex, did Mark send him outside. He then turned around to the Avery and complained weakly, 

"Ugh, Babysitting. I hate it." And as always Avery ignored his out-of-character complaining. 

********************************

Present time 

Alex was getting bored waiting in the Alleyway when finally the sound of footsteps came from the front as two people walked with tense footsteps into the alley he was waiting in. 

For a moment, he marvelled at the ability of Young Noble to steer the enemy here without any unnecessary ruckus. Otherwise, for rogue Soothsayers like himself, even any point of slight disagreement results in open conflict anywhere and anytime in the wild. 

Alex showed himself just in time to observe Young Master clicking his fingers to conjure a wooden panel to hide them from the street. Though he seemed focused on the incoming conflict, he couldn't help but think. 

'What is this thin wooden panel going to do? Just one blast and it would blow into smithereens. Also, it serves absolutely no purpose to block the escape of criminals if they wish to run.'

Not knowing how Mark quickly glanced at him at this moment and explained without missing a beat. It was like he was aware of what he was thinking. 

"It is to hide the scene of boorish fighting from the passersby. We have to uphold the standards of a gentleman in the city, can't go around scaring the honest poor folks, can we?"

"Enough!" Finally, the man in the lead growled, unable to understand what the hell was going on and what they were talking about. 

He was already annoyed and angry by being found out at the last stage of his operation and now this tomfoolery was just enough to send him over the edge. 

"Is this some kind of fucking show, you morons? "

Alex took the lead after finding the Young Noble retreating into the shadows, as planned earlier. He took the opportunity to yell bullshit in righteousness, while secretly he finished visualizing his technique. 

"I'm from the Shadow Guard of Capital Skuph. On the account of illegal trespassing into the inner city, and your past criminal history. I am here to deliver a death sentence to you."

His San Soothsayer level of Psionic energy blasted out putting pressure on the individuals in front of him. The one in lead tore off his shirt as his arms grew strong while a terrifying apparition materialized over his back. 

Blurry Apparition finished condensing into a ferocious-looking demon behind him, which upon its appearance raised the physical strength of the criminal several times more than a jacked normal human. 

"And I am Aukhy Auburn. The man who is going…. to crush a dog like you to a death you deserve - a dog's death."