Chapter 80: Tempting offer

3rd person view

The Steels were listening in to the conversation from a nearby building

"Brother, are we sure we shouldn't interfere? She's seducing him" Emma said

"I know you're worried but he's fine" Craig reassured "Besides he's asking good questions, he didn't ask who their boss is and I also doubt she'll answer, but we have to get as many information as possible, though I wonder who teaches him how to flirt so well"

"So is everyone over there as attractive as you, because I'm considering it" Perseus said

"SEE?!" Emma freaked out

"Calm down sis, this is why I don't usually take you on missions, you're too emotional, even towards your own students" Craig grabbed her shoulder

-Well she's more worried that her precious student will be taken away before her very eyes- Wally said

-Shut up- Emma replied

1st person view

"I know a lot of people ask this, but why me? There's many people you can easily recruit"

"You think we haven't checked your records?" she replied "We know that unlike others, you do not hesitate when going for a kill, and true we have seen many other talented people, like Albert and your professors, but unlike you, they all have already sworn their loyalty to someone else"

"We come in a package you know" I sipped my hot chocolate "You have to convince my bonds too"

"We are, it's rare for anyone to bond with a dragon you know, even the ones on our side are uncontrollable, they would rather die than make a bond, and there are many things we can give you that no kingdom can offer, power, wealth or something else?" She gave me a questioning look

"I just want to be a slacker that's all, so I'll work hard for now and when the time comes, I'll slack off like no one has done before"

"An interesting goal" she nodded

"Is it a requirement for me to become a corrupted?"

"No, but I can tell you, all of the top 13 are corrupted, some naturally turned and some through our pill, I'm sure you kept some with you"

"I'll be honest, I have already considered becoming a corrupted to grow stronger, but what are the chances for my bonds to not lose control of themselves if we all go through with it"

"So you have considered it, usually people would hesitate considering, the pill is made through forbidden magic after all" she then took a bite of her cake "But if you do decide to go through with it, if you can control it, your bonds can too"

<Easy then, I'll do it after I graduate where no one can stop me>

"We can also help protect your family" she added "We will give you a lot of things as long as you join us"

"I'll think about it, anything else you want to ask or discuss?"

"I just wanted to meet you that's all, I really hope you accept our offer, you have the potential to reach my level someday" she finished her cake "Do you have any more questions for me?"

"You said to be in the top 13, you either have to have enough power or enough forces to go against the whole continent, so which category do you belong to?"

"I am both" she answered

"I should have no more questions, considering the questions that I'll ask won't be answered, Damon?"

"What's your organization's goal?" he asked

"I'm afraid that question will be answered some other time, is there any more questions?" she replied

Damon shook his head

"Well I need to get back to the others now, I already paid for our meal so you can leave without a worry" She then waved goodbye and disappeared through the shadows

"Weird woman" I then finished my hot chocolate and pastries

We then went outside to greet Professor Steel

"Well I tried getting as much information as I can"

"You did good, but you really haven't considered becoming one of them, did you?" he asked

"Of course not, why would I join them?"

-That's a lie- Dabria said

-Well, if they have the power to go against the whole continent, joining them for protection doesn't seem bad at all-

"That'd good, cuz we haven't even beat the red swords yet, and we're definitely going to need you for that" Professor Steel said

Professor Emma then checked on me, holding my face and asking a lot of questions

"Are you sure her charm didn't work?" she asked

"Yes, otherwise, I would've gone with her right about now"

"good, we can't have you follow that...witch"

"She's a succubus to be precise" I corrected

"Doesn't matter" she retorted

*****

3rd person view

"You mean he was actually tempted?" Anthony Magus asked

"Yes sir, he won't admit it, but we can see it from his expressions, their offer will benefit him and if that lady, Alice is really as strong as she claim to be, accepting their offer won't be a bad choice" Professor Steel reported

"He doesn't say it but the students at our academy loves to talk behind his backs, especially the nobles, mocking him and insulting him, we're fortunate that's he's mature for his age" professor Williams said "He hasn't picked any fights and has chosen to ignore them, we lost a good number of talented youths due to discrimination and we can't have them turn against us like the others before"

"That's why we're now more strict with our discipline" Anthony replied "Back in our days, it was much worse, him accepting their offer isn't unexpected, we might just have to get more strict with our students, after our junior team's performances, the commoners are now more inspired than ever, but as of now, we just have to make our kingdom more appealing to him"

*****

"How was he?" Urie asked

"He resisted my charm, could you believe it?" Alice smiled

"That sounds amazing, did he consider our offer?" Urie asked

"He did, but we'll have to receive his answer some other day" Alice replied

"Awesome, but we can't just give him the regular pill, it has to be the best quality, Draven, you know what to get right?" Urie asked

"Yeah yeah, I'll get them for all his bonds too" Draven replied "Unlike the regular pill that is made using sacrifices, this one was made using our powers, if he can't control it, well, let's hope that his kingdom can kill him before the whole thing is destroyed"