Apprehension and Skepticism

The next day, at the stop for the group's second meal...

Liam and the other Aspirants finished eating and sat on logs by the side of a dirt road, each of them looking at Merlin differently than before. 

After the previous day's demonstration of power, they had gained a new appreciation for how much stronger a warrior like the First Officer was compared to them.

While they weren't paying attention to the pots of food in their hands, the five saw Merlin next to them, finishing his own meal.

Typically, they would be the last ones to eat in the group that was traveling to the Demon Gate. However, since Merlin spent all those days answering their questions, he also joined the Aspirants for meals.

He closed his eyes as he chewed his food, not liking the looks of admiration and fear from the five. But he couldn't help it. It was human nature to be impressed by what was better than what one could do.

Yesterday, he had shown two of his Spirits and defeated, without even dedicating himself, a creature that could have killed a large part of the group.

The curious looks in his direction could not be avoided.

Liam, the one of the five who was least affected by displays of power and the idea of status, wealth, etc., couldn't help but look at Merlin out of the corner of his eye, thinking and rethinking yesterday's battle.

'I made a mistake? But I can't say it's as big a mistake as he makes it sound. If we have to make pacts with Spirits with different attributes, then I'm not wrong. The Incubus and the Shadowfiend are very different. My only mistake was to make a new pact with a Spirit without worrying about its quality.

Still, the old man taught me something valuable. In the future, I'll have to think carefully about adding new Spirits. I already have one who helps me cultivate, and another who is a born warrior... I'll have to study the ideal type for the next Spirit.'

While Liam thought and looked at Merlin out of the corner of his eye, Ajax asked when he saw the First Officer finishing his meal.

"First Officer, I was wondering, when will we receive our uniforms? I must say, you and the rest of the crew look quite sharp in your coats." Ajax asked a question, filled with excitement.

In response, Merlin laughed in a strange way. It was difficult to determine whether he was proud or skeptical about Ajax's potential.

"When will you be getting a uniform like this?" Merlin playfully pointed a finger towards his robes, chuckling while glancing at Ajax.

In Demon Gate, each internal position in the sect had different responsibilities and rights, but also uniforms.

Officers had to wear black trousers, shirts, and robes, as well as masks that covered their faces. In addition, their robes bore the Demon Gate symbol with reliefs showing their rank.

With First Officers, members of that rank were not required to wear masks, and their robes, though similar to those of Officers, bore different symbols and reliefs visible to anyone near such a person.

In the Commander's case, their robes were gray, and they also wore a necklace in the shape of a cross.

"Obtaining that uniform won't be a walk in the park," Merlin responded upon seeing Ajax's nod of understanding. "The sect boasts a few hundred internal members, but the external members are in the thousands. Considering there are only a handful of opportunities each year for new internal members, acquiring uniforms like ours could come with a hefty price tag."

The sect's external members were not entitled to uniforms. The only way to distinguish an outside member of the sect from a person not affiliated with the force was by their badge.

Liam thought, 'Is this a way to avoid connecting with ordinary Spirit Masters and tarnishing the sect's reputation?'

"But if one of you reaches the beginning of the third cultivation realm before the age of 20, you won't even have to pass the promotion test. External members will be promoted automatically when they achieve this feat," Merlin said, dashing the hopes of four of the five young people that this would be easy.

'This is my path!' Liam brushed aside his previous question, noticing an opportunity here.

'Growing into a power like Demon Gate through the traditional path must be just as dangerous as looking for detours to shorten the journey.' Liam reasoned, using his knowledge of two lifetimes and ignoring the group's conversation. 

'If I can reach the third realm in the next 13 months, I can become an inner disciple of the sect without having to go through the promotion competitions. The only problem is the half time in the outer part of the sect...' 

He closed his eyes and looked at the bonfire near to him. As interesting as it would be to only cultivate up to the third realm, in the meantime, he would be in the sect, paying for food, resources, doing missions, and so on.

From what little he had read, the sect didn't give its members much more than a place to live and learn.

If you wanted to learn from a master, you either had to get one's attention or pay for one's advice.

If you wanted resources beyond the basic ones the sect provided each month, you had to pay for them.

If you wanted to live better than a servant, you had to pay for it.

Almost everything in the sect depended on its disciples' ability to make coins and use them for their own benefit. Standing still and waiting for opportunities wouldn't help anyone who wasn't favored by a family, a faction, or a master.

'I don't have anyone to rely on, so I have to make my money...'

The good feeling of a moment ago disappeared from Liam's heart as he became more serious.

'The possibility Merlin brought up isn't bad, but it's a red herring. Only if you survive and grow in the outer area of the sect, this possibility could help you.'

He analyzed the situation carefully.

For someone who could stay in the outer world, cultivate, and grow in time to reach the third realm before the age of 20, this possibility would indeed be good. It would prevent such a disciple from having to take an examination for promotion. But was it possible?

Liam soon realized that it wasn't!

'Merlin's stories and speeches easily seduced Seth, Amias, and Ajax. They're going to suffer a lot when we get to the sect.'

Liam looked over and saw Seth, Amias and Ajax smiling positively at the 'wonderful' future they would have in Demon Gate.

Mary also looked interested and optimistic, though less naive than the three weaker Aspirants.

At the end of lunch, the guards returned to their positions, and the group of Aspirants got back into the carriage.

They were already tired from the journey here, but fortunately, they were on the last days of their journey to the Demon Gate headquarters.

With his spear at his side, Liam was already planning his next steps. 

'I'll probably lose you or you'll cause me problems once I join the guild. Unfortunately, our journey together wasn't long... I'll sell you as soon as we join the sect.'

He decided after thinking about it for days.

While the others found the possibilities of Demon Gate incredible, Liam had seen in the books and, in Merlin's words, only potential problems, chances of conspiracy and premature death.

Merlin hadn't warned him of anything directly, but Liam interpreted every word the First Officer said with a great deal of skepticism.

These people weren't fooling him. They had kidnapped them, and even though it didn't seem that blatant, they were being forced to join the Demon Gate almost like slaves.

There were no chains on their feet, nor were their bodies branded with hot iron. But there were at least a dozen signs they wouldn't be able to leave, that they would have to perform missions with minimal monthly payments, and that their chances of ending up in a position where they wouldn't be able to grow were high.

'I just hope the resources I get from this don't get me into trouble, too.'

He sighed with concern. 

However, Liam was confident that it would be easier to hide coins than a nice, flashy spear.

The carriages started moving again.

Another day ended, and the group got closer to their destination. The next few days would pass quickly, and soon they would arrive at Reidway Fjord, the ancestral lair of Demon Gate!