Deal

Leus looked into Scar's eyes and spoke with resolve

"Assuming that I agreed and found a way to train you or help you become stronger, Then you started misusing the power to randomly kill or harass people, You realize that I'll take the matter personally, Right? I'm very serious about this."

Scar replied evenly

"In a lawless place like the Slums, a degree of harassment is necessary.

It's known as the Gangster's Paradise for a reason.

If I'm too easygoing and lenient, I won't be seen as kind but as a pushover. This would bring more problems for both me and the people in my area than if I harassed them myself."

After thinking about it Leus realized that Scar was right

' ... Well, There are other gangs, and probably many aspiring "Protectors", I guess he needs to maintain control.'

Leus nodded in understanding

"Whatever you see fit, Just nothing excessive"

"Don't worry about it, I don't enjoy harassing people, I only care about myself, my gang, and money & power of course."

'Well now, since I'm making a deal with this guy, I better get something in return, even if it's small.'

"Whenever I come here, someone bothers me.

I want to be able to enter and exit without anyone talking to me"

"As long as you're in my area this won't be a problem"

"Fine, Also, Avoid taking people's water as much as possible"

"I rarely do"

After careful consideration, Leus decided

"Alright, I can help you become a Knight"

Scar's eyes gleamed

"Perfect"

Leus asked

"Tell me, What can you do?"

"I can beat people."

" ... Other than that"

Scar thought for a minute then said

"I have a sword which they gave me once I entered the military, but I don't know how to use it.

And I know the Water spell, But I can't use it much, Only to fill a bucket or two on good days, But it drains my stamina and makes me sleep"

Leus was confused

'Why is the quantity of his mana so low?'

"Did you try to keep depleting your mana pool so it can increase?"

"I tried, it doesn't work.

I'm stuck at a bottleneck, My mana doesn't increase no matter what I do"

"Hmm ...

I don't know how to overcome a bottleneck, But I can help you train the same way I trained to become a Knight.

If you unlock the Abstract then you should immediately evolve"

"Abstract? I heard about those but don't know how to unlock them"

Leus looked through the window, It was already dark.

'It'll soon be midnight.'

Leus looked back at Scar and said

"For now, You'll need a guy who is on your level to train with you, and he'll need a sword as well, Prepare these things until tomorrow.

Then I'll come back and tell you what to do"

"A guy? You won't train me?"

Leus shook his head

"Of course not, I'm busy.

I have about 5 more days of free time, during which, I'll teach you and the other guy exactly how to train.

If you follow the method, you'll be able to unlock the Abstract, eventually.

I will come maybe once or twice a month to check on you and see if you're facing any problems, That's all I can do"

Scar nodded

"Good enough, Two swords and a guy, is that all I need?"

"Yeah, I'll come tomorrow, be ready."

"We are now partners, Leus, if you need anything from here let me know"

After saying that, Scar extended his hand to Leus

"Deal?"

Leus shook his hand

"Well ... alright, fine, Deal."

Leus got up and was about to leave the house but then he remembered

'Ah right'

He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment and looked at Scar

"I don't know where I am, Can you take me to the nearest place to the library or the market square?"

Scar chuckled and said

"Too powerful that you don't even care where you are, Right?"

Leus faintly smiled

"Something like that"

They both exited the house and Scar led Leus through the slums,

After they walked for a bit, Leus noticed a group of suspicious-looking guys standing together,

They looked back at Leus, but when they saw Scar they looked away in disinterest

'Nice, I just need something like that every time'

They walked until they reached an alleyway

"If you walk to the end you'll exit the slums, Walk straight then turn right, And you should find yourself near the market square"

Leus nodded and said

"Alright, See you soon"

Scar nodded as well and they parted ways

Leus exited the alleyway and after a bit of walking he reached the market square, and of course, It was empty.

Leus enjoyed the silence under the moon and the stars, all alone in the streets, it was a new experience for him

'The city looks beautiful'

Occasionally, Leus would see a Crimson Guard approaching him, But then they'd notice the Emblem on his chest

'They all react in the same way, Surprised at first then they smile, nod, and walk away'

Leus looked at his emblem and thought

'I guess all the Elites know about the emblem, Some or at least most of the Knights too, But no one knows about it in the slums'

After a couple of minutes of walking in peace, Leus reached home

'Everyone is probably asleep'

He slowly opened the door and went inside

As soon as he went inside he saw Blaze on the couch

"Leus, You finally came back"

"Yeah, Sorry, It took longer than I expected"

Blaze inspected him and quickly noticed the difference

'Huh? ... A Dagger? And why this dagger?'

It caught his interest, but he decided to ask about it later

"It's late, How about you sleep now and we speak after you get up"

Leus nodded

"Thanks, Dad, It was a long day"

And so, Leus quickly changed and slept.

That marked the end of one of Leus' most eventful days so far.