I told him so...

Edvard Krast was the youngest Great family head in Salmon city today and most probably of all time. Now ordinarily that would not have meant much however this man was so talented that he was rumored to not be disadvantaged against older powerhouses like Ford Horst and Gregory Payne.

The Krast forces also did not lose out when compared to the other families, Edvard had been handed the position of family head when his father had acknowledged his superior talent.

But he was no where near perfect. Looking like a man in his early forties and in the same age group as Melinda and Rita, Edward Krast was quite an handsome man with brown hair and pitch black eyes but he was also a snake.

His most common betrayals and atrocities involved turning against 'friends' so as to sleep with their women. He had an healthy sex drive and while he had no interest in starting a family yet he was quite satisfied with ploughing the fields so to speak.

Edvard Krast was a frequenter at the slave house so as to pick new sex slaves preferably those with cultivation because 'they don't break easy'.

When Hal laid eyes on him, he could tell that he was a sadistic man. Normally there weren't many things Hal disliked about Edvard. Sleeping with other people's (people because they were not always husbands) wives was something he had done before and what was a little sadistic play among consenting adults, there would after all always be a safe word.

The part where he drew the line was the obvious antisocial behavior and urge to hurt women. For hal that will always be a no-no. Also Edvard had always had his eye on Hal's woman and this was a HUGE no-no.

Edvard had come alone after all bringing along guards for such a short trip was mostly just useless extravagence. Not to mention that been faster than them, they would only slow him down. Hal Calling him Lord Krast was simply a reflex as he did not consider Edvard a lord.

"So it's Melinda's boy toy" Edvard said in a jeering voice but his eyes would widen when Hal would bow graciously with a proud and relaxed smile

"Thank you for the praise. However I would advice you not to mention that to Melinda when you see her" After that Hal would turn and walk away not giving Edward a second glance.

What he had said was genuine advice, while his heart always teemed with joy to be called a boy toy, after all a boy toy's main job was to give pleasure to women and it surely pleased his ego to be pursued by women. However Melinda seemed to hate the term and believed it derogatory, it was not in Edvard's best interest to mention it.

Edvard clenched his fist but by then castor would return and lead lead him into the lounge where Edvard would see not one but two beauties, the one he knew was Melinda was so much more beautiful that he had to gulp when he saw her, the other lady was beautiful as well, the fact that she turned away in obvious disinterest only excited him more.

"Lady Melinda, you look stunning as always" he said with a slight bow, He could not afford to lose control now not when there was not one but two fishes to be caught.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit" was it just his imagination or was Melinda more confident now?

"I heard you were involved in the events that occurred at the Payne estate and I was merely curious for your wellbeing" He said with a smile that should have screamed sincerity but Melinda saw through it like a mask but she reassured him of her safety with a smile.

Seeing as that was played out Edvard decided to inquire why

"Why else? I did it to assist my man" She replied in a casual tone of voice that seemed to hit him hard

"What man? That boy toy?" Edvard was enraged and neglected Hal's advice

The atmosphere became cold as a chilling killing intent spread out from Melinda but she calmed down and reined it in

'Damn it, I need to control myself' she cautioned

Ever since the incident at the Payne estate, little things seemed capable of setting her off

When Edvard felt the killing intent he felt a cold sweat but before he could pinpoint which woman it was from, it was gone so he shook it off

"His name is Hal and I would prefer your respect" She said in a strained voice

Rita was bored and a little downhearted that her master had not wanted her company but when she felt the killing intent, she perked up, things were about to get interesting.

"Respect? What makes him different from the others?" Edvard would ask in annoyance

"There were no others. He was the only one. I always set my slaves free I only bought them to give credibility to the rumors and keep you off my back as long as I could" Melinda sneered

"You tricked...me?" Suddenly Edvard felt stifled, He usually preferred virgins and to discover that Melinda had been one before it was stolen recently by this...

"You gave what should have been mine to... A boy toy?" He snarled but the chilling killing intent was back and before he could react...

SMACK!!!

...he felt a stinging pain on his cheek which sent him sinning into a wall

Melinda's face was slightly deranged yet captivating "call him that one more time and I...will...kill...you!"

...

"I told him so" Hal said as he heard the slap sound coming from the mansion.

He was taking his time and strutting with swagger so it was understandable that he was still close enough to hear the loud smack.

"Sigh. If only he listened to me"

'What sigh? You obviously wanted him to get hurt' Grimiore piped

'Well of course I did but why should my baby girl have to be the one to do it' Hal replied telepathically

'Would you prefer Rita do it?' Grimiore asked

'Sigh. If I had my way, my women would not have to bother with such menial things' Hal said

'Then add that to your list of goals' Grimiore told him

Hal mentally nodded and this day would be the one that Hal would make the conscious decision to build an eternal reign for the ease and pleasure of he and his women where their words would be law!

'Oy, stop daydreaming. 'Your word is law?'. You are far from there' Grimiore dragged him back to reality

'I know, I know. But it sure is fun to think about' Hal chuckled

...

Master Swanson was upset, and who could blame him?, his apprentice of merely two days had accomplished a deed that rocked the city and yet he had no prior knowledge of it. He was caught completely off-guard. Said apprentice had claimed he was going to seclude himself just the day before and was at the 3rd stage of the Energy sensing realm. How he could go from the Third stage to the Ninth stage in one day was shocking enough but he also went ahead and killed Rad Payne who happened to be his brother.

This went against Swanson's principles, he would attack when attacked but he never saw a reason for violence and did his best to avoid it. He had wanted Hal to fight his own battles but he had never wanted things to spiral to such an extent.

"Sigh. What a troublesome apprentice" he mumbled quietly

"Thinking about me?, I'm flattered" said a smiling voice in his ear

Master Swanson raised his head knowing full well who the voice belonged to.

"I never thought I would make such a big impression so soon, it's quite gratifying" Hal continued as he sat before master Swanson pulled a cup and allowed himself to be served clarifying tea.

'Why exactly did you come back here?' Grimiore sighed

Hal smiled wryly 'I need to keep up appearances, I don't need people knowing I have no real need for a teacher'

'So this is a facade?' Grimiore said

'What do you think?' Hal retorted

"You have every right to do as you please..." Master Swanson began in a barely contained tone

'I feel a lecture coming, no appearance is truly worth this. It's time for a compromise' Hal decided and...

*Smack!!*

...He hit his hand on the table to stop Swanson's tirade

"Swanson. I have a proposition for you"