Asher's expression remained blank. He didn't care about what Alden said, and neither did it get to him. If anything, he was quite relieved.
"I understand, sir," he answered flatly and turned around to leave when Alden asked them to wait.
Alden then shifted his attention to Sinnett with a smile that caused a frown to appear on his face.
"You, on the other hand… we can accept you. You seem to be the quiet observer, but you are far stronger than you look."
Sinnett, who had remained silent up until now, let out a sigh. He pushed himself away from the wall and cast a glance at Celestia, then back at Alden.
"I figured this would happen."
Alden's eyes narrowed slightly. "You knew?"
"Of course, I knew. You paladins are predictable—not to ntion the entire guild itself," Sinnett chuckled, though there was no humor in it, and his gaze remained blank.
"You hide behind justice, but in the end, you only accept those you can ta. Although it's not bad, I find it stupid, even for you, Alden."
"It's funny how everyone in this guild is nothing above A-rank, which makes things easy for you, an SS-ranked Arcane Master. So, you see anything or anyone beyond your control as a threat." His gaze then shifted to Asher.
"I don't really like people who reek of pride, but he over there took your test even when he knew you all are nothing close to his abilities. Humility… and I respect that."
Asher scoffed and looked away. You're not wrong, but at the sa ti, you're not right either, he told himself as he reached for his phone in his pocket.
Alden, however, didn't respond. What was there to say, anyway? Sinnett was right, but that didn't an he had to accept it. Instead, he heaved a sigh and held out a card to Sinnett.
"Are you in or not?"
"I decline. I'd rather join the main guilds or the master guild than stoop so low as to joining the rats. Besides, I can't fight alongside people I can take down easily. It wouldn't be fun, now would it?"
The paladins gasped lowly, followed by murmurs that annoyed Alden until he left the hall in anger.
Yumiko finally spoke up. "There's another guild hall."
Asher raised a brow, his interest piqued. But not because he wanted to join.
For so reason, he was excited after his battle with Celestia. He got to test her strength, and he honestly felt really good.
He imagined facing soone stronger—fighting and fighting until he overpowered them.
He also knew the chances of getting hurt were high, but Yumiko was there, so he had nothing to worry about at the mont.
Yumiko turned toward him, calm despite all that had happened.
"It's not affiliated with Saint Liora, but it's also under the school's organization. It's for those who don't fit anywhere else—outcasts, individuals with dangerous and uncontrollable abilities, and those who wield magic that others fear."
Sinnett scoffed. "That's like an asylum for psychopaths."
Yumiko closed her eyes. "Unfortunately so. The Guild Master is the only one with the ability to control other abilities over a certain period of ti. At the sa ti, he has created objects to control them as well."
"So people like that exist?" Asher asked as he looked up from his phone while they left the hall, completely ignoring the paladins and Celestia's words.
Yumiko nodded. "He is the last of his kind and doesn't fall under any of the recorded classes."
"Sounds reasonable," Sinnett said in agreent.
Asher was still unsure about the next guild. Everything about it sounded shady—especially the part about the man who could temporarily control others' abilities.
If there was anything he hated the most, it was following orders like a puppet. But still, the whole situation was intriguing despite his suspicions.
"The rejects, huh?" Asher mused.
Yumiko tilted her head. "Or the ones who actually survive."
Sinnett chuckled. "Now that sounds interesting." He glanced at Asher before adding, "But I won't be joining any guild. I'll help out when I feel like it, but that's all."
Yumiko nodded. "Understood. Right this way, please."
She turned on her heel, leading Asher and Sinnett toward another section of the building.
The Vade Guild… popularly known as the Outcast Guild.
They walked through a long hall. The polished stone floors reflected the dim glow of the bulbs and fluorescent lights above.
The deeper they went, the quieter it beca, not to ntion how the lights continued to dim as they moved.
Unlike the main halls bustling with life—paladins, other guild mbers, and attendees—this area felt almost abandoned.
Finally, Yumiko stopped before a large wooden door reinforced with tal plating. She placed her hand on the handle and pushed it open, revealing the guild's hall.
The hall was massive, far larger than they had expected. High arched ceilings lood above them, with crystal chandeliers casting a soft crimson light.
The walls were lined with weapons and strange-looking artifacts, each emanating different levels of energy.
The people inside were just as unusual. So sat around the wooden desks at the end of the hall, others sharpened weapons or studied books in glass cubicles.
A few had visible mutations—nothing close to demi-humans, but horns, tails, glowing eyes. Most had scales covering parts of their bodies or beast-like limbs.
At the center of the room sat a woman in a lotus position, a collar around her neck. A thick chain extended from it, the other end held by a man sitting on a large seat.
Her expression was unreadable, her face obscured by a transparent veil. But her crimson eyes pulsed in sync with the chain, energy moving between her and the man.
Yet, the collar wasn't just for show. It restricted all forms of mana movent through her body unless removed.
Yumiko intentionally ignored her and gestured for Asher to follow as she approached the man.
From Asher's point of view, the man was tall and lean, with long silver hair tied back and a single scar running down his left eye. Unlike the others, his outfit was a simple black overall, just like everyone else in the guild.
The only difference was the fitted bodysuits for the won, which they wore nonchalantly, the upper parts dropped around their waists, leaving only their tank tops or whatever they had underneath.
The man looked up as they got close, his eyes assessing Asher before a slow smirk spread across his lips.
"I can't believe you're actually a Necromancer. It's a pleasure eting you."
Asher t his gaze and gave a nod. "You must be this guild's master?"
"Indeed." The man's smirk widened. "Na's Veylan. And you are?"
"Asher Morgan."
Veylan nodded, then leaned forward slightly. "Yumiko told the academy asked you to register here, and you've already been rejected."
"Lucky for you, we accept easily. But we don't accept just anyone." He smiled. "Before we decide, I have so questions."
Asher crossed his arms. "Go ahead."
Veylan's fingers tapped against the armrest of his chair. "You're a Necromancer, yet you defeated a Paladin in combat. That alone raises so questions. What exactly are you?"
Asher's expression remained neutral. "Just a guy who doesn't know when to quit."
To be frank, he didn't know either. He had expected himself to be weak, considering he was in a new body and just getting used to his reflexes.
But he wasn't worried. In his past life, he had been an athlete, even if only for a short ti.
Veylan grinned. "Good answer."
His gaze flickered toward the broken sword hilt in Asher's hand. "You used that weapon against Celestia. What happened to her sword?"
"It shattered," Asher replied bluntly.
Veylan's brow lifted. "And yet, it was supposed to be indestructible."
"I suppose it wasn't as strong as she thought."
Another round of chuckles.
Veylan's gaze darkened. "Tell , Asher Morgan. If we allow you into this guild, what is it you seek?"
Asher didn't hesitate. "Power."
The room fell silent.
Veylan watched him for a long mont before leaning back. "Honest. I like that." He glanced at the girl beside him, still motionless with the chain wrapped around her neck. "Do you fear death?"
Asher frowned slightly at the sudden question. "No."
"Good. Because in this guild, death is always close. Since we are outcasts and individuals with… special cases, we're always put first in battle. That way, they get rid of us faster."
Sinnett scoffed. "Stupid excuse. There were supposed to be about fifty mbers here, correct?"
Veylan smiled. "You have a good information source. I admire that. You're correct—twenty were killed, and one is currently on a mission."
Sinnett nodded in approval, then walked over to the man's side.
"Don't bother asking questions. I'm in. And I know you know that I already have all the answers needed to qualify."
Veylan chuckled. At least soone sane had joined the guild, even without his permission. Not like he had to force him.
He then shifted his gaze to Asher. "Final question." His gaze sharpened. "If we give you a mission that goes against common morality, would you hesitate?"
Asher exhaled through his nose. "Depends on the mission."
Veylan grinned. "A practical answer." He turned to Yumiko. "I like him."
Yumiko nodded, but her expression remained unchanged. She didn't reply—she wouldn't unless necessary. She wasn't much of a talker anyway.
Veylan then turned back to Asher. "Welco to the Outcasts' Guild."
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