Chapter 315 - 146: Setting Sail
As if he knew Wei’en was concerned about Ales, Menor took the initiative to explain, "He will definitely make full preparations before coming for you and that Child of Calamity you resurrected."
"I’m well aware," Wei’en said nonchalantly.
’He had discussed Ales’s designs on Tina with Clelia. The goal must be to obtain the terrifying Calamity Origin she possesses.’
’Judging from Ales’s behavior before he left, he had clearly shed his own Extraordinary Bloodline, wanting to become a full-fledged Extraordinary of Calamity.’
’And from what he understood, the power of the Calamity Origin was likely rare. If Ales didn’t find a substitute with another Extraordinary Power, he would inevitably come for them in the future.’
’When that time comes...’
"You’re much calmer than I imagined. That’s a good sign; it shows you have a lot of confidence in yourself."
Menor seemed to have seen through something, a faint hint of amusement in his voice. "Still, I’m surprised that you chose to join our Eternal Life Association after leaving Caster. Can you tell me why?"
"Perhaps it’s because I have nowhere else to go for now."
Wei’en’s answer was ambiguous, almost a question in its own right.
’In truth, it would be best if he could join the Eternal Life Association and find something to do. If not, it didn’t matter—it would just be one less convenient option gone.’
"It seems you don’t know much about our Eternal Life Association."
Menor seemed slightly put off by his calm and quiet demeanor, reaching up to pull the brim of his hood a little lower.
Wei’en noticed that as the hand was raised, the blurry face beneath the hood fractured into countless overlapping layers, separating his face and hand into even finer fragments, like dense ripples spreading through a pool of stagnant water.
"Indeed. I only know the name and have heard a few stories about individual members."
’To be precise, he had only ever heard rumors about Clelia...’
"No matter," Menor’s voice returned to its placid tone. "If you understood us better, you’d find that most people in the Eternal Life Association are those with ’nowhere to go’."
"Oh?"
’Does that mean they’re all wanted criminals, or that they just lack a sense of purpose?’
"I’m referring to their hearts. They all harbor a restless spirit. I believe you’re the same."
’Good, so they’re not all wanted criminals like me...’
"I suppose so."
Wei’en didn’t deny Menor’s assessment.
’In fact, if he had wanted to live a quiet life, he would have accepted Dean Josue’s invitation to join the Ghost Soul School’s Research Center, becoming a Wizard-class researcher holed up in some backwater performing experiments.’
"In that case,"
Menor watched him in silence for a long moment before raising his hand. It extended forward, seeming to pass through countless layers of space to pierce directly through the mirror and appear before Wei’en.
"..."
Wei’en stared at the long, immaculate hand, utterly stunned.
’Damn,’
’Using an ordinary mirror from who-knows-where to pass a hand through layers of space...’
’Even if you’re a bigwig in the Eternal Life Association with immense power, do you really have to show it off so directly?’
"Welcome aboard, Wizard Wei’en Loft!"
Menor chuckled, seemingly pleased with the effect this created, and even gave his hand a playful little lift, gesturing for Wei’en to shake it.
Wei’en hesitated for a moment before reaching out to shake it. "Thank you."
After saying that, he let go and discreetly wiped his hand on the hem of his clothes.
As if he were worried there was something nasty on it—a plague, a curse, a spatial marker, or the like...
[A Space Anchor Point has been placed on you by Menor Vannis Stringer. Evaluation: If he so desires, he could likely appear before you in an instant. Special Reward: Survival Points +10, Resilience Level +1, Spirit Level +1.]
Hmm?
’There really was a spatial marker?’
Wei’en’s gaze shifted, his expression growing serious as he looked at the mirror. ’He played a trick on me?’
"Oh? You noticed? It seems your constitution is well-suited for learning spatial knowledge..."
This time, Menor was genuinely surprised. Wei’en was the first person in a long time to have discovered the Space Anchor Point before he had pointed it out.
Menor’s voice rang out again as he explained, "In truth, I place a Space Anchor Point on every member I meet. It’s so I can come to their rescue in a timely manner."
"But don’t get your hopes up too high. I’m usually very busy."
"Of course, you could also see it as an initiation test. Try to remove it."
"I would be delighted to see the day it is removed. That would mean our Eternal Life Association has gained another Extraordinary who is proficient in spatial knowledge."
Wei’en pursed his lips. ’A talent for learning spatial knowledge?’
’What talent?’
’If it weren’t for the system notification, he would have been just as oblivious to the Space Anchor Point as anyone else.’
"Finally, I feel I must make one thing clear. Now that you’ve joined the Eternal Life Association, you’re one of us. Even though Ales and I have some history, I will stand firmly on your side."
Menor’s tone was resolute. "Please believe me on this, Wei ’en Mage."
’How resolute?’
Wei’en almost asked the question out loud, but he kept his expression neutral and replied, "I believe you."
’Believe you, my ass!’
’Trust is the most unreliable thing in this world, especially when he hadn’t yet shown any sense of belonging to the Eternal Life Association, let alone made any contributions to it.’
’A declaration like that felt a bit like protesting too much, making it all the more suspicious.’
"Next time we... oh, I almost forgot," Menor patted his forehead and continued, "Clelia will be coming to assist me with a mission soon. If you’re interested, you can ask her for the details."