The air between them seemed to become thick, so tense one could practically say it was suffocating.
"I'm not asking for much, right?" the man mumbled, his voice low and almost dismissive, a smirk spreading on his lips.
Before Alister could give a response, a hand suddenly clasped down on his shoulder, causing him to turn sharply.
A calm yet bold voice echoed from behind him, cutting through the intensity of the moment. "There you are! I've practically been looking all over for you!"
Alister turned around and noticed it was Guild Master Anya. She locked eyes with Alister for a moment, and although she seemed calm, Alister could practically notice a storm raging inside her eyes.
Before he could ask her what she was doing here, Anya stepped forward, her voice steady and commanding. "Excuse us for a moment," she said to the man, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I need to have a very important conversation with Alister."
The man smiled, unfazed by her assertiveness. "Of course," he replied smoothly, his smirk returning. "You two are allowed to do whatever you want. Please, pay me no mind."
He waved his hand dismissively, his eyes glinting with a touch of amusement as he leaned back slightly, as if intrigued by what he saw unfolding.
Anya motioned for Alister to follow her. "Come on, let's find a quieter place to talk," she said, her voice smooth and confident.
She paused briefly to glance at Cinder, Alister's summon, who was about to follow them.
"You should leave your friend behind for now," she said, her tone slightly intense, not leaving room for argument.
Alister paused for a moment, his brow furrowing at the dismissal, but he knew better than to question her.
With a nod, he turned back to Cinder, offering a quick smile before following Anya. They moved through the grand hall, the sound of laughter and conversation fading as they made their way past some corridors and to a small set of double doors that Anya confidently pushed open, stepping past to reveal a balcony.
Alister stepped out, surprised to see such an elegant space overlooking the city. The night sky stretched out above them, dotted with stars that twinkle in the distance. The wind blew past for a moment, waving their hair from side to side.
"I didn't know this place even had a balcony," he said, taking in the view. The air was crisp and cool, a refreshing change from the heat of the crowded hall.
Anya leaned against the railing, her gaze sweeping over the cityscape. "It's a good spot to clear your mind," she said, her tone slightly softer but still authoritative. "I found it like a year back; I figured it would be a nice place to think. Leading a guild is certainly amazing, but at times it's nice to just relax... taking in views ."
She turned to face him, her expression slightly serious. "So, Alister, how have you been faring at your guild?"
Alister took a moment to gather his thoughts, sensing the weight behind her question.
"It's been... fine, I guess. Just the usual struggles? Trying to make a name for myself among strong members," he replied.
"But why would the Guild Master of the strongest guild care about the small greenhorn of another?"
Anya chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, don't sell yourself short. Every member has their worth, and I'm always curious about the ambitions of others. But I must admit, this isn't a purely guild-related chat. It's more personal."
Alister raised an eyebrow, a sense of caution creeping into his thoughts. "What do you mean by that?"
Anya stepped closer, her demeanor shifting slightly as she regarded him with a penetrating gaze. "I've noticed you've changed quite a bit since our first encounter. You've become more straightforward, more assertive. I must say it suits you."
Alister shifted on his feet, unsure of where the conversation was headed, but a part of him had a sneaking suspicion. "Thanks, I guess? But what's the point of this really?"
Anya straightened, the playful air around her dissipating.
"The point, Alister, is that I've been watching you, and I've come to a conclusion." Her red mana flared around her, creating a faint aura that illuminated the space around them in the dim light. It was an unmistakable display of her power, but Alister gazed at her calmly, as if a part of him had expected things to go this way.
"Although I'm not sure how you do it, you are constantly getting stronger. The flame that you have inside you is so much larger now...."
"Far too similar to the one I saw that day..." she continued, her voice dropping to a more serious tone. "And so I decided, rinsed of using my brains, I might as well be direct and get answers."
The question hung in the air like a heavy fog; the atmosphere around them suddenly felt charged with tension.
Alister remained silent for a moment, and then, out of nowhere, he chuckled slightly.
"You're asking me if I'm Spade?" he managed to say, his voice steadier than she expected. "Yes," she confirmed, her eyes locked onto his intensely. "I'm tired of beating around the bush."
"So I would like for you to give me a straight answer."
Alister remained calm, reading the expression on her face. Anya wasn't just curious; she looked like she was out to kill; she was practically radiating murderous intent.
"What if I am?" he asked, daring to challenge her. "What does that mean for you?"
Anya's smile was calm and calculated. "That would mean that my search is over."
She brought her arms together as she cracked her knuckles as she said, "We can finally have a
"And I'll be sure to bash your head in."
The tension between them thickened; Alister could feel the weight of her gaze, the pressure
of her questions, and he knew that under these circumstances, he would need to tread