Mr. Halen leaned back in his chair, his eyes twinkling with curiosity and amusement. “So, Lena, what brings you here this time?” he asked, his voice calm and polite. Then, he gestured toward Ethan, his tone as mild as before. “And, if I may ask, who is this young man you’ve brought?”
The way Mr. Halen spoke, with such politeness, made Ethan feel oddly uncomfortable. Despite the old man’s gentle demeanor, Ethan’s Heightened Senses picked up something far more dangerous beneath the surface.
It was as though every word Mr. Halen spoke carried a weight, a subtle reminder of the power he wielded just beneath his calm exterior.
Ethan felt his pulse quicken, and a bead of sweat formed at his temple. ‘How can someone like him feel so deadly?’ he wondered.
Despite Mr. Halen’s harmless appearance, the aura radiating from him was suffocating, a constant reminder of the gap in strength between them.
Ethan wished he had used some of his remaining Ascension Points before this encounter—just in case.
Before now, Ethan had been holding onto those points, saving them for emergencies like the one he faced against Anton. But now, standing before Mr. Halen, he realized this was far beyond any situation he’d imagined.
‘I should have prepared better,’ Ethan gripped his hand tightly.
Sensing Ethan’s growing discomfort, Lena stepped forward and made the introductions with a composed smile. “This is Ethan Cole, the CEO of NovaTech. He’s come seeking your assistance, Mr. Halen.”
To their surprise, Mr. Halen’s eyes lit up with recognition. “Ah, Ethan Cole. NovaTech, of course,” he said, nodding thoughtfully. “Your name has come up quite a few times recently.”
Ethan’s heart raced. ‘He knows about me?’
Mr. Halen continued, his expression calm but his words carrying a subtle edge. “I’ve received several offers—generous ones, I might add—regarding intel on NovaTech and its… rising star.”
His gaze lingered on Ethan as if assessing him, reading more than what appeared on the surface. “You’ve drawn quite a bit of attention, young man.”
Ethan’s stomach twisted in knots, sweat beading on his forehead. ‘So it’s true…’ The realization hit him hard. If someone as connected as Mr. Halen had received offers for information, then there was no doubt that many others were also interested in him and his family. ‘Are they spying on me? My family?’
His thoughts raced as his body tensed, fingers gripping the armrest of his chair until his knuckles turned white. ‘What have I gotten myself into?’
Seeing Ethan’s reaction, Mr. Halen’s polite smile shifted slightly. “Are you worried, Ethan?” he asked his voice still calm but with an almost teasing edge. “Or perhaps angered by the fact that people are prying into your life?”
Mr. Halen threw his head back and laughed, a deep, hearty sound that echoed through the room. “Don’t be so tense, Ethan,” he said, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “People are always curious when someone new rises up so quickly. They’re mostly interested in your background and wealth. And, honestly, most of those who asked brushed you off as no real threat.”
His words were oddly reassuring but didn’t entirely ease Ethan’s nerves. Still, Mr. Halen motioned toward a more comfortable seating area at his office’s side, inviting Ethan and Lena to sit. This area was furnished with plush couches surrounding a large, polished table.
As they sat down, Mr. Halen leaned back into the cushions, his posture relaxed. “Now,” he said, turning his attention to Lena, “what brings you both here today?”
With her usual composed demeanor, Lena began recounting the events from a few nights ago, detailing the confrontation with Anton Petrova. She kept the retelling brief, only touching on the key points.
“Anton challenged Ethan,” she said, “in front of the elites of Novan City, but things didn’t go as planned for him. Ethan held his own, and Anton was beaten before everyone.”
Mr. Halen nodded, clearly able to understand what happened.
Lena continued, “The real issue, though, is the aftermath. Anton will surely hold a grudge against Ethan. Twelve Great Families of Novan City may now take an interest in Ethan to curry favor with Anton or remove a new player from the board.”
Throughout her recounting, Mr. Halen nodded occasionally, a faint smile on his lips. He listened attentively but didn’t interrupt, letting Lena fully explain the situation.
When she finished, Mr. Halen let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “The Great Families… acting like fools again, as usual.”
He scoffed, “Anton? Really? That brat is barely a contender within his own family. In terms of respect, he’s somewhere in the middle. They’re wasting their time if they think helping him will gain them any meaningful favor with the Petrovas.”
His words were blunt, almost dismissive of the power the Great Families believed they wielded, and clearly berating Anton.
Ethan was surprised to see how lightly this man in front of him took Anton and the Great Families. He wondered who Mr. Halen was.
Suddenly, Mr. Halen’s gaze shifted sharply to Ethan. His eyes, warm and inviting moments before, now held a keen intensity.
“But I have to ask, Ethan,” he began, his tone casual but his words cutting through the air like a blade. “How did you manage to enter the realm of the Ascendants without any family backing? It’s not every day that someone without a lineage makes it this far.”
Ethan felt the weight of the question but forced himself to stay calm. He couldn’t reveal too much, especially about the system. Keeping his composure, he met Mr. Halen’s gaze and replied carefully, “I suppose it’s not that extraordinary, is it? After all, the mercenaries here didn’t have family backing either, and they managed to survive and rise through the ranks.”
Mr. Halen’s smile widened slightly, clearly intrigued by Ethan’s answer. But he didn’t press further—at least, not yet.
Mr. Halen turned his attention from Ethan back to Lena, a playful glint in his eyes. “But what I really want to know,” he began, his voice laced with amusement, “is why you decided to help this young man and bring him here. What’s the story, Lena? Have you developed a soft spot for him? Or is it more than that?”
He leaned forward slightly, teasing, “Maybe you’ve got a crush on him?”
For a brief moment, Lena—ever composed and cold—blushed slightly at the teasing remark. It was subtle, just a faint coloring of her cheeks, but Ethan noticed. Before he could react, Mr. Halen laughed, filling the room.
“Ah, don’t worry, Lena,” Mr. Halen said, still chuckling. “I know exactly why you’re doing this. And let me say, I think you’ve made the right choice.”
Lena quickly regained her composure, her expression returning to its usual calm, but the brief moment of vulnerability lingered in Ethan’s mind.
What exactly was Lena’s true motivation for helping him? It wasn’t just out of curiosity or a simple desire to see him succeed. There was something more at play, and whatever it was, she wasn’t ready to reveal it.
Ethan couldn’t help but wonder what Lena needed his help with, the favor she had hinted at earlier. But now wasn’t the time to ask. He focused on the matter at hand and was grateful for Lena’s help connecting him with Mr. Halen.
Clearing his throat, Ethan decided to move the conversation forward. “Mr. Halen,” he said, his voice steady, “I want to hire as many Ascendants as possible, especially those at the Ascendant Soldier rank, to protect my family and the people at NovaTech. I need to ensure their safety.”
Mr. Halen leaned back in his chair, his gaze locking on Ethan. There was a glint of amusement in his eyes, but something more serious lingered beneath. “You don’t really understand how the world works yet, do you?” he said, his tone more contemplative now.
Ethan frowned slightly, unsure of what Mr. Halen meant.
“You see,” Mr. Halen continued, “while there are Ascendant Soldiers among the mercenaries, those willing to take on protection jobs like this aren’t as many as you think. Most of these people are searching for something more that pushes them. They want challenges out in the world. They seek out danger, battle, and opportunities to grow stronger to break through to the next rank.”
Ethan absorbed Mr. Halen’s words. It made sense. Ascendants, especially those forged in the crucible of battle and harsh environments, would be driven by more than just money. They’d want to test their limits, to face stronger enemies and tougher situations that could help them ascend to the next level of power.
“But,” Mr. Halen added, pausing for emphasis, “there are exceptions.”
Ethan’s attention sharpened as Mr. Halen leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing in thought. “If you offer a massive sum of money and provide the necessary environment—things like advanced training equipment, proper nutrition, and maybe even some rare resources—then some of these Ascendants might be willing to take on the job. After all, even the most battle-hardened mercenary needs resources to maintain their strength.”
The words sank in deeply for Ethan. It wasn’t as simple as hiring muscle. These Ascendants needed more than just a paycheck; they needed the tools to continue growing, to keep themselves sharp in a world that demanded strength. He realized that just throwing money at the problem wouldn’t be enough—he needed to offer something that could truly draw these powerful individuals to his side.
Ethan nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of what Mr. Halen was saying. “So,” he said, “if I can provide the right environment, they might be willing to work for me?”
Mr. Halen smiled, leaning back again. “Exactly. You’ll have to show them that working for you will be worth their time. Give them a reason to stay—something more than just the promise of money.”
Ethan felt the weight of this new challenge, but he was determined. He knew what was at stake. His family, NovaTech, and his future hinged on making the right moves now.
“Then I’ll make it happen,” Ethan said, his voice filled with resolve. “Whatever it takes.”
Mr. Halen leaned back, his gaze assessing Ethan carefully. “What the Ascendants need isn’t like what ordinary people require,” he said, his voice taking on a more businesslike tone. “We’re talking about specialized equipment, enhanced training gear, and nutrition tailored to their needs. These aren’t things you can find on the open market.”
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, “I can provide the details, of course—everything from the equipment specs to the nutrition formulas. And if you’re interested, you can order directly through me.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in Mr. Halen’s approach. He wasn’t just offering guidance but also taking his chance to do some business.
Mr. Halen smiled slightly. “You see, Ethan, to convince these Ascendants to work for you, you’ll need to show them you’re serious. And that means being ready to provide what they need upfront—no delays, no promises. You place the order, pay for everything, and I’ll broadcast the job offer to them once we’re ready.”
Ethan listened closely, understanding that Mr. Halen was, above all, a businessman. This wasn’t just about protection—it was about proving that he could meet the expectations of these elite mercenaries. Mr. Halen’s terms were clear; Ethan needed to pay first and ensure everything was in place before any Ascendant even considered taking on his job.
But to Mr. Halen’s and Lena’s surprise, Ethan didn’t hesitate. His voice was steady, his decision unwavering. “I’ll take every stock you have,” Ethan said calmly. “And I want the best—only the best.”
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation! Thank you!
