Chapter 4 : Chapter 4
Chapter 4 : Token of Pact
Sal walked between the tables, receiving constant congratulations from people he was seeing for the first time.
“42nd! That was incredibly flashy!”
“You were the best among the Speedsters!”
“…Wait, Argento? Argento is 42nd?”
His name was displayed on the giant ranking board, but he had absolutely no idea who the people congratulating him were.
In one corner of his vision, a few other students wearing grey uniforms were also receiving similar praise.
He wasn't sure if he should be standing with them, but Sal decided to just wait until someone gave him instructions.
The welcome venue was a huge space that looked like a remodeled gymnasium.
Two walls were decorated with seats for current students who were busily conversing.
The fact that so many people were looking at him was still unfamiliar and uncomfortable.
Whenever a new name was announced, Sal applauded.
Now the order was passing the 100th rank, and the audience also seemed to be gradually losing enthusiasm for clapping.
The reaction had already died down around rank 30, but people said the atmosphere revived thanks to Sal’s slide.
Passing through the people, Sal smiled and accepted greetings, but kept looking for his parents.
However, amidst that, the words some people said while holding onto him grated on his nerves.
“With 42nd place, you won’t be doing Supporter work!”
“Argento? Argento is 42nd?”
“Salvatore! You are not meant to be a Supporter!”
It was advice to join an offensive class instead of being a Supporter.
It turned out that the Argento family was regarded as synonymous with the Supporter class within the Academy.
People were strangely unhesitant in telling Sal not to follow that tradition.
If he heard a little more, he felt he would get sick of it.
‘Is there such a shortage of offensive heroes fighting on the front lines, or do Supporters look useless?’
Whichever it was, Sal started to get angry on behalf of his parents.
Currently in this world, the Argento Auction House was an indispensable existence.
Could they even know what the weapons they used could do without proper appraisal?
Who repairs the equipment? What about barrier maintenance?
Sal recalled all those reasons one by one in his head and was seething inside.
Just then, his father Pietro finally found him.
“Sal!”
Before he could even say a word, his father hugged him tightly and smiled broadly.
“Let’s go quickly! Your mother is trying to marry you off.
Apparently, a childhood friend’s daughter entered this time.
So come quickly.”
He couldn't distinguish if it was a joke or a threat, but Sal put strength into his throbbing legs and started following his father who was smiling brightly.
Pietro didn't lose his bright smile even toward people cracking jokes.
Seeing that, Sal thought he did well to push himself running to the finish line.
The Argento family was not a member of high society in the true sense.
They were merely ‘necessary outsiders’ invited only when their ability as appraisers was needed.
They were often called to events, but their seats were always at the outer tables.
Rather than being ignored, it was a formal courtesy to save face.
Maybe that's why the hollow praise and hypocritical words from people around him now felt even more disgusting to Sal.
His parents were used to such social life, and Sal was too, to some extent.
That didn't mean he liked it, though.
“Alright, we’re here. Cynthia, this is Sal. I told you I’d find him properly, Soph?”
Pietro gestured and introduced Sal to a woman.
Cynthia was the exact opposite of his mother Sofia.
If Sofia had a small and elegant atmosphere, Cynthia was… not at all.
Sal held her hand and smiled warmly.
"Nice to meet you, Cynthia."
Instead of answering, Cynthia smacked Sofia’s arm and said.
"Oh my god, he has the exact same eyes as Pietro.
Is he really your kid?"
At the following sharp laughter, Sal could understand why everyone hurriedly came to find Sofia.
They had to rescue her.
But Cynthia didn't stop there.
Still holding Sal’s hand, she continued.
"Our Tabitha will be here soon too.
I really want you two to meet.
She hasn't arrived yet… she was always a slow kid.
But she is a smart child."
Sal couldn't tell at all if she was putting her daughter down or boasting about her.
Anyway, since he was reluctant to awkwardly encounter a mini version of Cynthia, he excused himself saying, "I'll go to the restroom for a moment."
Pietro sent a look of understanding, and Sofia had an expression begging him to please come back.
Even though he was already about ten steps away, Cynthia’s booming voice could be heard.
"If I were twenty years younger, I would have made a move first!"
Sal ignored the pain in his legs and started walking faster in the opposite direction.
Walking hurriedly, he bumped into a tall blond man.
Sal stumbled as he lost his balance, but hurriedly apologized while catching the man falling backwards to help him not fall.
The man straightened up, looked around guardedly, and met Sal’s eyes.
At that moment, Sal’s ability flinched momentarily.
It meant someone had used an ability on him.
“Puhaha!”
Then the man suddenly burst into laughter.
Sal was bewildered.
He tapped Sal’s shoulder with one hand and wiped away tears with the other.
"Apology accepted… I was trying to see if you were sincere, but I didn't expect to see a face traumatized by Cynthia."
He said while laughing.
“Ah, a Telepath.”
Only then did Sal realize he was the Telepath, Neuro, and burst into laughter with him.
"Could you possibly erase the last 20 minutes entirely? I want to forget everything from Cynthia’s dizzying words to me sliding all the way."
Contrary to Sal’s expectation, Neuro stopped laughing and made an unexpected expression.
"Are you that kid from the Argento family?"
Hesitating for a moment not knowing how to answer, Sal held out his hand.
"I am Salvatore Argento.
Everyone just calls me Sal."
Neuro regained his smile and accepted the handshake.
"I’m Neil.
Everyone calls me Neuro."
Only after shaking hands with one of the most powerful superhumans in the world did Sal realize that this was no longer the Silver Sanctuary blocked from outsiders.
Sal couldn't tell if his legs were trembling because of the meeting just now, the speed he ran at, or because he really needed to go to the restroom.
As time passed, the atmosphere of the space softened considerably, and the joyful conversations and intermittent applause heard from everywhere had cooled down much more than when Sal arrived.
It was quite embarrassing to see the dejected faces of students arriving late, but Sal suddenly thought that this entry ranking itself might be a device to test the students psychologically.
'Was this perhaps a mental strength test?'
He cursed inwardly and scolded his brain to please stop thinking.
Going to the restroom came first right now.
Arriving at the restroom, he found an empty stall, sat down for a moment to catch his breath, and felt the greatest satisfaction, but this didn't last long.
An annoyed voice rang out from the sink area.
"It’s really fucking ridiculous! He definitely cheated, right? But his name went up on the ranking board anyway, damn it."
Sal shook his head with a frown.
‘Speaking ill of someone openly in a public place like this where anyone might be listening, just how stupid are they?’
"But you know too. Who he is."
"Hey, what can those people do?"
Only annoyed sighs were heard.
Sal thought it would end here, but that voice full of complaint still had room to pour out more hatred.
"Just imagine he used that ability. Huh? Let's say he mind-controlled students to clear the way or blocked them from getting 1st place. Then what could people say?"
“Pfft!”
Some auction houses devalue items or cheat.
There is nothing more foolish than that.
However, the owner of that voice is raising his own value and devaluing others.
There isn't even any basis.
Sal, who intended to just listen quietly, ended up snickering at that absurd sophistry.
Instantly, silence flowed in the restroom, and soon after, a bang! sounded as someone hit his stall door hard.
"What's funny, you bastard?"
Sal finished up, flushed the toilet, and turned the handle to open the door.
Standing in front of the door was a student with a small but stocky build.
He was glaring with his chest puffed out and a face full of anger, but Sal had no intention of backing down at all, and suddenly became curious.
"What rank did you get?"
"67th!"
He shouted pointing to the hall behind.
Since 67th wasn't a bad rank, he spoke with some pride.
"But if it weren't for that bitch, I would have been much higher!"
Sal shook his head from side to side, passed him, and stood in front of the sink.
Then he said while washing his hands.
"I was 42nd.
I didn't see anyone mind-controlling, and there was no one lining up.
In my opinion, it just sounds like you're looking for someone to blame? But if it were me."
Sal turned his head and looked at him with a serious expression.
"If it were me, I would absolutely never pick a fight with someone who mind controls. What if she tells you to jump out the window?"
The student hit the door hard again.
"I won't fall for it again! I can resist!"
Just as Sal rolled his eyes and tried to leave.
A fist struck beside Sal’s face.
It was more surprising than painful.
Because the opponent's posture and angle were awkward from extending his fist above his own height.
Sal quickly activated the Speedster’s ability.
Although it was gradually fading from memory now, the remaining residue was enough.
Right now, he didn't need super speed, just time to think was enough.
As the movements of the two men slowed down, Sal calmly observed the opponent.
Sal wasn't a fighter, but he knew basic physics and biology.
The opponent was full of holes and his weaknesses were exposed as is.
His posture was terrible, and it would be over if Sal applied pressure to just the right spot.
Sal slowly turned off the ability and moved his body.
Lifting his right foot slightly and sweeping it to the left toward the leg the opponent had extended, the opponent completely lost his balance and stumbled.
By the time his surprised eyes widened, Sal’s right hand appeared beside his face.
The other male student beside him stared blankly as his friend’s head hit the floor with a bang and he lost consciousness just like that.
‘H… Hands and legs…!’
A heavy pain spread through Sal’s hand and leg, but he stared silently at the remaining male student for a moment before leaving the restroom.
Fortunately, that student didn't follow him.
Coming out into the hallway, Sal took his fingers off his face.
Wondering if a bruise had formed where the fist hit, Sal blamed himself while inwardly cursing his own foolish act.
If he said he made an enemy from the first day, his mother would surely worry.
Since visits would be difficult for the next few months, she would surely lose sleep worrying that her son might be in danger.
He picked up an empty glass placed on a nearby table and held it up to see his reflection—but it was useless.
"That's completely empty. Shall I fill one up for you?"
A voice was heard cheerfully from nearby.
When Sal looked up, a dazzlingly beautiful woman with dark reddish-brown hair was holding her own glass.
"I'm on my way to get a drink too. What's difficult about bringing one more? …But wait a minute."
Her blue eyes narrowed thinly.
"Are you… old enough to drink?"
Before Sal could answer, a playful smile bloomed on her face.
"Doesn't matter. I was going to bring it anyway. Let's keep it a secret between us two, okay?"
Sal tried to protest, but she had already disappeared into the crowd.
He stood blankly for a moment, and just as he was about to wonder who she was, he felt a light touch tapping his shoulder.
Turning around, a staff member wearing a white uniform was standing there.
Sal spoke up quickly.
"I wasn't trying to drink alcohol. Just… I was trying to check my reflection with the glass."
Sal lifted the glass and pointed to the blurry reflection.
"You see? I was wondering if I got a bruise."
The man in white clothes raised his hand to quietly stop him and smiled gently.
"No, it's fine. I didn't come because of that. If you want to drink, you can drink as much as you want. And there's no bruise on your face. Must have been quite a weak punch."
At the opponent’s smile, Sal relaxed a little and put down the glass.
But soon he noticed the situation was strange.
Sal gave a bitter smile.
"But… I didn't mention a punch?"
Looking at the white uniform, the thought crossed Sal's mind that he might be expelled before even entering.
"I might have been a bit excessive, but it was self-defense. Really."
Sal waved his hand and spoke as if making an excuse, but at that moment, something heavy was placed in his right hand.
The reddish-brown haired woman from before had appeared again.
Her eyes sparkled, and her arm was already resting lightly on Sal’s shoulder.
"You hit someone?"
She looked at the man in the white uniform, and he bowed deeply in greeting.
Alarm bells rang in Sal’s head.
He could be expelled, he knocked someone out, and now he had even accepted a drink from a woman whom people were bowing to.
While he was struggling to process the whole situation, the woman laughed heartily and took a long sip.
"I never imagined an Argento could throw a punch. How was he?"
She asked the man in the white uniform.
He spoke as if evaluating Sal highly, with his head still bowed.
"He pinpointed the opponent's weakness accurately and knocked him out in less than a second. There were no punches thrown."
The woman took another sip of her drink, and this time fixed her gaze completely on Sal.
Then she signaled the man in the white uniform to withdraw with a hand gesture.
Surprisingly, the man bowed politely and withdrew quietly.
Sal was left alone with her in an instant, and his heart began to beat like crazy.
It felt like being exposed to a predator's gaze.
The air pressed down heavily, and an invisible force pressured him from all sides.
Just before a terrible sense of fear covered his whole body and his knees gave way.
Suddenly all the pressure disappeared, and her smile returned.
"Your ability is quite interesting. Little Argento."
She said with a smile.
"But it's still at the level of a baby tiger."
Only then did she move her gaze from Sal’s face, and Sal felt a sense of liberation as if he had barely escaped from a tiger's teeth.
The woman put her glass down on a nearby table and took out a bundle of metal cards from a pouch on her thigh.
She glanced at Sal one more time, then looked at the cards with eyes that seemed to be measuring something.
The moment her right hand moved in a flash, a dagger popped out of thin air and landed with a smack in her palm.
Sal was startled and took a step back.
She spun that dagger between her fingers and looked up at the ranking board.
"By the way, why is your name so hard to write?"
Watching her engrave his name onto a bronze card, Sal eventually couldn't overcome his curiosity and activated his eyes.
Although his mind was already close to its limit, he wanted to appraise that dagger.
Appraisal was much more difficult than expected.
That meant the grade of the sword was considerably high.
Sal focused more energy into his eyes, and upon seeing the result, he inadvertently inhaled.
Epic Ethos Blade.
It was a legendary weapon that Sal’s father had barely appraised one of years ago, and even now boasted about how long that appraisal took.
The client back then was also the Reavers Guild.
As Sal flinched and inhaled, the woman stopped writing and looked back at Sal.
"Why?"
Name: Ethos Blade
Origin: Portal Artifact
Age: [Unknown]
Grade: Epic (High)
Dimensions: Total Length 12.75 inches ┃ Blade 8 inches ┃ Handle 4.75 inches
Material: Fang of Gloomhusk, Heart of Voider, Hellfire Titanium
Attributes
[Unstoppable]
Can attack ignoring all defensive measures except Gloomhusk hide
[Manifestation]
Can hide or reveal the weapon according to the user's will
[Summon]
Weapon is summoned immediately to hand within the user's visual range
Possessed Abilities: Unstoppable │ Manifestation │ Summon
Power Source: External Essence
Evolution Potential: None
Quality: Best
Durability: 93%
Estimated Value: $85,000 ~ $145,000
Sal shut his mouth fearing he might say something nonsensical and shook his head as if it was nothing.
The woman tilted her head slightly, then twirled the dagger in her hand.
"I just felt a wave of quite strong energy from you.
And then you suddenly inhaled.
What was it?"
Her tone was affectionate, but her face was not at all.
Sal flinched and pointed at the dagger.
"Epic Ethos Blade. It can cut anything… except for Gloomhusk scales."
But she still stared at Sal expressionlessly.
It meant to keep talking.
Sal flinched in discomfort and gulped.
"There was only one Ethos Blade in the whole world, and the Reavers Guild requested the appraisal themselves.”
“So I thought perhaps you might be Vila, the Vice Guildmaster of the Reavers Guild."
Sal struggled to avoid her eyes, but breaking eye contact was almost impossible.
She looked at Sal silently, then suddenly crushed the bronze card she was holding.
Some people around turned their heads at that sound, and Sal thought.
‘I’d rather go back to when Cynthia’s remarks and the sliding were my worries.’
A moment later, a smile appeared on her face again, and Vila shook her head lightly and laughed as if sighing.
She reached back, and this time took out a silver card with a confident look.
This time, engraving didn't even take a few seconds.
Vila lifted the card lightly to check, then turned back toward Sal.
Her smile was somewhat eerie.
"Think of this as a preliminary contract."
She handed over the silver card and continued.
"A proposal for a potential alliance that would be beneficial to both parties, shall we say."
She left a wink and headed toward another section of the crowd again.
Her card pouch was completely hidden inside her dress before he knew it, and the dagger also disappeared without a trace.
Sal stood there as if frozen.
Then he felt a familiar presence beside him.
Pietro approached whistling softly.
"It was your first guild negotiation, but you did quite well.
Of course… there is some feedback to give."
His voice was affectionate, and he pointed to the silver card and said.
"First, let's go outside and get some fresh air."
Sal nodded with a blank expression, the silver metal card still tightly clutched in his hand.