Wanted

Silence once again filled the room. James quietly returned to his seat. Different thoughts flashed through his mind. 'What will she offer me if I can't reclaim my rights?' James was interested in what he could gain from Piri. Although he had only enjoyed the benefits of a rights holder for a few days, James wasn't prepared to let go just yet.

"If I can't reclaim my rights, then what is my reward?" James asked in a low voice. He uncharacteristically avoided Piri's gaze.

"I will let you decide. If it's something I can allow, then I will give it to you."

James subconsciously turned to Piri. 'What's she planning?' He couldn't afford to drop his guard in front of the scheming woman.

"Why do you look so surprised?" Piri chuckled softly. "So, what do you want?" She leaned in her seat while fiddling with her hair.

James remained silent. He was in no hurry to state his desires, not that he had one in the first place. Although Piri had stopped using her unique voice, James didn't dare to reactivate his hearing. He knew she was still suspicious of him. But with the aid of the system, he would easily know when Piri switched between voices.

'Could she be setting me up?' James pondered. It was common for someone to manipulate others through their desires. Since Piri had given him the choice to state his desire, he believed she planned on controlling through it.

A sudden thought filled James's mind. At that same moment, he raised his head. Meeting Piri's eyes. "Can I ask a few questions before claiming my reward?"

"You're in luck. My mood is good today, so I'll entertain you. There will be consequences if you say something that spoils it, though. Do keep that in mind. Okay?" Piri replied sweetly. She would have sternly declined if it was someone else. However, James had piqued her curiosity. She wanted to know what questions he would ask.

James didn't put much meaning to Piri's obvious threat. He cleared his throat before continuing, "What happens to the corpses of those who fall in the arena?"

Piri stopped playing with her hair. Her brows knitted slightly. "Do you practice arts related to the dead?" Piri replied with a question of her own. She spoke in a crisp voice, and the unique tone of the Siren's call had returned. James's eye lost its light, as he said, "No, Headmaster."

Piri stared keenly at him for a moment, then she turned away. "You can wake up now."

Instantly, James's dazed eyes regained their clarity. He stared at his hands and then Piri, wondering what had happened.

"If you have further questions, ask," Piri said. She gave off the demeanor of one willing to enlighten the ignorant.

James fell silent. 'What a cunning bitch.' Any other person would believe Piri had already answered the previous question. Not knowing they had fallen under her abilities. 'Why was that the first thing she thought of?' Chills ran down James's spine when he recalled the look in Piri's eyes. ���I have to be careful when summoning the Army of the Fallen from now on. It's likely they don't take too kindly to those who practice sorcery related to the dead here.' James had initially planned on asking for a monthly supply of corpses as his reward. However, he didn't dare to anymore. He couldn't afford to deepen Piri's doubts. Although he felt regretful, he didn't place too much thought in it. He could always farm for more corpses in the forest.

"Can I know why you stripped me of my rights?" James asked.

"I expected that to be your first question." Piri replied with a smile. "Unfortunately, I can't tell you. Any other question?"

James already expected her response. He was neither disappointed nor regretful. "One more. What happens when I become a Senior Journeyman?" Piri's words earlier stirred his curiosity. James also had another reason for asking. The moment he entered the village, he realized that he had seen no soldier or caretaker above Journeyman. He felt as if not everyone was in this part of the village.

Piri's smile brightened. The more she talked with James, the more she liked him. "You'll find out when you become one. Judging by your age, it should take a while. So there's no point telling you about it. After all, it's not guaranteed you'll live to see that day. Especially not after your display in the arena." Piri said in one breath. Although she had given James permission to ask questions, she had little intentions of fulfilling his desires. Part of the reason she obliged was to know the thoughts in his mind.

James struggled to remain calm. Piri obviously toyed with him. However, he inwardly scoffed. He would never let Piri's antics get to him. James doubts, however, grew. He didn't see the powerhouses Henriksen talked about in the arena. He recalled his brief chat with the trio from the brotherhood too. They told him only the church could rival them in the village. Their words contradicted Henriksen's.

'What did the battle in the arena have to do with the others?' James mused. James focused on Piri once again. He took great care not to reveal the full extent of his abilities, especially his Grim Reaper form and the true nature of his flames. Why would someone target him because of his performance? James could no longer hold in his curiosity. "What do you mean, Headmaster?"

Piri grinned. She readjusted in her seat before saying, "You killed the strongest soldier. Isn't it obvious they would target you?"

'Just for that?' James didn't buy Piri's explanation. Unless something was wrong in their heads, why would they target someone obviously stronger than themselves? It made no sense. Just then, James heard Piri's voice again. "You are thinking why they would do that after you displayed your strength, right?"

James raised his head to meet Piri's eyes. She had seen through his thoughts. "There are two reasons. Take a guess. I'll give you two chances." Piri chuckled. James resembled a helpless lamb in her eyes.

James hesitated for a moment before saying, "The first is because of my mask..." Piri suddenly clapped while laughing. She then gestured for him to continue. James thought for a moment before continuing. "The second should be because of how I eliminated Higgins and Mandrogo, right?"

Piri's applauded again. "Smart. I like that. I knew you would figure it out. If your situation wasn't so peculiar, I would have loved to take you as an assistant," She said. "Since you dare show off a mystical item in front of them, then you should prepare for the consequences. I won't speak anymore on it." Piri added.

James solemnly listened. Internally, however, he rejoiced wildly. 'This is better than I expected. Hopefully, hundreds give chase. I can easily refill my Army of the Fallen while having extra for my experiments.'

If the mask could tempt someone as powerful as Piri, there was no way several soldiers and caretakers wouldn't risk their lives for it. James wasn't scared he would become the most wanted person in the village. In fact, he relished the thought. He was certain that they believed the mask gave him the abilities to dispatch the other combatants. Even if Piri and the executioner spread word that the mask was a cursed item, James believed a significant number would disregard their words. Human greed, after all, knew no bounds. 'Haha... If they are so keen to offer me their heads, who am I to say no?' James planned on slowly taking over the village. If others would help him hasten his cause, he wouldn't reject their kindness.

While James rejoiced about his potential windfall, Piri spoke again. "I won't be answering any more questions. How would you like me to reward you?"

James woke up from his fantasies. "Headmaster, I've only been here for two days. I dare not ask for anything yet. When I have thought of something benefiting, I will make my decision." James spoke in a low voice while avoiding Piri's gaze.

"You really aren't the stupid type. I really wish..." Piri suddenly paused. She sighed while shaking her head. James would have made the perfect assistant, she believed. Unfortunately, Sir Zakaria had set his sights on him already. What a pity. Piri sighed inwardly before continuing, "I will allow it. You have until the Akalite run to state your reward. You can go now."

James stood up. He bowed slightly as he said, "Yes, headmaster." Piri had used the Siren's call again. She watched as James made his way out of the room. Disappearing into the barely lit hallways behind the door.

A moment later, the two executioners appeared behind Piri.

"So, were you able to find out what kingdom he came from?" Piri asked without turning.

"Unfortunately, he is among the few without proper documentation. But it's likely he's from somewhere close to the Great Kingdom of Hoogport." The executioners reported.

"Hoogport, huh?" Piri muttered. Her fingers drummed on the armrest of her seat while she stared into the distance. Both executioners remained silent. They didn't dare to disturb her.

"Forget about it. It's difficult tracking the identity of one person among tens of thousands." Piri suddenly turned towards the executioners. "What's the latest on that coward? Have they found him?"

"Headmaster, Blay De Tover is still at large. However, Dustan Parsevz of Hoogport captured the two test subjects he stole from The Order. Unfortunately, we know little about their well-being." The executioners reported.

"Dustan... now that's a name I have not heard in a while." Piri's voice grew distant. Just then, her eyes lit up. "What's the current situation in Mathras?"

Both executioners hesitated. They had hoped Piri wouldn't bring up the topic.

"What's the problem? State your report!" Piri roared.

The executioners shuddered. They mustered all their courage, saying, "Headmaster, most of them are dead. We only recovered one. He's taking part in the last stages of the selection. He should arrive in a week or two."

Piri's breath quickened and her countenance had turned unsightly. "How did it happen? Was it the High-Elves?" Golden radiance gleamed in Piri's eyes and a thick purple mist slowly filled the room. Both executioners retreated while summoning barriers.

"H-Headmaster, please remain calm. It—"

"Are you telling what to do?" Piri suddenly turned towards the executioner. Instantly, the barrier surrounding him shattered and the purple mist assaulted his body before he could react. Within seconds, he fell motionless on the ground. Cold sweat covered the back of the other executioner. He didn't dare to help his companion, or he would risk a similar fate.

"I won't repeat myself. Who did it?"

The executioner shuddered. He had never seen Piri lose control so much. "H-Headmaster, they attacked Nahjor, and almost conquered the settlement. Unfortunately, Dustan arrived before they could claim victory."

The executioner trembled as he stared at Piri. He didn't want to end up like his companion, however; he didn't have the courage to flee. He could only hope Piri would spare him.

"I spent decades cultivating them. Yet that brat cut them down before I could harvest them." Contrary to the executioner's expectations, Piri remained calm.

"Does my main body know?"

"I-I'm sorry, Headmaster. I don't know." The executioner quickly replied.

"That's true. There's no way someone like you would know." Piri muttered underneath her breath. She then turned towards the motionless executioner. "Take him to the laboratory. I'll be heading to the Odon Valley." While her words echoed. Piri had already disappeared.

"H-Help... help me. P-Please don't... me to that place." The barely conscious executioner begged.

"You should have kept your opinions to yourself." His companion retorted in an emotionless voice. Saying nothing further, he carried the executioner, and both disappeared from the room.

At that same moment, the room underwent a substantial change. It's expanded size returned to normal, and the beautiful furniture and accessories returned into the paintings.