This is for me?

Meanwhile, Adrian was speaking to someone through the gemstone he had in his left hand, while on the grounds of the Array Association.

"Yes, there's been a bit of unexpected trouble, but there's no need to worry."

"I sure hope so. You should know how important this is for us."

"Of course. I'll definitely meet your expectations, father."

And at that point, the connection was cut on the other end and Adrian was free to sigh. He was serious about carrying out the task he was given, but it was always hard to deal with that father of his.

'I should find some time to get a drink.'

Adrian placed the gem in his pocket and headed towards the pagoda at the centre of the Array Association. He didn't know if the test had ended yet, but he felt no suspense. He wouldn't call himself very knowledgeable about the evaluation system, but from the investigation he did on the results of previous tests he noticed that although there were few suspicious points concerning those who should pass and those who should fail, there was a tendency for bias to be present when a participant was chosen for first place.

Of course he could have told this to Emily, but he didn't want to disturb her mental state. Besides, knowing that there was corruption wouldn't help solve it. Instead, he chose to comfort her when she failed to achieve the results she wished for. He moved with fairly light steps, but froze when he spotted Emily with two others. He could recognise both of them, but neither were of the type he wanted to see.

'Damn it. Why are they...'

After the tier qualification exam, Shui and Alicia approached Emily. At first, she gasped at how much more handsome Shui seemed in scholarly attire, but when she saw that Alicia was stubbornly holding his hand, Shui could sense the suspicion in her gaze. He didn't want to feel so awkward in front of Emily, but unless he wanted to hurt her he had no way of removing Alicia's hand from his.

To change Emily's focus, Shui cleared his throat and greeted her.

"Hey, I had some business nearby so I thought I would check this place out. I didn't expect I would make it in time for your exam."

In her mind, Alicia couldn't help giving Shui a strange look, but she kept a smiling face in front of Emily. On the other hand, though no one else could see her, Alia had flown right in front of his face and shook her head.

"It's bad enough that you're stalking the poor girl, but now you're lying about it too. I know you don't want her to hate you but your creepy meter is going way up there."

Shui ignored the spirit, but he knew that she had a point. He didn't feel any guilt in coming to see her, but to Emily, he was just a stranger that she met yesterday. Anyone would be suspicious if a person like that suddenly showed up.

'Well, not that it's that worth mentioning considering the present I have for her.'

There was no perfect excuse for why he was eager to give her a tesora-rank artifact for free, but he just had to see how it would go.

"Is that so."

After returning the greetings, Emily looked at Alicia with a hesitant look on her face. Shui wasn't sure how to interpret it, so he just asked Alicia to introduce herself.

Secretly, he thought that he would be freed once she let go of his arm to give a polite introduction, but with one hand still grabbing his, she said without a hint of shame, "Hi, we saw each other yesterday. My name is Alicia."

By now, Emily began to realize that Shui wasn't too keen on having her glued to his hand, but she had to feel respect for the girl. Even with her little experience in love, she knew that it was immensely difficult to be so forward with your crush. Once her impression of Alicia improved, Emily's expression became blank as usual. She shook Alicia's free hand and then turned back to Shui.

"Well, how may I help you?"

"No, I just want to congratulate you on becoming a tier 3 array master," Shui answered.

"..."

Emily struggled to give a response. She was now an official tier 3 array master, which was very impressive considering her age. However, she was still frustrated by the result of the test.

Shui saw through this frustration so he didn't push her for a reply and moved on.

"Anyways, why don't we leave here first? I have a present for you."

"A present?"

Emily raised an eyebrow in suspicion, but she wasn't reluctant to leave as she had completed her business at the Array Association for the time being. She didn't know Shui very well, so she had a hard time guessing what sort of present he had in mind and why he had one ready for her.

Shui left her alone with her thoughts until she eventually agreed and they left the first floor of the central pagoda. Emily still remembered that Adrian had accompanied her so she tried to find him first. When she left the central pagoda and was searching for him, he also noticed her and was surprised to see her walking with a well dressed Shui and Alicia. He was curious about their interaction, but he was also reluctant to join them. He considered watching them from afar, but Shui had noticed him and pointed Emily in his direction.

"Senior brother!" she shouted.

As Emily waved in his direction, Adrian quickly hid his grimace and approached. Due to her recent circumstances, Emily always tried her best to hide her emotions, but her relief was clear to his eyes. And he knew that this relief wasn't because he was fine, it was because she felt uncomfortable with the two persons with her. Emily could tolerate Shui before because despite his overwhelming power he didn't come off as imposing, but with the stunning Alicia by his side, both of their splendour was emphasized, causing Emily to feel a seed of inferiority sprouting. She didn't plan on sacrificing Adrian or anything, but it was helpful to have a normal person with her.

When Adrian came closer, Shui greeted him and then he and Alicia were introduced to each other. Although Alicia didn't say her clan name, he had a vague idea of her background due to his information network. He was even more uncomfortable but all he could do was hope that they finished their business with Emily quickly.

Once they were all together and everyone knew each other's names, Shui felt it was time to give Emily the gift he made.

"Now, before I take out your gift I need to keep away any prying eyes," said Shui.

However, Alicia decided to ease his burden.

"No, allow me."

With her right elbow hooked around his arm, she then reached into her left sleeve and pulled out a red umbrella. When the umbrella was opened and released into the air, it created a field that isolated them from the perception of anyone in the area. Shui nodded his head in approval at the artifact's abilities, Emily admired it from a technical perspective while Adrian sighed at how expensive it was. No one other than Shui and Alia knew what the gift would be, but now the others couldn't help but raise their expectation if he was being this careful about it.

'It would have been better if these two weren't here either.'

It wasn't the perfect setting, but it would do.