Past Backgrounds and New Identity

''In the past, you brats were nothing but a mere band of thieves hated and scorned. You can only live through stealing, since no one wants to hire kids to do a job. Especially homeless brats like everyone of you, who are probably worse than orphans.''

''However, it's different now. Since all of you experienced the baptism of life and death, you little brats now have new identities. You are born again. You brats are now completely new and different individuals.''

''What?! Are you saying that we are not Thieves anymore?'' Ben and Jajah suddenly retorted at almost the same time. Obvious shock and disbelief blended in their tone of voice.

This couldn't be, right? They lived most of their lives as Thieves. There was no way that their Master actually redeemed them from the slavery of sin.

Or could it be that their Master really did do that?! Did he actually want them to become Saints?! This... This...

To think that he was actually scheming something at them!

How cruel! How cunning!

Unforgivable!

Sapak!!!

Sapak!!!

''That's not what I mean, you stupid brats!'' As if reading through their thoughts, Heretic Saint berated as he gave the two of them another good lashing on their heads. He stared at them with a stern look as he spoke coldly, ''When I say new identities, I'm talking about you brats becoming the Vessel of the Renegades.''

And the two of them couldn't help but hold their heads in another painful experience. But...

''Ve-vessel of... What?'' Jajah, who was already dumb, was dumbfounded.

''Renegades?'' Ben added, but he was as confused as Jajah.

''I think I heard that before...'' Jax knitted his eyebrows in thought. Renegades... He kept recalling where he heard that word.

''...'' Mecaella, on the other hand, was silent and she didn't reveal any emotion. It was rare for her to put out her smile.

Leovicente only looked at his comrades in panic. What was he supposed to react now?

''You heard it right, you little brats are lucky. You are chosen to become the Vessel of the Renegades.'' Heretic Saint spoke again. A wide smile suddenly appeared on his lips.

''Why us?'' Mecaella suddenly asked. Her tone of voice hinted at them as if she knew what the other party was talking about.

''Oh? As expected, it seems like you know what I'm talking about,'' Heretic Saint remarked brightly. Suddenly, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he continued, ''Too bad, I also don't know.'' As if trying to catch a rat, he revealed a wide smile before he added, ''Maybe you brats have special hidden backgrounds?''

''Maybe from a rebellious organization?''

''Or from the sacred holy land?''

''Or maybe from the government?''

''Or maybe from a fallen ancient tribe?''

''Or from a hidden ancient clan?''

''I actually don't know, haha.''

Suddenly, when Heretic Saint finished speaking, a strange silence engulfed the crowd. Jax and his comrades were lost for words with each of them wearing dark expressions.

The atmosphere there also became a bit heavy.

''Who exactly are you?'' As Mecaella didn't reply, Jax was the one to ask. He tried to suppress the complicated emotion he felt right now.

Everyone of them didn't know each other's past backgrounds yet. He didn't open it up to his friends as they also didn't ask about it. As a result, he also didn't ask about their past.

Being together as they overcame all the life and death situations they encountered was more than enough reason to trust each other wholeheartedly. All of them subconsciously thought that they never needed a background check to continue their relationship.

So, when their Master mentioned his past background, he suddenly felt agitated. He felt worried too. As well as cautious. How did his Master come to know about it?

But wait...

He didn't only mention his past background. He also mentioned a few other backgrounds as well. Now that he thought about it, could it be that his friends' past backgrounds were actually...

Jax suddenly turned to glance at his friends. Sure enough, they too showed similar emotions as his. With that, he could be assured that his guess was correct.

To think that each of them had such a background...

But why did their Master know it when they, as brothers-and-sisters-in-arms, were oblivious of it? Thinking up to this point, Jax subconsciously turned to look back at their Master.

Strangely, he saw him as a completely different person this time.

As if what he knew about him was only a drop of the ocean.

''What are you talking about? Didn't I introduce myself already?'' Heretic Saint smiled slightly as he replied. ''I am the Heretic Saint, a transcendent being as well as your Master. Do I really need to brag it so many times?''

Then he sighed and shook his head slowly, ''Sigh, let's not talk about it. You, little brats, must have understood it already why all of you are chosen as the Vessels of the Renegades.''

"You brats are gathered here for a reason, for a grand purpose. Not because of a mere coincidence."

''So, instead of bothering yourselves about useless matters, why don't we discuss your new identity. And the new powers you little brats have luckily obtained.''

Heretic Saint was certain about it. Those kids must have realized it by now. That their bodies now awakened a power strange to them, which was the power of the Renegades.

And Heretic Saint's thought was right. Jax and his comrades could feel it. There was a boiling urge in their hearts, telling them to unleash it.

''I really have awakened.'' Mecaella suddenly muttered. She raised her hand at chest level, stared at her palm, before she curled it into a fist.

It took her quite a long time, but finally, she awakened her ability! The question was...

What kind of ability did she awaken? If it wasn't a mental type, then it was most likely useless.

''I also awakened...''

''Me too...''

Now that Mecaella mentioned it, the others also brought it up. They could now feel their mana reacting differently. As if it was transforming and revealing its affinity.

There was no mistaking it.

They definitely had awakened their ability at last!

They could now use their mana more effectively, not just by using it to enhance their physical attributes to some extent.

''Does that mean we can steal more effectively now? We can now become greater Thieves, right?'' The simple-minded Jajah suddenly blurted out. An excited smile surfaced on her lips.

''...'' Jax and the others were speechless. To think that the first thing that would come out of her mouth was still stealing.