NINE

Prince Klaus POV

How dare that low life disgrace me infront of anyone. If it wasn't for my dumbass sister I would have killed him immediately I had the chance.

The carriage I was in suddenly rolled to a stop and the door opens revealing a dark and smelly alleyway.

Shadow Town, the most dangerous part of the city, well outskirts of the city, ruled by the ruthless gang leader, Tobi.

"What's going on?" I ask seeing that we haven't exactly reached our location.

"The path was blocked by some gang members my prince." Derek, the head of my personal guards replies.

"What? Can't they see it's me passing through." I got down angrily and walked over to meet the gang members blocking the way.

The gang members were dressed up in all black with skull drawn on their top, on their head a red handkerchief signifying their membership to the gang. The tallest of the trio blocking the way stepped forward holding a machete on his hand with a cigarette on his lips, several scars filled his face and he gave off a really dangerous aura but not enough to scare me.

"Boss said not to let anyone through." He says.

"Your boss works for me and I'll do whatever I want." I retort stepping up to him.

"Look here little boy." He spits out his cigarette and glowers at me angrily. "You think you can just come up here and control us cause you're the prince?"

"Precisely, I own this city and everyone in it including you and your boss, so step aside."

He smirks and starts laughing gripping his machete a little tighter. "You have so much gut talking to me this way kid."

Derek steps forward hands on his side gripping the hilt of his sword as the tension increases.

I would not be disrespected by anyone else today, especially not after what that bitch named Silver did.

"What you going to do about it?" I threaten refusing to back down from the stare off.

"[Inherent Skill: Berserks Fate]". His aura flared up as he swings his machete aiming for my head.

"[Inherent Skill: Sigil of Protection]. [Shield]". Derek was suddenly infront of me with his long shield blocking the attack.

"Enough!!" A deep chilling voice stopped the attack as soon as it started, A tall lean man, with dark hair wearing a long white and black coat walks gracefully towards us leaning on his walking stick.

"Tobi." I said through gritted teeth as I watched him approach us.

"Prince Klaus, I should have known it was you." He said, he glanced at the gang leader with the machete.

"Stand down Braun." He orders.

Braun nods and his aura disappeared as he steps back going to stand behind Tobi.

"You do know he threatened to attack me and that's a crime." I said, unwilling to let him go scot-free.

"Apologies prince, he will be given the appropriate punishment." Tobi replies politely.

"What can I do for you today, Prince?" He asks smiling which unnerved me.

"There's someone I need dead." I reply and handed him a picture and details I managed to get from the guild about Silver.

"Ahh, I see. Consider it done." He said confidently.

"Very well." I nod and was about walking away but I felt something cold on my shoulders and turned to see his walking stick on my shoulder.

"What's the meaning of this?" I ask irritated that he dared lay his dirty stick on my expensive suit.

"We haven't discussed price yet." He takes a short pause then said "Prince". His level 10 aura bursted out of him causing me to break a sweat and my personal guards to rush infront of me.

"You'll be settled immediately the job is done." I tried to keep my voice cool and composed.

"There has been a change in business strategy Prince, it's now payment before service."

"Don't you trust me?" I ask facing him.

"I do, but it's business right prince?" He smiles still releasing his aura.

"Ri-ght." I conjure up a bag of coins and throw it towards him, he catches it with ease and bounces it on his palm then throws it at one of his gang.

"Pleasure doing business with you." He smiles dispersing the aura and walks away before saying. "Prince".

"Fucking gangsters." I mutter angrily to myself as I step into the carriage. At least now I don't have to deal with Silver anymore.

___________________

Silver's POV

The next day I was dragged out of my bed by Kyna, who was excited on finally becoming an adventurer of the Phoenix Guild. We were to meet Archon, the guild master who would group us into a team of three with an instructor to teach us the rules of the guild and how to work as a team.

I wasn't really psyched about the whole grouping stuff, I prefer working alone as I'll feel restricted in being with a group, but guess I have no choice.

We arrived at the Guild Hall, which was several stories tall, on the ground floor was a golden statue of the King Adam of Phoenix Empire in his glory, during his time he managed to make Phoenix City become the greatest city among all Empires.

"Welcome Adventurers". Lily, the lady who registered us for the try outs walked over to us smiling brightly.

"You made it." She said skeptically but still smiling.

"Shocked? Me too."

"Well then, please take a seat as we wait for the rest of the adventurers to come." She led us into the elevator to the fifth floor.

The room was extremely wide and on the walls are pictures of former kings and queens and some of the history of the Empire. The first great war which almost wiped out the human kingdom before the advent of Inherent Skill and much more.

Seating on a barstool were Fred and Rachel who waved us over to join them for a drink. I took a seat beside Fred and ordered for a glass of cold beer which I gulped down in a go as I had not eaten anything since.

Rachel and Kyna seemed to be engaged in a serious conversation as they both giggled and laughed at intervals.

"Never thought I would actually make it you know." Fred said trying to start up a conversation which I appreciate cause I'm a terrible conservationist.

"I worked my whole life for this, training every day and night, preparing for the worst and the best." He continues, okay this is turning to a sob story.

"Some days, I starved myself just so I'll feel the burn and push myself to try harder each time I failed." I didn't even understand what he just said and his voice kept rising higher and higher as he talked, Kyna and Rachel turned to look at me and I shrug.

"Look who we have here." Drex interrupts as he enters the room with Jason and Sam, the latter wrapped around his shoulder like a leech.

"A slut, a cry baby, a loud-mouth girl and you. The infamous guy that took down the genius princess." Jason said while Drex and Sam laughed.

"What happened to the genius princess?" Princess Zita asked as she steps into the room with Archon, Ember and Max behind her.

"Noth-ing my Prin-cess." Jason stammers in fear and takes a step back.

"I thought so." She turns to glare at me and I smile at her which made her frown.

"Where are the rest of you?" Archon asks.

A bright blue light enveloped the room and Lex and Joseph appeared. Joseph rushed into the nearest bathroom and we could hear him retch into the toilet.

"Sorry about that. He's probably dizzy from the jump." Lex explained as he walks back leaning on the wall looking pale.

"Now that you are all here. Congratulations on becoming the newest addition to the strongest guild in the Phoenix Empire. As an Adventurer you have alot to uphold and tons of responsibilities to the people of this city." Archon explained.

"As an Adventurer, your main aim and responsibility is to protect the city from any external problem." Ember adds.

"To do this, you'll be divided into a group of three and assigned an instructor to take you through the basics." Max also speaks.

"However, since there are ten of you. One group will be a four member group." Archon says.

I sense foul play here, why was Princess Zita with them before any of us. Something suspicious is going on around here.

"Group 1: Rachel, Joseph and Fred. Please come over to this side." Ember points to a side of the room and they moved there.

"Group 2: Sam, Drex and Jason. To my right please." Max said and they all moved to his right.

"Group 3 being the last group will contain all three of you including Princess Zita." Archon said.

I knew something fishy was going on here, why would Princess Zita want to be in the same group with me anyways.

"Your instructors will meet you at the lounge. So please go on outside and congratulations once again." Archon said.

Just as Group 1 and 2 exited the room, Kyna and Lex also followed while the Guild Leaders went back into the office they came out from leaving only me and Princess Zita.

"Pulled another string didn't you?" I interrogated.

"You think I would pull a string to be with you?" She asks disgusted.

"Well since you like me so much it wouldn't be such a suprise."

"What?!". Flames spark out of her fingers as she glares angrily at me.

"Just so you know, I came here to stop them from placing me with the likes of you!" She yells.

"And yet, here we are." I smile inwardly, getting under her skin brings some sort of satisfaction. Just as I turn around to leave the room I said; "Come on down teammate, our instructor is waiting." I taunt.

"You!!" She grits her teeth in anger but followed either way.