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It wasn't so much uncomfortability, it was the fact that the clothes he wore now and where he was, didn't suit him at all.

"I've been keeping contact with your Nanny Jullia, it's no secret your Mother's health is not the best. I take it Jullia asked you not to mention it but I've known for quite awhile." Was Marcus hoping that this was the way to open up with Zion?

No.

That wasn't his goal here.

"Because of that, I want you to think about become my adopted son." Zion froze and looked up at Marcus. His playful nature nowhere to be found as his eyes pierced through him. "I am wealthy enough to treat what you mother has, if you become my son, it would leave no arguments for the Capital if I sent you away to the academy as my own. However, I don't plan to right away, if you agree you'll be sent to the Maze first."

The Maze sounded only playful in name but was really for noble and prestigious individuals to train their youth younger then the required age of the first classes of the Academy.

Some didn't even try to send their heirs or vassals there. Children would die in those Mazes and depending on which Maze Marcus put Zion in, the outcome wouldn't be much different.

"What is my mother suffering from?" It was a simple question to ask. Zion always knee there was something wrong with his mother but just like everything else it was hushed.

Grinning Marcus picked up his goblet taking a sip of juice before signalling a servant who walked up and rested files in front of Zion.

Zion looking down, stared openly as the very first file picture showed his mother in battle gear.

"She was one of the best, a true warrior, speed, intellect, magic output, if she had stayed to her loyalty, she would of crushed me now." Marcus said as he traced his gloved finger over the goblets edge.

Opening the file more Zion's eyes widened, there next to her was a soul connector.

"Truly bizarre for you I can imagine, she wasn't always as pitiful as she is now." Ignoring Marcus's statement he read the lines 'the princess of war' followed by 'Glory to the empire'.

Clicking his fingers a servant came and gathered the files once again.

"There is a heavy price for severing a soul connector from the body. Slowly given time, ones mind become mush and the magic capacity one would of shared with their connector goes rogue. She'll die if left untreated, I'm sure she was aware of that when she let you come here" Marcus added as Zion couldn't look at his from across the table anymore.

He looked down at his food that by now had gone cold. The colour of the eggs seemed to almost melt into the mashed potatoes.

"I'll give you 24hrs to think of your answer, however, know this." Looking up, Zion met a scary aura one he hadn't noticed before. It crawled through his flesh like it was eating him alive. "I will not be helping you till you prove your worth to me. I don't have resources for the arrogant. You prove yourself to me through the Maze, I'll treat your mother and get exclusive tutors to guide you. Do I make myself clear"

"Yes sir"

"Good" Standing up, a servant came and took Marcus's plate as well a Zion's but replaced Zion's as Marcus made his way out. The attendant that had come in relayed information to Marcus subtly as they both looked at Zion one more time before exiting.

There was a lot to process.

He had to make up his mind within a day.

His Mother was once a renowned war hero and she was fading fast. For some reason though, Zion wondered why Marcus didn't bring up his Father.

'Did he also not know?'

Walking back he felt dejected, of course he acknowledged it wouldn't be a walk in the park in this life. But he'd hoped he had something to offer.

But he was weak.

No talent found.

No magic found.

Nothing but mediocre intelligence.

Why offer such a hard bargain when those aspects presented so clearly. He was basically a country bumpkin playing dress up and make pretend in an environment that didn't suit him.

Even the guards here could see that, he felt their judgement through the back of his head. He wasn't an idiot.

He wasn't an aspiring youth of the Capital or the Empire, not even his Section or Sanctum.

He gritted his teeth as he looked up at the sky. He had marched his way in frustration to the mansion garden. The smell of flowers and lavish maintain grass carried itself through the air.

It was nice.

There wasn't any sounds or tremors from mecha's that he was used to on the Outskirts. No cattle being walked to a new field for feed.

Just peace and prosperity around him in the wealthy.

'It's a test' test huh. Funny that that was the phrase coming into play.

He was being tested now by Marcus a man he'd just met. A tough decision and one that meant he served the Capital like Marcus did. Hold his name and give pride to that name Volitum.

The training may kill him before he is able to fulfil that quota.

All day he spent reading books upon books of everything about the Maze, soul connectors, Drones, Academy and more.

He needed information more than skills right now. Some would argue that knowledge is also a skill but Zion wasn't that of the genius kind. Simply wanting to know his surroundings and his trials that lied ahead.

Within no time, the 24hrs was up and Zion stood outside of Marcus's office. If he hesitated now he would hesitate when it really counted the most.

Knocking and saying his name the doors were opened by the guards.

Marcus sat in his dignified chair, his hands resting upon one another as his connector watched from the sidelines.

Zion knew he knew.

This was his house after all, his domain.

Nothing one did wouldn't go unnoticed.

Stopping just in front of him, Zion met his glaze.

"Have you decided?" Decide is such a silly word in this context. Sure he gave and option but there was a price for everything.

The simple heat of the clothes he wore to the bed and food in his stomach. The eyes and ears that insisted on being involved in his business.

The lavish walls and high tech facilities of clashing weapons in the distance.

He was to obey.

Until he can rise on his own recognition.

"I accept your offer" it may me a mistake, but only time will tell if he's strong enough.

Grinning ear to ear the heavy air still presence lifted ever so slightly as his attendant from before came in.

Just like before he pasted Zion and laid a pile of documents in front of him before saluting and leaving.

Watching in silence, he watched ink to paper as Marcus flipped through each document with grace.

Once done his eyes met Zion again. It wasn't hard to tell what they meant as he made his way to his desk.

Turning the document towards Zion, Marcus handed him the pen.

"Once you sign, there is no going back"

He didn't plan to...

He had accepted fate from here on out. Pen to paper and heartbeat in his throat, he was going to survive. He had made that clear to himself already, as he finished writing his name.

"You are no longer Zion Linux but now Zion Volitum, welcome to the family" Marcus said as he smiled genuinely again. "You'll depart for the Maze immediately"

That was a shock to hear as four guards came to take him away.

"Wait!?-" Zion slightly protested as the guards grabbed him and dragged him away from Marcus's office.

Marcus may not have looked like the type but he was a man of tough love. Kill or be killed, this is what gave him the nickname of 'two faced'. At least when it came to his goals and aspirations.

The carriage didn't hesitate as it started up immediately when they shoved Zion inside.

What Zion wasn't expecting was the attendant he'd seen a few times recently in there with him already.