Aiden let out a self-deprecating laugh before sipping on his tea. Genevieve looked at him with a curious gaze, while Maverick looked at him with approval.
"That's the reason I want to teach you," Maverick said. "I have chosen my pride once before, and it cost me everything. The moment you kneeled to solve your predicament, despite how minor, I realized that you had what I lacked."
"A handsome face?"
"Humility and desperation," Maverick ignored his comment. He placed down his cup. "If I had a fraction of the humility that you had today, my life… would have been different."
"It looks like I'm the one who needs to teach you," Aiden said with a grin. "But I don't think that your old knees can handle my techniques."
"It's too late for me to learn anything," Maverick said with a thin smile. "But my techniques are unparalleled. If you can master them, then not even Lumen can find you."
"I didn't agree to be your disciple, old man," Aiden said, making Genevieve elbow his side. He winced in pain as she answered for him.
"He would be happy to become your disciple," Genevieve said with a slight bow. "But at the moment, I need him on the mission to save the city."
"I wouldn't want my disciple to be killed off before we start training," Maverick said with a smile. "I will spare you two a few items that could save your life."
Aiden rubbed his side with a frown. "Hold on. I haven't agreed yet."
"I don't want to force you," Maverick said. "Your Starflame is a great fit for my techniques. Would you like to be my disciple?"
Aiden was silent.
"Why do you want me to be? I doubt it's the kindness of your heart."
"It's not from the kindness of my heart," Maverick admitted. "Lumen has shared with me that my life would be ending soon. I have no offspring and no disciples. Once I die, my knowledge dies with me."
Aiden looked at the old man, who seemed like the shell of a man. He had no reason to refuse, but had a tingling sensation telling him that this was a burden he couldn't handle. Then, his worst fears came true.
[You have received a new wish.]
A window appeared.
[Desire Fragment: Maverick Vance]
[Type: Legacy.]
["Carry the weight of a dying man's regrets. Master what he could not, survive where he failed, and let his knowledge outlive him."]
[Reward: Unlocks [Instant Crafting] – Immediately create any item from mastered blueprints if materials are available.]
[Failure: PERMANENT MARK OF FAILURE (All techniques learned will falter at critical moments)]
Aiden looked at the window and the old man with a grudge. Then, he sighed and lowered his head in defeat. Maverick and Genevieve exchanged a look of confusion before Aiden slapped his legs.
"Fine. I'll carry on your legacy or whatever," Aiden said. "I mean, I had no plans to refuse."
"You seem reluctant. Are you sure?" Maverick asked.
"I'm sure, old man."
"I guess that settles it," Genevieve said with a grin. "How about you go and explore the Grandmaster's workshop as we discuss the mission's details?" she addressed Aiden.
"I guess you want to talk to him without me around," Aiden saw through her plan but rose nonetheless. "I'll have a lot of fun breaking things, though."
"I doubt you'll find my workshop," Maverick said. Aiden left the room and closed the door, leaving the Guild Master and the old man. "What is the matter, Guild Master?"
"I wouldn't question the truth behind your words, but I find it a little strange that you would take a stranger as your disciple," Genevieve said with a frown. "Did Lumen tell you something?"
"You are overprotective of the boy," Maverick said. "Lumen said that I would meet someone who couldn't be more different than me, but he would be the perfect disciple to carry my legacy."
"Lumen is interfering with our world too much," Genevieve said with a frown. "A god is forbidden from affecting the mortal world to this degree."
"I sought her in the Inner Sanctums," Maverick said with a smile. "She is fond of the man from a distant land. Lumen doesn't carry ill intentions regarding the kid — but she warned me that his journey will be challenging."
"I don't know what you guys have planned," Genevieve said. "But Aiden is not to be touched, regardless of whether you are a god or a Grandmaster."
"It seems Lumen isn't the only one fond of him," Maverick said with a grin. "Do you think that you can protect him, Guild Master?"
"As long as we are on the same side, you wouldn't need to find out," Genevieve said with a smile. "I have tricks that allowed me to survive the Inner Sanctums. Aiden is important enough for me to reveal them."
[---]
Maverick had a workshop that spanned tens of meters in every direction. The labs were one thing, but his storage room was another — a separate dimension guarded by illusionary spirits that resembled the demon that Aiden once stole from the wish-master.
Aiden examined the workshop, which was spotless like an operation room, in awe. Maverick was meticulous in keeping his tools and crafting items. He walked toward the center of the workshop to find a single desk of black marble.
White lines ran across the floor and atop the marble desk, pulsing with lights that told Aiden this was no ordinary item. He looked at the ground and found a giant circle separating this illuminated part of the workshop.
He stepped foot on the giant circle.
[You have entered a zone of enhanced mana.]
[You have entered a zone of enhanced void energy.]
[You have entered a zone of enhanced focus.]
[Learning speed will double inside the zone.]
[Crafting speed will double inside the zone.]
[Void meditation will accelerate inside the zone.]
Aiden watched as the lights shone with a violet color as they ran across the desk. As he walked forward, he saw the lights dim away from the surroundings, letting the giant lamp above him be the sole illuminator.