NOVEL NEXT Chapter 198: Stealing Opportunities
Elijah's eyes widened, his entire body frozen in disbelief.
"F-f-fast…" he stammered, his voice barely escaping as a whisper.
His throat constricted, his chest heaved, and in that moment a grim realization struck him — if Azel had truly intended to kill, then Elijah would already be lying lifeless on the ground.
The thought alone drained the blood from his face.
His instincts screamed at him, louder than any pride he had as a student, louder than the burning humiliation clawing at his stomach.
Raising both trembling hands, he forced the words out. "I surrender!"
Azel lowered his hand with a faint sigh, his expression calm but faintly disappointed.
"At least your brain is functioning properly." He was not mocking the young man but rather telling the truth. "I expected you to throw yourself into another futile attack even knowing the outcome."
He tilted his head slightly. "But if you can admit defeat, then you're not completely hopeless. Now—"
He didn't finish.
A heavy pouch suddenly flew at his face.
Azel caught it with one hand, blinking at the unexpected weight.
"Here," Elijah muttered, voice hoarse, back already turned.
His retreat was hasty.
It was less a dignified exit and more the flight of a man running away from the shadow of his own humiliation.
Azel exhaled slowly, watching his figure vanish through the doors of the Emporium.
Around him, the arena erupted.
"He surrendered!"
"Elijah actually surrendered to him!"
"Did you see? Azel didn't even draw a sword!"
The students in the stands were buzzing like an unending swarm of bees.
Some cheered Azel's name, others gossiped in shocked voices, disbelief etched across their faces.
Azel paid it no mind.
Their excitement meant little.
He had not fought to prove himself to them.
'I should be getting home soon,' he thought, brushing his hand against the pouch.
'But first, this money. I promised Veyra and Anya their own storage rings. I'll finally be able to give them that.'
The thought of their smiles, of the relief and joy it might bring them, softened his lips and made him smile.
"Uh… uhm."
The small, hesitant voice came from behind.
Azel slowed, glancing over his shoulder.
Lorraine stood there, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.
She smiled faintly. "Since I gave you the tour, I'd like to escort you outside."
Azel's lips parted, but he closed them and nodded.
Azel reached for her hand, holding it firmly. "Do you know where we can buy storage rings?"
Lorraine nodded. "Yes… I know a place. This way."
…
They were in the market place once again.
Lorraine walked beside Azel, guiding him through the press of bodies.
Finally, they stopped before a neat little stall tucked between two jewelers.
Its counter shone from constant polishing, and behind it stood a middle-aged woman with quick, intelligent eyes.
When she spotted them, her face lit up in recognition.
"Ah, welcome. It has been some time, Council President," she said warmly to Lorraine before turning to Azel.
Her tone shifted to respectful awe. "And Lord Azel Thorne. I am honored to have you at my humble shop."
Azel stepped forward, his tone was polite. "I'd like to buy a storage ring. Do you have any of the newer models?"
The woman's eyes brightened instantly.
Reaching beneath the counter, she withdrew a polished wooden box reinforced with delicate silver filigree.
She set it down carefully and lifted the lid.
Inside, resting in velvet lining, were five gleaming rings etched with intricate runes.
"These are the newest designs," she explained proudly. "Each holds the capacity of two large houses. Their stability is guaranteed, far superior to older versions. The price is fifty silvers apiece."
Azel's eyes lingered on the rings.
'They even surpass the one I carry.'
Without hesitation, he drew out the pouch and placed it on the counter.
"Take one hundred fifty silvers and give me three. And I have another request."
The woman leaned forward attentively. "Yes, Lord Azel?"
"Do you have a body refining pill?" His voice was calm, almost casual.
She blinked, momentarily flustered. "Ah well… I don't sell those. I only have one that I attempted to make myself. It's unfinished and can barely qualify as one… it would hardly sate—"
"I'll buy it," Azel said firmly.
Her breath caught.
For a moment she hesitated, but the solid look in his eyes left no room for argument.
Relief crept into her features.
That pill had been collecting dust, an embarrassment she'd nearly thrown away.
To have someone of Azel's stature claim it…
"I see," she said quickly, smiling. "Then allow me to gift it. Free of charge."
She finished counting and pushed the pouch back toward him before vanishing into the back.
Moments later, she returned with a a small container with the pill inside and the three rings neatly packaged.
She bowed deeply as she offered them.
"Thank you for your patronage, Lord Azel. Council President."
Azel accepted them with a faint smile.
"You've been helpful." He tucked the items away into his own ring before glancing at Lorraine.
"Let's go," he said simply, taking her hand again and guiding her back into the market's flow.
…
Far from the marketplace, in the zone where they had left their Griffins, Rain's patience had already worn to threads.
She paced across the stone path, boots thudding against the ground with each step.
Her arms were folded tightly across her chest, his eyes darting forward again and again.
The sky had begun to dim, orange light bleeding into purple as the sun sank lower.
"Where the hell is this fucker?" Rain snapped, voice rising with irritation.
Her jaw tightened, lips curling into a scowl. "We were supposed to leave hours ago!"
She had been waiting and she was on the end of her rope… What kind of man left without even a word?
'I swear when he comes back…' She thought while biting her lips, she already decided… she would drag his hair out.