"So," Aurelius said, already seated upon the central chair, his posture relaxed yet commanding. "What brings you here?"
Lucas felt it immediately.
The pressure.
More than thirty figures sat in elevated seats surrounding the hall, their gazes fixed on him from all sides. Each carried a distinct presence, sharp and oppressive, like blades resting just short of his skin.
This wasn't a discussion.
It was a trial.
Well, that's exactly what he wanted.
Garran's expression darkened.
"What's the meaning of this?" he demanded, irritation clear in his voice.
"Merely protocol," Aurelius replied evenly. "We cannot allow a member of the Drakebane family, especially its heir, to walk into the Order without proper scrutiny."
"Scrutiny?" Garran scoffed. "We came to talk, not to provoke your entire council."
"I understand," Aurelius said calmly. "And rest assured, the Creed Mountain Order has no desire to create friction with the Drakebane family. That said…" His eyes returned to Lucas. "Let's hear the purpose of your visit."
Lucas took a step forward.
"I'll be direct," he said. "I want a training method from the Creed Mountain Order."
The reaction was immediate.
Some elders frowned. Others exchanged glances. A few stiffened outright.
Aurelius remained composed.
"You're aware of our rules," Aurelius said. "Our techniques are not shared with outsiders."
There was a brief pause before he continued, his tone shifting slightly.
"Unless," he added, "you choose to join us. The doors of the Order would open to you willingly. With that, certain privileges would follow."
Lucas didn't hesitate.
"I won't join the Order," he said calmly, folding his arms. "And that doesn't change what I'm here for."
A ripple of unease passed through the council.
Several elders bristled at his tone, but none spoke. The Drakebane name carried weight, even here.
Garran subtly shifted his stance, ready to act if the atmosphere turned hostile.
"What method are you seeking?" Aurelius asked.
Lucas didn't hesitate.
"The Grand Astral Method."
The hall erupted.
"That's absurd!"
"Out of the question!"
"That method is an Order legacy!"
"No outsider will ever touch it!"
Voices overlapped, the room descending into chaos.
The Grand Astral Method wasn't just any training system. It was a relic from the Order's founding era, left behind by its greatest architect. Five centuries had passed, and not a single person had fully mastered it.
Aurelius raised a hand.
Silence fell instantly.
"Your request is unreasonable," he said firmly. "That method is one of our greatest treasures. Even full members aren't granted access lightly."
Lucas smiled faintly.
"I never said I wanted it for free."
Aurelius's eyes narrowed. "Then what are you proposing?"
Lucas reached into his coat and withdrew a scroll, tossing it forward.
Aurelius caught it reflexively.
The moment his eyes fell on the title, his expression changed.
Cursed Technique: Soul Imprint.
His heartbeat quickened.
He turned sharply to the elder beside him. "Elder Hawthorne. Examine this."
The old man stepped forward, his face paling as he read the title.
"This can't be real," Hawthorne muttered. "This technique was lost centuries ago."
"Check it," Aurelius said quietly.
Hawthorne unrolled the scroll.
Runes etched in ancient script revealed themselves, complex and precise. His hands trembled as he read.
Aurelius leaned back, thoughtful.
Soul Imprint.
A technique spoken of only in fragmented manuscripts. A method rumored to bind spirit and essence at a fundamental level, lost to history after its creator vanished.
"Order Master," Hawthorne said at last, sweat beading on his brow. "I see no flaws. This… this is authentic."
The hall fell deathly silent.
Aurelius rose slowly from his seat, eyes locked on Lucas.
"You intend to exchange the Grand Astral Method," he said carefully, "for this?"
"Exactly," Lucas replied.
"And if I refuse?" Aurelius asked coolly. "The scroll is already in my possession."
Before Lucas could answer, Garran stepped forward, his voice sharp as steel.
"Then be prepared," he said, "to watch the Creed Mountain Order burn."
The air froze.
Thirty elders shifted in unison.
Aurelius's gaze hardened.
And Lucas… simply smiled.