When Azrael's phone buzzed with Fredrika's message, he frowned. "Why is she contacting me at this hour?"
His wariness wasn't entirely unfounded. The information he'd just received from the master group weighed heavily on his mind, but then he remembered the ancient tome intelligence he'd provided to Fredrika previously.
"It should be about the reward," he mused.
Since today was Sunday with no classes scheduled, Azrael had originally planned to meditate after breakfast. His mental reserves remained insufficient, deploying all five silver-tier cards simultaneously would drain most of his psychic energy. This limitation was precisely why he hadn't continued crafting cards despite having adequate materials.
However, accommodating five silver-tier cards just two months after his promotion was already remarkable. If news of this achievement spread, it would undoubtedly shock many established Lore Cardian Masters.
After quickly finishing breakfast, Azrael made his way to the Velvet Springhouse under ghostly escort. Another contingent of spectral servants remained at the residence to maintain his household, though he'd selected a new home, the rented apartment still required upkeep.
At least he wasn't the one doing the cleaning.
Through the Shadow Realm's pathways, Azrael soon materialized within the Velvet Springhouse. Following their previous encounter, Fredrika had mentally prepared herself and didn't startle when he appeared suddenly in her office.
"What did you want to discuss?" Azrael settled into his chair, casually flipping through the paper card techniques Master Lucian had provided while speaking directly. "Has the previous reward arrived?"
Fredrika was no longer surprised by his straightforward manner. She retrieved an envelope from her desk drawer and tossed it toward him.
"Catch."
The envelope was intercepted by a ghost soldier and presented to Azrael with respectful deference.
Azrael closed the book in his hands and passed it to another spectral attendant standing nearby. With ghost soldiers managing his daily affairs, he sometimes felt he was becoming dangerously pampered.
After accepting the envelope, Azrael broke the seal and examined its contents before complaining, "Only one material? The Society is rather stingy."
Hearing this, Fredrika couldn't suppress an eye roll. "The ancient tome information you submitted wasn't particularly significant. The Society giving you any reward at all is generous."
Azrael pursed his lips. He'd expected the Crimson Oath Society's miserly nature and was merely fishing for additional benefits.
However, this particular material was quite interesting: Silver Grade [Hollow Wandering Soul] (Gold quality).
The moment Azrael examined this material, images from Bleach flashed through his mind. Combined with the [Two-Faced Man] material still in his possession, visions of creating an Arrancar began crystallizing.
Azrael felt fortunate that his previous card creation had featured Fubuki instead of Amai Mask, preserving the [Two-Faced Man] material for this opportunity.
"I need to consider this carefully."
He felt no urgency. First, his mental capacity couldn't support another card's creation. Second, he possessed only three materials total, including the newly acquired [Hollow Wandering Soul]. Creating an Arrancar would require trading for suitable supplementary components.
Azrael definitely planned to craft cards related to Hueco Mundo eventually. If he could produce the venue card [Las Noches], it would create synergistic effects with [Soul Society].
How could he not covet abilities like [Soul King's Resurrection] that appeared overwhelmingly powerful at first glance?
"Ah, I'm still financially constrained," Azrael sighed internally. "But I suspect the Shinigami system's upper limit probably caps at master tier."
Though that remained incredibly distant for someone still at silver rank.
Meanwhile, Fredrika observed Azrael staring contemplatively at the material and assumed he was dissatisfied. She softened her tone, "Don't be ungrateful. Many people desperately want this material but can't obtain it."
Fredrika's voice drew Azrael from his reverie. "No, I was just considering potential applications."
Hearing his response, Fredrika looked surprised. "Have you already conceptualized what card to create?"
Azrael shook his head. "Not yet."
Though he'd already decided on an Arrancar, he wasn't ready to share this plan with Fredrika.
She didn't pursue the matter further, instead transitioning to more pressing concerns. "Incidentally, I have something important to discuss."
"Developments in the northern territories will result in most inland Lore Cardian Masters being reassigned there."
"This presents an excellent opportunity for you to distinguish yourself within the Society."
Hearing Fredrika's words, Azrael's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected her to broach this topic. Moreover, Azrael possessed firsthand intelligence brought from the secret realm by his senior disciples.
If Fredrika knew about these developments, it confirmed Azrael's suspicions about connections between the Crimson Oath Society and the imperial court. Alternatively, the Society might have informants within the Association, similar to Lian's role.
After brief consideration, Azrael decided to reveal his prior knowledge. "I'm aware. My teacher and the others informed me this morning."
Fredrika nodded slightly, unsurprised by this revelation. She wasn't testing his knowledge. "That's not the crucial point. With Lore Cardian Masters being reassigned, students like you will assume increased responsibilities."
"But they can't simply send you to die."
The "they" in Fredrika's statement referred to both the imperial court and the Association.
"Generally, students can choose between garrison assignments or exploration missions on a voluntary basis."
Azrael understood, but then grasped Fredrika's underlying meaning. Given the complex relationships between court and Association, plus Mr. Calvin's previous warnings, choosing garrison duty would likely brand future internships with imperial affiliations. Garrison missions offered lower risk but reduced compensation.
Exploration missions presented the opposite trade-off.
Naturally, ordinary students remained unaware of these political undercurrents.
Finally, Fredrika revealed her true purpose and stated the Crimson Oath Society's demands. "The Society requires you to select exploration missions."
"Requires?" Azrael's frown deepened.
Though he'd originally intended to choose exploration assignments anyway, the Society's demand reminded him that invisible shackles still constrained him, even if they existed only in the Crimson Oath Society's imagination.
Azrael sighed. "Understood. I'll choose exploration missions."
Fredrika seemed to recognize his dissatisfaction and offered reassurance. "Selecting exploration missions benefits you personally. You're Master Lucian's disciple, already labeled as Association-affiliated."
"Even if you genuinely defected to the imperial court, this mark could never be erased."
"In their eyes, you'll never truly be one of them."
In your eyes, I'm not one of you either, Azrael thought silently.
From his perspective, the Crimson Oath Society had only one genuine member, President Jin. Unfortunately, many contracted subordinates seemed oblivious to this reality.
"Anything else? If not, I'll take my leave."
Azrael released a breath, as if attempting to dispel his frustration.
Fredrika naturally wouldn't antagonize him at this moment. "Nothing else. You may go."