Early morning light filtered through the curtains as a sharp series of knocks interrupted Azrael's meditation.
"Ding ding ding."
Azrael stirred from his deep concentration, his mental energy automatically extending outward to identify the unexpected visitor. His expression shifted from mild annoyance to shock as recognition struck him like lightning.
"Who's disturbing my rest so early in the, " He stopped mid-complaint as his spiritual perception confirmed the impossible. "Master?!"
Standing outside his door was none other than Master Lucian himself.
Azrael sprang to his feet with practiced efficiency, immediately summoning one of his ghost soldiers. "Go downstairs and greet our guest properly. I'll be down after I make myself presentable."
The ethereal warrior materialized with military precision, dropping to one knee before vanishing through the bedroom floor to fulfill his master's command.
At the entrance, Master Lucian waited with characteristic patience. Despite his formidable abilities as a master-level Lore Cardian, he deliberately avoided using his spiritual perception to spy on his disciple's private quarters. Some boundaries deserved respect, even between teacher and student.
When the door opened moments later, Master Lucian found himself facing a creature of striking appearance, humanoid in shape but possessing distinctive blue-tinged skin and flowing black garments. The ghost soldier bowed deeply before stepping aside to allow entry.
Two rows of identical warriors materialized along the hallway, each maintaining perfect posture as they formed an honor guard.
"Impressive work, little one." Master Lucian's eyebrows rose with genuine appreciation. "Your cards show remarkable discipline and coordination."
As a master-level practitioner, he'd witnessed countless summoning techniques over the decades. The seamless integration between Azrael's consciousness and his spectral servants spoke to exceptional talent and training. Few students could achieve such natural command over their creations.
Under the ghost soldiers' respectful escort, Master Lucian made his way to the living room, where another servant had already prepared fresh tea with remarkable efficiency.
"You certainly know how to live comfortably," Master Lucian observed with dry amusement as he settled into the offered chair.
While combat remained the primary function of most cards, auxiliary abilities for daily convenience weren't uncommon among experienced practitioners. Master Lucian himself possessed several utility cards for similar purposes.
Azrael's hurried footsteps echoed from the staircase as he descended from the second floor, still adjusting his hastily donned clothing. "Master, I apologize for keeping you waiting."
"Welcome back," Master Lucian replied warmly, though his tone carried underlying currents that suggested this wasn't purely a social visit.
Azrael understood immediately. After the group chat discussions about Crowley's behavior, he'd known this confrontation was inevitable. Master Lucian had made his intentions clear, he would address the situation personally upon his return from the coastal defense inspections.
"Please, sit," Master Lucian gestured toward the sofa across from him. "Your ghost soldiers brew excellent tea, by the way."
Despite being in his own home, Azrael felt a familiar nervousness settle over him as he took his seat. The formal atmosphere reminded him how little personal time he'd actually spent with his master compared to his interactions with senior sister Alice.
Master Lucian seemed to sense his student's discomfort. After a moment of contemplative silence, he spoke with uncharacteristic vulnerability.
"I've accepted you as my disciple for quite some time now, yet I realize I've never truly taught you properly. You must harbor some resentment about my negligence."
Azrael's eyes widened in surprise before he shook his head emphatically. "Not at all, Master. Your support has been invaluable to my development."
The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable. Master Lucian had indeed been his benefactor in every sense, providing resources, connections, and opportunities that would have been impossible to obtain otherwise. Without his master's backing, Azrael's advancement from Silver-level would have taken years longer, if it proved achievable at all.
Moreover, Master Lucian had never demanded anything in return for his generous investment.
In every measurable way, Azrael had profited enormously from their arrangement. Even considering alternative mentors like Tempest from the provincial examinations, he doubted any other teacher could have provided comparable advantages.
Master Lucian studied his student's expression carefully, his experienced eye detecting the genuine gratitude beneath Azrael's words. The guilt that had been weighing on his conscience eased slightly, though it didn't disappear entirely.
"Enough of such formalities between us," Master Lucian declared, setting down his teacup with a decisive clink. "Show me your current cards. I want to evaluate your progress firsthand."
Azrael's heart quickened, but he complied without hesitation, summoning his complete Silver-level lineup for inspection.
The array of powerful entities that materialized around the living room left Master Lucian speechless.
It wasn't disappointment that struck him, quite the opposite. The sheer quality and quantity of Silver-level cards before him exceeded all reasonable expectations.
Having been occupied with coastal defense duties, Master Lucian hadn't closely monitored his disciple's card creation progress. Alice, true to her taciturn nature, rarely provided detailed reports about Azrael's activities.
Only now did he truly comprehend how far his youngest student had advanced in such a remarkably short time.
Each card before him represented masterwork-level craftsmanship that would have impressed practitioners with decades more experience. No one observing this collection would believe Azrael had only achieved Silver-level status a few months ago.
Sensing the sudden tension in the room, Azrael's summoned cards adopted defensive stances, their instincts responding to perceived threats from the unfamiliar master-level practitioner.
"Easy, everyone," Azrael said softly, his voice carrying the natural authority his cards had learned to trust completely. "This is Master Lucian, my teacher."
At their summoner's words, the assembled warriors gradually relaxed their guard, though they remained alert and ready.
Master Lucian observed this interaction with growing amazement. The seamless communication between Azrael and his cards, the immediate obedience without loss of individual personality, such harmony typically required years to develop.
"Sometimes I wonder if accepting you as my student was the right decision," Master Lucian mused, though his tone carried amusement rather than regret. "Perhaps I should have introduced you to Lioren instead."
Azrael recognized the name immediately, Lioren was the legendary Sovereign-level Lore Cardian whose reputation extended throughout the entire empire.
"Master, that's hardly fair," Azrael protested with mock indignation, though secretly he felt relieved. Despite Lioren's greater power and prestige, Azrael preferred the familiar comfort of his current arrangement. Master Lucian might be less accessible than ideal, but their relationship had developed a foundation of mutual trust and understanding.
After completing his evaluation of Azrael's capabilities, Master Lucian's expression grew serious as he addressed the true purpose of his visit.
"You understand why I'm here, don't you?"
Azrael's shoulders tensed slightly. "Crowley."
Master Lucian nodded grimly. "Crowley approached me months ago, requesting to become my disciple. I refused his application."
"The boy struck me as fundamentally unstable, too impulsive, too arrogant." Master Lucian's eyes hardened as he continued. "Though perhaps 'impulsive' is too generous a term for his recent behavior."
Azrael silently agreed with that assessment. From his perspective, Crowley's actions went far beyond mere recklessness into outright malicious territory.
"But you're different, Azrael," Master Lucian's voice warmed again as he regarded his student. "You possess genuine character and integrity. Which is precisely why I refuse to ask you to endure his provocations in silence."
"Perhaps I've remained inactive for too long. Some people seem to have forgotten exactly what my title represents."
"The time has come for these old bones to demonstrate why I earned the name 'Dread King.'"
Master Lucian's reputation stemmed from more than just his mastery of underworld-themed cards. The title reflected decades of decisive action against those who threatened the innocent or challenged the natural order.
What Azrael didn't know was that Master Lucian's patience had been tested repeatedly. Crowley's harassment represented merely the latest in a series of calculated provocations targeting Master Lucian's disciples. Previously, he might have chosen diplomacy for the sake of maintaining stability between the Cardian Master Association and the governmental courts.
But time was running short, and his priorities had shifted. Master Lucian's remaining years would be dedicated to ensuring his youngest disciple could thrive without constant threats hanging over his head.
Azrael had initially feared his master might counsel patience and restraint, advice that would have put him in an impossible position. While he respected Master Lucian greatly, Azrael had already decided to pursue his own solutions through contacts in the Crimson Oath Society if necessary.
The revelation that his master intended to confront the Mizuno family directly caught him completely off guard.
"Master, won't this create serious complications between the Association and the courts?" Azrael asked, though he couldn't suppress a growing sense of anticipation.
"You needn't concern yourself with such political considerations," Master Lucian replied with casual dismissal that spoke volumes about his confidence.
"Besides, do you honestly believe they're worthy of such consideration?"
The casual arrogance in those words reminded Azrael exactly why Master Lucian commanded such respect throughout the empire. His strength as a master-level practitioner provided the foundation for such bold statements.
"Furthermore, my decision regarding how to handle this situation was influenced entirely by what I observed of your capabilities today."
Had Azrael's progress proved disappointing, Master Lucian might have chosen more subtle approaches to resolve the conflict. But witnessing his student's remarkable advancement convinced him that direct action would serve everyone's interests better.
His youngest disciple would likely achieve independent master-level status within a few short years. Before that transformation occurred, Master Lucian intended to clear away all obstacles that might impede Azrael's growth.
"Come," Master Lucian rose from his chair with purposeful energy. "Let's pay them a visit."
Azrael silently dismissed his cards and fell into step beside his teacher, his pulse racing with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
In the space between one heartbeat and the next, both master and student vanished from the living room, reappearing high above a sprawling estate located in the wilderness beyond Pixar City's boundaries.
A massive black-faced figure materialized behind Master Lucian, its presence radiating the overwhelming authority of the underworld itself.
The time for subtle diplomacy had officially ended.