Standing outside the Pixar University office building, Azrael sent a message to Fredrika and began contemplating his options.
Of the three potential assignments, Azrael immediately ruled out Cremont. The reason wasn't particularly complex, Cremont hosted several high-level Lore Cardians, making it genuinely dangerous territory for someone in his position. As the Sixth Master of the Crimson Oath Society, venturing into such a prominently monitored location would be strategically unwise.
Qicheng and Donglai presented more manageable alternatives. In either city, he could easily secure promotion to Vice President, with only the regional President holding superior authority. If the Crimson Oath Society truly required his services for legitimate missions, he wouldn't need to maintain such cautious discretion.
"But ultimately, everything depends on what the Crimson Oath Society actually wants from me," Azrael sighed, shadows clouding his expression.
Overthinking the situation served no purpose at this stage. His immediate priority was meeting with Fredrika to gather more information.
When Azrael emerged from the shadows into Fredrika's office, Pixar City's most influential information broker was already waiting expectantly.
"Master, you've arrived." Fredrika smiled ingratiatingly at the remarkably young Gold-level Lore Cardian before her.
Azrael waved dismissively and poured himself a glass of water. "Skip the pleasantries. What did you call me here to discuss?"
Fredrika wasn't offended by Azrael's direct attitude. Given her subordinate status, she had no choice but to comply with orders from this gentleman who could command her to kneel and bark like a dog if he so desired.
"Master, the society wishes to inquire about your preference regarding the training position assignment."
"As expected," Azrael sighed. The Crimson Oath Society could only contact him at this critical juncture for precisely this reason.
He presented Fredrika with the three cities from which he could choose.
Fredrika appeared unsurprised by the options. "Master, the society wants you to select a city offering greater operational autonomy."
Azrael paused, momentarily taken aback, then fell into thoughtful consideration.
He understood the Crimson Oath Society's reasoning perfectly. Greater autonomy simply meant more opportunities for him to interfere with local operations and advance their hidden agenda.
"It seems my thoughts align with theirs."
Azrael desired a position with substantial autonomy precisely because the Crimson Oath Society didn't genuinely control him. With sufficient authority, he would maintain final decision-making power over most matters.
Unless the Crimson Oath Society assigned someone to directly supervise his activities, which seemed unlikely given Jin's apparent confidence in the contractual arrangements.
People like Fredrika, as far as Azrael could determine, didn't even register as genuine threats.
"That leaves only Qicheng and Donglai as viable options." (TL/N: I'm not changing these Chinese cities, I'm leaving them as is)
"Which one should I choose?"
The two cities weren't geographically distant, both located along the coast, though Qicheng occupied a southern position while Donglai lay to the north.
After brief deliberation, Azrael decided on Donglai. The reasoning was straightforward, Donglai maintained closer proximity to Pixar than Qicheng, and he had promised his senior sister more frequent visits.
"Donglai. Please convey my choice to the society."
However, after Azrael announced his decision, Fredrika offered a sheepish smile. "Master, it's not my place to communicate such matters directly. The society hopes you'll return to Velkairos before assuming your new position."
"The president wants to meet with you personally."
Azrael felt startled, then frowned slightly.
He hadn't encountered Jin face-to-face since joining the Crimson Oath Society, conducting most correspondence through Fredrika's intermediary services.
Now they apparently considered him sufficiently mature for direct contact?
Considering this development, Azrael calmed himself and replied evenly, "I understand."
"Who should I contact once I reach Velkairos?"
Fredrika responded quickly, "Simply wait after your arrival. The president and his associates will approach you directly."
Hearing this, Azrael initially dismissed the possibility of exposure, and the likelihood of a trap decreased significantly. If the Crimson Oath Society harbored hostile intentions, they would have arranged a specific meeting location.
"Understood. I'll be departing now."
Just as Azrael prepared to leave, Fredrika urgently called out to him. "Sir, please wait. There's one additional matter."
He halted the Shadowkhan manifestation and said, "Proceed."
"Do you remember Magnus? The society says he'll be accompanying you to your new assignment." As if fearing Azrael might misunderstand, Fredrika quickly explained, "Sir, please don't interpret this as surveillance. The society simply believes you might face dangers since you've recently advanced to Gold rank, so they're planning to have him provide protection."
Azrael refrained from mentioning that he had already successfully created his first Gold-level card. A cold chuckle echoed through the office, and Fredrika's heart instantly leaped to her throat. After a tense moment, Azrael's emotionless voice reached her ears again.
"Where is he?"
"I'll summon him immediately."
Azrael watched Fredrika bow her head while sending a message on her phone, murderous intent flickering in his eyes.
Magnus's appearance had somewhat disrupted his carefully laid plans.
"I need to find an opportunity to deal with him."
He had already reached a decision, once they arrived in Donglai, he would devise a method to eliminate this inconvenient tail.
My name is Magnus, a 48-year-old male, currently homeless.
Everything began when I accepted an assassination mission from the society.
I initially believed the target was merely a Silver-rank Lore Cardian, assuming I could easily complete the assignment.
However, upon arrival, I realized something was seriously wrong.
No one had informed me that the target was the society's most important boss!
Fortunately, I managed to curry favor with him through my exceptional flattery skills, but it was obvious I remained under suspicion.
Recently, I sensed that my position wasn't sufficiently secure. When I witnessed him break through to Gold rank on television, I recognized my opportunity had arrived.
I spent most of my family's savings bribing that gossipy woman, hoping she would request society protection for him.
The strategy succeeded, and the society approved my proposal.
Now that gossipy woman has summoned me to meet with the Sixth Master.
Azrael observed the honest-looking middle-aged man before him and couldn't help but sigh. "Then follow me."
Magnus felt immediate relief. He had sensed something ominous in the atmosphere since his arrival, though he couldn't identify the specific source.
Fortunately, Master Azrael had finally agreed to the arrangement. "Thank you, Master Azrael! Thank you, Master Azrael! From now on, I'll do whatever you ask!"
"Then you should undergo gender reassignment surgery and debut as an idol. I've already considered a stage name, Airi-chan."
"The money we earn will fund the organization's activities."
Magnus froze, staring at the serious young man before him, uncertain whether he was joking.
Azrael glanced at him and casually added, "Just kidding. Don't take it seriously."
Magnus forced a smile and unconsciously pressed his legs together.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving. Magnus, wait for me in Donglai."
"Yes!" they responded in unison.
With a casual wave, Azrael disappeared from Fredrika's office.
Both remaining individuals felt as though they had received a reprieve. The psychological pressure of facing someone who controlled their life and death was immense.
Magnus, in particular, still couldn't determine whether the Sixth Master had been joking or serious.
Fredrika, sensing Magnus's unease, patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Do your best."
"Airi-chan."
Magnus's eye twitched violently as he roared internally, "Damn gossip! Who do you think is responsible for putting me in this situation?!"
Externally, however, he managed a grateful expression. "Thanks to President Fredrika this time."
"I'll treat you to dinner when you have time."
BANG!
In the dark alley adjacent to Velkairos City Transportation Station, a man and woman stood together.
"I don't want this, it's too bitter."
The auburn-haired girl handed the oolong tea to the slender black-haired young man beside her.
The young man examined the vending machine before them with amazement. "It actually works! As head of the family, I hereby crown you the Queen of Free Beverages."
"From now on, all Azrael family drinks will depend on you, Misaka."
"Idiot! How long would it take me to handle this alone?!" The auburn-haired girl punched the young man beside her in embarrassed frustration.
Then she delivered a powerful kick to the vending machine.
BANG!
CLUNK.
Another bottle tumbled from the dispensing slot.
This time it was coconut soda.
The auburn-haired girl's eyes lit up as she pulled the tab and sipped delicately.
The young man ruffled her hair, only to have his hand impatiently brushed away. However, the red tips of her ears betrayed her true feelings.
"Tsundere is outdated."
"No way!"
"Yeah, that's exactly it. Can we experience this more often?"
The pair were, naturally, Azrael and Misaka.
After his conversation with Fredrika that day, he had reported his choice to the school administration.
He was now officially the Vice President of the Donglai City Cardian Master Association. From this point forward, remember to address him as President Azrael when discussing work-related matters!
However, before assuming his post in Donglai City, Azrael needed to return to Velkairos. There was no alternative, since Jin, the head of the Crimson Oath Society, had specifically requested a personal meeting.
Fortunately, Lucian hadn't been in Velkairos recently. Otherwise, Azrael would have needed to plan extremely carefully before daring to visit.
He shuddered imagining Lucian's reaction to discovering him meeting with Jin.
That would constitute a true Shura field, a potentially lethal one.
"Back again," Azrael murmured, gazing at the Happy Homes Complex before him, nostalgia welling in his heart.
He wouldn't remain in Velkairos long this time. At most, he would depart for Donglai City to assume his new position within three to four days.
Naturally, there was no need to find new accommodations. He could simply use the old, run-down apartment where he had first awakened in this world.
"I need to prepare before anything else."
Uncertain of Jin's true intentions, Azrael couldn't afford to be completely unprepared.
He had already stored all his intelligence about the Crimson Oath Society on a USB drive. With Misaka, a skilled hacker and Academy City's third-ranked Level 5 esper, providing security, there was no need to worry about digital protection.
As for the physical USB drive, he had buried it in the basement of his Pixar residence.
Thieves wouldn't dare steal from Alice, a Diamond-level Lore Cardian.
Regarding what might happen if Alice discovered the USB drive, he trusted his senior sister's integrity and believed she wouldn't tamper with his belongings.
That assumed nothing happened to him, of course. After all, he could still vividly remember the moment she had immediately dumped Ottarl's severed head at his feet.
If nothing went wrong, he would destroy the USB drive before taking up his new post.
"Ah, if I were Sovereign rank now and could activate [Soul King's Revival], I wouldn't need to tolerate this situation."
Azrael felt frustrated by the sensation of being controlled.
"Be patient!"
He sensed that day wasn't far off.
When he could tear Jin's head off and kick it like a ball, he would finally have absolute authority within the Crimson Oath Society.
Night soon descended upon the coastal city of Velkairos.
Azrael, deep in meditation, opened his eyes. Someone had arrived at his residence.
A gloomy old man and a man in a black suit sat quietly on his worn sofa.
"President?"
Azrael asked confidently, recognizing the man in the black suit as Memphis.
The old man grinned. "Azrael, this is our first meeting, isn't it?"
"Yes." After a moment's silence, Azrael nodded.
This marked his first face-to-face conversation with President Jin since joining the Crimson Oath Society.
Observing this, Jin released a hoarse, low laugh. "Don't be so nervous, Azrael. Weren't you quite brave in Riverock previously?"
Azrael felt startled, then remembered he had impersonated Memphis when reporting the Onefold Doctrine's activities.
He secretly glanced at the expressionless master beside him, then offered an awkward smile. "The Onefold Doctrine dogs were pursuing us, and my identity wasn't suitable for revelation. I could only trouble Master Memphis."
Jin laughed. "I don't mean to blame you. After all, the Onefold Doctrine definitely overstepped their boundaries."
Seeing Azrael's nervous demeanor, Jin displayed sudden understanding, then revealed a malicious smile. "Are you worried about exposure?"
"Don't worry, no one in Velkairos can spy on this house currently."
"Besides, even if discovered, I'm merely a clone."
"But you..."
Azrael's heart skipped a beat. He wasn't certain what Jin intended to say next.
Fortunately, Jin's following words provided relief. "Relax! I can't bear to expose you so carelessly now."
Azrael's expression darkened as he cursed internally, "Fucking Wanker!!!"
It seemed Jin didn't genuinely care about the Crimson Oath Society's welfare.
Then again, with his abilities available, as long as he survived, he could easily create another similar organization.
"I'm not here for extensive business this time."
"Take this."
Jin gestured, and Memphis retrieved an envelope from his pocket, tossing it to Azrael.
Azrael caught it and felt the contents, raw materials.
"Thank you, President." He handed the envelope to a nearby Shadowkhan. The specific details of the materials would have to wait until he finished dealing with more pressing matters.
Jin nodded slightly. "Let's discuss the main issue. I already know you're going to Donglai as Vice President."
"Hmm."
"All Crimson Oath Society members in Donglai will be under your direct command."
"I'll provide you with a communication card to maintain contact with the organization."
"Memphis will issue routine missions."
Jin paused before speaking in a deeper voice. "What I'm emphasizing is that mission completion isn't critical. If necessary, you can use the entire Donglai Crimson Oath Society as expendable bait."
"The priority is maintaining your cover identity."
Azrael's heart sank. Although he felt somewhat pleased by Jin's words, the satisfaction was limited. "It seems the Crimson Oath Society has significant plans brewing."
Jin had appeared nonchalant moments ago, but now he was delivering this warning.
This could only mean Azrael was extremely important to the old man's schemes.
As for the reasoning, Azrael immediately understood.
He was Lucian's disciple.
"Fortunately, he doesn't seem to have noticed anything wrong with the contract."
Azrael sneered internally. Jin's absolute trust in the contractual binding was his leverage for eventual retaliation.
"That's all I needed to say." Jin stood, his face hidden in shadow, expression unclear. "I hope you won't disappoint me, Azrael."
With that, Azrael found himself alone in the room.
He stood and picked up a card left on the coffee table.
[Kantau Intelligent Central Communication Tool - Sub-device]
Rank: Bronze (Gold)
Quality: Green
Category: Item
Skills:
[Communication]: Enables encrypted communication with other holders of the [Kantau Intelligent Central Communication Tool - Sub-device].
"Fredrika uses this to communicate with the Crimson Oath Society." Azrael examined the smartphone-shaped card in his hand.
After consideration, he decided against summoning Misaka to check for potential surveillance features within the device.
After all, no one could confirm whether Jin was still monitoring his activities.
"Meditate first. I'll investigate this tomorrow when I return to Pixar."
With this thought, Azrael closed his eyes and continued his daily meditation routine.
"He demonstrates remarkable patience. It seems we can be somewhat reassured." Outside the building, the old man with the hooked nose looked up at the darkened room and commented, "Let's go, Memphis. We still have work to complete."
"Yes, President."