Mohammed replied: "Ah, very well. Finally, light has appeared in the midst of this darkness with your help. My plans will become much clearer, and you've saved me a lot of effort. I want you to investigate something, and it might be dangerous. Can you do that?"
The mysterious person replied: "My lord, don't worry. Just give the order, and I will carry it out."
Mohammed said: "Good. I want you to investigate Isabel's family, the cause of her parents' death, how it happened, and how her uncle inherited the Duke's title. I want you to uncover everything. There is no time limit. When you discover everything, come to me."
The mysterious person said: "Very well, my lord. I will do as you command."
Mohammed asked: "What is your name so I can call you?"
The mysterious person replied: "I have no name. In our group, we are known only by numbers, and I am number 1000, the last one."
Mohammed said: "Oh, really! Why are you the last if you seem so strong? How did that happen?"
The mysterious person replied: "I am not strong. In our ranking, the lower the number, the stronger the person. They are very powerful, and I cannot be compared to them."
Mohammed said: "Well, it doesn't matter. A person's value isn't measured by their strength, but by what they do and their role. Very well, I will call you number one."
Number one replied: "It is an honor for me, my lord, to receive this honor."
Mohammed said: "Also, we will increase our strength. We will not accept weakness. I will make you strong, and I will become stronger too, so that enemies will tremble before us."
Isabel watched silently, feeling a bit jealous because it was the first time she had seen Mohammed speak so openly with someone other than her, and the mysterious person's body seemed to be that of a girl. Isabel felt some concern.
Isabel asked number one: "You are a girl, aren't you?"
Number one replied: "Yes, I am a girl."
Here, Isabel felt a little worried but did not show it.
Mohammed said: "I don't care if you are a boy or girl. What matters to me is what you do and how you will help me. Very well, number one, you may begin your mission, but keep your safety first. From today, you are my servant, and I do not want my servant to get hurt. Do you understand me?"
Number one replied: "Thank you for caring about my safety." Then she said: "Don't worry, espionage is my specialty." Then number one disappeared to investigate the secrets surrounding the deaths of Isabel's parents and Fern.
Fern spoke: "Shouldn't we prepare ourselves for the academy?"
Mohammed replied: "Yes, we will do that. And you both will train hard from now on, especially you, Fern. I will take you with me in my training. You must not remain weak and hide behind your sister. It is your time to begin your training. You will be my first pupil."
Then Mohammed laughed loudly: "Ha ha ha."
Fern looked at him and said: "What a strange and moody boy! When people see him laughing, they think he is gentle and never angry, and when they see him angry, they think he is cruel and never smiles. What a madman!"
"From today onward, you will follow me everywhere to gain experience. I want to pass everything onto you. I don't like to talk much; you must observe my actions and learn well from them."
One problem remained: Isabel. She could not be left alone without protection, because foolish nobles might do something reckless to her.
Isabel said: "It seems I only cause trouble. I am very sorry."
Mohammed replied: "On the contrary, the trouble you cause will help us in the future. You are very good as you are, just continue like this."
Isabel was surprised: "How will my troubles help him?"
Mohammed said: "How much does it cost to buy a combat slave?"
Isabel replied: "I think from 50 to 70 gold coins for rank D, and rank C costs more than 90 gold coins. Our best choice is rank F or E, because they are cheaper and cost no more than 20 gold coins."
Mohammed said: "The prices seem very high, but it doesn't matter. Your safety is most important. We will try to buy a rank C slave, because the weak ones will not help and may disrupt my plans."
"But there is one problem: how will we earn money?"
Isabel replied: "Register with the guild, and they will give you missions. The higher your rank, the higher your reward."
Mohammed said: "It seems the problem is solved."