Probing

Inside the carriage, two other people sat. They seemed to be twins, with sky blue eyes and hair that matched the color of the deep blue sea. They were adorned in same robes as the old man, only theirs was a bit lacking in embroidery.

The two possessed delicate features, you would find it a bit difficult to tell the male from the female.

Evan stepped into the carriage under the perplexed looks of the twins. He sat beside the old man, facing the twins.

As soon his body landed on the soft cushioned seats, his body was enveloped with euphoria, just because he sat. Evan could not be blamed, as times when he had comfort eluded his memory, all he remembered was the cold stone floor of his cell, lying in his own urine and feaces, only let out to battle for entertainment.

The old man received questioning gazes from the twins, so he decided to carry out introductions.

"Evan, these are my grandchildren, Orion and Tera. They are accompanying me to Esperia."

Evan did not even seem interested in looking at the two, or even getting aquainted with them. Their disgust was almost tangible, so he could not be bordered with pleasing these pampered kids.

The twins looked at their grand father, as they wondered the reason why he picked trash of the road, and brought it with him. He could have just given a few coins to him, if he wanted to help, or at best put him to ride with the guards.

Evan was in complete contrast here, as his rags opposed the noble regalia that the three had adorned. He was basically disrupting the noble air within the chariot, but Evan could not care less.

Winston decided to begin his probing of the young man. He was curious about the shadow ability, and wished to recruit Evan if possible.

"What do you plan to do in Esperia?"

'He has started probing already?' Evan did not expect him to start off Immediately the sat down. From here on out, he would have to be cautious with what information he would let out. He knew what sort of person Winston was, he would try to get Evans weak point, and then give an irresistible offer that uses his weakness as a catalyst. Evan would accept, thinking if it as good will, but at the end of the day it would be a trap to bind him.

"I have to meet up with someone." Evan responded.

"Oh? Will you be free after your meeting, maybe you could come over to our family Guild, a mage with your abilities would be sort after for many jobs.

'The first bait, he wants to see if money is my problem.' Evan had learnt how to read people during his time as a slave, it had helped him survive. He could easily tell the intentions of this old man.

"That sounds nice, but I will have to decline the offer, I don't like to be restricted." Evan decided to play his little game.

"You don't have to worry about that, I am one of the elders of the Clingsworth family, I can ensure you get leverage, but all you have to do is be present when the guild needs you." Winston said with a smile.

'Thats the second strike, offering a longer leash.'

"Thank you for the consideration, but I still have to decline. I plan on finding a place to seclude myself for a couple years to train." Evan lied as easy as breathing.

Winston would be a fool not to understand that Evan did not want to join his guild, but was sugar coating it. Still he would not give up so easily, he still had a method to put Evan in his control, and that was playing with his consience. And what better way to make some one indebted, than giving him an invaluable gift.

It seemed that Winston had forgotten the darkness he saw in Evan. Evan lacked one thing now, and that was a consience.

Swinging his hand in an overly exaggerated manner, Winston made a scroll appear from his storage ring. He held the scroll and spoke.

"Since you said you want to seclude and train, I will give you this scroll. This is a level 4 darkness type spell that I obtained by luck some years ago. I think it will match your shadow magic, as they are all sub sections of darkness magic."

Evan as well as the twins stared at Winston with shock. He was offering a level 4 darkness type scroll for free.

Evan had only ever used magic at level 1, that was basic shadow manipulation. His strongest spell was a level 2 spell he got from winning a battle Royale. As a normal person, getting a level 2 spell was already a blessing.

A level 4 scroll was not something that small nobles could even get, they were only two levels above four, and calling them rare would be a blunder. It was easier to find a dragon than to see a level 6 spell, only the council had access to them.

Evan commended this old man in his heart, he executed the third level of getting some one to be under his control with swag. Any normal person would surely be indebted to this man, but Evan was not normal, far from normal infact. He didn't mind killing this man right now, if the situation demanded it. He did not even take the gift to heart, he was simply surprised at the level 4 scroll.

Winston stretched out his hand, bringing the scroll to the front of Evan. Evan took the scroll, but Winston did not let go. Evan looked at his smiling face.

"I hope that as you grow stronger, you will help the council stop all those fighting them?" Winston asked with a smile, before letting go of the scroll.

'So he is going to level 2 probing, finding were my loyalty lies. Council of shadows or Shadow song.'

Evan collected the scroll and nodded. The probing continued for sometime, Evan skillfully maneuvered his way through the questions.

Hours later. The carriages passed through the gates of Esperia. No one obstructed them, as it was a Noble's convoy. When the got inside, Evan bided farewell, Winston passed a purse of gold coins to him before letting him go. Evan took the money, he needed clothes and a place to sleep.

When he stepped down from the carriage, the suns rays of blessing hit his skin. Evan let out a chuckle, he had never felt more free in his life.