It was a moment of silence. It seemed that what I was going to say was a big deal.

"I am maybe harsh to you ever since, but I don't want to hold you and not let you leave our guild," Denro said. He was looking at me and I could see the sincerity in his eyes. "Especially when you are facing a problem in your outside life."

"What will it may be, we want to help by dragging you out from the guild and letting you choose The Blue Devils," Rayumi said and she couldn't look straight into my eyes.

"I don't want you to leave, but it's for the greater good," Skyre seconded and everyone nodded.

I heard footsteps coming in our direction and before I could turn my head, I already heard my guild's gasp.

"And we didn't want you in our guild out of pity."

It was Nerios' voice.

When I finally put my eyes on them, I was surprised when I saw her which made me stand up as still as a statue.

Xera...

My heart was now beating wildly. I was already troubled and now I couldn't even think of a word to say. They were now in front of us. Thinking that Xera finally saw what our place looked like, my face heated up. So embarrassing.

What was she doing here? Yes, I knew that she was part of The Blue Devils but I was not expecting her to be with Nerios just to pursue recruiting me.

Say something, Reign! I knew I was like an îdiõt now for keeping my eyes on nowhere. But hell! I was lost for words since I set my eyes on her!

I sucked in a huge breath and calmed my heart before meeting their gazes. There were seven of them. Good thing they didn't bring their whole guild. I was careful that I would not lay my eyes on Xera. It would only make my heart go wild again.

Yeah, call it cheesy but I guessed I liked her. It was when I saw how she fought and win against her opponent during the monthly tournament.

She was so cool while she was holding her gun and aiming her opponent. As if the time back then stopped and I couldn't see anyone except her.

I knew that it was only an avatar and I wouldn't have the chance on meeting her outside but I couldn't control my heart from beating so fast. Her beauty was artificial and she may look different outside of Auresia. But my heart seemed to not care at all.

She had blue long hair that danced whenever the wind blew. She was wearing a strapless top that I could see her navel and... yeah, chest. Good thing it was not wearing off whenever she moved. She was also wearing fitted black jeans that made her even cooler. She also wore black boots that made her look sexier. Call me a pervert but she was beyond gorgeous.

Before they could see me drool over Xera, I immediately spoke up. "I am sort of grateful that you have time to visit our humble place."

Good thing my voice didn't tremble. That would be more embarrassing.

"We want you in our guild," Xera said and I couldn't control myself anymore to look at her beauty. I just wanted to melt down or vanish in thin air.

But it hit me.

Did they notice already that I was into Xera? And that they brought her with them to pursue me?

Not a bad idea at all.

But...

"Thank you but I guess you will not like my answer," I said firmly but I couldn't let my sight longer at Xera no matter how much I wanted to admire her goddess form. I averted my eyes at Grool. "I will rank up on my own with the help of my guild."

"You don't understand—"

"And where in my words that you can't understand?" I cut what Nerios' was supposed to say.

"We are being pursued by the higher-ups," Grool said and that made me surprised and confused as well. "And when I say, higher-ups... I mean The Popes."

I heard my guild's different reactions and I was also nailed to where I was standing.

Why?

Why would The Popes do such a thing? They talked to The Blue Devils that they should make me accept their offer.

"If you are wondering, we share the same boat, I guess." Out of the blue, a voice suddenly spoke up. He stepped forward from Nerios' back. It was Gerim, the only member of The Blue Devils that I thought didn't want me to be in their guild. "I knew that you have the potential, but it's not enough reason that even The Popes are eager to let you in on our guild."

It was too obvious that he disliked me that much.

"Maybe because they see that you badly need water," Xera said and it didn't slip away from my eyes how she looked at Gerim like she was saying to shut his mouth up because it was not helping.

But the latter didn't mind at all and proceeded to his not-so-obvious harsh words. "What's with you, Reign? A charcoal guild member. You are nothing compared to our newest members."

"I don't know either," I said without looking away from Gerim's mockingly eyes. I would not be turned off by his words. I smirked before saying my counterattack. "But it's a pleasure that The Popes know about me. Did they know you, Gerim?"

I saw how Gerim's reaction suddenly changed. Sorry, but I trained myself to not be troubled and feel down by some random rude people.

I lifted my hand and immediately took the dagger that was supposed to hit my face. It was so fast that I didn't even blink. 

"What the!" Denro stood in front of me in an instant. "You are here to just throw some daggers and initiate a fight!"

"That was not what I want to show you," Nerios said and I knew it was he who threw the dagger. "He was incredibly fast. I saw with my bare eyes every tournament you're in."

I would accept that as a compliment. No one dared to talk back so Nerios spoke again. "I witnessed how Reign sacrifices his life just to save his team and that lead your guild to be defeated. It was you guys, that made him lose the battle that he can win."

I was dumbfounded by what I just heard. Yes, it was true that whenever one of my team faced a difficult situation, I would gladly lose my life than turn my back on them. It was not a big deal to me and I couldn't accept that Nerios would put the blame on my team. "Choose the words that will come out of your mouth."

"I am just being honest," Nerios said without cutting our eye contact. 

"What is it to you then?" I asked defiantly. "It is how a team shall work."

"No, it is how you will rot with them for the rest of your cardinal's life," Nerios said and I was now filled with rage.

How could he say such words in front of our guild? I didn't know he was capable of saying hurtful words.

"You only have one week to decide. The day before the annual tournament, you will face the whole Auresia and spill out your decision," Grool said. "Remember, The Popes will watch."

Before they finally left, Nerios spoke again. "Every decision has its own consequences. You're not just a potential player now, but you're the apple in The Pope's eyes. I don't know why and I will find out who really you are."

I was still speechless even after I came back to my room.

One thing I was sure of...

The Popes knew about my little sister's situation.

I was troubled not just by The Popes, but also by Nerios' last words to me.