“A deal?” Her squint hid half of those beautiful blue gems. But soon, her eyes returned to normal, and her straight lips pursed to a smirk. “Adrian Darkheart?”

“Indeed, my lady.” Adrian bowed like a gentleman again.

She then looked towards Vanessa and scanned her from head to toe. “Vanessa Herrings?”

Vanessa took a step back as she gasped. She was in full disguise and her whereabouts were confidential. Yet, the mysterious lady was able to tell who she was at a glance?

The lady in blue turned back to Adrian. “Well, well. Looks like you already won that blond oldie’s grace.”

Vanessa scowled at her blatant treason. She took a step forward. But before she could do anything, Adrian raised his hand- gesturing her to stop and pointed at the orgy which was still ongoing at the centre of the room.

She swallowed her saliva and took a step back.

“Indeed.” He said in a charming voice. “But without the upper echelon’s support, does it matter?”

“That’s also a fact. But you at least got a plus point over the crown prince.”

“That’s only one point. But he’s still ahead.”

“And I take that you came to me to score a few more points?” The smile on her face grew wider.

“Your reputation precedes you. As a matter of fact, it is the case.”

“Hmm. Let’s see. You kidnapped yourself, destroyed the Vice Principal’s faction, caused a Mayhem at the North in the process. You annihilated the company of Institute students in the Fleeting Lands. Made the Principal a tower master, winning a level 9 to your side. Speaking of deal, did you make a ‘deal’ with the princess and the principal?” She looked into his eyes. “I wonder what they paid you in return?”

Vanessa who heard everything had her jaws and eyes wide open. She looked at the young man she ‘slept’ with. A smile slowly surfaced on his face. She barely closed her mouth and gulped. She knew he was special, but not this special.

The last year, it could be said that three major events occurred in the Kingdom- the Academy’s Vice principal’s retirement and his factions dissolution, the unrest in the North, and finally the overwhelming ‘victory’ of the Academy in the Hunt. And this eighteen years old second year student had his hands on all three of these events?

The only thing she knew about him, which she learned from the High King, was the fact that he made major contributions in this year’s Hunt and he might become the future King. That was it.

“Just know that I did, and I will- keep my end of the deal.” Adrian answered.

“Very well. This place is quite messy. Let’s go somewhere else.” She gracefully uncrossed her legs as she stood up. The lady was tall, not any shorter than Adrian.

She walked past the ‘throne’ and approached the wall behind it. She placed her palm on the wall, causing the wall to separate- revealing a golden lit passageway. She stepped on it and continued walking. Both Adrian and Vanessa followed.

Vanessa was now walking one more step behind compared to before, but her wariness increased as she used her senses to the fullest. The young man just before her was a national treasure. She could not let anyone hurt him.

Finally, they reached their destination. A room which was, contrary to Vanessa’s expectations, ordinary. The only thing that was out of the ordinary was its blueness. Everything was blue of any shade- be it light, deep, oceanic, icy etc.

The lady sat on a turquoise sofa, cross legged as before. Both of her forearms were now lying on the armrests.

Adrian sat opposite her while Vanessa stood behind him.

“Begin. What do you want? And what can you give me in return?” She asked.

“I want all the nobles ‘under’ you on my side.”

“Boy, when you term it like that- it sounds so wrong.” She shook her head. “But whatever, one third of the country’s viscount and barons will be on your side.”

“Then, I want your family’s support.” He said.

Her eyelids twitched. “My father’s side or my mother’s side?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Do you think it’s easy, boy? Even the Royals don’t dare to mess with them.”

Vanessa scowled yet again. She suddenly thought of something and looked at the lady’s eyes. She gasped but composed herself fast. If her conjecture was correct, the lady spoke the truth.

“Relax. I have already rolled the dice.” He smiled. “All you need to do is to support the main character.”

For the first time, the lady in blue frowned. But she composed herself soon nevertheless. An amused smile appeared on her face. “How bold of you! You even dared to mess with those freaks.”

“Mess is a strong term to use. Whether they stay neutral or join us, they won’t be losing a thing.”

“You are right, boy. But who in the world likes to get used?”

“Those who get paid enough.” He smiled.

Her eyes widened for a bit before she sighed. “Anything else?”

“That’s it.” He said as he rested back on the sofa.

“Now, it’s my turn. What can you offer in return?” She asked as she began to tap her finger on the soft armrest.

“I will give you what you want- what you need.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I know why you organise those ‘parties’ outside and watch it. It’s because-“

“ENOUGH!” Her breaths became heavy and her eyes reddened. She even released a bit of her aura, prompting Vanessa to take a step back.

She prepared herself to fight. But Adrian nonchalantly raised his right hand, completely unaffected by the aura.

He looked at the red and blue eyes of the trembling lady. “So, do we have a deal?”

“You better not be kidding, boy.” Her tone was now cold, cold enough to send chills down Vanessa’s spine. “Or else, even Emilia can’t save you.”

“We have ourselves a deal then.” He smiled.

Both Adrian and Vanessa were back at the circular hall. Adrian was slowly circling around the orgy at the centre when he suddenly looked back at Vanessa.

“Since we are here, why leave empty handed?”