Chapter 392 - Stunned

Leonel gave Anared one more look before turning away and following Aina.

He realized that he was even more sensitive about Aina compared to how he usually was. Of course, he somewhat understood why this was and inwardly kicked himself. The more he acted like this, the more subconscious Aina would be. He wasn't doing her any favors by being like this.

If others heard Leonel's thoughts, they would realize that he seemed to be far more introspective about himself in relation to Aina than he was about himself alone. It was quite an interesting phenomenon, but Leonel, of course, wouldn't notice this.

Sael led the two away. Somehow, likely through a teleportation pad, they disappeared and reappeared in a hidden room that oversaw the first floor. However, Leonel was certain that no one could see them as though they were standing behind a one-way viewing pan of glass.

Once they reached this point, Leonel subtly put up his guard. This had long since become a habit of his. In truth, if he could have refused Sael's invite, he probably would have.

Unfortunately, the environment only became more constrained over time because Sael didn't speak immediately. In fact, she seemed to be hesitating.

After a while, she somewhat awkwardly puffed out her chest as though gathering her courage.

"... Be honest with me, why have you come here?"

Sael looked right at Leonel, ignoring Aina. In truth, the only reason she had called Aina here was because she hoped that whatever feelings Leonel had for Aina would cause him to go easier on her.

"Uh ..."

Leonel stood in confusion before he suddenly 'understood'.

"... I know I'm from Earth but I didn't hear anything about being unallowed to participate because of this. Was I not allowed?"

Sael froze.

From Earth? What was that supposed to mean?

'Wait, I think I've heard of Earth before... it's a new world the higher ups are really invested in, but what does that have to do with this Heir? What kind of game is he playing here?'

'If it really is about that then this could either be a great opportunity or a catastrophe... I can't make this decision on my own... Forget it, when the time comes, this will have little to nothing to do with me, anyway. I might as well reap some benefits now and worry about the trouble that might come later.'

Sael took a deep breath.

"Alright, here you both go."

Aina and Leonel started as they caught two glistening pieces of metal out of the air. When they flipped over their palms, they found that these metal pieces were actually two rings.

Leonel looked down in confusion. "Spatial ring? What's this?"

"These rings have everything you need to be officially inducted as one of our members. Our uniforms and your identification tokens are all in there.

"But, I should tell you that until you've gone to our headquarters with your tokens and have been properly registered, they are blank. So, make sure to keep them safe until the time comes."

Leonel was stunned. He sent his senses into the ring and as expected, he found everything Sael spoke about.

There were a pair of harem pants, a cloth that he assumed could work as the belt those three wore, and a heavy piece of neckwear also reminiscent of what those three wore.

The only difference was that the belt cloth he received didn't have the embroidery those three had. In addition, his neckwear was a solid black that almost look like unpolished iron.

But...

Wasn't there supposed to be a long trial?

He half expected that he would have to put his life on the line several times just to get an invite to this organization... all for them to piss him off for some reason or another in a few months to eventually force him to leave them.

That seemed to be the story of his life to now. Struggling just to earn some more struggling.

He had never been expected to so suddenly be handed what all those geniuses of Terrain were fighting tooth and nail for...

What the hell was going on?