CH 87

Unaware of the fact that Zel and Emilia's mana cores were hosting their mana for them, it wasn't surprising that Jessica couldn't see their potential anymore. It caused the young woman to feel so shocked that she wasn't aware of the hand that was constantly swaying itself in front of her. She couldn't see it due to using her ability.

"Hey! I said, can we give the kids back to their parents now?" An annoyed Jefferson shouted at the distracted Jessica who finally reverted her ability. She was first confused before finally nodding her head and went to talk to the boy and the girl personally. Leaving behind a triggered Jefferson who felt like he was being treated like air.

'That bitch!' It was bad enough that she was being treated like an idol by the students he used to handle. Now this woman dares to even disregard his presence.

"Excuse me, Zel Huertazuela? Emilia Halsey? I need to talk with you two for a while." Jessica passed by Zel and his friends while giving the two kids a gentle smile. She had activated her ability for a second just to see if what she saw was real, or if she was mistaken. Unfortunately, she wasn't wrong at all since they were now showing just black now. They lost their color.

"What is it, mam?" Zel was first to reply when he looked at the silent treatment they were being given by Jessica. He was also unaware of the woman being distracted due to her regret, or rather, turmoil.

She basically lost two potential prospects and was left with nothing. She needs to find another one in a few weeks, or her Prospector record would be empty for a year already. Having started being a Prospector without recruiting a single one after a year is pretty much equal to being a failure. She might just get converted into a different department.

"Have you two ever felt like your body is filled with energy? Like you can do things that normal people can't?" Jessica was basically drawing straws now with questioning a child like this. She was already losing control of her life, so she was willing to even expose this side of the world to two little children. Her eyes were pleading them, begging them to give her even a little confirmation. Even just a little hint of it.

It was at this moment that Zel saw a vision of himself once again. This time, he was sitting on a comfortable chair behind a desk, inside a rather spacious office. In front of him is the same Jessica, but she had a more mature look to her compared to what he had seen earlier. She looked at him similar to how his older sister looks at him, like a doting older sister.

He looked at her and was able to recall a few key memories that is relevant to this possible future. Who she is and what she had done for him, his mind was flooded with those kinds of information. It seems that this integration with another part of his legacy would prove to be quite a headache. He could at least get a heads-up when it happens.

"I guess that's it. We are now completely free from the debt with the Association now. They say we are open to even open a planar gateway in Section 13 if we want to. Just, Zel, try not to blow them out of their upfront business in the area and they'll keep their hands away from us."  Jessica held a report in her hands that she handed to Zel. Her hand wore a ring that wasn't there before, a simple, silver engagement ring.

"But even that is just to leave those bastards in the second floor some pride. Instead of losing to the Pantheon, they're now 'partners' of the Pantheon. Just as you asked, a peaceful settlement." Looking at her prospect, the usually strict Jessica smiled gently.

She was the happiest she has ever been, finally being free from that organization that sucked the energy from every fiber of her being. She was now free to do what she wants, and this young man had already given her an inkling of what she wants. She's already on her way to that happiness that she never dreamed of having before.

"Check out the document and see how big sister screwed those bastards over! Ha! And they said I'm as meek as my mother!" A smug look was plastered in Jessica's face as she thought about how much those old bastard would lose from this deal. She looked on as Zel's eyes scanned the file in his hands.

The top of the first page was depicting the area that was given to them as a concession while the rest of it was a map of the area that was theirs to take. Zel was about to look at the second page when the chair beneath him fell into an abyss and he was once again falling. Having experienced it once already, he closed his eyes and calmed himself before opening them again. He was back to his present time in reality.

Zel looked at the woman in front of him as his mind processed the information he received earlier. Her attitude, her abilities and how good their chemistry together is, he considered it all. If he wants to have someone by his side for a long time, he has to be sure that they get along well. 

In but a few seconds, his mind was already set. This woman is going to be a valuable asset if he wants to have a good future. Having a connection to the Association this early on would ensure that he isn't targetted by them for a while. It was calmest in the eye of the storm after all.

"Jessica, Jessica Valentine. If you're just looking for a prospect, I can give you a few suggestions. But then again, why don't you join my kingdom instead?" Zel extended his hand and opened his thoughts to Emilia. Emilia's eyes then glowed brightly as a miniature book flickered in and out of her right hand. A barrier that hid their presence from the rest of the people here manifested, and they were ignored by even those close to their location.

"Wha- what the hell?" A clearly disturbed Jessica looked at the blue barrier that surrounded them and felt nothing but awe as she looked at the source of it. The little girl she had just felt disappointed at a little while ago was showing a power that no one in the first floor had reached. It was enough to grant her the tenth seat if her existence was revealed to the Association.

"I don't really think that disjointed group of old people will ever give me a reason to work for them. Besides, why would I do that anyway? I've got a true king right here!" Emilia who was reading Jessica's thoughts all this while cheekily smiled as she threw herself at the serious looking Zel's arm.

This declaration made the boy's lips twitch slightly before the ring on his extended hand floated. Soon afterwards, a blue fire spread out from beneath his feet that rose to just above his head. Creating a tense and quite warm sensation to grip Jessica's soul.

"If it is power you desire, I can give that to you. If it is wealth you crave, I can help you find it. But I know that your heart only yearns for one thing, something that even you don't know yourself yet." Zel placed his hands behind his back while looking down at Jessica who had already fallen to her knees as she couldn't believe her eyes. She instinctively activated her ability when the boy radiated an intense concentration of mana.

The glowing blue silhouette of a boy in front of her had a crown where his heart would be. On the surface of the crown were two gemstones, a brightly glowing red and a less intense orange that seemed to be increasing in magnitude as time passes. It was so enchanting that she once again lost herself to the beautiful sight, something that has been happening to her a lot these days.

But her focus was disturbed when a gentle voice sounded out from inside her head. As if there was another person talking in her mind. A voice that was eerily similar to the voice of the young girl in front of her. But what spooked her the most was the interface that showed up in front of her face. Following her vision even though she tries to move her head around.

[You have been invited to join the King's Council. For the King's role in this contract, he shall provide the Council member with the following benefits and privileges:

-Access to the Follower Status Function

-Council Membership Store]

[As for the Council member's delegations, these are the responsibilities that are expected of the invited:

-Unbridled loyalty to the King.

-Utmost dedication to the protection of the King and his territory.

-Safeguard and contribute to the development of the King's territory.

-Keep the King and his territory a secret to people outside of the King's rule.]

[Do you accept or not?]