The Ancient Genes

Max calmly ran through the empty streets as he observed the area in the Walker House.

He hadn't sensed any demonic aura until now. It was either that there weren't any of them which was not possible as Max knew that Lisa's cousin had joined James. It seemed he was just good at hiding himself.

Soon Max was out of Walker territory.

"Hmm.." Max suddenly noticed a shadow on him as a huge person began following him.

He turned his head and looked at the familiar face of the man who was carrying a kid on his shoulders.

"You are finally out! I stayed here for the entire night…." Bahamut was slightly irritated at the ordeal he had to go through.

Max knew what was going on and began explaining to them what had happened that day.

"Oh! You found another spirit shell? Your luck sure is great…." Bahamut said in surprise.

"Yeah….but she isn't going to leave...she says…" Max said with a sigh.

'What do you think Andriel? He is more talented than me….' Max asked.

'I don't want talent. For me only size and thickness matters…..yours is perfect...I love it. Besides, I am sure I made myself clear.' 

Max didn't have the courage and energy to seek any clarifications on what she really meant.

"Why?" 

"Love at first sight…." Max said with a forced smile as he explained how she acted and how adamant was she on not leaving him.

"Tsk...and here I thought we only had one player among the 5 of us…." Bahamut said with a smirk.

"Anyway, don't you dare to touch the next spirit shell. I don't want another first love…." 

"You don't have anything else to say?" Max didn't know what to do. He thought the kid might give him some idea.

"Hmm….can that lady hear me?" Max nodded. She could as long as he wanted to.

"Then how about I make her an offer."

"Go ahead...she is listening." Max said.

"Then...how about this lady. I will let you do this guy as much as you want. I will make sure he doesn't resist. But in return, you have to promise that you will help us when the time comes by contracting one of the other three….and sure you can return back to him when everything is over and continue to use him as you wish….." Bahamut said with a smile, a bit confident about his offer.

'This kid knows his stuff…' Andriel muttered.

Max could feel Andriel getting tempted by his words. But was that a thing to be happy about?

"Wait a minute! You are planning to sell me off?! Weren't we brothers in arms?"

"Of course we are….but didn't you once say that sacrifices are necessary…." Bahamut replied.

Max couldn't find anything to retort. He had indeed said those words because he believed it.

"What are you taking so long for? If you refuse now….you still might get him one day but he might no longer be a virgin by then…" Bahamut pushed ahead.

'How does he know so much about this stuff at his age…..' Max looked at him feeling that kids these days were really different.

Back in the day there was a time when he and Mark were at Bahamut's age, at that time they thought that there was nothing beyond a kiss….and look at this kid now…

'His offer is good but I don't want to even leave you for a second. As for getting you, I can do it myself.'

Max shook his head looking at Bahamut.

'And yeah one more thing, you are no longer a virgin…' 

Max almost lost his footing after she suddenly dropped the bomb but luckily for him. The Gentle Giant caught him gently.

"What's wrong?" Bahamut asked.

"Nothing…" Max replied as he tried fo control himself and took time to control himself.

They continued to dash for a bit more as Max explained to him the new information he had received from Andriel and Leviathan.

"I will get going. My mom would soon be coming to my room. If she finds me missing, she will definitely freak out…" 

As he was about to leave, he suddenly stopped and turned around as if remembering something.

"By the way, there are some people looking for you…."

"Hmm?"

"Our Mercenary Group already has made a small name for ourselves. Lear has been doing a good job at the quests and his completion rate is good too. He doesn't cause much destruction in the city quests after all…."

"But, it seems your name has attracted some people. They are looking for Shura and some cyborg dude. I checked and saw that you two have a large bounty in the Dark Society….so be careful."

"Did they interrupt our group?" Max asked with a frown. He could guess they were after him because he killed the son of the Leader of Dark Society in Ishtar. Until now they couldn't find him because his Master had hidden him but now that he himself had stepped out….it was obvious that they came out looking for him.

"Yeah, a few dead. But they were only hired." Bahamut replied.

"We can't let it continue. If this keeps happening. People will be too scared to join us." Max said with a frown.

"That's what I am saying. Why don't we go on some hunting tonight then? I haven't got any time these few days to loosen up. After I got lost in Orena last time, my mother won't let me leave the house….."

"Sure….how do we contact. My system is updating. I think it will take the week at least…."

"Take this…'' Bahamut threw him a transmitter.

Max bodded before parting ways.

He didn't exchange contacts with him because phone calls can be easily traced. Max wasn't afraid of anyone doing with his Master behind him. But there were still other Ancient families. There was a chance that they might reach to Bahamut through him.

….

"Did he really reach the place or not?" the servant who was sent to pick Max was hesitating to go any forward. In the end, he slowly approached the place….and as he did, he could see a person in tracks waiting outside the gate.

"How can it take so long for you to reach here by car? I have been waiting for more than half an hour…." Max said as the man pulled down the glass of the window

The man looked at Max in daze. He had never heard of Mages being faster than a car, especially people at Max's age. Not to mention, using mana in the city without proper authority was a crime.

Obviously, Max knew it was a crime if you got caught at least….

The Servant immediately led Max through the gate. The guards didn't stop Max this time.

He then brought the persons to the mansion where a beautiful middle-aged woman wearing a maid outfit led Max to what looked like to be the Master's chambers or something like that…

"Sir, he is here…." The lady said before turning around and leaving.

"Come inside.." A calm voice came through the door.

Max didn't give much thought and just entered the room. 

But as soon as he did, Max could feel his skin burning. He immediately sensed the mana to be chaotic in the room.

'Just what was this old man trying to do before my entry?' Max couldn't help but think as he looked at the man.

He had long orange hairs tied into a ponytail. He didn't look that old but he definitely was. His orange pupils seemed to be burning with flames.

"So you are the one whom the Lord mentioned." The man said as he looked at Max.

"I think I am…" Max said as he calmly walked towards him.

"How did you get out with your life intact?" Sirius asked with a smile.

Max didn't reply and remained calm at his rude question.

"Well then, since I wasn't informed. It means that I shouldn't be interfering. So, you don't need to answer…."  He said with a smile before continuing.

"So, what do I have to do?" Max asked.

"You need to tutor our Young Lord." 

Max's brows rose on hearing his words. This was a punishment? Wasn't it more of a reward? Being the teacher of the next Lord?

Not to mention for Max this was the best he could ask for….

"I don't min-" Max suddenly stopped when he remembered something.

That old man's son all died in battle. Then...where was this Young Lord coming from?

'Grandchild? Is he talking about Elly? Or did the old man adopt a child?'

"It's none…" Sirius said as if reading Max's mind.

"It's his own child…." 

Max looked at him in daze. Did he have another son? At this age….that old man...

"Is it shameful?" Sirius suddenly asked.

'Damn it….does this guy have the ability to read mind…'

"Who am I to judge?" Max didn't care. The old man could get another two and it still wouldn't matter to him.

"Well... it's more shameful to let the family die at this rate. Besides, I just want to make it clear but he is a legitimate child whom the Lord and Lady had together."

'Aren't they pretty fiery at their age? Besides, even though it might be possible for the old man but the old lady?' Max wondered.

"Why did you reveal such crucial information to me though?" Max couldn't help but finally ask. This wasn't something an outsider like him should be hearing….he could imagine the consequence if this information was to leak.