The Ancient Genes

"I thought you were really busy?" Mark said as he looked at Max.

"I was…..the head maid caught me in the morning while I was sneaking out to meet you….she really is scary..." Max said with a sigh.

"You finally here, Max!" Max turned his head towards the stairs to see Eren walking down.

 He was the one whom Max had saved once and even allowed to stay at his apartment.

"You are here as well?" Max asked in surprise. This was Grandmaster's smithy. He was expecting to see Edward not Eren.

"I followed after hearing that you were coming…." Eren said as he scratched his head. By now, Max had turned into an idol for him. He hated the nobles and Max had smacked their faces and was still standing fine….he could only worship Max and he wasn't the only one. There was even a fan club of worshippers for Max.

Even admired him for doing something he had always wanted to do….

"Anyway, thanks for helping out…." Max smiled. He was grateful that Eren had stepped up to help him during the fight as well.

"Ah...it was nothing. You saved me back then too…" Eren replied as he took a seat beside them.

"Hmmn...you guys are sure enjoying it…." At this moment, Edward entered the store through the backdoor. He was carrying some stuff with him. 

"You got some work?" Max asked, looking at him.

"Yeah.." Edward replied as he looked at Max. He still couldn't believe Max was fine after all that.

"And you two….I thought you were going to help me…" Edward glared at them.

Mark got off the seat as he asked, "I just need to control the flames right?"

"I can only help to cool things though…." Eren said as he raised his hands.

"Well, I will lend you a hand as well then…'' Max said as he rolled up his sleeves. It had been a while since he used high-grade materials. He was sure the store had tones.

"Thanks…." Edward smiled. With Max things would be much easier and faster.

"No problem...I heard you stepped up to help as well…" Max replied with a smile.

"Yeah that was surprising….I thought he was coward….but I was wrong…" Eren said as he turned his head towards Edward, "You are different than those sh*ty nobles…..you have my respect…"

"Yeah, I am proud of you too…" Mark said as he patted Edward's shoulder.

"Enough...get to work.." Edward said as he turned around, his face had turned red in embarrassment. He just couldn't tell them that he wasn't actually there to help them but to save his ass.

….

As everyone divided their work and got onto it, Mark walked towards Max as he maintained the temperature of the furnaces.

"So, care to tell?" Mark asked with a smile.

Max looked at him. He was surprisingly calm. But Max knew that he must be holding back. After all, the last time they saw each other, Max was just a weak unawakened kid…

Max wanted to tell him everything, but he knew that once he did, Mark would not stand by and watch.

To be honest, Max wanted him to be beside him. Max knew that the dream he had on the day of awakening ceremony wasn't normal. It was more like he had watched the timeline getting altered. There was definitely something behind it….

Max believed that the Mark in the altered timeline had his genes awakened too. He might be similar to Lisa….Now that Max knew there were 12 spirit shells, he couldn't just let a person like him sit out on this…

But…

"Hmmn? When did you start hesitating in front of me?" Mark suddenly spoke with a calm look.

"You know why I came to be called by that stupid title of 'Fire General'?'' Mark suddenly asked.

"I heard some crazy guy went on a rampage….." Max said as he looked at him.

"Right? I listed myself in the reinforcement unit to be sent to Arcane in order to fight back the Horde…." Mark replied.

"You flaunting in front of me?" Max smiled.

"Yeah...I went looking for you. But I was weak and only allowed to fight behind….later on they switched tactics and we were sent back.." Mark replied with a sigh. "I planned on going back after getting strong, but it seems I don't need to anymore…."

"So do you get it now?" Mark asked as he looked at Max. "I don't mind it at all if you don't want to tell me about it. But if you are worried about getting me in trouble, then it's of no use...if you want me to stay out of trouble, then you better do too….because I won't leave you alone…"

Max looked at him. He wasn't surprised. He knew somehow that Mark wouldn't leave him alone. He was even ready to sacrifice his carrier back then to accompany the unawakened Max….he really was an idiot…

"Fine, then...you better get ready. I will work you to death…" Max replied with a smile.

"Wait? Is this really that serious?" Mark suddenly asked. 

Max shook his head as he began to explain.

"You have been watching too many anime bro…." Mark shook his head. Just what kind of bullish*t was this….it was a plot from some story with 5 main characters.

Max looked at him and then raised his palm. Suddenly, all the elements which he could control formed small orbs and began to rotate around his palm.

Mark looked at Max with shock in his eyes. Dual Element users were rare as gems, as for Three Element, they were only in legend. But now….

"You are finally ready to face the reality now?" Max asked as he dispelled the orbs.

"I still can't believe this…." Mark shook his head. Even becoming a Mage was too much for him and now he was getting involved in some world destruction sh*t with an important role to play…

What was Max expecting him to say?

"Hmmn? I thought you were going to follow me around? Not leave me alone…" Max asked with a smile.

"You don't need to say it." Mark replied.

"Why, embarrassed now?" Max asked with a laugh.

"Why would I be? I will help you out….it's not like I have anything better to do than saving the world…" Mark replied.

"That's for sure…" Max replied.

They spent their time in the smithy talking and doing their work. When it was almost dark, they went out for a snack. Max knew that his Aunt was preparing a feast, he couldn't possibly fill his stomach here.

After that, they parted going their separate ways.

Max was walking through the streets as he continued talking on the phone, it was a call from his Master. He would call him at regular intervals to ask about his well being and stuff.

"Yeah, goodnight Master…" As Max hung up his phone, he suddenly realized that someone familiar was standing in front of him.

It was Axel.

There was an awkward atmosphere. It was not because of them, Max never had any problem with Axel, and the same was true for Axel. But the reason for the awkwardness was the person Axel was with.

"So? You want to introduce me or am I disturbing?" Max asked as he looked at the lady who was walking pretty close to Axel. Their hands were almost touching.

"Why would you be disturbing? I was planning to introduce her for a while, but I couldn't find you…" Axel said as he looked at Max.

"She is Beli...we just started dating…" Axel introduced.

"Oh...nice to meet you, Beli.." Max raised his hand.

"He is Max, a friend but more like a brother to me…" Axel said to Beli.

Beli looked at Max and just made a slight bow.

Max looked at Axel, 'Bro really?'

He had his hand left hanging in mid air.

Axel didn't know what else to say and just scratched his head.

"Well then, I will leave you two...enjoy…" Max said as he looked at the two.

"Beli, go ahead...I will catch up in a second.." Axel said to her and she nodded before leaving.

Max looked at Axel.

"I am sorry for what I did…" Axel suddenly said as he looked at Max.

"Why are you apologizing? I am the one who is sorry. I raised my hand…" Max said with a sigh.

"But I did deserve it…" Axel replied.

Max didn't reply. It was the truth after all.

"I have decided. I am going to let go of all of the hatred….." Axel suddenly said.

"I was wrong to put all the blame on her and I will apologize to her…." 

"I will support you as long as you are being true to yourself…" Max said looking at Axel.

"I am being true to myself. I don't think I have any feelings left for her. It was only one sided crush. And after everything happened, it isn't possible. Even if she were to like me, I can only give her pain…"

"So do you like that girl?" Max asked pointing at the direction which Beli went in.

"Well, I have only met her recently. She is a nice girl." Axel replied.

"Hmmn..but I didn't think you could get a girl so easily? Where have you been hiding those skills?" Max asked with a teasing smile.

"Ah….well she was the one who confessed and I wanted to give it a try as well. Maybe falling in love will let me get rid of this hatred I hold…" Axel replied with a smile.

"Go now...don't keep her waiting…" Max said as he patted his shoulder and turned around to leave.

"Thank you…" Max heard Axel mutter and just walked off.

It didn't matter which route he took. Max just wanted him to get out of the shackles that he had put upon himself. 

Max knew how difficult it was for Axel to go for Lisa. Even when he put himself in Axel's shoes, he found it extremely hard to do….and not to mention there was a chance that the result would be disastrous.

'As long as they find love and happiness it doesn't matter…' Max thought as his mood brightened up.

'Hmmn...you really seem to care about other people's love affairs but what about your own?' Suddenly Andriel's voice rang in Max's head.

'I haven't found my true love….' Max replied calmly.

'Liar...do you think I don't know what's going on inside your head?'

'Oh, you know?' Max asked in surprise.

'Of course, I am a Succubus, I have already gone through your memories...I know you like the back of my hand…'

'Stop invading my privacy!!' Max protested.

'You really are not going to find love because of something so stupid…' Andriel suddenly asked in a serious voice.

'What would you do in my situation?' Max suddenly asked.

Andriel didn't reply.

'Well, you can just have me. We share the same destiny after all and I am not leaving you…' Andriel suddenly decided to put herself forward as the perfect candidate.

Max didn't reply.

'Do you think I will let you do that?' Andriel asked with a snort.

'Stop reading my mind…' Max sighed.