The Ancient Genes

"Well then, you can sit in any position you are comfortable with…." The old man said looking at the group.

When they were ready, he waved his hand and the spirit energy began to twirl around the group.

Max could feel it was similar to the domain that the Mr. Cool had deployed. But the old man's skills were in a different dimension.

Within a few seconds, a mist had enveloped everyone's body and they had disappeared into it.

The moment someone passed the test, the mist would disperse and if one failed the test, it would turn dark before disappearing.

Max, Lear and Lisa were the only one not participating. Lisa seemed interested because of the old man's strange words towards her, but Max had insisted that it was useless for her due to her powers and it might result in a negative way. It was not an approach suitable for her.

Before Lisa could say anything, he had handed Sera to her.

"Huh?" Max turned as heard Lear's surprised voice.

A few seconds into the test….

And someone had failed already…

Max looked at the dark mist dispersing.

'So soon?'

If he had to predict, then it would most likely be Janet. He didn't think she could do it, honestly...

"Did this person even try?" Lear asked as he looked at the dark mist disappearing and when it fully did, their face had turned ugly.

"This test is still stupid as ever…." 

Everyone looked as the guy who gently slid his fingers across his silver hairs.

''Are we really going to be fine with him onboard?'' Lear asked as he pointed at Mr. Cool.

Max didn't dare to answer. 

"Did you even try?" Max asked as he looked at him with a troubled face.

"Obviously I did….but there wasn't any truth in there. How can that guy say that I was a narcissist? Tell me do I look like one?" Mr. Cool asked with an unbelievable look on his face.

"Yes you are!! What's wrong with that?!!" Lear shouted out loud before Max could say anything.

"A barbarian face like you won't understand anything….I don't blame you.." Mr. Cool said as he looked at Lear with pity in his eyes.

"Is he really going to be fine, old man?" Max asked as he looked at the old spirit. He was really worried about this fellow now.

"..."

"What's with the silence? Tell me he will be fine!!" 

"Time will tell…" the old man said as he gazed in the distance.

"What's with the vague answer?!!" 

In the end, Max couldn't get anything out of him.

"Max! I want to take Sis to meet with everyone…" Sera's excited voice rang out beside Max.

"Uh.." Max was too busy dealing with the narcissist that he missed a few points here and just sent Lisa and Sera into the spirit world.

….

A minute later, Max, Lear along with Mr. Cool sat  together. There were a few things that they had to learn from each other. Max helped him catch up to the things that happened while they couldn't remain in contact. He then finally began his questioning.

"So, how did you find the spirit shell?" Max asked as he looked at him.

"With my charming eyes obviously…"

Max held the urged to punch this b*stard. He was really great at pissing people off.

"I mean it. My eyes can see things that others can't….." Mr. Cool said with a smile.

Max realised that it must be something similar to Max's hearing enhancement.

"I can see through spatial disturbances....but I recently I have found that it's evolving as I progress in my sprit arts....I can see much more now...." He said with a smile.

Max became a bit interested after hearing that. Still they left that for another time.

"Anyway, seven months ago, I saw a strong fluctuation. It was that old man, he had arrived through the spirit link….that's the reason I was able to find him in the first place…"

"I actually bought him from the street…." Mr. Cool said as he shook his head. 

Even Max and Lear were speechless after hearing that. But soon, Max realised something.

"Are you sure it was some ordinary vendor?" Max asked with a serious tone.

"I think so....he was ordinary in every way." Mr. Cool replied.

"Spirit shells are indestructible, I can't imagine someone selling something like that on the street…" Max said before looking at him, "How much did it cost?"

"100 zen…"

"..."

"Don't give me that look, it was just a cheap ring…" Mr. Cool said as he looked at the two dumbfounded faces.

"He is getting more and more annoying…" Lear said and Max couldn't help but nod.

"Anyway, I don't think it was that simple…" Max said as he looked at him.

"Why don't you send someone to check if the vendor is still around?" Lear said as he looked at Mr. Cool.

"At least you have got a good brain…." Mr. Cool said in appreciation.

But Lear didn't take it as a compliment. He was almost about to fly into action but Max held him down.

"Anyway, does that mean, you can find the remaining ones as well?" Max asked in expectation as he calmed the situation.

"I can't unless I am close enough." Mr. Cool said before looking towards the old man in the distance, "This old man is a sly one. He intentionally arrived late in order to let me find him…..the geezer saw through my abilities even before arriving...…."

"Does that mean others have already arrived before we even awakened?" Max asked, at least Sera had arrived before that was for sure.

"Seems like it…..but even though I did't find any other spirit shell, I have still sensed something else..." Mr. Cool replied with a smile.

He then continued to reveal his findings, 

"I found two individual space pouches, I believe it's either the Ancient families or the Trials that you have been speaking off…" 

"That's certainly interesting…" Max replied with a smile as he remembered the location Mr. Cool gave him. He had to first confirm it with his Master, if it was a Zatch House's base or not...if it was, then that would not be much useful...he would appreciate it if it were the other houses….

"One more thing, why were you at the auction house?"

"Well, how could I not come after receiving something like that…." Mr. Cool said as his voice went cold. 

He raised his fingers and a piece of paper came flying towards Max from the collapsed house.