"I was impressed by the exotic team you guys have formed."

The moment they heard this, all of them froze in their spots and looked at me like I was the exotic one here.

I am the First Being, so I don't think there is anyone or anything rarer than me, but I doubt that's their reason for staring at me like that.

And in case it actually was the reason, I would have to do something about them aka I'll have to give them a classic orbital cannon down their throat.

After some moments- where I felt like I was in a museum and these guys were the unmoving exhibits- they unfroze (or dare I say, melted).

"Pfft! Hahahahahahahah!" And Arteria burst out into laughter.

"He… hehe… heheheheheh." And soon, others followed.

Vafferan laughed like a maniacal villain who was on the verge of completing her evil plan of destroying the world. On the other hand, Neia's giggles were more reserved, befitting her title as the former Princess of Dragons.

Antonio didn't look like he wanted to laugh, but laughter is contagious so he was affected as well.

The chuckles of the others were rather normal, though their volumes varied by some degrees.

"I'm glad you find my words funny."

While we're at it, they might as well give me a 'Comedy Champion' trophy.

"It's- hahaha. It's not that. We just never imagined you'd say that."

"I'm really good at surprising people."

"Hahahahhahaah!"

After some time, their chuckles and giggles died down, and they fixed their dishevelled states.

"I like this brat. I approve of him." Arteria said to Azell.

Wut?

"You do know that I'm a 12-year-old child, right? I appreciate your feelings, but I don't think I'm of the right age to be with you."

On a more developed planet, she would have been criminally charged for showing desire for a minor, but alas, this planet was quite backwards.

"What?" She frowned. "You know I didn't mean it like that."

"That's what everyone says."

I mean, sure my charm is irresistible, but please look at the difference in our ages (physical and mental), Arteria.

"Don't make me take back my words, brat."

"Yikes, you can't even take a joke." I sighed and shrugged. "Also, I have a name, and I would appreciate it if you could use it."

"You're just a brat, so I'll call you a brat." Arteria scoffed.

Wow, rude.

"Whatever."

"Good brat." She nodded.

Isn't she getting bored of repeating that over and over? Expand your vocabulary.

"Anyway, back to the topic. What's in store for me after this?"

If I were to make an educated guess, then after this should come the contract listing the terms of my employment, along with my income.

After signing it, they should take me to my laboratory where I can begin my work on restructuring my body.

But then again, these wankers are unpredictable in the weirdest of ways. For all I know, they could send me to a fucking school while saying, 'We don't hire uneducated people'.

Well, even if they do send me to a school to make me pursue my higher education, I could just find a nice vantage spot on a starry night to jump off from I mean complete my studies and come back a better man.

Gosh, I seriously need to do something about my suicidal nature.

"We'll give you a contract to discuss the terms of your employment, after which, you'll be given your own personal laboratory to work in."

Oh, that's normal. Nice.

"There's one more thing we need you to do for us, but you're still recuperating so that will have to wait."

Goddamnit- ah, wait.

Since I'm already recovering from my previous injuries, wouldn't it make sense for me to carry out the task that'll give me new wounds right now?

That would save me a lot of time.

That's a really good idea.

Sometimes, my genius, it scares me.

"Azell, do you remember the signing bonus I asked for back in that forest?"

"Hmm? What- ah." His eyes widened ever so slightly.

"Yea, I'm gonna need that again."

"…" Azell scowled at me in the same way a girlfriend scowls at her boyfriend after he promised her a good time on their first night but lasted only 27 seconds, and then had the audacity to ask her if she climaxed.

"What is he talking about?" Neia tilted her head.

"…He wants to create new Mana Circuits for himself." Noelle replied while giving me the same look.

"""Do what?!""" Neia, Arteria and Vafferan exclaimed at the same time.

Clementine just gave an 'Aha!' smile while Antonio just tilted his head.

Looks like Clementine knows something.

"Apparently, he can create Mana Circuits from scratch. If I remember correctly, he said something about Anti-Mana and some explosion."

"Explosion?!" Neia covered her mouth. "No way I'm letting you do that!" She glared at me.

See? This is why I don't like people who are fond of me.

"It's an Energy Annihilation Explosion, and is completely harmless."

"Then why did you cough blood last time?"

You're not helping me, Azell.

Wait, I guess that's his aim. This cheeky bastard.

"…" Neia scowled and raised her eyebrow at the same time.

"That's because I literally had to carve out the Circuit inside my body. Even if the circuits were destroyed, the path is still there, so there's no need to worry about me coughing blood again." I reassured them.

"Still no."

Bruh.

"But Azell, are you really going to deny me my chance at growing stronger?"

Ever heard of body autonomy, chief?

"Well, there should be other ways of-"

"There are none."

"Impossible."

This motherfucker. He dares to doubt the First Being?

"There might have been before, but my Mana Circuits were ruined when I saved Noelle. So there's no other way than creating them again from scratch."

Time to gaslight these motherfuckers.

"Really?" Azell pursed his lips.

"Mm-hmm." I lied as naturally as I breathed.

There's no way that's true, but the other methods are just a huge pain in the ass. So I'll go with this one.

Like yea, sure I'll have to feel some pain, but that's a small price to pay to be lazy.

"Are you sure you won't hurt yourself?" Noelle asked.

"Of course."

"You promise?"

"Pinky promise."

"Haahhh…" She let out a long sigh. "Fine, but don't you dare break your promise."

"Sure." I nodded.

"Azell, please." She turned to him.

"I do not approve of this, but since you two have already come to an agreement, I won't interfere." Azell sighed.

"Thank you." She nodded with a smile.

Wow, this almost feels like a pair of mother and father arguing about their son's decisions.

Quite the weird experience, if I say so myself.

"Do I proceed just like before?"

"Yes."

I took a meditating posture while Azell put his hand over my heart. The next moment, he started pouring in his mana.

"Remember. Don't hurt yourself." Noelle reminded me.

"Of course. I promised, didn't I?" I smiled.

However, you forgot one tiny detail, silly Noelle.

Promises are made to be broken.