Adina hated that room. The office where the Grandmaster of her order resided. She knew that her captain hated this office because it embodied all that was bad within the order, but she could not bring herself to hate it for such a little reason. No, what she hated it for was what it eventually brought with it.

She had been in this office thrice. The first had been the day that she and her sister joined the order. They had been far too young, and sorrow had plagued their minds. Even if the former Grandmaster that welcomed them into the order had been far kinder and more compassionate than the current Grandmaster, he could have done little to soothe the mind of two eight-year-old girls who had lost everything. The memories of that day still sometimes brought back old pains.

The second time she was invited to the office had been seven years after the first. It was in memorial to the old Grandmaster after his death in battle. The old man had been under the boot of the aristocrats, true, but he still poured his soul and body into the order in an attempt to better it.

The reason that Adina and Stella had been invited this time, despite Adina only being a sergeant and Stella being a pilot apprentice, was simply because it was a commonly known fact that the old Grandmaster had taken a liking to the girls and protected them from the turmoil that existed in the order.

The two of them had truly mourned the dead Grandmaster, who had acted the part of a father to them and had shed countless tears over his body, yet they would barely be allowed to do so.

Without caring for the girls that were still greatly mourning the loss of their pillar of support and true friend, the captains had converged to discuss the crowning of a new Grandmaster. While the old Grandmaster’s body was still slightly warm and his wounds still wet with blood, they wanted to choose a new leader.

Adina could clearly remember her anger bubbling up in her, almost resulting in her assaulting the captains despite their clear difference in strength. Only Stella had managed to stop her rampage at that time.

The third and last time she had been here was just three short months ago. It had been after a colossal raid on an evil faction that rivalled the order in strength. It should have been a relatively easy raid due to their surprise advantage, but their advantage turned out to be like fog before the sun.

Their opponents had gotten word of their advance and had prepared an ambush in retaliation. The 69th Crusader Company, which had been in the forefront of the order’s formation, had been among the companies hit the hardest.

Subsequently, the remaining officers of the company had been called into the Grandmaster’s office to discuss their failure and to be reprimanded. In the end, as one of the few surviving officers of the company, the Grandmaster decided that she would replace the newly deceased Vice-captain as the new Vice-captain.

Adina could still vividly remember the slight smile on the Grandmaster’s face as he congratulated her for her promotion. That day, she felt as if something had died within her. Seeing her comrades and friends dying around her only to be ridiculed by their most senior officer was something that had almost sent her over the edge.

This office was truly a place that could only bear bad and terrible news that would shake up your world. How could she not hate the place that had coursed her to become so distrustful?

Even while escorting Sett to the meeting with the Grandmaster, she could not help but shirk away from the large doors as they swung open. She knew that she was merely here to bring Sett to the office. That the Grandmaster truthfully did not care about her, yet she could not but be scared. The memories that had coursed her heart to become cold and filled with hate could not be dismissed so easily.

“The two of you may enter.”

Adina swallowed the saliva that had built up in her mouth, almost shattering her outward persona. She had hoped that she could have waited outside, yet the Grandmaster clearly had other ideas.

She stole a glance at Sett who stood beside her. He simply stood there with a slight smile and composed eyes, clearly unaware of the monster’s den he was about to walk into. How she wished she could be just as ignorant as him.

They entered.

The office brought about as much disgust in Adina as it did three months ago if not more. It had once been a humble place, but the current Grandmaster had a liking for the finer things and had changed the office greatly in two years he had held the position. It was a dishonour to the legacy of the former Grandmaster.

“Child, welcome.”

From the middle of the room, a voice greeted them. Grandmaster Miles spoke with a voice that was as sweet as honey almost like a grandparent addressing a grandchild, a voice that Adina knew to be as fake as the day was long.

Adina’s heart sped up as the hateful memories came flying back to her. She hated the Grandmaster with a passion. She hated the way he had done all he could to tear down her and her friends, she hated the way that he used the order for his own gains, but mostly, she hated that he had made her sister cry.

“I am the Grandmaster of the crusader order on Gliese Prime, Miles Conway. I have heard many interesting things about you from my order’s Captain Thomas.”

Adina’s eyes narrowed as she trained her eyes on another person who stood to the side. Captain Thomas, the man she greatly admired and her commander, was in the room as well. How could this be? Why was he here? The two of them should be greatly opposed to each other, yet why did it seem that the two of them were buddy-buddy right now? Had the captain betrayed them in favour of the Grandmaster?

Adina’s distrusting personality instantly shone through, with a wave of panic and uncertainty coursing through her mind.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Grandmaster Miles. My name is Sett.”

Completely unaware of Adina’s uncertainties and distrust, the Grandmaster and Sett exchanged pleasantries. At least Adina was gladdened to know that Sett had heeded her warning and spoke with respect.

“Please have a seat.” The Grandmaster smiled, keeping to his persona as an aging friendly man. “We have many things to talk about.”

Sett went and sat on the chair in front of the Grandmaster’s desk, but Adina did not follow. Though he had not specifically mentioned any of them by name, she was well aware that the seating before the Grandmaster’s desk was reserved for people of importance. This showed how much the Grandmaster actually valued the seemingly normal child before him. To elevate Sett to such a position meant much to the people in the office.

Adina could not help but feel surprised. She had suspected that the Grandmaster valued Sett to some extend but had never thought it would be to this extend. Within the order, only the Grandmaster’s top aides had been allowed in the seat a couple of times.

Standing to the side, Adina decided that she would simply trust Sett not to screw himself over.

“Sett, I have called you here for one reason, and one reason only.”

The room grew completely quiet as everyone waited for the Grandmaster to speak.

“I wish for you to join our crusader order.” The Grandmaster paused for a few seconds to let the words sink in, then his friendly demeanour returned. “I know that a day ago you were a mere mortal, completely unaware of the world of the arcane that existed all around you. I also know that it must be frightening to be thrust into such a world, especially considering what a situation that the crusaders found you in. I am truly saddened that your introduction to our world is such a bitter one.”

Flowery words flowed out of the Grandmaster’s mouth.

“Yet, it seems that your introduction to our world, despite the horribleness of the situation, appears to have some merit to stand on. Captain Thomas spoke of an unidentifiable power that lurks within your body and now that we have met, I can certainly see that he spoke the truth. It is our belief that an ancient power of darkness flows through your veins. We wish to use that power to further our course.”

Adina could vaguely see Sett tensing up.

So, this was the reason for the secrecy and urgency. Sett’s body apparently held a power that the order coveted. Still, she could not figure out why would they place such great emphasis on him. Adina could not even feel the power that the Grandmaster had mentioned.

“Naturally, you are still only a little more than a mortal and will require much nourishing before you grow into your full potential. The order is willing to foot the bill and provide you with many resources should you agree to join us.”

Sett visibly relaxed, but for what reason Adina could not tell.

“Excuse me if I am mistaken, but does your order not teach the use of the light element. “Sett queried the Grandmaster. “With my affinity towards the darkness element, would it not course problems?”

Sett’s question caused a small smile to appear on the Grandmaster’s face.

“Not to worry. I have already contacted an old friend of mine, who is well versed in the element of darkness. She has already agreed to come and teach you as your teacher in the coming years should you agree.”

Sett nodded, seemingly happy with the conditions stated. Adina almost wanted to speak up. After all, the conditions that Grandmaster Miles were barely above the most basic that the average crusader received. Not only that but the conditions and rewards were vague beyond belief.

“I am delighted by your consideration.”

“Those are merely the perks that we have prepared in preparation for this meeting.” The Grandmaster spoke, still smiling grandly. “Is there anything that you wish for in exchange for joining the order?”

“I have a single condition for joining the order.”

Sett spoke and the Grandmaster leaned forward to show his seriousness.

“Please do speak freely, Sett.”

“I only wish for the strength and capital to free my friends from the clutches of the vampires.”

“I see.” The Grandmaster mulled over Sett’s words, but it was obvious that he was overjoyed. “That is certainly doable. Should you join our order, I will ensure that we will devote much of our power to your course, Sett.”

Adina almost drove her nails into her fingers. Why would he request so little? He had just signed over his life in return for barely anything. Did Sett even take her warning about the Grandmaster’s cunning into account?

“Then it seems we are in agreement.”

“That it seems. I am gladdened to know that we are on the same page, Sett.”

The two of them smiled as they looked at each other. One looked gleeful while the other wore a simple smile.

“Now then, before we discuss the terms in detail, do you any request that you wish to ask of me?”

It was an empty gesture. Adina and it was like that the Grandmaster knew that Sett was unaware of what held value in the arcane world and would not be able to request anything too costly.

Sett seemingly fell into thought for a few seconds before his eyes brightened.

“I have a single request that I hope the Grandmaster would allow me.”

“Naturally, as long as it is within my power it will be done.”

The Grandmaster spoke magnificently, while Sett broke into a smile.

“I know very few people in the order, but I believe that I have managed to make some friends during my short interaction with the order. I was hoping that the Grandmaster would be willing to let Vice-captain Adina oversee me during my time at the order.”

Three sets of eyes narrowed and trained on Sett as they heard his words. Was he aware of what he had just asked the Grandmaster? In essence, he had just asked the Grandmaster to sign him over to the enemy faction. It was no different than given your enemies a weapon to stab you with.

Yet, it was hard for the Grandmaster to deny his request as doing so would erase his friendly demeanour and sour their relationship. It would ruin everything he had built up during this meeting.

If Sett knew what he was doing, his cunning was certainly worth the praise.

“This…” The Grandmaster’s eyelids twitched ever so slightly. “I agree.”