The assassin’s wardrobe consists of many to suit the task at hand. But the common denominator between all of them was the sole purpose of disguise.

In particular, artifacts crafted by Formation Grandmasters were highly coveted by those in the underground world. Those items often had a unique name; hence they were called named-artifacts.

What separated these artifacts in particular from the fray, was an Ability—and if possible—multiple Abilities.

Facets like increased durability or defense of an object, while valuable, can’t be considered Abilities. These Traits were the defining feature of artifacts, since the intrinsic material properties are expressed in greater lengths.

For example, a normal metal fork was good enough to poke holes in meat. But a metal fork that was also an artifact would have its Traits enhanced: perhaps greater sharpness to poke meat with. Or higher flexural modulus which prevents deformation and bending of the fork.

These were all intrinsic properties. When enhanced, they are called Traits.

But for named-artifacts, on top of Traits, they possessed Abilities that were not intrinsic to the material’s property. A flying fork for example.

Though Flight is an Ability, it’s mostly a myth because no Formation Wielder has ever applied it. At least not to a singular item.

I wasn’t too sure of it myself, but the feat of imbuing Flight or anything too imaginative was near impossible even for Formation Grandmasters to create. Most abilities had an underlying cause or logic behind them.

To give examples of Abilities, one of the most coveted ones would be Mana Conductivity.

While most materials—metals in particular—could conduct mana, they weren’t that good at it. Save for the few rare metals like droughtnought, it took a really skilled magician to circumvent the intrinsic properties of a material and circulate their mana through it.

But with the Ability of Mana Conductivity, that allowed anyone with a good enough grasp on their mana to apply mana to an object. The object in question also wouldn’t break under the presence of mana; which was why named-swords were the dream present of every swordsman.

On that note, Mana Conductivity was one of the more common Abilities. Its mode of production was simply to etch mana pathways.

Absolute Mask and Presence Displacement on the other hand… Either one of those Abilities were miracles. Often, the value of an Ability could be estimated based on the concept of how they functioned, which was why Mana Conductivity was a relatively easy Ability for Formation Grandmasters to handle.

As for the two Abilities I mentioned…

I knew their functions—not so much the logistics. Even the greatest Formation Grandmasters would have a hard time figuring that out.

Absolute Mask, as the name suggested, masks the user’s appearance.

Presence Displacement was rather straightforward too. Bundled with stealth features like decreased noise from performing actions as well as perception manipulation, which decreased an observer’s awareness of the individual.

Like how spiders crept up on you without your notice, that was essentially what Presence Displacement did. As for how these two functions worked at the complex level, as I said—no clue.

But the thing I found strangest was the person who was using both of these Abilities.

Most assassins didn’t use the stereotyped black cloak exactly because it was stereotyped. On purpose, I would add.

It leads people to believe that an assassin is always dressed in pitch black with a cloak to mask their silhouette. But it was exactly this belief and awareness that allowed true assassins to complete their task.

Why?

Because when you expect something, that leaves a blindspot for something you aren’t wary of.

Never would anyone expect an assassin in the form of an animal. The general consensus was a humanoid form.

Which was why I found it so… How should I put it? Strange? Mysterious? Curious?

It just didn’t make sense why someone would wear a black cloak. That was the equivalent of announcing you were an assassin or someone related to the trade.

But the more I thought about it, the more genius it became.

It was exactly because the black cloak had become a synonymous symbol for assassins that it made for the perfect disguise.

Besides, with the ability of Presence Displacement on that black cloak he was wearing, most normal people wouldn’t recognize his existence if he did not interact with them.

But assuming he is noticed: a person would first think, “Ah! It’s an assassin!” or something related to danger and threats.

After the initial shock, they’d realize that no assassin that was good at their job would show themselves in such a manner.

This would then lead the person to think the black-cloaked individual wasn’t an assassin despite the attire.

Simply put, the disguise itself caused confusion. And that psychological tactic was perfect.

‘Just who is this person?’

It only made it more interesting.

‘He’s here.’

With my eyes ahead and stomach empty, my Pseudo-domain wrapped around the entrance of the cafeteria so I knew exactly who entered.

Whenever someone entered, my aura would scan the rough geometric shape of said person, allowing me to confirm who they were without looking or seeming suspicious.

‘What?’

But the more surprising thing was where he sat.

‘Haha!’

Daniel. That was Daniel.

‘I should have expected no less.’

Of course, he had ties with the suspiciously clothed individual at the center of the cafeteria. How didn’t I make the connection sooner!?

Who else would know such grandiose people? As far as I could tell, no one. All the students here were whiny brats who didn’t know a damn thing about life. No one knew how to survive day-by-day not knowing when the next meal would come, and if it did, they’d blindly grab onto it.

But this person. I had a feeling he was different.

He had more potential than me, that much was obvious.

Even if he was a brat like all the others and hadn’t experienced life yet, he had the qualities to succeed nevertheless. Those trivial limitations could be surpassed. In fact, I’d be scared of him if he experienced what I have at my deceptively tender age.

There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he would rise to the top. Even now, I had a feeling he’d be able to do it. It was just the number game of “When.”

That vivid memory of earlier today. I just couldn’t wipe it clear of my mind.

Masterful.

That was the word that came to mind every time I reminisced.

It hadn’t happened long ago, yet I was reminiscing as if it were a distant memory drowned in pits of nostalgia.

‘Here he comes.’

And now, an obstacle would come his way. An obstacle in the form of an arrogant prick. Eric Elric.

His household name, I remembered. As for him specifically, there was no glory to the name of Eric. He was but a measly blue-haired baby for all I cared.

Still.

My heart throbs.

He could kill him if he wanted. But I knew he wouldn’t do that. So he would pursue a different approach. But what?

No matter how I fathomed their interaction, I knew there would be something better waiting to be seen. He was Daniel, after all. I didn’t know him personally, yet I expected a great deal out of him.

It’s only been a week, but as they say: first impressions. That was the quote. First impressions.

Perhaps it’s because of that reasoning, that I was giving him a chance.

I would never have thought about such an offer for anyone else.

But this prize of a human wouldn’t go unnoticed for long.

That professor already had an eye for him.

It’ll only be a matter of time before others had their eyes opened.

All I had was hope.

Hope that I could recruit him.