Power of Runes Chapter 441: Invitation

"Just picture it," he continued, his voice dropping with a subtle gravitas, "The Angels seizing this opportunity to subjugate the Transcendent Circle, people succumbing to fear and doubt towards the Transcendents, flocking to the Church of Light. Imagine faith eroding, replaced by suspicion."

"Who do you suppose they'll hold responsible?"

"Can you enlighten me on that, Miss Elizabeth?"

A heavy, almost sinister silence descended upon the shop. The atmosphere grew thick and still, as if the distant sounds from outside were completely muted, leaving only the suffocating tension between the two.

Then, in a startling turn of events, Elizabeth, whose gaze had been fixed on Ash with icy intensity, let out a soft, unexpected chuckle. It was as if she found his words amusing rather than threatening.

"You... are quite intriguing. I find myself liking you!!!"

Elizabeth declared, pointing a finger at Ash. A peculiar smile graced her lips, her posture remaining relaxed, her very being exuding an air of unshakable confidence, as though his veiled threat had barely registered.

Ash's brow furrowed internally, yet he maintained a placid exterior, responding with a steady, even tone, "However, I do not appear to share the same sentiment, Miss Elizabeth."

Elizabeth simply chuckled again, her reaction light and almost playful, as if his dismissive words only added to her amusement.

"I shall depart if my presence is unwelcome. But before I go... perhaps you could share the reason behind that intense gaze I felt from miles away? Was it not you who summoned me here?"

She folded her arms, resting her upper body on the counter and leaning forward slightly to meet Ash's eyes directly. Her gaze was steady and filled with curiosity, as though she were attempting to decipher his every minute reaction.

"Summoned? Hardly. I merely wished to observe the proceedings. The stadium seemed too much of a hassle, and my tastes aren't suited for online viewing. If a simple gesture like that constitutes an invitation in your eyes... then you must be accustomed to intruding uninvited, wouldn't you agree...? Miss...?"

Elizabeth's smile widened perceptibly, her eyes narrowing as if nearly disappearing behind it, lending her expression an uncanny inscrutability.

Witnessing this, Ash felt a subtle shiver trace its way down his spine, a primal instinct warning him that the smile concealed depths far more complex than it appeared.

"You possess a remarkably sharp tongue."

Her words were spoken casually, yet Ash detected a profound anger and a fierce restraint simmering beneath the surface, as if she were deliberately holding herself back.

She elegantly lifted herself from the counter, turning with her hands clasped behind her back. Her steps were long and graceful, almost childlike, as she moved around her previous position. Her gaze drifted upwards, as if observing an unseen spectacle, her movements fluid yet imbued with a strange sense of control.

"Very well, I shall leave if you truly desire it. But who knows what rumors might circulate after my departure... tales of the owner of this unassuming shop being a hidden master, possessing unparalleled beauty and handsomeness. I wonder if you might achieve overnight fame, and how much unwanted attention that could draw to this tranquil establishment."

She delivered these words with perfect calm, apparently anticipating some reaction from Ash, perhaps even a flicker of alarm. She then turned her head to face him.

However, she was utterly unprepared for what she beheld.

Instead of apprehension, she saw Ash's eyes alight with a peculiar delight, a faint radiance dancing within them. His posture shifted subtly, as though his mind had already wandered into deep contemplation, completely detached from the palpable tension that had just filled the room.

Then, she heard him utter a low murmur, a self-muttering comment that, due to her enhanced hearing, registered with crystal clarity, as if amplified through a speaker.

"Does that imply she'll promote me? That's not an entirely bad notion. I've always desired to be launched by someone influential and garner widespread popularity... And if even a beauty like her acknowledges my exceptional handsomeness, people are bound to fall for me... It might be arduous, but I can manage..."

Elizabeth felt a throbbing ache begin in her head, a vein visibly pulsing on her forehead. Her expression hardened, irritation and anger warring within her.

But as she processed his next words, it felt as though the final straw had broken her dwindling patience.

"Wait though!! Having a woman promote me... wouldn't that reflect poorly, right? People will gossip about me relying on a woman for advancement. I'm not particularly fond of that idea... even if she is beautiful, she strikes me as rather unhinged. I'd rather steer clear of crazy women."

Elizabeth felt an almost violent urge to vomit blood from sheer fury as his words registered. Her mind went momentarily blank before being completely overwhelmed by a deluge of frustration.

She drew in ragged, rapid breaths, striving to regain her composure as she fixed Ash with a glare, her eyes ablaze with suppressed fury, resisting the urge to simply strike him down right then and there.

Perhaps sensing her on the verge of snapping, Ash abruptly ceased speaking and met her gaze, his expression reverting to its former placid and detached demeanor.

"Oh, Miss, you seem quite weary. Would you care for some water...?"

Elizabeth regarded his guileless countenance, which appeared to convey genuine concern for her. For a fleeting moment, she found it remarkably pleasant to behold, the harshness of his prior words a stark contrast to his present calmness.

She slowly marshaled her thoughts and visibly settled, her breathing smoothing out as the tension in her features eased sufficiently for her to articulate clearly once more.

"Listen, although my initial purpose in coming here was to ascertain the source of that gaze, I no longer concern myself with it. It appears this entire affair was merely a misunderstanding. What occupies my thoughts now is you. Do you comprehend that our prior confrontation is termed the Clash of Wills? It can only occur between individuals who have awakened and manifested their Soul Flames. Yet, you managed to manifest your willpower even without a Soul Flame, a feat that should be impossible. I believe you are a prodigy destined to tread the Path of Transcendence with ease, which is why I wish for you to join the Transcendent Circle. So, what is your decision...?"

Ash lifted his eyebrows at her words, his expression growing contemplative as if he were genuinely weighing her proposal. His gaze lowered slightly as his mind raced.

"Very well, but what compelling offer will you present if I agree to join?"

"Pardon me?!!"

Elizabeth was momentarily taken aback, entirely unprepared for Ash's blunt inquiry. Her expression faltered slightly as she looked at him.

"Isn't joining the Transcendent Circle a fortunate opportunity in itself? You will receive guidance from our most accomplished members – that much I can guarantee. What more could you possibly desire?"

Ash gave a slight shake of his head, responding in a tone that was measured yet unyielding. "You yourself have proclaimed me a prodigy, implying I may be unique in manifesting willpower without a Soul Flame. This makes me exceptional, does it not? Therefore, without any tangible benefit, why should I align myself with the Transcendent Circle? After all, my current existence is perfectly satisfactory, and I see no compelling reason to subject myself to another's authority without receiving something truly worthwhile in return."

Elizabeth fell silent, her expression turning somewhat grave as her thoughts began to whirl, evaluating his words and his intrinsic worth simultaneously. She realized this was no longer a straightforward recruitment drive but a situation demanding delicate handling.

After a few moments of contemplation, she addressed him again, her tone now more deliberate than before, tinged with a consideration that had been absent earlier.

"Understood. However, prior to that, you will need to demonstrate your capabilities to the Elders of our organization. Only by witnessing your true potential will they be inclined to offer you a form of Contract, a decision that lies beyond my sole authority. What are your thoughts? Would you be willing to accompany me back to the headquarters of the Transcendent Circle?"

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