Power of Runes Chapter 442: Rejection

"Alright, but prior to that, you'll likely need to present your credentials to the Elders of the Organization. Only by witnessing your genuine potential will they agree to offer you some form of Contract, a decision beyond my solitary authority. What are your thoughts? Would you be amenable to accompanying me back to the Transcendent Circle's headquarters?"

Ash paused for a moment of contemplation upon hearing this. His gaze dipped slightly, as though he was meticulously assessing each word spoken, his mind a whirlwind of rapid calculations beneath a placid facade.

The greater the misunderstanding, the more avenues he could exploit; in circumstances like these, ambiguity served his interests, granting him greater latitude to act without being fully comprehended.

{Why the hesitation now? I remained silent earlier to avoid distracting you, but why are you wavering when this aligns with your initial objective?}

Eva fell silent for a spell. With her analytical capabilities amplified by the Runes, she swiftly re-examined both statements, dissecting every nuance. It was then that the core issue crystallized, and a realization dawned as she connected their seemingly disparate remarks.

{You are correct. Should you go there, they might request to view your System Window for confirmation and verification purposes.}

As each thought cascnded into the next, the peril escalated in his mind. The risks, once nebulous, now took on a concrete, structured form, rendering his hesitation undeniably prudent.

A period of silence ensued between Ash and Eva before she spoke again.

{And how is that your failing? After all, you couldn't have anticipated the High Priest's pronouncements, nor Elizabeth's sudden appearance. Had you foreseen these, I know you would have devised an impeccable strategy. Most importantly, you did not expect this maniacal b.i.t.c.h to assault you like that, did you? Had she refrained from attacking, you might have preserved your anonymity.}

{The fault lies with her, not you. Hmph!!}

Ash allowed himself a subtle inner smile at Eva's words, a flicker of warmth permeating his thoughts. Yet, deep down, he acknowledged that greater caution on his part could have led to a superior outcome.

"...What occupies your thoughts so profoundly?"

Ash’s mind snapped back to the present as the words reached him. Lifting his gaze, he found Elizabeth regarding him with renewed curiosity. Her black hair, streaked with amber, caught the light, imbuing it with a soft, ethereal luminescence.

"Nothing of consequence, merely pondering the existence of a beauty such as yourself."

Elizabeth’s eyes widened, her face flushing crimson almost instantaneously, before she could even attempt to regulate her reaction.

{WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR SENSES, YOU SEVEN-MILLENNIA-OLD MAN!!}

Eva's mental voice practically erupted, laced with incredulity and vexation. Ash himself was momentarily startled by her designation of him as a seven-millennia-old man.

{You... You... You... you horrid old man! You shouldn't comment on a woman's age; you'll remain perpetually single if you continue this behavior. Furthermore, why are you flirting with this b.i.t.c.h now? Have you taken a liking to her? This is exceedingly, dreadfully bad.}

Ash suppressed a powerful urge to burst into laughter at the evident displeasure in her tone, maintaining his outward composure.

Though he detected Eva's vitriolic commentary, he chose to disregard it.

{I... I... I see. That's acceptable, then. However, engaging in such behavior will brand you as a womanizing old man.}

Ash's lips twitched subtly as he clenched his fists, reining in his impulse to react to her remark while preserving his calm demeanor.

"W-What are you saying so suddenly? Have you lost your mind? Or do you believe I won't physically assault you... or are you attempting to mock me?"

Elizabeth fired off a barrage of questions in rapid succession, her voice lowered, her gaze averted slightly, avoiding direct eye contact. Her face was visibly flushed with embarrassment, yet her tone retained its previous dangerous undertone, hinting at the possibility of an imminent outburst.

However, for the first time in his existence, Ash perceived the advantages of possessing a high Charm stat, observing the tangible, immediate benefits of his striking appearance in this delicate situation.

"No, no, may the heavens strike me down if I speak untruthfully. I am a direct and rather timid individual, averse to the spotlight. It is for this reason I operate this modest establishment, removed from public scrutiny. Consequently, I simply voice my immediate thoughts; your beauty is undeniable. However, I contend that my own allure surpasses yours, and that, too, is an irrefutable fact."

Ash uttered the concluding statement with a pronounced air of smugness, his countenance radiating a self-assurance that was both inherent and profoundly irksome.

Upon hearing his pronouncements, Elizabeth initially found herself nodding in unconscious agreement, readily accepting the veracity of most of his points. However, the instant her mind registered his final words, her head froze mid-nod. Her lips quivered almost imperceptibly as her gaze drifted, drawn to the infuriatingly self-satisfied expression etched upon Ash’s face.

Elizabeth’s thoughts ran as she regarded him with a perplexed air.

Ash inwardly cursed, vexed by the peculiar expression that began to form on her features. Concurrently, Eva’s mirthful peals reverberated powerfully within his consciousness, compounding his struggle to maintain his outward composure.

{Pfft....just look at your face.....I can’t help but burst into laughter seeing your behavior. I never thought I’d witness the perpetually cold and aloof Lord Ash Burn acting like this...pfffttt....muhahahaaa....}

Beneath the onslaught of her maddening laughter, Ash merely shook his head. He resolutely ignored her taunts, refusing to permit such distractions to mar his expression as he resumed speaking in a composed and measured tone.

"Do not direct that look at me, Miss Elizabeth. I am merely articulating a truth. Regarding your earlier inquiry about accompanying you to the Transcendent Circle for a purification ritual by your Elders, I believe I must respectfully decline. As I just mentioned, I prefer to remain out of the limelight. More than that, I have an aversion to combat unless it is in sheer self-defense. Therefore, I must refuse your proposition for me to join the Transcendents."

"WHAT...!!?"

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