Spirit Game

Life is unexpected. That was a saying Rain had believed for most of his life. One moment you're up, the next you're down.

In his case, Rain found himself in a private sushi restaurant, inside a very exclusive room with Alice.

"Uhm . . . what are you going to ask me about?" Rain questioned, unsure what to do as Alice, having asked him to meet him, now ignored him while sipping her tea as if he were invisible.

At school, Alice had secretly messaged him about meeting in this place. He wasn't surprised that she had his number; she must have gotten it from the association.

When she texted him earlier, Rain really thought she might be confessing to him, but he knew that was only wishful thinking on his part.

In the deepest corner of his mind, which he refused to acknowledge, he knew the only reason Alice was talking to him was because of the Spirit Realm.

A boy could dream, Rain thought to himself.

One minute passed. Five minutes passed. Ten minutes passed, and Alice remained tight-lipped, ignoring him still.

"Uh . . . if you don't have anything to tell me, then I'm going ahead," Rain said but flinched when Alice suddenly spoke, her voice as sharp as her expression.

"Sit down."

Rain immediately knelt on the tatami mat in seiza, his back straight.

Alice took another sip of tea and gently placed the cup down on the table. "The tea here is exquisite. You wouldn't find it anywhere else. They plant their own tea leaves and prepare the tea themselves. Give it a try."

Is that why we're here? To discuss tea? Rain lamented to himself. He'd rather be discussing his plans for his territory with his troops back in the Spirit Realm. He had so many things to do that he shouldn't be here sipping teas!

Alice picked up a piece of sushi and ate it slowly. The gesture mesmerized Rain, making him gulp down his saliva. Even while eating, she was so graceful and pretty. No wonder all the boys in their class had a crush on her. She could really attract attention by just sitting there.

"What's the matter?" Alice's black eyes stared at Rain from under her thick, long lashes. "Eat up while we wait."

Rain flinched at her cold voice but then realized. "W-wait? Are we waiting for someone?"

Instead of answering, Alice picked up another piece of sushi and ate it slowly like she had all the time in the world.

Rain, however, wanted to get back to the Spirit Realm immediately. He still had a lot of things to do and didn't have time to eat sushi right now.

Although . . . they looked very delicious. Rain wiped away his saliva and decided to try the sushi. Picking up a piece, he ate it slowly and savored the delicate flavor in his mouth.

"This really is delicious!" Rain exclaimed.

"You don't have to be so loud," Alice reprimanded him.

"Ah. Sorry. The food here is super delicious. I could cry."

"Of course it is," Alice replied dryly. "This is a Michelin-starred restaurant, so it's expensive. We have to get our money's worth."

"E-expensive?" Rain's face drained of color. Did he have to pay for all this food? Though he was already a millionaire, he had just bought a pod! He couldn't feel being a millionaire at all!

And besides, most of his Soul Elixirs were used to buy materials to construct and expand his village. He had started to pay wages to the villagers as well, to get the economy running.

But he guessed that without a steady, staple source of income like tradable goods, it was only a matter of time before the economy went downhill. He had to think about that too.

Augh . . . there are so many things to do, and I shouldn't be sitting here eating sushi! Rain lamented. But this is so delicious I can't stop myself!

"You can already afford this much. You did receive your reward for completing your Novice Lord Title, right?"

"Uh . . . y-yes." Was I going to pay after all?!

Alice sighed, reading Rain's thoughts. "Don't worry. This food is already paid for, so stop making that ridiculous constipated face like I will rob you of all your money." What a stingy person.

Rain relaxed and laughed, rubbing his cheek. "Eheeheehee. I'm in a little pinch because there's still a lot to do that requires Soul Elixirs."

At that moment, the door swung open, and in came Cedrick. The room immediately brightened upon his arrival, and with two beauties inside one room, Rain was about to go blind from the sheer brilliance.

Cedrick's presence was commanding, his sharp eyes scanning the room before settling on Rain. "Ah, I see you've started without me," he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Rain gulped. Cedrick was the leader of Aegis Union, an alliance with more than 20 territories — an impressive number — and this man was at the center of it all.

"H-hello, sir! It's nice to meet you!" Rain said, standing up straight.

Cedrick chuckled. "No need to address me formally. Come, sit, relax, and enjoy the food."

Impossible! Rain thought, but he did sit and try to enjoy the food.

Having such an important figure seeing him made Rain nervous. It was like meeting a king or a president! Cedrick definitely had that charisma and authority.

"I heard that you just acquired your Novice Lord title. I hope my brother isn't too much of a headache. I'm sorry if he caused any trouble."

"Brother?" Rain was confused.

"Cid. Cid Ashford. He's my little brother. He's young, around your age, so excuse his immature ways."

Rain's eyes widened in surprise. Now that he thought about it, Cid did have some resemblance to Cedrick. Their white greyish hair were the same.

Still, at first glance, he couldn't see any resemblance because Cedrick was mature, refined, and very charismatic, while Cid . . . Cid was young.

"Well then, Rain. I know that you're ever busy now that you've established your territory, so I won't take much of your time."

Rain stopped munching and looked at Cedrick, his mouth full.

"Rain Weathers," Cedrick said seriously, "I would like to formally invite you to join the Aegis Alliance."