Alistair froze mid-step, his eyes widening as deep crimson flames coiled around the dagger in Noah's grip. The fire wasn't wild—it didn't roar or sputter—it moved with an eerie, deliberate grace, like it knew exactly what it was doing. Too calm.
This wasn't ordinary channeling.
This… was perfection.
And the kid had pulled it off in mere minutes.
Alistair exhaled slowly, still trying to piece together what he'd just witnessed. "You… actually did it. But… how?" His voice was careful, like he wasn't sure he wanted the answer. His gaze stayed locked on Noah, who stood tall now, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as if the result had been inevitable.
"I don't know, Mr. Crowne," Noah replied casually. "I just imagined it the way you explained… and it worked. Thanks to you, I've got this skill now."
Alistair didn't respond right away. What he'd explained earlier was just the bare bones—a foundation anyone could use to start practicing. It wasn't supposed to look like this.
But this kid… hadn't just learned it—he'd mastered it.
"Sometimes… it's just a fluke," Alistair muttered, trying to convince himself. "Takes months to fully control energy channeling."
"Really?" Noah switched off the Starflame in an instant. Then reignited it. Once. Twice. Three times. Smooth as flicking a lighter.
Alistair's brows twitched.
Noah had already figured it out—the system responded to actions as triggers. A single push, and the system would recognize the pattern as a skill. Once locked in, it was his forever.
Most awakeners had to stumble into their abilities. A lucky accident under extreme stress. Even then, repeating it was hard—sometimes impossible. But for Noah, any skill triggered through the system could be summoned again. Anytime. Without limit.
Alistair stared openly now, lips parting as if he might speak, but no words came. This kid wasn't just talented. He wasn't even in the same category as "ordinary" awakeners.
His tone shifted—more serious, weight behind it. He clapped Noah's shoulder, firm and deliberate. "Alright. Who are you, really? Full name."
"Noah Caine."
The name didn't ring any bells. Alistair frowned. Too unfamiliar.
He sifted through memory, scanning through the list of old bloodlines and established families. Nothing.
"You're telling me you're not from a special bloodline? With talent like yours, you'd have to be. Wolfsbane level, Hawkins level… maybe even Edenfield."
Noah shook his head. "No. I'm an orphan. And broke, if we're keeping score."
Alistair looked at him like he'd just cracked the worst joke imaginable. "You serious?" He leaned back slightly, eyes narrowing. "You know, I met Victor Edenfield once—youngest top-ranked awakener three weeks running. The boy's a prodigy. I thought he was the brightest I'd ever see… until I met you. You're the real deal, Noah. Genius-level talent."
Noah's lips curved faintly, but he shook his head. "You're overselling it. Compared to Victor? I've still got work to do."
He knew Victor as well—but to compare himself to that monster? That was going way too far.
Alistair chuckled, but the respect in his gaze stayed. "Fair enough. Still… I like you. You say you're poor and alone? How about this—I'll make sure the 'poor' part vanishes. Join me."
Noah tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Alistair didn't answer immediately. Instead, he twisted the ring on his left hand. A soft glow spilled from it, and in his palm appeared an elegant name card—materializing from thin air. He held it out.
Noah's eyes lingered on the ring. A spatial ring. Priceless.
God, he wanted one.
But when he read the card, his hand stilled.
"You're… the Head of the Research and Technology Department of KRAKEN, Lincoln branch?" His voice was steady, but he couldn't quite mask the surprise.
Alistair's smile was all pride. "That's right. And that's why I want you as my assistant. One million dollars upfront. Weekly pay—more than enough to live comfortably."
Noah went quiet. A million dollars. But with his system, his growth, he could earn more—much more.
"Sorry, Mr. Crowne. I'll have to decline."
"Five million," Alistair said without missing a beat. "Plus a spatial ring, an S-rank weapon, and an S-rank skill scroll. It'll take me time to get them, but you have my word."
Noah blinked. "You're not joking?"
"I've never been more serious. And you're only the second person I've ever made this offer to. The first was Victor."
Silence stretched.
"This is still just because I mastered one skill," Noah finally said. "That doesn't add up."
"It's not just that," Alistair replied immediately. "You didn't jump at the first offer—you weighed it. You know your worth, but you're cautious. That's rare. That's survival instinct."
Noah didn't answer, but the truth was… the offer was tempting. Almost too tempting.
The things he could do with all that… his life could change overnight. No more cold showers in the winter. No more leaking ceilings. No more pedaling to school until his legs burned.
But the cost would be his freedom. He'd be tethered to KRAKEN's tech division, and they didn't do short contracts.
He shut his eyes briefly, then opened them, decision made. "Still… I refuse. Not yet."
Alistair smiled faintly. "I knew you would. People like you don't stop here. Just… don't lose yourself in the chase."
Noah nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. Now—help me get my granddaughter to the car before my back decides to quit."
"No problem."
---
Twenty minutes later, they reached Alistair's off-road beast of a vehicle, dust-caked but still purring like a predator.
Noah eased the unconscious girl—Zara—onto the back seat, careful with her limbs. She was breathing steadily, but pale, scratched.
She looked younger than him. Even so… she was beautiful.
From the front, Alistair glanced back, a sly smile forming. "What do you think of my granddaughter?"
Noah gave him a flat look. "She's beautiful. That's all I'll say."
Alistair grinned wider. "Play your cards right, and maybe you two could end up together. I'd give my blessing. Seal of approval. With one condition—you join my department. Package deal."
Noah rolled his eyes. "Not this again."
Alistair chuckled. Then his gaze turned to the misty forest behind them, voice quieter. "If you hadn't shown up… it would've ended differently."
Noah smiled faintly. "Guess it was destiny."
Alistair's lips curved. "Maybe."
"By the way," he added, "don't consider the dagger or the soul stones repayment. My life's worth more than that. If you ever need me—call or visit. I'll help. No questions."
Noah nodded. "I'll remember that."
They shook hands—firm grip, no pretenses. Then Alistair drove off, taillights vanishing into the trees.
Noah stood there, flipping the name card between his fingers, the faint glow catching sunlight.
"That's one hell of a connection," he murmured.
KRAKEN's Research and Tech Division wasn't just another department. They built the tools, the weapons, the armor—the very infrastructure of the awakener world.
And the man in charge owed him a life.
He looked up through the canopy. Sunlight speared through the leaves, scattering gold over the damp earth, mingling with the fading stench of soul beast blood.
"God really blessed me this time."