To say that Michael was surprised would be an understatement. He had just casually mentioned that he planned to create a faction, yet Ava was ready to enter it?
"Are you sure that you want to join the faction of a simple Middle Apprentice? Your realm must be Late if not Peak Adept. This is more than a realm of difference between us."
It was certainly a rare sight. Normally the one with the lower realm would follow those above them. Since they have a better grasp on cultivation and a more powerful soul, allowing for the use of more cybernetics.
"From the time I have spent with you, I can say with certainty that you are anything but simple! Plus, it's not like I have ever been a part of a faction, so it doesn't make a difference to me." Ava stated with a proud smile.
After a few seconds Michael patted her on the head. "Thank you for being willing to follow me."
"This only gives. I still owe you my life after all! Naturally I have to stay with you until I pay that debt!"
Before Michael could say that there was no need for her to feel indebted, she grasped his arm and began to guide him to get their faction officially created.
"I am sorry, but for a faction to be created you will need at least three members…" The man behind the counter apologized with a timid voice. He knew the infamous Daredevil and didn't dare set her off.
"Only one more? Then it's all right."
Using the communication device on her wrist, she called Leo. The second a hologram image of him appeared, Ava began to order.
"Leo! Get your ass over here right now! We are joining Michael's faction!"
"WHAT?!" His eyes went wide. "The new guy has made a faction, and you are joining it? But I thought you would never join one!"
"Things changed. Come here fast so we can rest afterwards. We are tired."
Leo hastily cut the connection. "I will be there in 10 minutes!"
Just like he promised, Leo showed up 10 minutes later, ready to sign to the faction.
"Are you sure that you want to join as well?" Michael was beginning to feel guilty for how much trust these people were putting in him.
"Naturally! Sadly the other members of the devil's team didn't want to come. Apparently they had grown tired of her and used this chance to run away."
With a swift kick, Ava kicked Leo at his shin. "Stop calling me devil! I am such an innocent creature!"
Massaging the struck spot, Leo shouted back. "You are a pain in the ass! That's what you are!"
While the two were busy in their argument, the man behind the counter smiled wryly.
"Um… are you sure that you want to create a faction with those two?"
"Yes." Michael smiled warmly. He had grown used to them bickering occasionally, so that didn't bother him. Quite the opposite, in fact. He felt like they were beginning to look more like a family.
With a sigh, the man noted down their names and proceeded to type intensely at the keyboard for the next five minutes.
"Done. All that is left is to say how your faction will be regarded from now on."
'A name, huh…' Michael pondered for a few moments. He didn't want anything too flashy, but it was important that he made his intentions clear.
"Indomitable Alliance."
"Quite a bold name." The receptionist remarked before locking it in.
Hearing the name, Leo sighed. "To think that I joined Michael's faction with the devil at that..."
He had decided to stop calling Michael 'new guy' since it didn't feel right anymore.
"We aren't that big of a deal yet." Michael reassured. "We still haven't proven ourselves in any way, so act like you aren't part of any faction yet."
Undeniably the most important thing for a faction was reputation. Since they hadn't accomplished anything significant in the eyes of the normal person, they might as well not exist.
Being done with the creation of the faction, they went to rest. Once Michael reached his assigned room, he collapsed on the bed. For the next 8 hours he wouldn't move a muscle.
The next morning he was awakened by an incoming call.
"Scarlett?" He mumbled in a tired voice.
"How did you get so much money?!" His sister's high-pitched voice woke him up pretty quickly.
"Oh, that… I just did a few odd jobs, nothing that I couldn't handle. In the end the pay was better than expected." Everything he said was technically true, so he didn't lie. He simply concealed a part of the whole story.
"Even so… Are you sure you are all right? So much money is unbelievable. I hope that you haven't done anything stupid." She pouted.
"Of course, I didn't. Now take care of Dad… And since there should be leftover money, you and Mom can treat yourselves to something nice. I know you are reluctant to spend money since you fear we never have enough."
Tears began to slowly build up, blurring her emerald eyes. Trying to wipe them with her sleeve, she nodded.
"Okay."
She was about to cut the connection, not wanting to be a nuisance, until her finger halted for a second.
"...Michael?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"..."
Two simple words, yet for him they held significant meaning. It proved that his efforts had been worth it.
"Don't mention it."
Not wanting to let his little sister see her brother tearing up, he cut the connection first. For the next few minutes he sat on the bed in silence with his thoughts.
Knock Knock
He was interrupted by an unexpected visitor. With a sigh, he stood up.
'Could it be Ava? Or maybe Leo?'
Once he approached the metallic door, it automatically opened, revealing the one standing on the other side.
This wasn't a visitor he had expected.
'Oliver…'