Roe’s decision definitely seemed shallow-minded.

None of them could really question him. After all, this was also the will of Merlin.

They were all his students. They would do as the master deemed.

They believed the decision was shallow because they all knew what happened yesterday. When Lot returned with Roe unconscious, Solomon demanded a report.

In their minds, Roe was clearly trying to spite Lot.

He maybe was, but that wasn’t his logic. Roe was changing, but he was still level-headed. Still mature.

He planned to converse with Vlad before the documents got signed.

Vlad was an Energy-type like him. Vlad had reached out earlier, so he knew Vlad obviously needed the powerhouse. The fact that Vlad reached out meant they were acquaintances.

He was planning to foster a relationship where he would somehow train under Vlad.

He had only recently realized he knew nothing.

His moves were inefficient.

It was clear before. It had only become even more so after his match with Lot.

Lot was only S-rank, yet he somehow bested him.

Roe was still not considering the experience gap. To him, that didn’t matter. It carried no merit, and so he shouldn’t read into it.

After Roe made his decision known, Solomon ordered Roe and Lot to prepare to head out with Ruben.

They were going to present the offer to Vlad himself.

"Why do I have to go?" Lot asked.

"You know this is still your mission.

"We’ve gotten a lead on the final emergence. You move from there immediately."

Solomon dismissed them.

Roe went back in to get cleaned up.

He felt like he had just won something.

He wasn’t quite sure what he had won, but it felt good.

It was a good feeling.

He ran into the shower and ran out in what felt like an instant.

He was eager to make this deal.

He wanted to grow as fast as possible, and training with Vlad just seemed like the logical decision.

He wasn’t too worried about what the other masters under Merlin would think.

He was being selfish, but he knew this was needed.

He got dressed and got into the car. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

It was a nice change from the van.

The van was in use by Team Sigman. It was their permanent vehicle now.

They got in.

Lot wasn’t angry.

At least he was trying to convince himself he wasn’t.

In actuality, he didn’t like the fact that he would have to address his dad.

He just sat in the back.

He and Roe did, but they didn’t speak initially.

Ruben was in the front with the driver.

They made their way to Vlad’s base.

You could barely call it a temple.

"I’m sure I made my point clear," Roe said.

"What?" Lot asked.

He got no response.

"Excuse me?" he followed up.

"You don’t have to go in with me to see your dad. You can just wait outside. I’ll get the documents signed," Roe said.

"Is that so?" Lot responded.

Roe obviously didn’t want Lot to go in with him.

If Lot was present, then chances were he wouldn’t be able to give Vlad his proposition.

He needed Lot absent.

He believed Ruben would be much easier to deal with.

They arrived at the base.

Roe and Ruben got down.

"You’re not coming?" Roe asked. He bent his head to match the window’s height.

Lot gave no response.

This was exactly what Roe desired.

The perfect response.

He and Ruben went in.

He told Ruben that he wouldn’t be going in with him, as he could handle things on his own.

After the papers were signed, Christopher would be transferred days later.

He was still in stasis, and Joseph was still examining him.

This was only the paperwork.

Ruben thought this was fine, so he readily agreed.

Roe was thrilled.

He felt bad, however, because he knew he was betraying Chris in a way.

Just yesterday he was shouting about giving someone a choice.

He was the one telling the adults to acknowledge Chris’s wants and decisions.

He was now the very one selling him off.

Selling him to his own highest bidder.

Fate. Cruel thing.

Roe noted.

He went in almost alone.

Ruben just followed behind.

He even called someone.

He didn’t want to waste his time, as he had essentially left everything to Roe.

He remained in the waiting room while Roe went on ahead.

Roe stated his case to Vlad’s secretary.

She told him he could go in.

Roe was surprised they didn’t call Vlad to verify.

He wasn’t booked or anything.

This was strange.

He didn’t knock.

He thought Vlad was expecting him because of his interaction with the secretary.

He walked in.

"Who the hell is that coming in unannounced?" Vlad shouted.

"Sorry," Roe recounted, taking steps back.

"Oh, never mind. I thought it was someone else. Please do come in, boy," Vlad said, immediately changing his tone after realizing it was Roe.

"I wonder why your receptionist didn’t tell you I was coming," Roe spoke freely.

"Well, my reaction. That’s why. She wanted to get me all riled up. That one. Tricky girl.

"Anyways, why are you here?" Vlad asked.

"I came to you with a proposition," Roe said.

Here I thought I would have to play my hand to get you.

Vlad smiled.

"What is it?" Vlad asked.

Roe passed Vlad the document to review and began explaining how they had found another emergence, one with a weird faith power.

Vlad was very much intrigued.

"I see. Where do I sign?" Vlad immediately said.

"You haven’t heard what you’ll be giving me in return, though," Roe said.

"Oh, it barely matters. What do you want? You can have it," Vlad immediately followed up.

"Why are you so confident you can give me what I want?" Roe asked.

"Kid, you came in here without a scholar. Don’t try to act all smart.

"It’s simple.

"Merlin’s Circle. None of the higher-ranked students are here. They probably sent you to deliver this without a condition.

"You decided to squeeze in a little one of your own.

"Just be grateful I don’t tell on you," Vlad said.

That was a mouthful.

Roe was surprised.

Vlad’s assessment was pretty accurate.

"So when do we start?" Vlad asked.

"Start what exactly?" Roe answered.

"You still think you’re smart.

"I know what you want.

"It’s not that grand or difficult to figure out.

"I’ll train you, okay?"