After finding the cat, both of them didn’t stay in the forest and headed back to the bus stop.

Finding the first bus, they returned to the Hunter Association building.

While grabbing the cat by its neck, Kevin walked up the staircase and said. "What are you gonna do with 4000 Telen?"

Mikhail, who was a few stairs above him, looked back. "I don’t know...I will most probably save some for the future."

"For what?" Kevin asked, while the cat in his hand tried to jerk free but he didn’t let go. "Better weapons?"

"Yes." Mikhail replied, nodding his head. "It’s best if I can get my hands on engraved weapons."

Kevin frowned as they reached the brass door. "Those things are expensive as hell."

"I know." Mikhail nodded in agreement.

"That’s why I am trying to save money. Given that our university fees are being paid by the government, we don’t really have anything else to spend the money on." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Kevin nodded his head as his mind aligned with Mikhail’s train of thought.

In a world of death and rifts, it was best to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

Having a good weapon could save one’s life in critical times.

Entering the Hunter Association main hall, Mikhail swept his gaze around until it landed on the lady who had assigned them the mission.

Both of them walked towards her and when the lady noticed them, her eyes widened in surprise.

"You guys are already back?" She glanced at the cat in Kevin’s hand and couldn’t hide her astonishment. "You guys even found the cat?"

Mikhail smiled and replied humbly. "It’s just luck."

"No, please don’t belittle your achievements." The lady shook her head solemnly. "Sir Berlin had competent servants by his side and even they couldn’t find the cat."

’But am I not lying...it really was just luck.’ Mikhail slumped inwardly but still had a small smile on his face.

"We would like to complete the mission." He said, changing the topic.

"Ah, right." She nodded her head. "I will call Mr. Butler and he will be here in a few minutes. Can you wait for a while?"

Mikhail nodded in response. "Okay."

He and Kevin walked towards the waiting room while the receptionist lady provided them with a small cage.

Kevin threw the violent cat into the cage and put it to the side before sitting on the long sofa.

Mikhail unwrapped Methew from around his neck and chuckled. "Are you tired already?"

"Fuck off." Kevin wasn’t in the mood for jokes. "I am just annoyed that you will get a chance to go inside a rift and the distance between us will grow even more."

’Nothing I can do about that, brother.’

Mikhail thought as he placed the sleeping yellow cat in his lap. "I’m pretty sure they will find a way to help you guys."

Kevin only grunted like he wasn’t too sure about that.

---

After waiting for almost half an hour, the receptionist lady walked inside the waiting room with a middle aged man.

’He is someone else and not the butler?’

Mikhail thought when he noticed the timid behaviour of the lady.

A name quickly appeared in his mind. ’Berlin Othmane.’

The man was tall, with slightly long black hair filled with patches of grey. He wore a pair of gloves while there was a deep cut mark on his aloof and cold face.

By his side were two more people, one was an old man in a butler uniform while another was a child no older than eight who wore a pink dress.

The child’s gaze fell on the cage by Kevin’s side and her eyes immediately lit up.

"Kitty!" The child yelled and quickly rushed towards her cat.

She opened the cage and took out the cat, hugging it tightly like she had been separated from it for years.

Mikhail stood up and so did Kevin when they felt the aloof man’s gaze on them.

The man walked towards Kevin and extended his hand.

"Thank you for returning my child’s happiness." He said with a gentle smile. "Kevin Ariala, the one with Monarch class, right?"

’Ah...’

At that moment, Mikhail immediately understood why the man had come in person.

’He is here to form a connection with a potential powerhouse.’

Kevin however shook his head. "He was the one who found the cat." He said, pointing at Mikhail. "I was merely a spectator."

The man was silent for a few seconds before he shifted his hand towards Mikhail. "Thank you...."

"Mikhail." He replied, shaking the extended hand. "A Tamer."

Berlin Othmane blinked and mumbled. "You must be a special tamer to get into the university."

Mikhail neither accepted nor denied his words. He merely smiled.

At that moment, the small child’s gaze fell on the cat in Mikhail’s hand.

Her eyes brightened up as she pointed at Methew. "Papa, I want that kitty!"

Methew opened his groggy eyes and looked at the child pointing at him.

"Meowther—."

Mikhail quickly shut the cat’s mouth.

"It’s not for sale, little lady." He said with a gentle smile.

"But I want it—!"

"Koromi." Berlin said in a deep voice. "Don’t go around asking for someone’s prized possession."

The girl regretfully lowered her head, her lips pouting.

Berlin looked at Mikhail and smiled. "How did you find the cat? My servants couldn’t find it after hours of looking around."

Mikhail just smiled and said. "Beginner’s luck."

Berlin mumbled softly before nodding his head. "I will take that as a secret you don’t want to reveal." He replied. "Though, I will be in contact with you for further investigation missions."

’It really is beginner’s luck.’

Mikhail sighed in his heart while he nodded his head.

Berlin Othmane quickly shifted his attention back to Kevin.

He talked about some miscellaneous things as a way to establish a connection.

After a while, he glanced at his butler. "Pay them, Randy."

The butler nodded and took out a bundle of notes.

He counted four thousand and passed it to Mikhail.

Without standing on ceremony, Mikhail took the money.

"I will be in touch." Berlin Othmane said to them, though his eyes were on Kevin.

With a nod, the man and company began to walk out of the association.

The receptionist lady said with a smile. "Congratulations on your first mission."

"Thank you." Mikhail replied with a smile.

He was just about to walk away when he suddenly remembered the stone he had seen inside the forest.

He provided the details to her and the lady nodded.

"Those are the new charms that the royal family has placed outside." She replied. "They are used to repel monsters. They are safe for humans."

Though doubtful, Mikhail still nodded his head. "I see, thank you for explaining."

After that, the two of them walked out of the Hunter Association, seemingly done for the day.

While on the stairs, Kevin suddenly said. "That man, Berlin, is strong." His gaze was stern. "I could feel his strength."

Mikhail nodded his head. "I felt that as well." He mumbled. "He really is strong."

Kevin didn’t say anything else. The two of them walked towards the Sun Metropolis to eat something.

They walked past the manhole once again and smelled the foul smell once more.

Then the next second the smell vanished and was replaced by a strong refreshing scent.

Mikhail looked at the red flowers growing at the intersection for a really long time.