System vs Rebirth

"I have been here for two months, while the time limit is one year. But considering the situation, I shall push back the schedule. Instead of one year after my arrival, it will be one year after this agreement."

"In other words, I shall stick around you for one year." Damian thought for a moment and took out a small badge.

The badge had an 'X' shape with a red-colored jade in the middle. Damian took out a similar badge and pointed at the jade in the center.

"This badge has been embedded with Link Enchantment. Since you know about the better version of the Spirit Enchantment, you should be aware of its effect, right?"

Noel nodded. "It's to link two objects. But the length depends on its size."

"Yes. This badge here can transmit your energy within fifty meters. Once you pour your energy here, I will try to find you within an hour since I can't easily enter the fort in your expedition."

"If I don't come within an hour, you should pour the energy once more. There is a case where I'm out of range. Though, since you have understood the completed version of this enchantment, it might be better if you can fix it and increase its effect."

Noel's eyebrows twitched. As expected of the vice commander of the royal guard, even if he could somehow defeat him in the mind battle, he wouldn't go down without a fight.

By asking Noel to fix it, he would be able to assess Noel's ability in runes. Though, Noel did his best to remain calm and ignored that statement. He only nodded his head and said, "Alright. I understand. I'll contact you when I'm in a safe area…"

Damian nodded, acting as if he never said the last part.

He stood up and politely extended his hand.

Noel shook his hand with a smile. He had finally gotten another protector.

Damian didn't realize at that time, Noel's deal was there to protect himself from him.

He was planning to become a Spirit Grandmaster within one and a half years. By that time, he wouldn't be able to kill him anymore.

And with this deal, he was forced to protect Noel until he grew strong enough. Damian simply didn't believe that Noel could reach the Spirit Grandmaster level anytime soon. After all, Spirit Master and Spirit Grandmaster were different.

When they reached the Spirit Master, they usually maxed out their Low Level and Mid Level Demon Crystal quota. Even the High Level Demon Crystals might not have that much space left.

If they wanted to advance further, they had to kill Peak Level Demons if not Superior Demons. And it was impossible to gather the Demon Crystals from those Peak Level Demons and Superior Demons easily.

What he didn't know was that Noel's limit was twice that of normal people. He might need to max out his Low, Mid, and High Level Demon Crystals, but he would still have a lot of space for the Peak Level Demons.

By the time he realized it, Noel had become strong enough to protect himself from him.

"Since we have reached an agreement, it's better for me to go into hiding again. After all, we don't want to make others feel suspicious by meeting here." Damian smiled before walking away.

Though, as he moved away, his eyes were focused on Noel instead of Dimitri. He couldn't help but feel something was weird from Noel, but he couldn't really describe it.

After that agreement, Noel couldn't help but return to his seat while leaning back. He let out a sigh of relief while saying with a tired tone. "That man is too strong."

Damian might have restrained his aura, but because of Dimitri, a bit of his aura ended up leaking as if it was his instinct to protect himself from Dimitri.

Dimitri didn't know about it since he was an assassin, not a fighter. He knew how to hide his power, but in this case, that action ended up making Damian even more restless.

Since he also felt Damian's strength, Dimitri said with a smile. "I am impressed, Master. To think you would be able to remain that calm when facing that aura. You should feel that it was like there was a lion standing in front of you, right?"

"Yeah. It felt like it was about to bite me if I just let my guard down for a second." Noel sighed. "Do people of your level have that kind of strength?"

"I can't say for those who have just reached this stage, but once you train for a long time, you will have something like that naturally… You should be able to differentiate between people who have killed and those who haven't, right?"

"Ah. It is similar to killing intent." Noel nodded in understanding.

"In a way… yes." Dimitri agreed. "So, what should we do next? There should be no more people you want to meet in this place, right?"

"Yeah." Noel took out a pink pill and handed it to Dimitri. "I want you to take this pill to Anna. You shouldn't be that worried since I now have another protector, right?"

Dimitri made an awkward smile. As a butler, he surely wanted to protect Noel. But as his right hand man, he knew that this task was more important.

Although he couldn't approve of Damian yet, he knew that Damian wouldn't do anything foolish for a while. It should be enough for him to finish all the tasks Noel gave him.

So, Dimitri grabbed the pill and asked, "Do you want to pass any message to her?"

Noel thought for a moment and said, "Tell her that I will give her a surprise six months from now."

Dimitri's eyebrows twitched. "Master. The way you phrase it sounds like you are going to propose to her or something, you know."

"…" Noel looked away. He wasn't that oblivious since a noble would already have been engaged or married at his age. But he still remembered the kiss that took him by surprise. He wanted to pay her back a little bit, so he said, "Just say it as it is. I don't care."

"Well…" Dimitri sighed helplessly. Since Noel had given the order, he only had to execute it.