The Devil's Cage

"I don't know."

Kieran shook his head honestly, the alertness in his heart skyrocketing, picking up a very real malicious intent from Oliford Ryde.

As his Spirit grew stronger and Intuition entered the Advance Rank, Kieran became more and more sensitive against capturing malicious intents since he was very particular about it.

Oliford Ryde was just in front of him, so not even the least malicious intent could escape his senses.

"The Seed of Phantasm! A kind of seed that combines meat and vegetables perfectly and once successfully planted, people can truly taste vegetables, rice, chicken, beef, pork and many others at once. It is a natural taste, unlike what the high class restaurant served, which completely relied on the chef's skill to reach that level. The sole thought of the seed makes me happy."

Oliford Ryde showed admiration on his face.

Kieran looked at Oliford Ryde's expression, unable to tell whether the admiration was authentic or for show, but it didn't stop him from asking, "So?"

"So, I hope that you can be a middleman and introduce me to Professor Smith. I don't need you to do anything, just introducing me will do. If successful, I will give you one above Proper Meal class food; even if you're unsuccessful, I'd give you a Bento class to show my gratitude. Of course, I've also heard of your rule: before getting payment and completing the previous deal, you won't initiate the next one."

Smiling, Oliford Ryde took out a golden flask the size of a palm from his pocket.

Lester, who had received a silent order, took the golden flask and checked it carefully to made sure it was safe before handing it to Kieran.

When Kieran touched the golden flask, lines of words appeared in his vision.

[Name: Drops of Finest Cream]

[Type: Food]

[Rarity: I]

[Attack: None]

[Defense: None]

[Attribute: Unlock Wisdom]

[Effect: None]

[Able to bring out of dungeon: Yes]

[Remark: Back in the bronze age, people's love for the Golden Cake did not diminish but without the main ingredients, the baked Golden Cake couldn't satisfy people's needs. Gradually, a new type of food replaced the Golden Cake. Without the core ingredient, it is the liquid grinded from the finest cream, people called it Drops of Finest Cream. Although incomparable to a true Golden Cake, it provided a lot of satisfaction to the people in the bronze age.]

…

[Unlock Wisdom: Has a certain chance to unlock Talent of the intellect type]

…

[Note 1: Has only a certain chance, not always successful]

[Note 2: This is just a standard portion for 1 person]

[Note 3: It can only unlock Talent once, not viable for multiple consumption]

[Note 4: After the seal of the flask is removed, the rarity will go down by time.]

…

"The liquid grinded from the finest cream. Although a lot of people like to call it Drops of Finest Cream, I'd still prefer to call it how our family called it since the old days. This is Ryde Family's special product, only a limited amount is produced every 3 years and as the first in line to inherit the family, I am able to get some every three years. It is most useful during your first usage, so when you consume it, I suggest you find a quiet and comfortable place. However, even if you do not succeed, if you agree to work with me long term, I can give you more. Although it will be useless after unlocking your talent the first time, consuming it for a long period of time is good for your body as well."

Oliford Ryde told Kieran what he should pay attention to after the flask was in his hands.

Although the description had written everything clearly, Kieran didn't stop Oliford's explanation.

"Your intel is really sharp," Kieran said after Oliford Ryde finished.

"Garcia isn't some John Doe, there is a lot of pair of eyes on him, but now, every eye out there is on you. What do you think about my earlier suggestion?" Oliford Ryde turned back to the topic.

"I need some time to think about it," Kieran said.

"No problem. Contact me when you are through. I'm sure you have the number to my communicator."

Oliford Ryde shook his communicator before he stood up and left. Kieran didn't hold him back, seeing him off with squinted eyes.

…

Outside the cafeteria, the servant of Ryde Family was waiting in the car and when Oliford came out, he quickly opened the car door for his master.

Oliford Ryde sat in the backseat as he was used to the gaze of people looking at his extravagant presence.

After the door was closed, with the tinted window blocking the sights of the students around the cafeteria, Oliford Ryde showed a smile, a very delighted smile.

"Seems like your plan is progressing smoothly. As expected of the first in line to the family."

The servant in the driver seat said in a flattering manner after he saw his master's smile.

"It's nothing really, it's really too simple. It's so simple that all I have to do is meet the First Seat freshman. Too bad… I originally planned to form a long-term working relationship with him, he does have a very attractive potential, but compared to the family, what is a little First Seat freshman?"

Oliford Ryde looked rather regretful as he shook his head in the backseat. After the little act, he showed a more straightforward, disdainful smile.

"Yes, so what if he is popular right now? He is just a little First Seat freshman. Even if he doesn't die right now, he will never be able to compete with young master or Ryde Family. Not now, not ever!" the servant continued to flatter Oliford Ryde.

"Though I really need to thank him for distracting Romuse and Smith with his life. Remind me to send flowers to his funeral. After this, with our arrangement, he should head to Smith's and get injured by the angry professor before he is blasted into pieces by our men," Oliford Ryde said slowly.

"Young master, you are really…"

"I see."

The flattery from the servant was interrupted.

Oliford Ryde wanted to dish out a punch beside him without a second thought but as he raised his hand, he realized his body was paralyzed.

"Paralyze ball! You…"

Oliford Ryde cried out in shock, both because of [Paralyze Ball] and gettinga clear look at the person who appeared beside him.

Kieran!

Oliford Ryde had no idea how Kieran appeared in the car with him but he knew he must say something.

Too bad, Kieran didn't even give him the chance to open his mouth.

A ball of Devil Flame appeared from thin air within the car.

And then… KABOOM!

The speeding car exploded just like that.

Oliford Ryde and his servant were blasted to pieces.

Similar to how Oliford Ryde said his men would blast Kieran into pieces, Kieran returned the favor far quicker.

After the blazing fire attracted everyone's attention, Kieran swiftly returned to the cafeteria.

No one saw Kieran walk out from the cafeteria because of [Undercover] together with [Dark Movement Technique]. Likewise, no one saw him return either.

As for the server in the cafeteria?

She was sent away by Kieran using the excuse of consuming [Drops of Finest Cream].

Oliford Ryde told him to find a quiet and comfortable place.

Where else was quieter than the cafeteria after meal time?

As for comfortable?

In many aspects of Kieran's mind, the cafeteria was indeed the most comfortable place for him.

"Stand guard outside, don't let anyone in without my permission," Kieran said.

"Yes, my lord."

Lester bowed, walked out, and closed the cafeteria door. The commotion was canceled out as soon as the door shut, Kieran then taking out the golden flask.

It wasn't just one anymore but… three!

Other than the first one, which was a deposit from Oliford Ryde, the other two were his loots from blasting the car to fiery hell.

Kieran wasn't surprised at how 'valuable' Oliford Ryde was. Judging from the conversation earlier, it seemed like Oliford Ryde had prepared a series of plans and setups. Although he didn't know what those plans are, he knew in order to deal with the likes of Romuse and Smith, Oliford Ryde must have poured in some serious funds.

The extra two flasks of [Drops of Finest Cream] were indeed used to usher his plans into fruition, but now, everything belonged to Kieran.

Without further ado, Kieran kept the extra [Drops of Finest Cream], unsealing one of them and draining every single drop.

The rather sweet, creamy texture with a slight taste of oiliness was very tasty but before Kieran could savour the moment, system notifications popped up in his vision.

[Absorbed special energy, activating Talent…]

[Talent activated!]

[Acquired Talent: Memory Palace]

[Name: Memory Palace]

[Type: Talent]

[Rarity: Magic]

[Attribute: 1. Extreme Reading Memory; 2. Optimize Common Memory]

[Effect: None]

[Prerequisite: None]

[Remark: Forgetful? Impossible! Every single memory will be categorized in your brain, as if they were arranged in an orderly palace.]

…

[Extreme Reading Memory: You will never forget what you read]

[Optimize Common Memory: Your memory will be greatly enhance in your daily activities]

…

The whole activation process was very quick, ending in less than 10 minutes.

Looking at the Magic rank Talent [Memory Palace], Kieran wasn't unhappy at all. [Memory Palace] had zero combat capabilities and was more than a rank lower than Kieran's [The Warden]. Even though it was incomparable to the powerful Legendary rank [The Warden], for Kieran, with his vigilant personality, increased memory capacity was quite a decent choice. At least he would make less mistakes from now on.

As he searched for his blurry memories that got cleared up by the newly acquired talent, he smiled. Even though it was very noisy outside, it didn't give him a bad mood at all.

…

"Lester, we want to see 2567!" Senile shouted.

Senile and Leonard were blocked by Lester, the ex-Dark Eater, outside of the cafeteria.

"Without his permission, no one can enter," Lester said coldly.

"I am Senile! I am the one who signed on your pardon!" Senile said angrily.

"But the one who saved me from suffering is my lord, not you! Please don't claim my lord's credit as your own, it will make you look ugly!" Lester mocked.

Although dominated by [Mesly Ring], Lester's mind and thoughts weren't robbed from him. Lester retained his original intellect and personality, even treating the domination process as a true redemption for his life.

Lester had treated Kieran as the one and only God in his heart, same as the others who Kieran had dominated before.

But towards anyone else?

The dominated will still perceive the others with their original perception.

They still liked those they liked and hated those they hated, but nothing drastic would happen.

Of course, should Kieran give the order, the like or dislike will change in a heartbeat, but at the moment, Lester did not receive orders from Kieran.

"Or… you treated the 'pardon' for my status as 'redemption' because you once abandoned your classmates?" Lester said without holding back.

"SHUT UP!" Leonard scolded Lester when he saw Senile's face turned pale, his eyes looking at Lester with hostility.

"What now? I poked at your wounds and now you want to kill me? I suppose you want to, it's the way you operated anyway."

Lester was like a venomous snake, spitting his venom at Senile and Leonard and provoking them with his hiss.

Senile looked uglier than before, Leonard entering his battle stance and Lester pulling out a dagger in his hand.

The fight would occur in a heartbeat but before the unwanted conflict could happen, a shout came.

"STOP AT ONCE!"

Professor Tyrese was striding over quickly.

"Leonard, bring Senile down to rest, I'll deal with this."

Professor Tyrese knew what was happening with a single glance.

"Yes, professor."

Leonard nodded and brought Senile away. Professor Tyrese was left alone with Lester in front of the door.

"Prying on people's wound isn't a good habit," Professor Tyrese said.

"And taking credit for other people's work is?" Lester refuted.

Even against the famous Professor Tyrese, Lester had zero intention of stepping down. He was still as sharp as before, but it did not agitate Professor Tyrese, instead relieving him a bit.

'It is just as Mori said, Lester will only treat 2567 differently. He kept his original attitude towards anybody else for quite a while. Hope everything is progressing for the best,' Professor Tyrese thought in his mind before he spoke again.

"I want to see 2567."

"Without permission, no one can enter," Lester repeated.

"Then I'll wait for him here," Professor Tyrese said.

A quick glance at the professor later, Lester stood still and did not care about the waiting professor anymore.

As long as the professor didn't barge in by force, Lester, who was carrying out Kieran's order, did not care.

1 minute, 2 minutes…

Time slowly slipped by, Professor Tyrese was waiting patiently but when his communicator rang, things changed.

Di, Di, Di!

"What?!"

Professor Tyrese's face looked bad when he answered the call.