Only the sound of rustling leaves and blowing wind answered the man as Nero continued to observe his surroundings. Even with the thin strips of moonlight passing through the forest's crown made of leaves, it was all too easy for anyone to hide if they wished. They wouldn't even need to hide behind bushes or trees, just weakening black clothes and staying still would be enough camouflage.
"What're you looking for?" the man asked, irritated. "I'm alone."
"Oh, you're definitely not alone," Nero answered, finally looking at the man in black. It was hard to get a read on him, but if Nero had to guess, he'd say the man was at least an Initiate. Not only was that because ordinarily no one gave Neophyte actual dangerous missions, but traversing a forest in the dark was absolutely dangerous.
"But that's besides the point. To what do I owe this pleasure? I don't think I'm important enough to warrant an assassination Were you aiming for someone else back in the shelter? Should I go back and call them?"
"You're not dumb, kid. You've proved that much at least. So why are you antagonising me? You know it can't be good for you."
"Maybe I'm just nervous. This is my first late night rendezvous, and I'm a little disappointed it's not with a beautiful girl. The setting could also be improved."
The man did not immediately reply, as it seemed Nero was insistent on not replying seriously. They stood at a distance from each other, which caused them to speak a little loudly, but neither of them seemed to be treating that as a concern.
The long silence did not seem to bother Nero, as his body maintained its vigilant stance without, and his facial expressions remained calm. He was either an incredible actor, extremely arrogant, or very confident.
"Nero Grant, considering you just stabilised a short while ago at the age of 15, your performance has been quite exemplary. But then again, considering all your mother's accolades, it wouldn't be a surprise for at least one of her sons to take after her, no? You must be the good one."
There was neither a twitch nor change in expression in Nero's face as he listened to the man. Although his brother was a sore spot for him, it was not like he was going to advertise that to the world. He knew how to control his emotions.
The man continued.
"Your performance is so good, in fact, that you have attracted some attention from some powerful people. I'm here with a job offer for you. A very lucrative job offer."
"Why do I get the feeling that you're not exactly offering me a traditional nine-to-five." Then Nero looked around himself in a very animated way, before pausing, as if he came to realisation.
"Oh, probably because the venue you picked for the interview leaves much to be desired."
"It's in your best interest to comply, boy," the man said, radiating a bit of his aura, and confirming that he was indeed an Initiate. "Like I said, some powerful people have taken an interest in you. If you comply wilfully, you have much to gain, like resources to help your cultivation, and the right assignments during the war. The ones that won't end up with you getting killed."
Nero frowned, just a bit.
"Let's say, hypothetically, I agree to this job offer. How can you be sure I'll actually follow through? You going to accompany me the entire time?"
"Do not be ridiculous. You will be marked by a special card to ensure compliance."
"What if I'm not big on being marked?"
The man burst into laughter.
"Kid, one way or another, you will accept the job. I just said it would be more rewarding if you did it willfully. Don't make me do something unsavoury like threaten your friends or family. I would have to start with explaining how your mothers treatment back in Lorilem is a dangerous one, and it's not unheard of for patients to be unable to bear the treatment and actually die.
Or should I start with your redhead friend from the Anzem family? He's not exactly popular back home, you know. He wouldn't be missed. People die in war all the time."
Nero's frown grew heavy, and his glare on the man became more intense, but he did not speak.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" the man chuckled as he pulled out a card.
"Don't resist," he said, as he activated the card, and a pink light shot out from the card and hit Nero on the chest. It happened too fast, even if he wanted to dodge he might not have been able to.
Yet he did not feel hurt. The light had not harmed him in any way. He just felt something interact with his aether, before a mild, itching sensation began to develop on his neck. He could not see it, but the image of a small chain seemed to have appeared on his neck.
"That mark will keep you in line, Nero," the man said, his voice containing too much excitement to go unnoticed. "You want to see how?"
As if on cue, a burning sensation filled his entire neck, as if it was burning his flesh and bones. Nero had to make an effort not to scream, though he could not keep his expression from distorting.
"Yes, yes, just like that. You see, if you misbehave in any way, your mark will keep you in place. I'm glad you saw your place and decided not to resist, although I'm a little disappointed as well. It's always fun when they try to resist."
"Do you really think this will go unnoticed?" Nero asked, his voice dangerously low. "I'm in the army. I go through tests everyday."
"You don't need to worry about any of that. These matters are way beyond your level. Don't think that just because you received a little admiration from a sage you're all that special. You're just a pawn in their game. You should have the awareness of a pawn."
"So you're saying another sage is behind this? For what reason? Why would a sage need to sneak around like this? They lead the entire army, they could have just given me an official order."
That was not necessarily true. The man in black never actually said a sage was behind him, but even if there was one, it was not necessary that the sage was from Kolar.
As much as he wanted to avoid problems, he had accepted the fact that the situation around him was far beyond anything at his level could even hope to understand. After all, it concerned a level even beyond Sage! It was a level of power he could not even comprehend!
Whoever reached that realm first stood a chance to recreate the empire only Emperor Iskunder had been able to create, and for nearly a thousand years since no one had been able to recreate the feat.
"You don't need to worry about these things, Nero. Stop trying to dig for information. You're smart, but not that smart. You're a kid, and a Neophyte. You cannot possibly fathom the level of power and influence at play here. All you only need to do is your little part.
Someone will contact you, and tell you what that is. Oh, and, someone is going to be keeping a watch on you no matter where you go, so don't try to act oversmart or…"
The man did not finish his sentence, but the searing pain that suddenly spiked in his neck was more than enough to deliver the message.
"It's not a mistake you want to make. But cheer up. What I said earlier was true. As long as you're useful, you'll soon find yourself showered in resources. It won't be long till you realise how fortunate you are to be in this position."
It sounded like they had a whole secret organisation working that had infiltrated the army. Or maybe they were the army to begin with, just a special branch. Or maybe it was just the man in black trying to keep Nero guessing as to the size and power of his organisation.
"Not a mistake I want to make…" Nero muttered, as his scowl suddenly turned to a smirk, and his glare turned into a look of someone watching an amusing play.
"Speaking of mistakes, do you know where you guys made your mistake? Or should I say mistakes?"
Now it was the man in black's turn to frown, though Nero obviously couldn't see that under his mask. But no matter what, he didn't like the way Nero was looking at him, so he triggered the chain on Nero's neck, once making him feel like his neck was being cooked.
But in the darkness the man could not see small likes creeping up from behind Nero's neck and reaching towards the chain. His tattoo was moving off his back, and surrounding it.
"I'd say your first mistake was right at the beginning," Nero began, though his voice was heavily affected by the burning sensation.