Mace remained still as Ethan slowly and confidently approached, his eyes repeatedly flicking to the door of Mark's family home. He only relaxed once he was sure Elara had gone inside and didn't seem to be coming back.
The tension between them was immediate, like a coiled spring waiting to snap.
'I'm totally different from last time we met.'
Ethan's gaze hardened.
Back then, he had been nothing, a green, clueless E Rank.
Now?
Everything had changed.
'I think he's around a C Rank, but even if he's a B Rank… I won't get completely overpowered like last time.'
He paused.
'But if he's an A Rank…'
His lips pressed into a thin line.
'…then yeah, I'm fucked.'
Still, he approached the hooded figure who seemed to be waiting for him, assured by his current abilities.
"It's been a while, Ethan," Mace said casually, voice laced with mock amusement. "You're a Titled now, right?"
Ethan didn't respond, humour him, or play along.
"What do you want, Mace?"
