“… A minimum of politeness here would be appreciated. Why behave rudely? Shouldn’t we chit-chat for a moment, exchange pleasantries, and discuss the weather? Dare I say. You cannot act like this, you degenerate.”

  “Oh, I see your reaction; my student still reacts with anger hearing how his teacher calls him. You need to embrace it. Accept it: this is my gift to you, my student. You haven’t changed much—not talkative, not smiling. No basic etiquette. Attacking the first moment when recognizing his old teacher.”

  Amber said it all in one go, filling the silence.

  The silence was deep and not friendly.

  He was not sure how he had been recognized. His curiosity prevailed; he needed to find out. Of course, the main task was to escape with minimum damage.

  The two observed each other.

  “Amber, surrender.”

  “Not even a minimum of good manners, culture, and courtesy. My full name is William Amber. If you would like, you can call me that. And if you like to use my Sect’s name, then I am your senior and Elder. You should show some respect. I am crossed off the list, but no one will take away the title I received when I passed the exam. My skills are mine. Oh, and none of this nonsense, please. I will not surrender. Besides, the one to do that, shouldn’t be you? It should be you—to give yourself to me obediently. Like you had done before.”

  … The most exquisite thing about what he had said was that it was the truth. And it wasn’t the truth, either. Will Song comment on it? Correct it? It would allow Amber more time to assess his situation.

  Song was silent.

  “You say nothing. Your behavior is so common. How should I call you? By name? Or your official titles? Elder Jiu Song? Commander Song? No answer. How impolite. My best student, I perhaps should continue to call you my student, as you never officially resigned from my tutoring. In the Sect, there is a procedure that you never fulfilled. Why, I wonder? Still wanting me as your mentor? How fantastic. Let’s see, what could I teach you? For sure, there is something I know, and you do not, my degenerate, my Song—” Amber couldn’t finish the sentence.

  He was attacked again. This time, what Song fired at him was stronger.

  But Amber’s shield managed.

  The most disturbing part of what just happened, not even five minutes ago, was that Song appeared near him, touched him, and transported them both. It looked like a normal room, but there were no doors. Amber could detect that there was even a substantial energy barrier.

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  It was all exciting because it hadn’t looked like a coincidence.

  However, Amber was not sure. He needed to avoid revealing his level of energy and to conceal that he could transport himself.

  It was something he learned painfully after escaping his trial years ago. Now it could be his last resort.

  Song had to have a much higher level of energy; undoubtedly.

  How did Song recognize him? Amber took care of his face and body—they were morphed.

  It was his flawless masterpiece.

  Mr. Clar’s investigations never uncovered who he was. Song certainly saw his files many times; Amber was the Clar family’s best guard, as well as the best Healer they had.

  “Dare I say, are you sensitive to calling you a student? It’s perhaps a matter of age; you are older, and you would rather not be treated like a youth. I understand. What to do, though? In my memories, you are still this swaggering teenager, wonderful, I admit. But you are already an adult. How many years, Commander Song? Did I do it properly? Is it acceptable to call you Commander? Does calling you that make you feel like you’re mature? Do you feel better with this title? Oh, angry. Commander, I know your face the best; I can tell.”

  Another attack.

  Amber checked and determined he would be able to transport himself out of the room. But he had to know how Song had found him; otherwise, he wouldn’t know what to change to hide better.

  “Why can’t you forget about me? Commander, what a waste of your time, this talk. Aren’t you busy with your husband? You took after my tastes and married a man. Splendid. I managed to teach you this as well. My lessons were, I am happy to know, well absorbed. But how could you, Commander, manage to marry? Who wanted you? You, being that broken in this aspect? Heartless? Unable to love—”

  Amber suddenly realized something: Song was not testing his shields.

  “… I only noticed. What kind of weapon is that? Commander, what have you produced? Does the board know? Delightful. What will it do to me next? I can feel it. You are damaging my energy!”

  “It is not your energy, Amber. You stole it,” Song said.

  “Oh, again, no grace in this conversation, no respect for your old teacher, Commander. That you were promoted was a celebration for this humble tutor. For a moment, I thought you were silly for stopping to talk to focus on distributing your cock’s gifts. Such magnificent libido you have. I’ve observed it myself.”

  Amber noticed that he hadn’t managed to provoke him.

  Was Song playing games with him?

  “Explain yourself,” Amber said, using his teacher’s tone of voice.

  It was an order, and Song flinched; his body reacted—he hadn’t forgotten then.

  “No.”

  “Exquisite. As in the old times. You, saying this ‘no’ of yours. Song, tell me, be honest, say it boldly, and be yourself. You should either kill me or capture and take me to finish the trial. Why this game?”

  “Your trial awaits you. You are already captured. Your energy level is three times lower than mine. You cannot escape. If you do, I will be surprised.”

  “Three times! How impressive! Indeed, Song, you are my best student. Using my old scale also, how wonderful!”

  Amber was speaking but also looking delicately around.

  The barrier was strong. If it weren’t for the fact that he knew transportation, he wouldn’t stand a chance. That was why Song was very confident. It was interesting that he didn’t take that into account.

  Song was too strong and had done something to him; he could feel its impact.

  Then Song attacked once more. His energy was terrifying.

  Amber transported.