Legendary Soul Art

"So now that you know about my background, I'm suddenly your brother-in-law? You expect me to forget that you almost killed me for no reason and just praise you to my Master?" Number One highlighted Miss Black's shamelessness and pulled on Nami's hand to leave. "You will need to try much harder than that if you want me to even consider it."

"Hey, don't be like that! We are still family, aren't we?" Miss Black called out as she followed closely behind but Number One ignored her as they walked back to their class. He was still yet to figure out how to proceed with the whole situation.

Number One never hid the fact that he had a Master but the exact details weren't known by many. Now that Miss Black knew the exact person, it would be harder to keep his story afloat. He had no choice but to keep her on a tight leash for as long as he could to avoid getting in trouble for using his Master's influence.

Captain Jack and Baldy were the other two that knew the truth but Number One wasn't worried about them.

"Damn… We need to keep him in our hunting group at all cost," Captain Jack commented to Baldy as they watched Number One's back in awe. "I have never heard about his Master but he must be a peerless Alchemist to turn Miss Black into a puppy."

"To think I was his partner… Hope he doesn't mind that I shouted at him earlier," Baldy muttered as he placed down the eggs on the ground. "How about we give him one of the Emerald Vipers once he steps into the main Academy? I'm sure other hunting teams will fight us to have him."

Captain Jack only patted Baldy on the shoulder. "If an Alchemist of such caliber appeared in our Academy, the board wouldn't hesitate to give both of them as a gift, not to mention one. You can already see how Headmaster Blake treats him. A pet Soul Beast is not enough to bribe him."

"What else can we use then? He must have everything he wants already," Baldy pointed out. "Women, money, power. He already has it all."

"No, that's all his Master," Captain Jack corrected. "A man who calls himself Number One definitely aims to be the best on his own. He is still far from that goal so there is bound to be something he needs. That is going to be your mission for now. You will follow them back to the Selection Academy and assist him however you can."

Baldy raised his eyebrows at the sudden mission but he wasn't complaining. "Yes, Sir."

Captain Jack nodded in approval and reminded, "Make sure you don't tell anyone about Number One's Master, even the rest of the team. This is our advantage and we can't let others find out."

———

One would think that the change from a cold killer to a sweetheart would be good for Number One but it was the opposite. By the time the group left the cave, he was already tired and annoyed with Miss Black constant nagging. She was adamant about convincing him and wouldn't take a no for an answer.

'I actually preferred when she tried to kill me,' Number One pointed out in secret and Nami couldn't agree more. She wasn't used to her sister acting sweet to get what she wants.

"Come on, can't you see that I changed? It doesn't cost you anything and it means a lot to me. I will owe you a favor afterward. You can get whatever you want," Miss Black continued her persuasion leaving everyone perplexed. Even Darius was staring at her as if checking if they were the same person.

Number One has been silent this whole time as he was waiting for this one line at the end and finally reacted. "We will talk about it later. This is not the place to discuss business and I'm still covered in slime. I need to wash first before I decide whether I want to help you or not."

Miss Black was supposed to get the hint and chill for now but the excessive part of her didn't change at all. She walked up to Number One and forcefully grabbed his Academy Uniform. He was about to struggle free when she held onto Nami's waist as well and called out to Darius with an assuring smile. "Don't worry, I will bring them back in a moment. I'm just taking them away for a small chat."

Wings burst out from Miss Black's back in the middle of talking and she launched into the sky with the two of them in her arms. Number One's clothes were close to ripping apart due to his weight but she only flipped him mid-air and caught him by the leg effortlessly.

"Sis! What are you doing?!" Nami cried out angrily. "Let us down now! You are going to kill him if he drops from this height!"

"He said he needs a bath and I just happened to know a great place for that," Miss Black replied casually as she looked down at the hanging Number One. "Would you rather prefer I hold you by your waist too or is this fine?"

Number One only rolled his eyes and just stayed still without comment. Miss Black wanted a clear answer right away while he wanted to stall as much as he could. She knew too much to be tricked easily so he needed more time to think of a good plan.

"See? Silence means agreement," Miss Black pointed out while continuing to fly. "He will be fine as long as he doesn't struggle. The place is not too far away."

Miss Black wasn't lying about that as it only took them a few minutes before they saw a small lake in between two tall mountains. Number One didn't expect he would miss the rough treatment as she threw him in the cold water without a warning. The sweet approach was already causing him to cringe.

"Is that your way of asking me to help you?" Number One questioned as he swam to the shore but he remained in the water to keep his distance. Nami didn't hesitate to leave her sister's embrace and joined him for a refreshing bath.

"I was just fulfilling your request. Now you are clean and we are all alone," Miss Black muttered with a shrug as she ignored their lovey-dovey acts. "Tell me what you want. I won't be stopping you two from being together anymore if that's what you want."

"You already tried to stop us and failed. That doesn't count as a favor," Number One commented. "I can help you get the pill you want but you have to agree to my demands. If you fail to deliver on even one of them, I'm going to cut the deal."

"There isn't anything in this world that I can't do," Miss Black replied confidently, but her facial expression changed as soon as she heard the first demand.

"I want you to strip, right now."