Shadow Blood and Fire

The decoration in Auntie Visoki's home was elegant, in style, and exquisite in their craftsmanship. From the paintings on the wall to the blue-white porcelain vase on the table, it was evident that the Visoki family was not only comfortable but also well-educated and had good taste in fine arts.

After entering the hall, Eli saw a middle-aged man sitting on the sofa, wearing a pair of black rimmed glasses. He was watching the news on Tv.

He was Milliette Visoki's father, Raiden Visoki!

He was the Hutton District Deputy Director of affairs. Although his rank was not high, he was close to Hutton District's power center.

Eli bowed to him, and Raiden Visoki nodded absently.

"Come and grab a seat. Milly, why don't you go to the kitchen and make some tea for your dad and our guest? Can you guys wait a few minutes for dinner? I need to heat up some dishes." Auntie Visoki spoke as she entered the kitchen.

Raiden Visoki's eyes were glued to the TV, and he didn't turn around to face the guest until the news was over.

"How is your father, Stulax Baxter doing? The last time I met him was at a meeting six months ago."

"He is doing well. Thank you for asking." Eli said politely.

Eli's father was the deputy magistrate of New Tylon District, and although his rank was similar to that of Raiden Visoki, his jurisdiction was a remote District instead of a bustling District.

Raiden Visoki nodded, "Your father is young and full of potential. The mayor once said that your father has an international perspective, and he agreed with your father that the future economic development is inseparable from abilities protection."

Eli nodded with a blank smile. Why would he think that a high school boy would be interested in boring politics? If Eli could have understood half of what Raiden Visoki had just spilled out from his mouth, he was certain it meant licking the boots of the government just to acquire the Earth ability and be stunted at level 3.

Seeing that Eli was not interested, Raiden Visoki frowned slightly and then changed the topic.

"How are your grades?" Raiden Visoki asked.

"I was the top ten in our District and I gained a Scholarship into Elysium Academy, I have heard that your daughter ranked in the top fifty at Hutton High Academy. I think I will need her help at school."

"He is not that bad, a promising lad, getting into an Elite Academy . " Raiden mumbled

"How about you Ablility level?"

" I don't have an ability, I don't have the funds to by one and I don't want the earth ability controlled by the government."

Raiden Visoki's brow furrowed even deeper after hearing Eli's answer; the remaining traces of a smile on his face evaporated completely.

"Your mother had sent you to Hutton District to escape bullying. Your family can only help you for a while, but not forever. If you want to be successful, you have to rely on yourself. Education is a stepping stone, abilities matters the most in all fields or sooner rather you might be hearing death's call"

Eli was caught off guard by Raiden Visoki's sudden outburst. He erased the smile he was wearing and answered, "You are right, Uncle Raiden, Only true strength matters the most."

After exchanged a few more words with Eli, Raiden Visoki was disappointed by the boy's lack of ambition. He could not help but secretly shake his head in disappointment. It was evident that what his wife had told him about the boy was simply not true.

He had also met Machine Billy Danielle once and was very impressed by his appearance as well as his wealth of knowledge in economics and politics. Eli failed to measure up to his most basic requirement for a future son in law.

It seems like I have a lot to discuss with my wife, Raiden Visoki lamented in his mind.

He knew his wife wanted to set up his daughter with the son of her best friend. He didn't protest her plan at first, but after meeting Eli for the first time he had researched his background and was not impressed with the fact that he was adopted, he realized that he had to weigh-in.

My daughter would not fall for him anyway, Raiden Visoki thought. He was confident in his daughter's judgment.

This meal Eli had shared with the Visoski family was not unpleasant by any stretch of the imagination. Visoki family strictly followed the traditional table manners, which meant no chattering while eating.

However, Eli didn't mind the silence. His mind had already veered off to how to get stronger.

A blur of motion caught his eye—a swift, purplish shape hurtling towards him with deadly intent. It was a Misephra, a mutant avian known for its ferocity and unpredictable nature. Its talons, sharp as monomolecular blades, were outstretched towards Eli's throat. He could have dodged; his reflexes were more than a match for the creature's speed. 

The creature's advance halted as if it had struck an invisible barrier. It hung suspended in mid-air, its wings beating furiously, its snarls filling the room. Then, as if pulled by an unseen force, Misephra was drawn towards Milliette Visoki who had an enigmatic smile playing on her lips.

"This is Odera," she said, her voice a melody that belied the danger of the moment. "Seems like she doesn't like you."

Eli's gaze shifted to the girl's mother, who had watched the scene unfold with a dispassionate eye. At her daughter's words, she gave the creature a look so cold it could freeze the fires of a star. Misephra calmed under that glacial stare, but its eyes remained locked on Eli, filled with malice.

"Milliette that's rude, misephra is more than a pet," she explained, her hand hovering just above the creature's feathered head. "She's a protector, a guardian. And she senses something in you."

Eli met the creature's gaze, his own eyes unflinching. "And what might that be?"

Auntie Visoki's smile widened. "Potential,"

"Or perhaps a threat. With Misephra, it's often hard to tell."Milliette Visoki mumbled