"I don't want to use any materials. I want you, an evolution master, to help me evolve directly! Can you?!" The man taunted Auric and Arina.
Normally, they wouldn't insist on having the evolution master do it, especially if their elements had nothing to do with each other.
Even though he knew Auric shouldn't be able to help him, he kept challenging him for no apparent reason.
There could only be one conclusion about this kind of person. He chose to become a troublemaker from the start.
Why would someone actually cause trouble here?
Not many dared to challenge an evolution master for obvious reasons. However, there were some bold enough who dared to do it. Some of them were usually too desperate or had some kind of vengeance.
But most of the time, those people had enough strength or influence to back their actions up.
With Arina present, the former was impossible. In other words, the man dared to keep taunting them because he had sufficient backing.
The only problem was why he would make trouble.
Regardless of the reason, Arina had been tasked with protecting Auric and the store.
So, she stepped forward and stated, "Our evolution master has a plant element. We can offer a solution by using items, but you can't expect us to suddenly have a wind element or water element master."
"In other words, you just testified that your store can't even help someone?!"
"No, you're twisting my words." Arina looked annoyed. "We can help you through items!"
"I only want to get help from the evolution master directly!" The man demanded.
"Like I said, we don't have the evolution master with those two elements!" Arina raised her voice.
"So, you're turning away a customer?"
"Are you trying to make trouble here?" Arina glared at him.
"What? So, your store employee is threatening a customer now? If you can't, just say so. Don't act as if you are capable!"
"This guy… Can I beat him up?" Lindwurm glared while gnashing his teeth as if he wanted to chew this person to death.
'Looking at the situation, this guy came here to make trouble. He came when there was no one around, meaning no one will record it and publicize the matter to discredit him.'
Auric thought that lunch break was definitely a strategic time to create trouble. He had dealt with all the customers in the morning. With the limited number of customers, there was a low chance of another one barging in to disrupt him or expose his actions to others on the Internet.
In that case, the moment they expelled this guy, the latter would shout or try to make passersby notice him. It would then worsen his store's reputation.
"So what?"
'So what? That's not the question. It should be 'who?' Who would actually plot against us?'
Lindwurm stopped for a second, pondering. Auric didn't have many enemies, so he listed the first name. "Eric?"
'Eric might be trying to compete with me, but I know one thing about him. He never plays dirty. Whenever he challenged me, he would rather spend 25 hours studying than bribe the teacher to get an answer sheet.'
"25 hours?"
'Exactly.'
Lindwurm tapped his forehead a few times before giving the name of a second suspect. "Simon?"
'I don't know. It's possible. The fact that this guy has a lightning element might mean he is related to the Lightning Dojo under the Lightning Emperor. Not him personally, but Simon might have told him to do it. However, we don't have proof.'
"There is also a chance for it to be a test from someone else to see your skills, right?"
'True. That's why it's better not to make it more chaotic.'
Lindwurm asked, "So, you're going to reveal everything now?"
'Why does it sound like I never intended to reveal it? I have never hidden it in the first place.' Auric shook his head helplessly.
He was replying to Lindwurm, but the man noticed Auric shaking his head and misunderstood his gesture. He pointed his finger at Auric. "See? Even your evolution master shakes his head. You are incompetent!"
"What did you say?" Arina glared at him. "If you are not going to act like a customer, then we won't treat you as one either!"
Her energy started to leak due to her anger.
"You…" The guy's face turned pale. If Arina unleashed her power, there was no way he could win.
Before Arina could do anything, Auric placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Auric? I mean, boss?" Arina was startled. She didn't expect Auric to stop her.
If Auric wanted, she would throw this guy out. She would report it to Ellia, and Ellia could handle the damage to their reputation.
Auric stepped forward as if telling her he would handle it himself.
He smiled at the guy and asked, "I understand. May I know your name, esteemed customer?"
"What? Are you going to threaten me after knowing my name?"
"Of course not. Since you are here to evolve, I thought it would be better to know you a bit more. We will handle your evolution if that's what you want."
"As I said, I don't want items!"
"I never said I would treat you using items. I will personally help you evolve." Auric kept smiling.
On the other hand, Arina was stunned. 'What the hell is he talking about? How can a plant evolution master help a lightning avatar evolve? Is he too pissed that he can't think straight anymore?'
Arina considered stopping him.
"You? A plant evolution master? Do you think you can do it?! You are a murderer! I'm going to report you for malpractice!"
"Malpractice? I wonder what mistakes I have made. I say I will help you and I will do so." Auric tilted his head in confusion.
"Like I said, you are a plant evolution master. You will never be able to help me!"
"So, despite knowing I am a plant evolution master, you still insist that I treat you. Is that correct?" Auric took a step forward.
"!!!" The guy panicked. He had misspoken. "I mean…"
"You don't have to correct yourself. Unlike you, I don't have to correct anything. If you want me to treat you, sure. I can ensure that you will be able to evolve."
"Like I said, your element—!"
He abruptly stopped speaking when Auric raised his hand, creating a sphere of wind above it.
Even Arina dropped her jaw the moment she witnessed it.
"There. I can use the wind element. So, I can treat you. Now, my dear customer. How about telling me your name? We will start the procedure right away!"
The man was dumbfounded. His mind went blank. He had prepared many replies to discredit Auric.
Yet, there was not a single response for when Auric could really treat him. After all, the treatment was supposed to be impossible.
Unfortunately for him, Auric had proven himself to have that ability.
Arina's mind was blown away. 'What's going on? Did he just gather wind in his hand? Isn't his element supposed to be plants? How come he has a wind element? No, wait. Miss once said he was unknown. Plant… wind… I can't explain it, but does he have multiple elements?'
Arina had a lot of thoughts in her mind. She wanted to report this immediately to Ellia, which would definitely surprise her.
At the same time, she finally felt so good after seeing the man's dumbfounded face.
"You… You…" The man was speechless. He finally took a step back.
"What's wrong, customer? I have proven myself to have the ability to help you with your evolution. So, why don't we start checking your power? Like the usual procedure, please follow me to the evolution chamber and show me your battle technique."
Since he had been spying on them since morning, he knew Auric would ask for the battle technique to check their condition more accurately.
"What is this? Why aren't you saying anything?" Auric's smile darkened as his tone became chilly. "You are not going to tell me that this entire thing is just a joke, right? I will request a formal check on you through the association and make sure you won't be able to evolve ever again."
The man turned pale. There was nothing he could do to escape from this situation. If he rejected the treatment after all the harassment, Auric could file a complaint. If he were to find out the truth, the people behind him might be punished as well.
After all, the mayor and even the Evolution Association valued him dearly. He was the youngest evolution master in the city, after all.
"Customer. How about I escort you to the evolution chamber? I can't let my boss be alone with you, can I?" Arina finally took the initiative, knowing that the other party couldn't talk back anymore.
The man felt his legs grow weak. He could collapse at any moment, but if he really ran away, it would be over for him.
"You… If you do anything to me, the people behind me won't let you off."
Arina was the one replying this time. "Is that so? Since we're talking about background, then I will ask my childhood friend, Ellia Stroph Astler, to see who you are and inform them about the disaster you've caused. I wonder how important you are to the people behind you. I bet they're going to cut you off."
The man's body started shaking as if proving her right.
"Now. Pay up and don't make any more trouble. All right?"
The man looked down, admitting his defeat.
Arina escorted him to the evolution chamber while winking at Auric.
Auric shook his head helplessly, not because of her, but because of what Lindwurm said.
"Hahaha. I like this girl!" Lindwurm laughed.
Auric followed them to the evolution chamber.
Under Arina's glare, the man had no choice but to show his battle technique without saying another word.
The problem with his body was quite simple. There was only a 6% excess of elemental energy in his body, and the intensity was quite low.
His Typhoon Wind should be able to handle it just fine, even though he didn't have much energy for the wind element.
The guy seemed to have prepared for the trouble. No, it might be his own last struggle.
He avoided using cards to pay for his treatment and insisted on paying with cash. This way, he didn't give out his name.
Still, he paid, so Auric treated him despite all the trouble he had caused.
As a result, the guy successfully evolved his avatar to the juvenile form.
Without hesitation, he ran away from the store as soon as he was done. He didn't utter a single word after realizing Auric had won.
Lindwurm laughed. "Did you see that? I think I saw that guy crying. It's not as satisfying as seeing him spurting blood, but making him cry is somewhat satisfying as well. And now, there's one more problem!"
'I know, I know.' As Auric often said to Lindwurm, he might not seek trouble actively, but if trouble came to him, he would repay it with an equivalent response.
Since the other party was planning to harm his reputation, he would also cause some trouble in return. It would be better if he could also smear the other party's reputation too.
However, Auric knew he didn't have the influence or the power to investigate that person.
His first thought would be his teacher. With her background as a vice dean, she might be able to figure out that person's identity.
But he believed there was no need for him to seek her help yet. There was one more person who would be willing to handle this mess.
Auric turned to Arina with a big smile. "Arina."
"B-Boss?! I mean, Auric?" Arina switched back to his name since no one was there anymore.
Auric grabbed her shoulders so that she couldn't escape. "I know you are here not only to protect me but also to spy on me. So, why don't you pay a little for this information?"