Later in the evening, Leon met up with Daren inside a restaurant.

After the two friends were done eating, Daren finally looked at Leon as he inquired. "When will you leave?"

"Tomorrow morning".

"What of your contract commissions?"

"I'm already done with all the essential parts of construction involved in my contracts, the rest can be handled by mundane engineers. My presence is no longer needed here in the city".

"The engineers already have my contact," Leon picked his teeth with a toothpick. "In case they're stumped anywhere, they can easily contact me for pointers to direct them on what to do".

Hearing that, Daren sighed. "I still can't believe that you're the same Leon I met last month".

"It's just been a month but dammit, with you, it feels like a whole year!" Daren cursed as he looked at Leon.

Leon chuckled. "If you're desperate for power as I am, you will change a lot too within a month".

Daren simply scoffed and refused to comment on that.

Looking at him, Leon finally asked. "How's your preparations for the Trial?"

Hearing that, Daren's face turned serious. "Physically and mentally, I'm in my best shape. I believe this is the best state I can be to attempt the Trial".

"Good," Leon nodded seriously.

"Any more advice?" Daren was not prideful at all as he asked.

Leon looked at him and said. "I already told you before but from my experience, it's better if you know a bit of history to avoid being overwhelmed at the beginning so you can start fast and get a head start in case you're facing a deadline".

Hearing that, Daren grimaced slightly and said. "Apart from the history that you taught me, I've literally learnt nothing outside".

"It's normal," Leon acknowledged. "For some reason, the major factions of the world seem to place a great deal of importance to concealing major events of the past".

"Maybe it's because of the Ascended Trials, who knows?" Leon shrugged.

Daren looked at Leon and commented. "What about you? Are you really sure you're ready to challenge the second Trial?"

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you can't do it, I'm just saying… you know," he sighed and said seriously. "You have to be careful".

"The boss became E Rank before you, but there's a reason she's not yet having plans of attempting the second trial anytime soon".

Leon smiled. "I told you about the trick, didn't I?"

Daren nodded but he was still worried. "Are you really sure that's the trick to Ascending? I mean, why have other people not realized this for centuries?"

"They wouldn't tell you the secret if they know, that's why".

"But still…"

Leon interrupted him. "Don't worry about me man," he smiled. "Actually, I'm a bit more worried about you than I'm worried about myself".

Leon chuckled. "You may not believe it but trust me when I say I'll be fine, no matter the outcome of the Trial".

"Also, I intend to meet Major Roshfield and see if she has any advice for me".

Daren looked at him enviously. "What a flex!" he laughed. "This is your first time in Leviathan Quay and you already have connections with one of the leaders of the city".

"I honestly don't know if you're just that special or if you're lucky".

Thinking of how long Leon spent in his workshops though, Daren changed his mind. "In hindsight, I think it's because of how hard you f*cking work! I can't imagine locking myself in a basement for hours on end constructing".

He sighed. "It's not easy to be a competent Mechanist".

Realizing that this was a subtle dig at Kain, Leon chuckled then he asked. "What are you going to do after you become an E Rank Cyber Gladiator?"

Daren shrugged. "I don't know man, maybe if my Trial is as fast as boss' Trial, I'll go to Leviathan Quay and participate in the finals of the Gene Combat Sports Tournament for the price money". He grinned.

Leon was taken aback, he finally remembered that the finals of the tournament was announced to take place in 20 days weeks ago.

When he did the calculation, 20 days translated to 22nd July.

Leon also wanted to say he'll come back for the tournament but in the end, he didn't. Afterall, compared to before, the prize money- 100,000 Neo Credits no longer looked big in his eyes after his recent work contracts with the Gene Army.

"What will you do after you become D Rank?" Daren asked, then he mumbled to himself. "I wonder what kind of powers D Rank Mechanists have, an E Rank like you is already overpowered".

Leon laughed, and before he could answer Daren continued.

"Do you already know the different Specializations of D Rank Mechanists? Alongside Quantum Shapers, they're the only Specializations that I don't know about".

Leon was taken aback again. "You know the D Rank Specializations of Gene Augurs, Cyber Gladiators, and NetRunners?"

"Of course," Daren said with pride. "I learned them from Gwen, General Alphonse's assistant, the General I told you about".

Leon nodded thoughtfully, then he demanded. "Tell me".

"No, answer me first". Daren insisted.

Leon shrugged. "Well, first I don't yet know what kind of powers D Rank Mechanists have and what their Specializations are".

'Afterall, I've rarely met E Rank Mechanists not to talk of D Rank'. He added in his mind.

Leon had a hunch that he would only get to meet more Mechanists when he went to the North where the Synth Order reigned as the ruling power.

Leon continued. "But this is also one of the reasons why I want to meet Major Roshfield, I intend to ask her if she knows the D Rank Specializations of the Mechanist Class and their corresponding powers".

"I intend to have a concrete idea of what Specialization I'll choose before attempting the Trial".

"If I don't get what I want, I'll have to call boss Talia to ask her help to get more information from the Collective".

"As for what I'll do after I become D Rank," Leon leaned back on his chair. "I'm not sure yet".

"First, I'll go officially pay my respects to Rex's grave," Leon paused. "After that, I don't really know. I'll go with the flow, but what I'm sure of is that everything I do will be towards getting stronger so I can challenge the third Trial".

Daren's eyes widened. "You actually intend to challenge the third Trial?" He laughed. "What guts! This is why I like you!"

"I'm an ambitious man". Leon grinned, then he said. "It's your turn, tell me".

Daren nodded, then he finally told Leon everything that he knew about the D Rank Specializations of Gene Augurs, Cyber Gladiators, and NetRunners.

Leon nodded in acknowledgement, what Daren told him fit what he already suspected and learned from different clues and experiences about the Classes.

Before Leon could stand up, Daren looked around cautiously then he leaned towards Leon and whispered. "Ahem," he coughed. "Come on bro, must I ask first?"

Leon was confused. "Ask what?"

Daren rolled his eyes. "Come on, spill the beans. You and Tyla, how did it go? Tell me".

"Get lost!" Leon pushed Daren off before walking out of the restaurant.

Daren's laughter echoed behind him. "That reaction is all the answer I need!" He yelled loudly amid laughter.

Leon's lips twitched. 'That bastard!'

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.