Hal’s day was going well although it could have gone better. He did not particularly care for the stares he got from men due to his significant change in physique, he however felt compensated with the gawking looks from the ladies. At least master Swanson was too eager to begin instructing to notice anything.

Studying different runes for different purposes and how to properly harness astral energy and how to manipulate astral sense was gratifying, but the various action scenarios showed Hal just how much he lacked combat experience. On earth, he was good good at defending himself but it provided little to no help in this world.

‘I need more combat experience. Getting stronger and not knowing how use that strength will be embarrassing’

While Master Swanson instructed Hal, the store manager walked in to inform master Swanson of an important guest who wished to meet his new apprentice.

Master Swanson was about to wave him off when he rethought the decision, he had no interest in another scandal like yesterday as he loved his peace and quiet.

Hal had no interest in being in the presence of some snubby silk pants young master but he decided to give them the benefit of the doubt.

What a stupid decision!

Hal’s guest was a raven haired man with coal black eyes, he looked to be in his early twenties. Hal recognized him instantly, he was Hal’s brother; Rad Payne.

Towards rad, the old hal had little to no opinions. Rad mostly ignored him all of his life, probably feeling that Hal was of no importance and his existence meaningless, Hal knew this because he had taken care to mention it to him a few times.

When Rad saw Hal, he was shocked

“I guess mom was right after all. You are one lucky bastard” he told hal after composing himself.

“That I am”

“I almost didn’t recognize you, it’s only been a week since I last saw you and you’ve changed so much” Rad said smiling widely

“If you call watching me get dragged away and doing nothing as seeing me, then sure. But why are you here.”

“Mother was curious about the man whose talent could catch the eye of the best rune-master in salmon city, I however wanted to invite him to the salmon hunt a month from now” Rad said through gritted teeth

“Salmon hunt?” Hal was confused, ‘what the hell is a salmon hunt’

“Father is very determined to kill you, and even if I did not tell him I saw you, which I will by the way, he will still come after you” Rad sighed

“As his heir, do you by any chance know why?” Hal clenched his fist

Rad chuckled “I don’t know and frankly I couldn’t care less. He must have his reasons. I have to say, I’m a little disappointed, I had no idea that I would meet you here but after everything we have discussed, I began to expect you to plead for my help” Rad said with a sneer

Hal took a deep breath and smiled, when he spoke his voice was so low, Rad almost could not hear it

“As you might have noticed, I am no longer the same and very soon I will come after the Payne family, but I won’t start from father or mother or even you, no I will go after Little Rita first. Are you still ashamed to profess your affection to that angel?, well I will take the decision away from your hands and take her for myself.

“I doubt Father will even bat an eye when it happens, but..will.. it..be..the same for you, hmm?”

From the moment Hal had mentioned the name of the scullery maid that had stolen his heart, Rad lost all reason and refused to take into account the fact that he was about to attack master Swanson’s apprentice.

Hal had been unsatisfied with the fact that Alex did not seem interested in attacking him because he wanted some first hand experience, so he searched his memory and discovered something the old Hal had believed to be negligible, but Hal found in it an opportunity to rile Rad up.

According to the rumors the old Hal had heard, Rad was at the 5th stage of the energy sensing realm which as a twenty one year old was barely above average and hal believed he could most probably handle, however, From Rad’s body, a pressure was released and his escorts were pushed back and shocked because Rad was not releasing the pressure of the 5th stage but of the 9th stage instead!!!