Chapter 166 — The Watcher

Victor sat in silence for what felt like an eternity.

Elder Benton simply stared at him.

He didn't say anything.

He simply watched Victor, waiting.

It was the kind of silence meant to make a person uncomfortable. The kind that made people start talking just to fill the empty space.

But Victor didn't have much to say.

If anything, the silence was only slightly uncomfortable.

Elder Benton was looking at him so intensely that it almost felt like the man was staring directly into his soul.

Victor remained still.

Eventually, Elder Benton finally spoke.

"Victor, to be honest, I don't know what to do with you."

Victor raised an eyebrow.

"When it comes to Tower protocol, once somebody reaches the Spirit Gathering realm, they're registered. They no longer have free reign throughout the Tower."

Benton paused.

"But that's only part of the issue when it comes to you."

His gaze remained fixed on Victor.

"I still can't fully rule out the possibility that you're somehow connected to the Evil God organization. At the same time, I can't simply detain you. I don't have any proof that you're affiliated with them."

He leaned back slightly.

"But I do feel like you're up to something."

Victor smiled.

"Elder Benton, I'm not up to anything."

His voice remained calm.

"All I want is to live a normal life in the Tower for now. I want to practice alchemy, improve my cultivation, and live normally. Those are really my only goals."

Victor gave him a small smile.

"I'm not part of the Evil God organization, nor am I involved in anything like that. I just had a lucky encounter that allowed me to enter the Spirit Gathering realm much earlier than expected."

Benton stared at him for a moment.

"Ah, yes."

His tone made it clear he wasn't completely convinced.

"But you have to understand where I'm coming from."

He folded his hands together.

"The Evil God worshippers are the number one enemy of the Tower. Anyone who is even slightly suspected of being connected to them cannot simply live a normal life within the Tower."

He shook his head.

"It's unheard of."

Victor didn't respond.

"But we can take this step by step."

Benton glanced toward the bracelet around Victor's wrist.

"To start with, you need to get rid of that slave bracelet."

Victor's eyes briefly dropped toward it.

"I'll sign the proper documents and send them to the Quartermaster Office. All you have to do is go there later, and they'll remove it for you."

1

Victor nodded.

"You'll also need to acquire a citizen ID. You'll need one if you want to obtain a residence on the main floor."

That sounded surprisingly simple.

After six months of being a slave, the idea of simply having an official identity again felt strange.

"And once you've settled in, you'll need to apply for an alchemy class."

Benton paused.

Then he looked at Victor.

"I assume you aren't very far along in alchemy."

Victor remained silent.

Benton's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Let me see your flame control."

Victor hesitated.

How much should I show him?

He could last far longer than a minute now.

Much longer.

But there was no reason for Benton to know that.

Victor slowly raised his hand.

A small flame appeared in his palm.

It flickered quietly, perfectly stable.

Victor maintained it.

Ten seconds.

Thirty.

Forty.

Then, at roughly one minute, he allowed the flame to disappear.

The room fell silent.

Benton's eyes widened slightly.

For the first time since their conversation began, he looked genuinely surprised.

He stared at Victor's hand.

Then at Victor.

Then back at his hand.

A boy who looked barely fourteen years old had just maintained a controlled flame for an entire minute.

That alone was unusual.

Very unusual.

And the more Benton thought about it, the more suspicious the situation became.

Victor had gone from Rank Four Body Tempering to Spirit Gathering in only six months.

Now he was displaying remarkable control over an alchemical flame at an age when most beginners were still struggling to keep their flames stable.

Who is this boy?

And what secrets is he hiding?

Benton's suspicion only deepened.

But instead of questioning Victor further, he calmly said,

"Your flame control is exquisite for someone your age."

Victor remained quiet.

"I'm going to write you a recommendation letter for the Tier One alchemy class that's starting in roughly five days."

Victor's eyes brightened slightly.

"You'll need to acquire your own materials and anything else required for the class."

Benton continued.

"That gives you about five days to get situated on the main floor, acquire your residence, and become accustomed to life in the Tower."

He paused.

"After that, I expect you to attend the class."

Victor nodded.

"Thank you, Elder Benton. I appreciate the generosity."

Benton shook his head.

"Your flame control earned you access to the class on its own."

He waved his hand dismissively.