The World We Do Not Know 123 Diverse Alley

"He became a captain of one of the powerhouses in his first year of high school. What the h.e.l.l? I thought he was a delinquent and doesn't have any talent?"

"True, look at his cloak. It looks real."

"Also, Awarnach, who is the top a.s.saulter of our school hangs out with him, or so I heard."

All the cla.s.s of Faust and Aion starts a new gossip over Faust and his new cloak and friends.

"I also heard that he is selected in the team that is partic.i.p.ating in the winter school festival. Have you heard about it Ming Jie?" One of the students drags Li Ming Jie into the conversation.

The conversation is happening at the back of the cla.s.sroom in a corner while Ming Jie is sitting in the middle rows. He is eavesdropping on the conversation while pretending to be looking at his book and studying.

"Huh? He is not looking at us? Strange, I thought he was listening to us." The student catches Ming Jie, watching them from the corner of his eye while listening to their conversation. But when he turned towards Ming Jie for his opinion, Ming Jie seems to be focusing on the book in front of his desk.

"Oi, Cla.s.s Rep Ming Jie!" A girl from the group calls for him in a loud voice and this time Ming Jie had no choice but to turn back.

"What is your opinion on Faust?" The girl questions him.

"What about him?" Ming Jie asks with a blank face as though he did not know about Faust, who is the hot topic in the whole school.

"C'mon, you should have heard about him right? He's a captain in the house of Ashura's now. How do you think it happened?" One of the guys comes out of the group asking Ming Jie.

"Ming Jie looks hesitated at first, but then, his face becomes still as if something struck him. He is, in fact, annoyed by the fact that Faust is receiving more attention than him. He is getting tired of hearing everyone talk about Faust.

"You guys know he is the black stone user right? A rare elemental stone user. Of course, any house would want to get their hands on such a guy. And they would pamper him with what he wants. Nothing more than this." Li Ming Jie announces with a poker face.

He looks as though he is not interested in the whole topic and turns back and starts pretending to study.

"Wow, I did not think about it."

"For real, how did I not get this thought?"

"No wonder, Ming Jie must be telling the truth. How can a fourteen year old can become a captain of a house?."

"We need to share this with everyone and clear their doubts regarding that guy. He is nothing but a weakling with no spiritual power. He became a captain just because of the stone he awakened."

While the faces of the group, gossiping about Faust have turned pale by the theory. Ming Jie is smiling under his poker face. His evil self keeps rejoicing with what he hears.

*"This is it, spread the whole news around the school and stop acknowledging him. He is nothing more than a talentless average guy whose luck is good. Whereas I am a real genius. I ruined your fame in mere seconds with two lines."* Ming Jie is clenching his jaws and balled his fists in joy, knowing that this will completely result in the defamation of Faust.

Aion is sleeping in the last row as he lays his head on the desk with his hands covering his face to block the sunlight and his eyes closed. But under his arms, his lips form a curve slowly.

"Shall we continue training at my home tomorrow? Since it's the weekend, we can practice at our home." While leaving for home, Awarnach asks Faust concerningly.

Concern, because he wants Faust to learn as much as he can and quickly.

"Let's take a break tomorrow, I have other work to do. We'll meet again Monday." Saying that Faust and Awarnach both go their separate ways to their homes. 

"You want me to come with you tomorrow?" Aion asks regarding the thing Faust is going to do tomorrow.

"For what? I'm going there with Aunt. It's ok, I have company." 

"Hmm, if you say so. Be careful." Aion suggests him 

"Careful? We're only going to sell stones and get money. Anyway, I will see you later too!" 

-

 On the next day, Faust goes into a dark alley with Neith. Following Neith's suggestion, they both visit the alley on a bright sunny day. The alley is really small, only three people can walk next to each other. Most of them have to walk in queues to avoid running into each other.

Fortunately, the alley is free with less people. So, Faust and Neith can walk next to each other without any discomfort. There are different kinds of shops on either side of the alley. However, most of them are closed and only opens at night.

Some of the shops displayed paper lanterns with the shop's name on it. Like typical j.a.panese shops. There are also walk-in food stalls with the capacity to harbor five to seven people at once. With tables, but no chairs, a person has to eat while standing.

After reaching the middle of the alley, they encountered a thin stairway, that goes further down into a darker street. The end of the stairway, however, is blocked by a worn-out gray cloth to go to the other side. And an old man is sitting on a stool to a side.

"Wow, auntie, you came all the way here when I asked you to sell my black stone?" Faust refers to Neith, implying that she has already come here once to sell the black stone that is given to Faust by his school.

This alley is the reason why Faust bravely stopped Tsumugi from trading the stones for money in her house. He has sent Neith to this alley before to sell the black stone and he has information on the prices of each stone.

"Oh, one can't possibly step foot inside this alley. You know the formalities." The old man sitting on a stool with a hat that covers his eyes speaks to Neith and Faust as they are about to enter.

"Of course, of course, I know the drill, Dante." Neith, Standing in front of Faust hands over a small piece of paper that is the size of a business card to the old man.

"You may enter." The old man welcomes them with a smile on his face.

Neith pushes the curtain to her side with a hand as she enters inside. Faust catches a glimpse of what is inside, he sees a huge shadow with fur inside. With the curiosity building up, Faust pulls the curtain to aside to walk in.

"Be careful." The old man mutters as Faust enters inside.