The Deceitful One

Friday, 6th August 1580.

Bryan slowly opened his eyes and ended his round of meditation. He had a wide smile on his face as he had finally finished carving 27 mind runes. He could now be considered to be at the peak of Rank 2 Apprentice.

It would take him approximately another four to five days or so to completely carve the 28th mind rune and officially become a Rank 3 Apprentice. Bryan was elated at his steady progress. And his progress in other areas had been fantastic as well.

Over the last month, Bryan had vastly improved his Myriad Martial Technique. Now he could withstand up to 10 moves against Detective Watson. Although it was a far cry from lasting a minute against him. It was a great improvement, nonetheless.

Bryan believed that if he were to fight Johnny now, he would be able to kill him within three moves.

Other than that, he finished his gun training and had already applied for a gun permit. He would most likely get it this Sunday. Bryan had also completely mastered reading, writing, and speaking Tsomulan.

It had to be said, after becoming an Apprentice his mental acuity had increased significantly. Especially so after the increase in mind runes. Bryan discovered that his memory, thought process, and analytical skills had all been boosted.

His progress in refining his silver pocket watch had also come a long way. He estimated that in another two weeks, at most, he would be able to completely refine it and become privy to the secrets hidden within.

Bryan got up from the bed and picked up his pocket watch from the bedside table. It was already 6 in the evening, and he had to go to Grace's house for dinner and was really excited about it.

And the reason was, the weapon that Bryan had gotten Grace to tell her grandfather to make, had finally arrived.

He was ecstatic as this was his first ever weapon and if the weapon was made exactly according to his instructions then it would be really beautiful to behold.

Bryan had been teaching Grace mysticism knowledge every other day for the past month. After the threesome they had a month back, one would think that Bryan's relationship with Grace would become awkward.

However, it was quite the opposite actually. Bryan and Grace had become closer and had become really good friends.

After that night, Grace's vulnerable side had been completely exposed to him. So she felt a psychological sense of belonging and connectedness to Bryan. Of course, it was purely platonic.

As for Leah, needless to say, Bryan still fooled around with her a few times every week. That girl was a true nymphomaniac. Bryan didn't mind it, after all, he too needed some outlet to relax. And sex proved to be quite helpful.

Bryan went to his wardrobe and took out his clothes. He put on a white shirt, dark blue suit vest, dark blue pants, and tailored coat. Grace had gifted Bryan some tailor-made suits because she too was sick of seeing Bryan dress in black all the time.

After dressing up, he left his apartment and called for a public carriage. Then he instructed the driver to go to 10 West Augustus street.

The beginning of August marked the arrival of fall. The weather outside had turned a bit chillier and the leaves on the trees had slowly started to turn a bright shade of yellow and orange.

Spiritually, the fall season symbolized change. Just like the changing of the leaves, one's life would also usher in a new beginning.

The carriage made its way to Augustus Street under the illumination of the gas lamp posts placed on both sides of the streets. Traveling through the roads paved with bricks, soon the carriage reached its destination as Bryan paid the driver after alighting.

Bryan made his way to the main door of the villa with great familiarity and turned the twist doorbell. After a few moments, Grace's personal maid, Norma, welcomed Bryan in with a smile, "Good evening, young master Bryan. Welcome!"

"Hello, Norma. How was your day?" Bryan asked with a gentle smile.

Norma waved her hand and said, "Ah you know, just the usual."

Bryan had visited Grace's house many times, hence, Norma had also become quite familiar with him. She had quite a good impression of this handsome young gentleman.

"Hehe, okay Norma. I'll see you around then." With that said, Bryan climbed the stairs and went to Grace's study by himself.

The last few times, Norma had insisted that Bryan was a guest and that it was her responsibility as a personal maid to guide him to wherever Grace was.

But Bryan had managed to persuade her to not be so formal with him. Honestly, he felt that it would simply be a waste of time for Norma to climb the stairs with him and walk him to Grace's study, which he already knew the location of.

Bryan walked the red-carpeted corridor on the second floor which had already been lit up by the gas wall lamps on both sides.

He came to the door of the study, knocked twice, and directly entered. He wasn't knocking to receive permission, but to give a heads-up.

He found Grace sitting at her usual seat and studying Ancient Hymmnos. Grace looked up to see that Bryan had entered the room. She didn't mind his behavior at all, instead, she smiled and said, "Your weapon is here. Are you excited?"

Bryan approached the table and sat down on one of the two cushioned chairs across from Grace. Then he eagerly replied with shining eyes, "Show me! Where is it?"

Looking at Bryan acting like a little child, Grace covered her mouth with her hand and started giggling. Then she bent down and took out a brown wooden briefcase from underneath the table.

She put the briefcase on the table, turned it around, and pushed it toward Bryan. "Go ahead, open it." Grace smiled and gestured to him.

Bryan rubbed his hands foolishly a few times and then slowly unlocked the briefcase. He lifted the upper side of the briefcase and looked at the items inside with pure enthusiasm in his eyes.

What came into Bryan's view, for some reason, made his heart beat faster. Maybe it was simply because of exhilaration or perhaps it was the fated encounter of a man and a weapon that would be bound to each other for a lifetime to come.