Rise of the Crusader

Raphael sneered, “I have no intention of taking part in any political affairs, so I will be turning down your proposal.”

“If this is all you have to say, then kindly leave the store, and let this be the last time you appear before me,” Raphael said in a cold tone.

Dennis and Danilo were about to speak when they saw Yvonne shaking her head at them.

“I tried my best Dennis, and Danilo, he isn’t interested.” Said Yvonne.

Dennis and Danilo had a few words to let out, but the expression on Raphael’s face as he stared at them stopped them from saying whatever it is they wanted.

The both of them took a deep breath, “Goodbye then.” It was Danilo that spoke.

Dennis and Danilo turned around, the both of them were about to move when Aurora’s voice rang out.

“You can leave without me, there’s something I need to discuss with Raphael,” Aurora said.

.....

A stupefied expression appeared on Dennis and Danilo’s faces, and as they saw Raphael didn’t oppose to what was said, a light smile hung on their face.

The both of them soon stepped out of the store, hoping Aurora would be able to convince him about the offer.

A few seconds had passed since Dennis, Danilo and Yvonne left the store.

However, even after it was only Aurora and Raphael left in the surrounding, no words left both of their mouths.

Their eyes were glued to one another, but after a voice rang out in the store, Aurora moved her gaze to where the voice was coming from and said.

“You have a nice place here.”

As she then spoke, Aurora began walking around the store, she stared at the area she moved, leaving no place untouched, and after a brief moment, she paused.

“What does this do?”

Aurora asked and then grabbed the little golem statue that was on the shelve.

“What is it you want to say?” Raphael inquired, as he appeared behind Aurora.

Aurora, however, didn’t respond to Raphael’s question immediately, she continued to stare at the golem, and it was only after a minute that she spoke.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to convince you to involve yourself in politics.” Said Aurora as she turned towards Raphael.

She stared at him for a few seconds, before then moving her gaze away from him, and then walking toward the other appliance in the store.

“But, I find this place a little strange.”

Aurora placed her hand on her chin, she had a feeling that there was something amiss in the store, but she was unable to find what it was that gave her that feeling.

While Raphael kept a straight face, there was the urge to drive Aurora out of the store.

She had been staring at the store ever since she walked in, and as she moved about trying to figure out a clue, Raphael couldn’t help but get the impression that she was going to crack the puzzle soon enough.

The mechanism he used to alter the store wasn’t that difficult in the place, an average human being or meta human wouldn’t figure anything amiss about the store.

But the same couldn’t be said for others, especially the ones who were very intellectual.

“There it is.”

Raphael had only taken his gaze away from Aurora when her voice rang out.

As he then moved toward Aurora, he saw her standing in front of a control panel with a tool in her hand.

“No wonder, I’m getting shunned out, there’s an artificial intelligence in here.” Aurora suddenly blurted.

She then turned towards Raphael, who wasn’t shocked about how she came up with that theory, and then said.

“If you won’t tell me what’s going on here, I will just have to figure it out.” Said Aurora.

Aurora had only then raised her hand when Raphael spoke.

“Lexi, it’s alright, you can restore its form.”

Aurora’s lips curved inwardly, she anticipated the change, and as it occurred before, she was left astounded.

The change was brief as well as quick that Aurora didn’t budge from where she was, yet the environment changed into a place that could be termed as a home for all engineers.

Aurora had her mouth wide open, and it was only after the figure of Gus appeared in front of her, that she regained her composure.

“You have a very nice place, this is amazing.”

Aurora stared at numerous devices that were around the store and then exclaimed.

Despite the exposure to machinery, Aurora had received in the academy, because of her status in the division, she was still very impressed with the store.

Aurora suddenly towards Raphael, “And I guess you worked for all this yourself,” Said Aurora and as she received a nod from Raphael, she took a deep breath.

“Now, I see why you’re so arrogant.” Aurora blurted.

“I believe you want something Aurora, what is it you want?” Raphael asked.

Aurora knitted her brows after Raphael spoke, she moved her gaze from the four-wheeled machines and then walked towards Raphael.

“You know I was actually about to find out your whereabouts, but this coincidence kind of help, I won’t be going through the trouble of owing someone.”

Aurora said with a smile on her face.

Even though Aurora hadn’t said the reason why she was here, Raphael could tell that it

wasn’t something he would agree with, and she was aware of that.

Or else, why would she smile at him?

“You know what, don’t bother, I’m not interested,” Raphael said.

Aurora’s mouth opened slightly after Raphael spoke, though she had been speaking that at some point, it wasn’t immediately.

“But... You haven’t heard what I want to say.” Aurora stuttered.

“Yes, but I can already tell that I won’t agree to it,” Raphael replied.

Aurora was about to retort to Raphael When his voice rang out again.

“I believe we have established that we don’t like ourselves, in fact, I only showed you this place, because I want to show off a little.” Said Raphael.

“The fact that you’re willing to put aside your hatred for me, and stay here this long, even smiling at me, means you want something.”

“But, whatever it is, I don’t want it... I’m not interested and after this, please leave, or else I will be forced to make a move at you.”

There was a stern expression on Raphael’s face the whole time, which showed that he wasn’t joking and that he would really make a move if she didn’t leave.

However, Aurora kept a straight face, as he spoke.

She then raised an eyebrow, “Okay, show off!”

“But, the fact that I smiled at you has nothing to do with what I’m about to say. I was impressed about this place at least it shows that you’re capable of something.”

“And I never said I hated you... Do you hate me?” Aurora blurted.

“Then you like me?” Raphael spoke.

Aurora was about to respond when she abruptly paused. She glared at Raphael and said, “I change my mind I do hate, but that’s not the point.”

Aurora gave Raphael the finger when she was the smirk that was on his face she spoke.

“I heard you will be working on a system for Devon, Aiden, and Bane, and I want to join in on it.” Said Aurora.

She saw the look on Raphael’s face that pretty much asked if she was hit in the head, and then she shook her head.

“Before you say no, I want to let you know that I have told Elisa, and she has agreed to it. So, there won’t be any problem from that side.” Aurora said.

However, even after uttering those words Raphael still wondered if she was hit in the head, he stared at her wondering if she was joking, and as no words left her mouth, he spoke.

“You’re kidding right?” Raphael spoke.

Aurora shook her head immediately after he spoke.

“No, you have to be kidding, because why the hell would I want to work,” Raphael exclaimed, he didn’t detest Aurora in the slightest.

Aurora’s eyes twitched, she was, however, able to recover from that blow and she said.

“I knew you were going to say no, but I have something that would be of extreme importance to you.”

There was a certain level of confidence in Aurora’s voice and Raphael was just about to turn her down when she brought a box out.

The little box was out, and as Raphael laid eyes on the content which was in the box, his eyes twitched.

“Where did you get this from,” Raphael muttered with shock evident in his voice.

In the eyes of a lame man, the board in the box was simply a board with several metal pins on it, but before Raphael, and Aurora, this was a tool that could change any gadget into pure diamond.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say this tool was able to turn trash into a priceless jewel, and as Raphael took the board out, there was adoration written all over his face.

.....