Liu and Netnet came face to face with Magnus, the Alpha of Manila who is also the strongest Alpha in the Philippines, not necessarily in the whole world. Netnet knew this, but Liu didn't.
Magnus said, "I'm here to take Karma into custody for the crime of vigilantism. I know it's either one of you, so either you tell me... or I take both of you."
"We've done nothing wrong!", Netnet shouted, but Magnus just ignored him. "As a matter of fact, we're actually helping you without asking for compensation or anything", Netnet added.
"'We'?", Magnus asked. "You two are working together? Then, I should really take you both in", he added. Then, he summoned his magic staff out of thin air and used a spell, "Cryo Magic: Cold Feet." With that, ice shards crept up the boys' feet from the ground immobilising them.
Netnet knew how bad of a situation they were in. The anxiety was apparent on his face, and Magnus noticed that. He knew he had to do something, otherwise, they'll both be taken, or worse, killed. But just when he was about to admit to Magnus, Liu stopped him. Liu gave him a look that said 'I got this'.
Liu moved his feet and shattered the ice. Magnus was somehow surprised because even though he only used a tiny amount of mana to cast that spell, he knew that an ordinary person shouldn't have been able to break it.
Liu stepped forward and looked Magnus straight in the eye. Both seemingly having a cold stare down. Then, Liu said, "I'm Karma."
Netnet was stunned to hear that. "No!", he exclaimed. Liu looked back at him and mouthed the words, "It's okay. I got this."
He couldn't believe what Liu said. He was shaking no longer because of fear, but because he was mad at himself for letting that happen, and for not being able to do anything. Also, he was concerned for Liu. He didn't know why Liu did that, and what they would do to him.
"I'll come with you peacefully as long as you leave my friend out of this", Liu said to Magnus.
"Hmm... very well", Magnus agreed reluctantly.
Magnus approached Liu and used his staff to draw a magic circle over Liu that had characters in it which were unfamiliar to both Liu and Netnet. Magnus told Liu to brace himself because it's a teleportation magic. So, Liu told Netnet to go home. Then, Magnus pounded the ground with the bottom end of his staff to activate the magic. The magic circle started emitting harmless sparks and embers and it mirrored itself underneath Liu forming some kind of magic cylinder. Then, Liu vanished.
Magnus then looked at Netnet intimidatingly before he used the same teleportation magic on himself.
After Magnus teleported away, Netnet checked the NAOL's database to find more information about Magnus. Apart from being a thaumaturge, he learned that Magnus is rare because he can use all elemental magic. Typically, A magician can only use 1 elemental magic, and a really good magician can use 2 or 3, but Magnus can use Cryo(ice), Electro(electricity),Ignis(fire), Aqua(water), Terra(earth), Flora(nature), and Ventus(wind).
Magnus was a prodigy. He learned 3 of the 7 elemental magic at the young age of 8. He has also shown that his mana capacity is outstanding because the spells he makes are strong. The more mana you use on a spell, the stronger it is. There are many magician Alphas, but only he is exceptional. Even if the other magicians try, they won't be able to learn all elements because their mana is not compatible with the element. That means Magnus' mana is compatible with all the 7 elements.
In the database, Netnet found that Magnus is a sorcerer-level thaumaturge. The only level higher than a sorcerer is the grand magus. There have been many sorcerers in humanity's history, but there's only ever been 1 grand magus, and it's Merlin. The reason Magnus is not yet a grand magus is because he still casts his magic with words and a staff unlike Merlin.
Although elemental magic is at the very core of all thaumaturges, they can still learn non-elemental magic such as the teleportation magic that Magnus used, and the illusion magic that the Alpha of San Juan City uses.
-
Meanwhile, Liu arrived at the NAOL headquarters in Antipolo City, a city in the mountains to the east of Manila that has a great view of the whole metropolitan region. Liu was amazed by the scene because it was his first time in Antipolo City. He was also amazed by the huge HQ.
A few seconds later, Magnus arrived. They went inside the HQ. Liu noticed that everyone in the building is bowing their heads at Magnus. He was baffled because at that point, he still didn't know anything about Magnus. All he knew was a tall guy with a long yellowish hair that uses ice magic.
They first went to the receptionist. Magnus asked the receptionist, "Is the chief up there?"
The receptionist replied, "Yes, sir. But he's in a meeting. Do you have an urgent matter?"
"Mmm... kind of. I have a super powered vigilante that I need him to see."
"Wait... is he Karma?!", the receptionist asked as her eyes shined in excitement. "He's cute! Who would've known, right?", she added.
"Hmm... get yourself together. Tell the chief I'm coming up."
"I'm sorry, sir! Will do!"
-
As the two went up to the chief's office, Liu asked Magnus, "I noticed how the people here are respectful to you. You must be someone that holds a high position close to the chief. So who are you?"
"You made that deduction in a few minutes, yet you can't tell who I am."
"I don't know anything about your organisation and how it works, so no, I can't tell."
Magnus was intrigued because he's practically a celebrity, yet Liu has no clue at all. He decided to just ignore him until they get to the office.
-
A few moments later, they arrived at the top floor of the HQ. Magnus went inside the chief's office without knocking. The chief had to end the phone call he was in.
"You should really learn how to knock and respect other people's privacy, Magnus", said the chief.
"That's not my job. I brought you a gift", said Magnus as he showed Liu to the chief.
"And who's that?"
"Karma."
The chief was surprised. He asked, "Why did you bring a vigilante here?"
"It's not my job. My job is to take care of Omegas in Manila, not vigilantes."
"Then why didn't you hand him over to the police?"
"Because he has super powers."
"Hmm... I thought they said Karma has no powers according to their investigation."
"That's what I thought, too. But he broke out of one of my spells that no normal man should be able to. Also, I don't think he's of legal age, so the police can't do anything anyway."
"Interesting..."
The chief thought hard about what to do in the situation as Magnus sat on the couch awaiting for the decision. Then, the chief stood up from his seat and walked up to Liu.
"What's your name, kid?"
"Liu."
"It's nice to finally meet you, Liu. I'm Dante Gulaman. The chief of the NAOL. So... you're the vigilante of Manila, huh? How old are you?"
"17."
"Hmm... what made you do that vigilante stuff? And why didn't you just become a Beta or an Alpha?"
Liu felt nervous inside because he didn't have a reason himself. He didn't even want to do vigilantism so he didn't know what to tell the chief. But then, he remembered what Netnet said.
"I want to make a difference. I want people to have hope. I want them to feel safe when they walk on the streets, and I want the evil souls to pay. Make them suffer for making people suffer."
Magnus heard that, but he didn't say anything. When the chief heard that, he was amazed, so he said, "What do you think about becoming a part of NAOL?"
Liu was shocked by the offer. He didn't know what to say because it was very unexpected.
"What if I say no?", Liu asked.
Magnus interrupted and said, "Then you'll be put to jail for multiple counts of serious physical injuries and attempted homicide."
"Oh, man. What have I put myself into? More importantly, what has Netnet put himself into?"
Liu thought hard about the offer, but he just couldn't decide at the moment, so he said, "Can you give me time to think about this? And also, I don't really know what your organisation is about."
The chief replied, "That's fair. I'll give you until tomorrow. I'll have one of our thaumaturges takes you home, and we'll be in touch regarding the details."
Magnus said, "I'll take him home."
"Hmm... that's unlikely of you, but I appreciate that", said chief Dante.
-
Moments later, Magnus and Liu teleported to Liu's home. Magnus went up to Liu's condo unit and knocked on the door himself. Liu's parents answered the door, and were surprised to see Magnus with Liu.
Liu's father, Himig, asked, "Liu? Is there a problem here Mr. Magnus?"
Magnus replied, "No, there isn't. I just came across your son and saw that he needed help getting home because it's really late, so here we are."
Liu's mother, Harana, replied, "Really? That's very kind of you Mr. Magnus. Thank you very much!"
Liu's parents offered dinner and drinks to Magnus, but he declined and left. They spoke to Liu about what happened. Liu just said, "I had a very important meeting. I didn't expect it to take that long." His parents understood. They're just surprised that he was with an Alpha, and since it was mentioned, Liu asked them, "Why do you know him?"
Harana replied, "Oh, you don't know him? He's the Alpha of Manila."
"Yeah. He's actually the strongest Alpha", Himig added.
"Hmm... interesting."
-
Liu spent the next few hours thinking about the proposal of the chief instead of going to sleep. He was caught in a dilemma. He doesn't intend to be a vigilante, let alone a member of the NAOL, and he doesn't want to go to jail even though he expected jail time for taking the fall for Netnet.