****(POV)

What brings this asshole here?

"What do you want?!"

"I'll be brief. I heard about how you wanted to kick them out of the guild. Back off and leave the young tamers alone."

"*Snort* Always acting like you are better than everyone! Stop defending trash!"

"Equipment malfunction and you blame the victim. What a role model! I am impressed!"

"Screw your sarcasm. You call that an accident? He tried cheating! He got what he fucking deserved! Actually no, he still lives."

"What he deserved? Trying to cheat? He only defended his pet."

"*Snort* That makes it worse. A man idiotic enough to risk his life for a slime has no future. That's why he should get kicked from the guild."

"Or he might just become a valuable asset! He is extremely dedicated! I dare you to find anyone with more drive!"

How laughable.

The genius that has it the easiest.

Talking about effort and drive.

This is pure and plain hypocrisy.

"You know Ice, I know exactly why you are doing this."

"To make the guild better obviously."

"*Sigh* If only that was the case. You are worried that I have been in the spotlight for too long."

"How delusional can you be?"

"You say that, but why would you be accepting a student with low potential? I see your angle. You want to make yourself popular by showing the plebians that you care about them. That you will even sacrifice yourself to teach an unfortunate tamer."

"How ridiculous."

"Did you think I did not see your politic games?"

His plan does make sense.

Public opinion plays a lot in determining the decisions of the guild.

We follow a system where the main decisions are decided by the majority.

Any tamer above rank 3 has a right to state his opinion.

Does that mean that all the unranked and rank 2 tamers are ignored?

Yes, but also no.

They do not have any direct power over the guild decisions directly.

However, them being happy is what helps boost our recruitment.

If newcomers join and see our members being mistreated, they will leave.

However, this does not mean we should accept dead weights in our midst.

Sure more people will join.

However, these guys will be useless weaklings.

It will not only not increase our power but also increase our burden.

Thus his only angle has to be a political one.

To craft himself a fake benevolent image.

However, I know his secret.

They say tamers are very alike their creatures.

For instance, my temper is fiercer now than it used to be.

The ice guy merged with an ice elemental.

A species that doesn't even have emotions.

They exist solely to become stronger and kill.

That is all.

When he says that he truly cares.

I do not buy it.

Anyone could, but not him.

I have seen his gaze the first time he came back from that disaster zone.

An empty and chilling gaze.

One that disregarded life itself.

I have seen and understood it.

Since then he has learned to hide it.

But so what?!

I am aware of his true nature.

An unfeeling monster.

One that stopped being human a long time ago.

Will I do anything about it?

No.

Such is the nature of the tamer's guild.

As much as we are said to be the masters.

The more we progress on this path…

The more monstrous we become ourselves.

It is a fate that will befall all of us.

Of course, the youngsters do not know about this.

Most will never even reach such a point.

The change is so gradual that no one will notice.

Oh, but I did notice it quickly.

For the creature I contracted was way stronger than myself.

I felt it all vividly.

That's why I understand what he is going through.

But understanding doesn't mean forgiving.

I hate this calculative part of him.

I hate it to my very core.

Hate it so much.

I look at him dead in the eyes.

"I know what you truly are, Ice. An unfeeling monster. That does his best to retain a semblance of humanity. You act very well. So well that you have everyone fooled. Even yourself at times."

I can see his gaze changing.

The previous righteous fury and sarcasm slowly dissipating.

The loving teacher is gone.

"No matter how you hide it I can see through you. Every decision of yours logical. Playing the good guy. Repeating to yourself that you are one. Always and always. For this is the only way you keep yourself in check."

"Since when?"

He doesn't bother denying it anymore.

I know.

He knows.

We may be worlds apart character-wise.

But we do share an understanding of what it is like to be at the top.

Well, I have been here for longer than him.

I slowly answer him while smiling.

"Since the very day you became the Eternal Ice."

He nods in understanding.

"Well then, you should know not to stand in my way."

"HAHAHAHAHA, not to stand in your way?! You are the one that will drive the guild to its ruin with your plans.

Advancing your agenda slowly may work for you, but I will make sure you stay in line.

Contrary to you, I truly have the guild's well-being in mind.

No matter how heartless I have to become.

No matter how the public may view me in the future.

I do not care!"

*WOOSH*

As expected haha.

In a fraction of a second, his whole body turns white.

The air around him frigid.

His eyes turning completely white.

Looking at me emotionlessly

His hands now covered by ice claws.

He rushes toward me.

Slamming me against the wall.

Holding me by the neck in the air.

I manage to force out one sentence only, but it is enough.

"Try me bitch!"

Right next to him my rank 4 salamander.

Coiled behind him, maw about to close on his head.

Claws ready to pierce his heart and stomach at any time.

I may not have the most potential.

But I am the strongest tamer.

He reluctantly leaves defeated.

Seriously, screw that fucker.

Damn, I need a drink now!