After that matter was settled, Angel began waiting for Rhein to mention the second matter.
However, Rhein did not speak at once. Instead, he slowly raised a hand, and two illusory cards appeared before Angel.
The cards were square, one white and one gold.
Nothing else could be seen within the illusion. They were simply two cards filled with blank space.
Yet Angel understood Rhein's meaning.
After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "These are... invitations?"
Rhein nodded. "Yes, mentor invitations."
Angel fell silent for a moment. "Lord Rhein means for me to take on apprentices?"
Rhein carefully observed Angel's expression. "You seem unwilling to take apprentices?"
Angel nodded.
Rhein did not ask why Angel did not wish to take apprentices. Instead, he said, "Whether you take them or not is entirely up to you, but I suggest you give it a try."
The scene from his memories ended, and Angel looked toward the Tree Spirit seated across from him in the carriage.
The question Rhein had not asked before was now asked by the Tree Spirit.
The Tree Spirit said, "Come to think of it, taking apprentices would benefit you greatly. You could receive a greater allocation of organizational resources, and you could also gain future assistance. Why are you unwilling to take apprentices?"
Faced with the Tree Spirit's question, Angel pondered for a moment before saying, "I'm not ready to be responsible for someone else's future."
After Angel spoke, the air fell into silence.
When Angel raised his head, he saw the Tree Spirit looking at him with a strange expression.
"What is it? Is my answer strange?"
The Tree Spirit said, "Not merely strange—extremely strange. You don't actually think that taking apprentices means doing what Sanders did for you, do you?"
Angel said, "Isn't that what it