Azazel's emerald eyes glittered with dark excitement in the lantern light of the lively taproom. "Oh, it's not kindness, little one. You're an investment. It's only natural to look after my own interests."

The demon's vessel folded fingers in front of his face, concealing his lips as he peered over them. "I must say: either I am an exceptional teacher or you were hiding a bit of improvisational talent in our sparring session, Rinn. I'm happy to think that it's a bit of both. If you're truly able to adjust the myriad inefficacies of your fighting style to accommodate opponents of all shapes and sizes, you might just be a worthy disciple for what I have planned..."

Azazel smirked as he trailed off, taking a long sip of his ale, watching Rinn intently for his reaction over the rim of the mug. In this moment, the mirth and noise of the tavern seemed to die  down to nothingness, as there was only a master and his protégé, a demon and his prospective mortal tool.

An investment? While Rinn could agree that he was an exceptional individual, he couldn't quite understand why the man was willing to "invest" into him. Just what was Azazel hoping to get out of this exchange? Of course a few drinks and an overall lackluster training wouldn't be enough for the Moon Elf to feel indebted to him. But the thought had still remained. Just what was Azazel looking to get out of all of this?

"While I'm not really sure what it is that you're looking for when it comes to me, I can certainly state that we both play a bit of a role in how effective I am at the moment when it comes to combat. Albeit my efforts trump your training at the moment. Regardless.. My point from earlier still stands. If you give me about a night or so, I should be able to secure a few things that will bolster my strength. Combat aides and additional grafts so to speak. You'll just have to give me a bit of time."

The conversation between the two had certainly been enough to allow for Rinn to realize that Azazel intended to use him in some way or another. While it was fairly unlikely in Rinn's mind that he would fall for such a thing, if Azazael had requested something monstrous from him, there was no telling how the future would actually play out. At the end of the day, Rinn was only here for one thing at the moment. To get stronger. If he somehow ends up getting taken advantage of in the future..? Well that was something that he would have to deal with then and there. Until such a time had come to pass? Rinn would simply focus on his training and hope that he learns enough to back up his own efforts.

The demon's glittering green eyes flared slightly as he worked internally to quell his outrage at the perceived slight in Rinn's words. 
This little mortal is certainly headstrong, brash, and has no care to pissing you off. I'm liking him more and more.
It's unbecoming of a demon to form attachments to mortals. He is simply a tool, willful and foolish as all their kind are.
Hypocritical coming from you, Azazel. Or do I need to remind you about the swamp girl?

Azazel growled in his mind, warning Arteron against this line of thinking, as he turned his attention back to the elf. "A bit of curiosity, if you'll indulge me, Rinn. Why are you so amenable to the use of grafts and aids? I can certainly commend taking purchase of the most expeditious means to power, but I know several of my warrior friends would balk at such... 'shortcuts', as they would deem such. Is this an idiosyncrasy of your culture, or have you cast off such preconceptions in the unadulterated pursuit of power?"

As Arteron hummed in agreement, feeling the mortal was grasping at straws for the scraps of power, Azazel leaned the vessel forward, peering at the boy over folded hands, gauging his reaction. This answer would have profound implications on how to entice the young elf to become a pawn going forward.

While Rinn had been expecting this question to come up in some form or another, for quite some time now, he hadn't expected it to crop up over a drink. Than again, given the circumstances of their current relationship, it really shouldn't be all that surprising to him. Either way Rinn would come forth and answer Azazel's question without hesitation. "Honestly? I don't really care how others perceive these so called shortcuts. While they might believe that I'm only strong in part due to my grafts, the grafts themselves are simply a tool for me to make use of. What they don't see is all of the effort that I put in to obtain the Solars for these grafts. These things aren't cheap you know!"

Seeing that they were about to get into the nitty gritty about his ideology, Rinn would request another drink before downing this one as well. "At the end of the day, I'm opting to do something that makes me more comfortable with how I choose to fight. Some make use of swords, maces, bows, and all other array of weapon to supplement their strength. Whose to say that my way is the wrong way of going about things and theirs is the right way? At the very least, I'm still taking care of things with my own strength. There just happens to be the added effect of my grafts."

Unlike many warriors of this day and age, Rinn had simply fought because he enjoyed the thrill that accompanied it. If he were to lose in an encounter than so be it. That simply means that he didn't put enough work into himself. Whether that work be training or an investment in grafts. But if he were to win? Well than why would it matter how he acquired the strength to perform such a feat? The one with the most power is the one that usually makes the rules. If might makes right than who cares how such much was obtained? The fact would remain that he came out on top.

"When it comes to growth, whether that be physical or mental, we all owe it to ourselves to give it everything that we got. These grafts are the aide that I have chosen but that doesn't mean that I am reliant on them. They are merely supplements. Supplements that will allow for me to survive long enough to grow. Same as any magic, weapon, or martial art."

A wide, satisfied smirk formed and grew over the vessel's face as Rinn explained his ideology. They were getting somewhere now. Just a bit more prodding and Azazel would find the heart of the issue, the nexus of vulnerability that would allow him to entice this funny little elf to his nefarious purposes.

"Ah, a pragmatist. I can certainly appreciate you disavowing constricting morals in the pursuit of what you want. After all, the strong make the way in this world. If we surpass them by so-called 'underhanded' means, well... you know what they say about victors and history. Hard to argue ethical superiority from the grave." Azazel's eyes flickered in the hearth light, mysterious and dangerous.

"But this begs the question, of course: what drives you to pursue power such as this? Only fools take power to be an end; the wise know that it is a means. So, what do you desire? Is it the acknowledgement and adoration of your fellow peoples, perhaps even certain ones? Do you have ruling ambitions and mean to seize the reigns of control by the strength of your hand? Lay bare your wants to me, and I will see about helping you achieve them, my enigmatic pupil..."

With every word, the demon worked his way deeper into Rinn's mind, hungry tendrils feeling for, and feeding from, the prospect of exploitable ambitions.

While Rinn didn't necessarily wish to take things as far as Azazel had mentioned, with their opponents ending up in the grave and whatnot, he had agreed in the thought that they would effectively come out on top regardless. Still.. Rinn had to wonder why it was that Azazel felt so dangerous. The words that he had spoken from time to time were enough to set Rinn on edge. Not enough to cause him to retaliate in any real way but at least enough to keep Rinn's attention on the man.

"Acknowledgement? Adoration? The power to rule over others?" A stifled laughter would break through Rinn's defenses and pour out of his lips for all but a moment before ultimately reigning itself in. "I couldn't care less about any of that..!" While he had enjoyed helping others out with this superior strength of his, he wasn't growing stronger for the sake of it. Even if he managed to obtain a level of strength that would place him far above others, what would he really get out of that? Anything that wasn't well earned didn't hold much importance within his heart. "I fight because it makes me feel alive. I grow stronger so that I can continue to come out on top in these fights. At the end of the day, I'm quite selfish you know. I'm doing all of this for my own enjoyment. Once I settle down into an ordinary life, all of the fun that can be had will simply pass by and be replaced with responsibility. Why not enjoy myself while I can and take care of any major threats along the way?"

His reasoning likely wouldn't sit well with too many people. There were those that had asked him the same question in the past only to be met with the exact same answer. These people had believed him to be foolish, crazy, or overall just too lazy to settle down. In their eyes, he was dodging that sense of responsibility. In his own eyes though, this was simply the best way to live. There was no telling what would happen down the line. Why wouldn't he prepare for any major threats that might disrupt his future? In Rinn's eyes, everyone should strive to be strong enough to set out for what they want. It wasn't his fault that they were all too scared to enjoy themselves.

Azazel's eyes narrowed as he fought the urge to roll them.

It seems I've overestimated him. He is but an all-too-common mortal with an above-average streak of luck.
The kid's got his priorities straight, even if it is a futile exercise.
Of course, you would think that, barbarian. He has no drive that will make him greater than he is.
Other than wanting to get stronger. We put bigger and bigger foes in front of him, and the kid will dance to the tune we play.
'We'? Why, Arteron, I believe I'm beginning to rub off on you. In celebration, I will take your uncommonly sound advice.

As the wrath demon grumbled within, Azazel leaned forward with renewed interest. "Not my cup of tea, as it were. I'm a bigger picture thinker, you might say, but far be it from me to disparage another's vices. Tell you what: stick with me, kid, and we'll find you the biggest, most combative opponents you can handle in your climb." The manipulation demon paused for effect as he drew the boy in further.

"As a matter of fact, my sources informed me just this morning of some trouble brewing in Dragon's Cradle. I know you said you weren't one for fame, but the notoriety can be secondary to the foes we'll face. At the very least, having your name known will get you more free drinks." The demon's mirthful eyes watched Rinn with careful interest.