CHAPTER 35

-It depends on the alliance, but there can be.

-What about the Ninth Followers?

-You can only enter through invitation by a member and you become life-contracted to the Ninth Prince army.

-Well, fuck.”

This was enough deterrent. No need to think about it longer, he would refuse Liuya tonight. They asked if there was a way to know both the rankings and the requirements to enter alliances. Unfortunately, while it was possible for everyone to access the rankings at all times, it wasn’t for the recruitment requirements.

You would need to know exactly which one you want to register with beforehand. That being said, it is not like Mir had any alliance in mind. Neither did Oka, he would just follow. Endge probably had a few but the requirement to join the Ninth Followers brought a chill down his spine. Sure, there was the honor, status and pride but, was it worth it? A whole life of servitude? Probably. But for him? He was too young to sign up for something like that.

Feeling quite sad, Mir decided to go for the market on the third level. It was important to know if he had a way to make points easily. Sure, he could probably craft some martial tailored items but would it be worth it? The crystals to make them were incredibly costly. It would probably be better to sell pellets. He had quite a lot left as well. And maybe there was a way to convert gold coins to points? There was no demerit in looking for it later.

He was surprised to see the bustling activity in the streets. There were around the same number of people as in the second level but they were all shouting and discussing wildly. Most of the zone was outside space where elders as well as disciples sat with different wares in front of them, showcased. The people were moving through the astonishing number of shops settled on the street.

Here and there were also buildings belonging to alliances and selling their own stuff. Mir was thinking about going to a shop selling pellets and followed the strange insight he was provided by who knows what in his mind. It was the same feeling he got every time he moved towards a specific location.

It was most likely something provided by the tower itself. Some kind of mental GPS of sorts.But as to how it worked, he had no idea. And he probably would not be able to come with an answer by himself. It was not something he could see. Still, he was trusting entirely on this system. He felt the distortion of space under his feet from time to time as well.

He was turning towards Oka and Endge in-between, making sure they were there. They were. Either they were thinking of going to the same place as Mir was or they were thinking of following him. Whichever one it was didn’t matter as long as they weren’t getting lost.

Fortunately, they arrived in front of a beautiful building made of wood. They entered and even though the space was distorted so it was bigger inside, the place was crowded. Mir walked around and took on the sights. Most things here weren’t cheap.

Pellets ranking from the fifth realm to the third rank. The prices were high as well. Mir did not know for sure what the amount of points meant but if 1000 was only enough to register an alliance, then what was the worth of a point? This was the true question and hopefully would help him in planning the next steps to take.

A single pellet of the lowest ranking here was a few hundred points. Considering the number of people buying here and the fact he had been directed here first when thinking of the “cheapest pellets”, this meant a lot.

Next was a search in materials. Pellets did not pop out of thin air. They arrived at a small space in the plaza this time. There was an elder selling some plants.

So, this was the cheapest? The difference was huge. If he bought the materials from this elder, he could make a very big bonus. He asked the elder that was sitting:

“Good day to you, elder. My name is Mea Mir and I am a new disciple of the school. Is Elder selling those materials in bulk?

-A pleasure to meet you, disciple Mir. I am Elder Bor Nor and yes, I am selling in bulk.

-Thank you very much for the information elder Nor, I will be coming back.”

The elder waved him away like he did not care much about whether he would be back or not. It was not surprising. Considering the number of disciples, this was surely not his first time dealing with customers.

Mir didn’t bother with it as it was normal and walked towards the next destination. Back to the second level, at the herbal lab. He asked how much it would cost to rent a room and the answer pleased him. He could see the benefits coming in already. Maybe he could reconsider creating his own alliance.

He asked Oka to buy the materials and was going towards his next destination when he was interrupted by Endge:

“Mir, is there something you would like me to do?”

Why would Mir want Endge to do anything? They weren’t connected in any way. Mir frowned and told him:

“Sorry Endge but we aren’t in partnerships or something so, just do whatever you want?”

Then, Mir left the surprised Endge.

Endge was from the Stohn clan. They were specialists in earth martial skills and a respected clan. Unfortunately, he was born too late so he wouldn’t succeed any positions but he was still nurtured to the utmost of the clan’s abilities.

Then, sent to the Royal Palace school and accepted ultimately. It was an honor to his clan and to him. As he saw the record Oka settled in the test and how he was only a follower, he was curious and wanted to get close to them. If they were this powerful, maybe they had a secret that they would share with him later?

But now what, he was left like some used tissue in the street of the school. True, they weren’t in any official relationships and had just met but he thought that he would at least earn enough trust to be a friend…It seems like he misunderstood.

But he wasn’t going to give up just yet. He didn’t know why but something inside him was whispering in his mind that those guys would lead him to greatness…He began to walk on his own path.

Mir did not dislike Endge, he would have made a nice friend but in the end, he was just like the others, only here for the benefits. What’s more, Mir’s goal was to get people under him and grow his newly formed clan. Endge was already a member of a respectable clan, there was no reason for him to deflect from it for a new unknown one without evident benefits to it.

And Mir would not spread his abilities to give a bloodline and such to anyone he did not know perfectly or had a special reason. It was better to be cautious with this thing. Still, he wouldn’t refuse offer of partnerships from Endge later if he asked and would not mind lazing around with him from time to time, he was a funny yet wise kid after all.

Mir’s next destination was the lecturing hall. He waited for some time and once it was his turn asked a clerk:

“How much does it cost to assist to a lecture?

-Which one, young disciple?

-…The cheapest and the most expensive.

-The cheapest cost 10 points to attend while the most expensive cost 5 000 000 points at this precise moment.

-Thanks for your time, see you.”

Mir walked away. Time to go to the next destination, the skill hall. There, in the same way, he asked about buying a skill scroll. It was a bit more expensive. When he asked for the reason, he was answered by “a scroll can be physically moved” which is true and understandable. However, the prices there were reaching far higher heights. There were surely rare skills hidden in the building. But it would be for another time.

Still, through all this, he learnt that life inside was expensive. He went to the mission hall next and sure enough, the rewards were high for each missions and achievements but they were far from easy too. No wonder they required a few members. While Mir could likely succeed some alone, he would have to go to the 5th level and that would be dangerous it seemed.

Making business was the best option in the end. Trading has lower risks and higher profits. Hopefully. He went back to the herbal lab where Oka was awaiting him. Oka got up and said:

“I bought all the ingredients on the list, young boss. I don’t have any points left though since I didn’t know how much you needed.

-Don’t worry, it is better like that. Let us work right away.”

For the next hours, they worked inside the lab and made hundreds of pellets. Mir had calculated that he would earn at least 135 points per pellet considering every cost so this would work well for him. He wanted to sell them right away but had a date outside with Liuya so he went there first.

He was surprised to actually see her sitting alone inside the Roasted Bear. She wasn’t wearing the school robe too. Mir and Oka walked to her and she invited them to sit. They were on time. Mir was going to ask her when she told him, as if reading his mind:

“I could not have forced the others to lose honor for my failure to see through your trap.

-And this outfit?

-Hopefully, no one would recognize me.”

Mir nodded in approval, her reasons were rational. Oka nodded too but not for the same reason. He was just enjoying the sight of a beautiful woman in casual clothes so close to him, and she smelled nice as well. Tonight, it would be a great meal: Roasted meat shared with a babe. He could only nod and would thank the young boss later.

Mir asked for a waitress to bring the meat and they exchanged small talk as they waited. Once the meat was there, Liuya was surprised to find it was delicious but she kept the fact hidden and remained poker-faced. She had her pride. She began discussing the true issue next:

“So, young friend Mir, will you join us?

-I learnt about the requirements to join. Swearing to serve the ninth prince all your life, right?

-That’s…Yes. It is an honor given to all of us.

-Well, we don’t want this honor so I will leave it to you guys.”

She was expecting it. She knew it was not going to be easy and had acknowledged the fact that the kid in front of her saved her face in the morning. He intended to refuse from the start. By dragging her outside to say it, he made sure she wouldn’t be refused publicly.

This would mean not dishonoring the alliance. This kid had enough respect to act honorably. Still, her orders were clear, she must bring him in.

“Please, do reconsider. We can provide you with high numbers of points, a high status and many resources. We can also help you progress in every area you would like, we have many experts.

-I do not doubt the benefits, sister Liuya. I am against the demerit. There is only one, sure, but it is too much. I do not intend to serve anyone, ever. And my life belongs to me. That being said, I do owe the ninth prince so I would like to offer your alliance a partnership.

-A partnership?”

She wasn’t prepared for this. She wasn’t hoping for much but as the kid brought out a rank three pellet like it was nothing and even tossed it to her… Her eyes bulged. He chuckled and said:

“I can make them by the hundreds. I will register my own alliance tomorrow, then we can make official partnerships. That way, you guys will benefit from my abilities while I benefit from yours without this demerit that I reject. What do you think?

-That’s…”

She stayed still for some time and pondered. If the kid was indeed able to produce those pellets in high quantities, then it was no wonder the ninth prince wanted to recruit hm. But if that was it, then surely, having this partnership would be enough… She answered him:

“I will have to discuss it with our leaders before giving you an answer. I believe this is your only compromise?

-Yes, it is. Now, still, would you mind answering a few of my questions?

-I don’t mind, depending on the questions.”

Building a good relationship is essential in business. She had been named an alliance ambassador because she knew how it worked. She didn’t mind answering the kid’s questions either. He asked her something surprising though:

“Can we exchange golds for points?”