The Author's POV

"...I want you to teach me martial body. Your family four stars and a half martial technique."

A rather awkward atmosphere enshrouded the place as Han Yufei's calm and composed face finally crumbled.

Even when we were fighting his face had never once changed this much. It was clear that he was extremely shocked by my request.

"...Are you making fun of me?"

Han Yufei suddenly stood up as he sharply glared in my direction.

A threatening aura sprung out from his body, shrouding the whole room.

"You think that just because I surrendered in the tournament, that I'm now a pushover?"

His voice was becoming increasingly louder with each word he said.

Pushing my hands down, I tried to calm him down.

"No, I don't think that at all. Calm down and listen to me."

But that didn't seem to work as Han Yufei got even more riled up.

"Calm down? ...how do you expect me to calm down when you just asked me to teach you our family's most prestigious art? Do I look like a joke to you?"

"Of course, I know what I asked was outrageous, but I obviously have something of equivalent value in exchange."

"...Eh?"

Han Yufei suddenly froze.

"What did you just say?"

Finally gaining Han Yufei's attention, I continued.

"What I'm trying to say is that I'm willing to exchange something of equal value with you in order for you to teach me the martial technique. In fact, you can also say that it's actually a notch above what you're going to teach me."

"A notch above?"

Han Yufeis's brows furrowed at my last words. He was obviously not convinced. I smiled at his doubt.

"Yeah, I can offer you something even better than your family martial arts."

Han Yufei sat back down.

His eyes were filled with interest.

'Got him.'

I thought as I inwardly smiled to myself.

Just by looking at his eyes, I could tell that I had gained his interest. This was all I wanted.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Tapping on the table with my right hand, I remained silent for a couple of seconds. Staring at Han Yufei who was looking back at me, I only spoke up once I noticed that he was about to lose patience.

"In exchange for you teaching me your martial technique, I will give you a five-star manual."

The room froze at my words as Han Yufei was unable to process what I just said.

But it didn't take too long for him to finally understand what I said as his eyes shot wide open. Standing up and smacking the palm of his hand on the table, he leaned forward.

"Did you just say five-star martial manual?!"

His voice cracked a little as he said those words.

It was clear that he was still in disbelief by my proposal.

Staring at him from my seat, I nodded back.

"Yeah. I will give you a five-star manual in exchange for your family art. That simple."

'The Gravar style'

the five-star manual that I was planning

whenever I saw Han Yufei. The Gravar style, although

Yufei was not a sword user, Han Yufei wished nothing more than for his clan to rise into prominence and dominate

there was a lot of

sword manual, the chances of his clan rising to

Gravar style, I wasn't just trying to get his martial manual, but I was also trying to form a connection

Yufei remained silent. Squinting his eyes, he appeared to fall into deep thought.

me that you are not

I

"It's simple really."

small piece of paper from my

can sign a mana

words 'mana contract' escaped from my mouth, all doubts seemed to have been dispelled from Han Yufei's head as his brows

"Let me see it."

saying anything else, sliding the piece of paper in

"Hm?"

his brows which had previously relaxed furrowed

to put the paper

not

"No, it's not."

I shook my head.

voice any complaints,

the one who provides it. I'm sure you will

wasn't impossible to replicate a

by allowing him to provide the mana contract,

that was merely on the surface. In reality, a mana contract of that caliber was

couldn't afford it

"I see."

the excuse as he thoughtfully nodded his head.

to myself when

"...eh?"

down and pointed toward a certain section

signee of the contract will join Caïssa mercenary group as a member for five years before he is free to

"Ah, that."

scratched the back of my

I made it this way since what I'm offering is actually

"What!?"

Han Yufei stood up.

mercenary group? Do

know."

watch of ever since transmigrating into this wolrd. Of

son of Han Gaye, current head of the Han clan,

face as I recounted all the information

long as he quickly calmed

know all of this, why are you

were filled

smiled at

the way things are going, you won't become

"..."

turned

back. He knew that

would still take quite a long time

a lot of time waiting for something

experience, and I could provide

time there? If you join me, I can guarantee you that you

in myself as I said

not be a great teacher, but I definitely

where they were in the past. If he joined, I didn't once doubt the fact that he would see massive growth

course, the real goal was to gain his trust. If in the future he planned to leave, I wanted to at least have a solid relationship with

alone would massively boost my influence

I wanted to say,

had already said everything that I wanted to say. Whether he wanted to

answer did not last for long. Raising his head and meeting my eyes, Han

"I..."

***

time, in a

far is

head and