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'

was the five-star manual that I was

whenever I saw Han Yufei. The

was not a sword user, Han Yufei wished nothing more than

were quite powerful, and there was a lot

the chances of his clan rising to prominence would drastically

his martial manual, but I

remained silent. Squinting his eyes, he appeared to fall into deep thought. But it wasn't long before he managed to

can you prove to me that you

at his question. I had long

"It's simple really."

paper from my dimensional

can sign

moment the words 'mana contract' escaped from my mouth, all doubts seemed to

"Let me see it."

paper in front

"Hm?"

was looking through it, his brows which had previously relaxed furrowed

to put

not a

"No, it's not."

I shook my head.

he could voice any complaints, I quickly

Regarding the mana contract, you can be the one who provides it. I'm sure you will feel like it's more

it wasn't impossible to

mana contracts, and so, by allowing him to provide the mana contract, I was essentially showing him my willingness

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

afford it at the

"I see."

excuse as he thoughtfully nodded his head. Then, taking the paper

myself when I saw

"...eh?"

Yufei put the paper down and

will join Caïssa mercenary group as a member for

"Ah, that."

back

short, for five years, you will join my mercenary group. I made it this way since what I'm offering is actually of higher value than what you

"What!?"

Han Yufei stood up.

mercenary group? Do you know

course, I know."

one of the people I have been keeping close watch of ever since transmigrating into this wolrd. Of course, I know who

twenty years, son of Han Gaye, current head of the Han

Han Yufeis's face as I recounted

last for long as he quickly calmed himself

know all of this, why are

filled with confusion

merely smiled at his

you won't

"..."

face turned ugly at

didn't answer back. He knew that my words held

being able to live over two hundred years of age, it would still take quite a long time for him

he kept on waiting, he was essentially going to be losing a lot of time waiting for something that would

experience, and I

I can guarantee you that you will

great confidence in myself as I said

definitely knew the

mercenary group were a far cry from where they were in the past. If he joined, I didn't once doubt the fact

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

my influence in the human

I finished saying what I wanted to

at him, I didn't say anything else. I had already said everything that I wanted

for long. Raising his head and meeting my eyes, Han

"I..."

***

same time, in a different

is the

trees, Kevin looked at Emma. Lowering her head and gazing at a small holographic