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'

I was planning

always had this plan in mind whenever I saw Han Yufei. The Gravar style, although powerful, was practically

not a sword user, Han Yufei wished nothing more than for his clan

powerful, and there was a

the chances of

trying to get his martial manual, but I was also trying

into deep thought. But it wasn't long

you prove to me that you

smiled at his question. I had long

"It's simple really."

of paper from

sign

moment the words 'mana contract' escaped from my mouth, all doubts seemed to have been dispelled from Han

"Let me see it."

anything else, sliding the piece of paper in front of him, Han Yufei carefully

"Hm?"

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

then proceeded to put

not

"No, it's not."

I shook my head.

could voice any complaints, I quickly

for the deal. Regarding the mana contract, you can be the one who provides it. I'm sure you will feel like it's more secure if you are the one that makes the mana contract,

hard, it wasn't impossible to

had been duped by fake mana contracts, and so, by allowing him to provide the mana contract, I was essentially showing

mana contract of that caliber

afford it at the

"I see."

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

to myself when I saw

"...eh?"

brows once again, Han Yufei put the paper down and pointed toward a certain section of

Caïssa mercenary group as a member for five years before he is free to leave.' What

"Ah, that."

the back of

years, you will join my mercenary group. I made it this way since

"What!?"

Han Yufei stood up.

group? Do you know who

know."

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

son of Han Gaye, current

look of shock appeared on Han Yufeis's face as I recounted all

did not last for long as he quickly

know all of this, why are you

were filled

merely smiled at his

way things are going, you won't become the head until

"..."

Yufei's face turned ugly at

that, he didn't answer back. He knew that my words held some truth into

to live over two hundred years of age, it would still

he kept on waiting, he was essentially going to be losing a lot of time

real experience, and I could provide that

you join me, I can guarantee you that

confidence in myself

I definitely knew the right places to help my

current members of my mercenary group were a far cry from where they were in the past.

the real goal was to gain his trust. If in the future he planned to leave, I wanted

massively boost my influence in the human

what I wanted to say, silence descended upon the

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

Raising his head

"I..."

***

time, in a different

is the

head and gazing at a small