Varian sat in a private room in the Infini tower.
As time passed, people started to approach him. Some wanted him to be the 'honorary' member of their family, while others wanted him to be the 'mascot' of their business.
He declined them with relative ease. But the real trouble started when the geniuses started pouring in.
Staying in the banquet hall was no longer an option.
So, he picked a private room and slumped on the couch.
First was William, Philia whom Varian sent off after some small talk. All said and done, they were friends with Sarah, so they were just curious about his actions.
William, in fact, thanked him. "Our chances of winning were low. If you didn't do what you did, we would've lost anyway.
That'd be humiliating. But now every team lost under you, we're all equal now. Hahaha!"
'Isn't that more humiliating?' Philia's cold eyes seemed to ask those questions, but in the end, she didn't speak.
Then came the Ashtarh team. Before Ashtarh could even open his mouth, Maissa teleported in front of him.
She looked at him with glittering eyes and said. "Can we have a duel? I'll suppress my power to level 5."
"…" Varian saw the glint in her eyes and the abnormal smile on her face…he understood something.
'She's a combat madm…madwoman. She'll keep pestering me.'
"Cough cough. I really want to, but let's wait until I reach your level. We can go all out." He said with a serious expression.
"Just wait for a year, we'll have a hearty fight."
"Promise?" Maissa asked with glittering eyes.
'…and you appeared like an elegant lady in the banquet, is this your hidden, no, is this your true side?' Varian wondered, but nodded.
"If you still want to fight me after a year, then sure."
"Yay!" Maissa cheered. "Then I won't disturb you any longer. Have fun."
Poor girl, not even in her wildest dreams did she imagine his strength after a year.
Maissa didn't even look at Ashtarh and Tiama as she teleported out.
"…"
Varian and Ashtarh stared at each other for a few seconds before Ashtarh laughed and sat on the couch in front.
"I really like you."
"?!" Varian was ready to jump off the building to escape.
"I want to see you fight." Ashtarh said with a big grin. "I thought only members fighting on Neptune frontlines were the best, but this banquet opened my eyes.
There are so many stronger people. They aren't on the battlefield as much as I am, but they are as strong as me."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Varian shrugged.
"Hahaha. Indeed. Trial is just a trial, but if our generation can make a difference in the ongoing war, I'd be happy." Ashtarh said with a smile.
His expression slowly darkened. "I've spent most of my life on the battlefield. I made many brothers there…and also lost many.
Despite how much time I spend fighting, I don't romanticize war. I don't like anyone to, either.
It's terrible. I hope we are the last generation to go through this."
Varian didn't speak a word, but he agreed with every word.
War…shouldn't be romanticized.
"Alright, hit me up if you ever want to visit the frontlines. Even though I'm a trainee in name, I do have the powers to appoint new soldiers. If you want to fight in some nasty places, then you know who to ask." Ashtarh grinned.
"Sure." Varian nodded and exchanged contacts.
The whole time, Tiama silently watched them interact. Varian could smell 'jealousy' in the air, but he didn't say it out loud.
"Master, he seems a lot like you." Boo said after they left.
"Ashtarh?" Varian crossed his legs and rubbed his chin. "Maybe. If I awakened normally, maybe I'd be like him."
"Normally? Then did you not—?"
"Forget it." Varian made a 'shh' gesture.
"…Fine." Boo grumbled.
Then came the Xavier Team.
Marcus Caron and Rodey Nial both invited him to join their families. The promises of resources, status and connections were tempting but Varian refused without much thinking.
The two expected this and didn't say much. On the other hand, Xavier left by saying.
"Let's see if you can reach the Sovereign state first." It meant he believed both of them would reach the Sovereign state and it in itself was an acknowledgment of Varian's potential.
Charles Xander never came. According to some news, he went back to Earth.
Caleb didn't come either, but Helia did.
"I didn't think I would be seen as a prey one day." She said with a cold smile.
Varian almost spurted his coffee.
'Did she really think she's special?'
Looking at her indignant face, it seemed so.
"Hmph! But what if you win against me with those cowardly, insidious moves? You are still far weaker than me in reality. Trash!" She looked at him with contempt and sneered.
Varian looked at her with deadpan expression and flipped a middle finger. "Now fuck off, bitch!"
"B-Bitch? Me?" Helia opened her mouth and said with a shocked expression. In fact, she even went as far as to see if there's anyone else in the room that he was scolding.
"Indeed. Please leave or I'll throw you out." Varian waved his hand like he was swatting a fly.
Helia raised her hand and the space around Varian solidified.
"You son of a b—"
Slap!
A loud clap rang in the room as Helia felt a burning pain on her cheek.
"Out!" Varian spat once again.
Helia raised her hands and was about to attack him, but a horrendous pressure fell on her body, freezing her on the spot.
Only then did she realize the reason Varian was able to slap her. There was a high awakener helping him!
"Y-You wait!" She spat venomously and left in a huff of anger.
Pa!
She tripped and fell face first at the entrance causing Varian to crack up in laughter.
"Arghh!" She growled and teleported away.
'This is why I don't want to use my head. It's much easier to just punch my way through.' He grumbled.
He wasn't worried about the consequences of slapping Helia. If anything, she acted first.
Varian knew that his master would take care of the mess.
'As expected of myself, he must be too bored. I'm creating interesting work for him.'
"Young Master, I rejected everyone else." Richard appeared in front of him and said.
"Hm. Thanks for the help earlier." Varian said.
Richard froze her with his aura and provided Varian with an opportunity to slap her.
"No worries…but are you sure you want to leave your request like this?" The old man asked.
"I wouldn't be able to win without Sarah's help. I just gave credit where it's due." Varian shrugged and leaned back in the couch.
"It's not like I'm losing anything. I did get the enlightenment potion." Varian pulled out the exquisite vial and smiled.
The old butler suddenly trembled and said. "…Are you perhaps level 6 already?"
Varian didn't answer but just laughed. "Hahaha. Guess."
"@$!%" Richard wanted to swear but as a good butler, he controlled himself and sighed deeply.
"I feel tired. Level 6 in first semester…thankfully, you didn't reveal it to anyone or I'd have died trying to cover up." Richard pressed his chest and felt his old heart beating in fear.
"…" 'Did I really scare him or what?'
Realizing that his old butler had heart problems, Varian didn't reveal anything else.
"Alright, I want to meditate for a bit." He said, implying he wanted to be left alone.
Richard understood and left.
Varian snapped his fingers and the couch in the room disappeared, leaving only one big central mat in the middle.
Ghost ship appeared in the room and he stepped inside. As it turned invisible, various patterns on the walls lit up and the aura concentration rose.
"Show me what you can do." Varian opened the vial and gulped down the potion.
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