"So, what do you say? Will you join my faction?"
Kieran locked gazes with Nellyx, his suppressed rage evident.
"If you won't support me against the Nelkon family, I don't think there's a reason to join your faction," Kieran said resolutely.
'I can simply join another faction. She's trying to turn this situation to her favor.' Kieran looked at Nellyx; she was obviously smart.
If he wasn't any smarter, he would have completely forgotten the fact that there were other factions.
"For a moment, I thought you would have fallen for her trick," Alexa smiled. "The best revenge is a well-cooked one. Don't make drastic decisions due to people's influence. I learned this from someone."
Alexa understood her words clearly. He had almost fallen for the trick because of his desperation.
He could see that Nellyx was really good at the game.
"She could make a good merchant, but against someone with years of experience like me, she won't stand a chance... Hmph."
Kieran felt the urge to facepalm. 'I almost forgot she's a phoenix.'
Kieran turned back to Nellyx, his haunted eyes fixed on her.
Nellyx rested her back on the chair, a small smile creeping up the side of her face.
Kieran had unexpectedly not fallen for her trick.
'And here I was thinking I already had him in my grasp,' she was indeed amused.
She calmly folded her hands over her chest. That wasn't her main plan of approach, so it didn't bother her that it had failed. She had something else that was sure to make Kieran join her faction.
Something she was sure he would really need.
"Well, you're right, there are many other factions available, but I don't think any of them will be interested in an SSS-ranked talent that has yet to show its abilities," Nellyx came prepared, and Kieran could see it.
Unfortunately for her, Kieran had already figured out the condition for his talent, thanks to the help of his attempted murder.
"I'm afraid I will still have to decline your offer," Kieran said sternly.
Nellyx's eyes widened slightly, visible shock written on her face.
She had received news that his talent was a hidden talent. Although it was a strange phenomenon that had only occurred for the first time, she was sure they would eventually find a way to figure out what exactly his ability was. It would risk a lot of resources, but what were the resources compared to an SSS-ranked talent holder on their faction list?
Someone like that was sure to become a star with time, and they could single-handedly handle a lot of realm gates alone.
Once the head of the Nelkon family had made an appearance when an A-class gate had opened within the megacities of the Nether Realm, that was the time that the power of an SSS-ranked talent holder was witnessed.
A power enough to single-handedly take down an entire nation, destroy realms, and raze armies to the ground.
The image of that day was etched on the very core of their souls, never to be forgotten by any of the hunters who had witnessed it.
That was when the main war between factions and families began.
With such power on display, greed naturally came in as well.
They each wanted to have an SSS-ranked skill on their side.
And those who had wanted another so they could tip the scale of power.
Seeing such an opportunity in front of her, Nellyx knew she had to use everything in her arsenal to drag him into their faction.
She could already visualize a future the moment they had told her that an SSS-ranked student had been discovered among the students.
And that was why, even with Kieran's stern decline, she still had to try her best to convince him, especially since the other factions had yet to come.
"We can help you discover whatever conditions might be needed to activate your talents... You can't throw such an opportunity away?"
Kieran wanted to let out a smirk; however, he held it back.
He had twisted her tactics and was now using them on her.
"Yes, I do not need help from your faction. If you cannot be of any help to me, I'd rather go solo."
Nellyx bit her lower lip, the frustration gnawing at her.
How could he be stubborn enough to risk his talents?
Who was that crazy?!
She had to hold herself from screaming at him, but she didn't do that. It was clear that the little boy already had bad blood with her from the way she handled the case of an attempted murder.
While she was still stuck in her own thoughts, she caught the noise coming from the passage behind the closed door.
"Wait, sir… The vice dean won't be…"
Boom.
The door swung open with force, and stepping inside was a young-looking man, his blue eyes locking on Kieran's figure.
The teacher who had followed him through the passage paused in front of the door as he entered, following closely behind was Judy, an electronic tablet held tightly to her chest as she ran after her captain.
Jacob walked in with his usual stoic face. He looked toward Nellyx and then back to Kieran.
"This is a shameless act, taking custody of the SSS-ranked talent holder right after the ceremony. I didn't expect your academy to be this shameless, even with all the support we've offered to you. You even arranged teachers and set up a barrier all so I couldn't meet with him."
Nellyx rolled her eyes at his words.
"Who told you that was the reason? You don't even have any idea what happened, and you're already coming to random conclusions… Tch, why do you think we're in the infirmary?"
It was the truth, but she wasn't going to accept it outright, was she?
Kieran himself was somewhat stunned by her lie, and she even said it with a poker face.
"I was right. She would make a wonderful merchant."