Chapter 8 Part 2 of 2 (Patreon)

“Less of them now that we have so many esteemed students,” Evernight added as she leafed through reports.

“The Beast Mountain Range Consortium is holding weekly recruiting events now. Hundreds have joined so far. Some coming from other academies hoping to get a better position now that the entrance bar is low.”

There was a knock at the door.

Evernight put the reports away and worked at her desk like a committed secretary.

“Come in!”

Pan Kun opened the door, dominating the entrance.

“The representatives have all arrived.”

“Good, well we should give them the good news,” Aditya pulled his jacket tight.

“Everyone wants an education these days,” Evernight murmured into the desk as she worked.

Aditya snorted and followed Pan Kun out of the room.

“Old Quan?”

“He’s still in training. He sent word that he will return in three weeks.”

That’s right, a week’s gone by since the mana wave and the world hasn’t collapsed. Yet. If I was to reveal Old Quan now and then again in a month so much stronger, then people are sure to be curious instead of surprised when they see him just stronger than before at the end of his month long seclusion. Having the Alvan teaching staff should be enough.

They reached a large hall where envoys for different nations were gathered, drinks and food were served by waiters as the envoys gathered together with their allies.

It’s like looking at the political distribution of the surrounding area.

Aditya pasted a meek smile on his face, greeting, smiling and just shy of groveling with all of the different envoys.

It took him some time to go around the room and then make it to the front where there was a raised dais. There were people in simple clothes standing behind the dais, talking to one another in low voices, they didn’t seem to pay attention to the others in the room that were sending them curious glances.

Each of them wore the symbol of a teacher of the Beast Mountain Consortium.

The room grew silent, not due to Aditya’s presence but the demand of interest by the attendees.

“Thank you for all coming and visiting King’s Hill. I will not waste your time. We, the outpost leaders around Beast Mountain Range, were as stunned as you by the mana wave that spread through the area a week ago. In the last week there has been a surge in the number of powerful beasts. A number of mercenary groups have reported finding beasts up to level fifteen wandering the beast Mountain Range.” A wave of whispers and mutters passed through the crowd. A powerful warrior was level eight, leaders were at least level ten. Though few had any tempering. Beasts had stronger bodies, they were faster as well. So while their materials were sought after, only a fool would try and fight a beast twice their level.

When the beast was a realm higher, having passed level ten, it’s power took a large leap compared to First Realm warriors.

“We have increased the number of guards patrolling the trading routes. We are expecting that beast waves and attacks will become more frequent in the coming days. Though with all risks there are rewards. We believe that there is a small dungeon that was the reason for the mana wave.”

The room seemed to move forward in on Aditya.

“The dungeon is small. The group that found it reported that there are a number of Earth type monsters inside. The weakest was level seven and the strongest they saw before fleeing was level eleven.”

The noise rose up but Aditya’s voice carried over.

“We are not greedy here at King’s Hill. Our motto has always been to trade fairly with anyone. With this in mind, we will be giving each of the surrounding twenty kingdoms five open spots to the Beast Mountain Range Consortium. The five people you submit to join the school will get the highest level of education, they will be trained and tested with the new dungeon and the roaming beasts.”

The room settled down as the envoys drank in every word.

“This way the bounty that we have received, everyone can get a share of. We will accept any student that passes through our entrance exam as long as we have a place for them. That way the best among the surrounding kingdoms will get access to the dungeon.”

“Why do you think that your Consortium should hold the dungeon, the Westwood Academy’s teachers are the best in the realm!” One envoy said.

“For that I would like to introduce some of the teachers for the Consortium,” Aditya cut off the envoys before they could get into a boasting match about their academies and schools. He turned to the people behind the dais.

They stepped forward calmly.

“These are the teachers that will be working in the Consortium. Each of them have reached at least the peak of Apprentice in their given craft.” Aditya turned back to the envoys.

Their eyes were shining. Information, powerful crafters, fighting ability, tools and gear, it was a nation’s foundation.

“All of them are contractually bound to the Consortium to give their students the best education.

The envoy’s eyes thinned for a half second at Aditya’s careful words, latching back on to him.

“Please, I hope that this can put everyone at ease and we can work together fairly to use this boon to help us all. With the new materials, then I am sure that the best crafters of the area are sure to come up with some great items. And the future generation will only grow stronger!”

Aditya smiled as the envoys copied him and clapped. With that we stop war from happening and you can focus your fighting in the halls of the Consortium, making sure that you don’t piss of the teachers there who are sure to have more power than the students you send.

“Please, if you have any questions about the courses for the teachers, they are here to talk to you.”

Aditya smiled at the envoy’s expressions.

You’re hoping that you can take them from me? You might be able to steal them from me, but they would never leave Alva behind. After all, what do teachers want more than anything? It’s to learn more themselves.