"Since you have a monopoly of all Soul Techniques right now, you'll receive 50% of all profits from mass-produced Soul Techniques. This includes the Soul Energy Fusion technique. Keep in mind that this offer is a one-time thing as your monopoly allows us to enter the market of the Berserkers and Warlock Centaurs more easily," Kraft Viton pointed out at the end of their negotiation.

"We will take a commission for acting as your agency for all inquiries about customized Soul Technique, but the commission won't exceed 5% of the revenue. We haven't talked about anything else, but the Bartholomew Corporation is more than willing to have a proper talk about Soultraits and your means to strengthen Soultraits as well."

Michael had thought about this for a long time already, but he was still not certain what to do with the Soultrait Symbols. Should he sell some of them right now, or was it better to keep them for the time being?

The latter was quite dangerous, whereas the former meant that he had to pick someone to sell the Soultrait Symbol to. That was also why Michael made a certain decision.

He retrieved the emerald box containing all of his Soultrait Symbols. He opened the emerald box, causing Kraft Viton to retreat instinctively as his War Rune started to go crazy. Tens of white tentacles burst out of the back of his hand, trying to charge at the Soultrait Symbols to devour them all.

"Just so you know..you will die if you try to fuse with too many Soultraits," Michael remarked, resulting in Kraft Viton taking a large stride away from the emerald box.

"You just have to control your War Rune. Or put the Soultrait Symbols into another container that can be sealed properly. It's not that difficult."

Michael added as he retrieved six Soultrait Symbols with six different notes. Each of the Soultraits had been tested to find out their powers and characteristics. He handed them to Kraft Viton, who was having a hard time controlling his War Rune.

"These six Soultraits are all 1-Star, but I can strengthen them. Of course, for an upcharge. It won't be cheap either. I hope the Bartholomew Corporation can auction these Soultraits, two for each race. I do not care what offers they make, but I want each race to get two Soultraits. That is not negotiable. As for the commission fee, the Bartholomew Corporation can forget about it since I let them auction the items. I'm pretty sure you can agree with me when I say that the Bartholomew Corporation does not need a commission," Michael stated his conditions, forcefully pulling Kraft Viton out of his train of thought.

"No commission? I...see.." Kraft Viton wanted to say something but he had to acknowledge that the Bartholomew Corporation already obtained more than enough benefits from being the only distributor for Michael's Soultraits. Even if they might lose the monopoly over Soul Techniques far ahead in the future it was very unlikely that someone else with a power like Michael's would appear in the near future – if there would ever be someone like him again, in the first place. Michael's power was ancient and probably limited to a selected few all over the universe.

Michael had some other stuff to trade with Kraft Viton, but he didn't want to retrieve dozens of Tekur corpses, more than 40 Mythic Scrolls to trade for Ordinary Summoning Scrolls, or thousands of blueprints and monster corpses to sell. The timing was not that good, and it was not as if Kraft Viton was sitting idle. If anything, Kraft Viton was busier than ever.

"I will see what I can do about the Soultrait Symbols. Do you want to sign a contract for them? If not, why are you handing them over like they're worthless?" Kraft Viton asked, not quite sure what Michael was trying to achieve right now.

Michael smiled in response. It was hard to hide his smile.

"There is no need for a contract. I trust the Bartholomew Corporation, but even more so, I trust you. If you break my trust, the blame would be on me, not you. At least, I know where I stand in that case. Furthermore, I know that I'm using the Bartholomew Corporation as another shield to protect me from the greedy fangs and claws of High Society. It is only fair that I return my trust by giving the Bartholomew Corporation a helping hand," He pointed out.

"I hope that the Bartholomew Corporation can expand rapidly using the new connections you are going to make all over the Tritan Alliance."

Kraft Viton merely nodded. He was not even sure what he was supposed to reply to that. What could he say? Should he be angry at Michael for extorting the Bartholomew Corporation by using his monopoly while simultaneously seeking protection from the very people he extorted? Was he truly extorting the Bartholomew Corporation? Not really.

Both sides would benefit from each other, and it was not impossible that the Bartholomew Corporation would gain far more from Michael instead. Michael was their ticket to become the most influential corporation of the entire Tritan Alliance!

"By the way, you don't have to worry about your safety. I talked with Alice Zenovia earlier and she went on and beyond to protect you. Apparently, she fought with her family to convince them that protecting you is mankind's utmost priority. Your existence will help mankind to overcome the threat posed by the Supreme Human Alliance. That's what she said, quite clearly at that."

Michael raised an eyebrow. He had been with Alice and Kaleb not too long ago and didn't hear anything about a clash with her family. That was news to him.

Michael made a mental note to remember to thank Alice later.

"That's..good to know. But I don't think that my safety can be ensured. After all, I'm also in the Origin Expanse, in a quite dangerous area, to be entirely honest. It's not like I can avoid threats and obstacles. I am not undefeatable, my enemies are getting stronger by the day, and I still have loads to improve as a Lord. There are so many things I don't know, or have never learned," Michael revealed in all honesty.lights

"But haven't you been taught by your--.." Kraft Viton began, only to halt mid-sentence. He forgot that Michael was not from a prestigious family, a family who teaches their children how to behave and act in the Origin Expanse from a young age.

Most Descendants were given detailed lessons from a young age on what they had to do in the Origin Expanse, how to develop their territory, and how to train their soldiers and mind. They were not majorly self-taught like Michael. Their minds had been refined to become proper Lords, people who knew what to do in dangerous situations and how to digest the deaths of their subjects after a battle or war.

"I read various books about Lords and how they're supposed to act but the vast majority of books don't fit my persona."

Michael clicked his tongue reproachfully. He knew that he was not a perfect Lord. He was not bad, but there were too many things that could be done so much better. It was a shame.

Kraft Viton watched Michael for a while and burst into laughter. Michael stared at the old man in confusion until Kraft Viton couldn't hold it anymore. He laughed heartily for the next few minutes.

"You should know that you're a really weird guy"

"Hmm?" Michael was unsure what Kraft Viton was talking about. Was he really that weird? Probably.

Observing the way Michael's expression changed continuously, Kraft Viton started to chuckle once again. Michael was truly interesting to be around. Despite having this great power that allowed him to grow stronger rapidly, Michael was not arrogant either. In fact, sometimes it looked like Michael underestimated himself. As if the youthful Lord was not aware of the great achievements he attained within a mere year.

"You know, thousands of families asked me to become their childrens' teacher, but I never accepted their requests. No matter how much they offered me, I never even bat an eyelid. I don't like most families and the members of High Society. They're arrogant and difficult to handle. Their true selves are hidden underneath dozens of layers of lies and deceit. Teaching their children is not worth It," Kraft Viton revealed, slapping his thigh as he recalled some of the bad encounters with representatives of Supreme Families.

Over the last few years, so many people asked Kraft Viton to teach their children, yet the only one who could actually convince him to start teaching again didn't even know that he had the power and right to do so.

"I like you," He revealed, not shying away from speaking his mind, "If you want to learn something from an old Lord, I can teach you some stuff. In fact, I previously taught you some things, though I'm pretty certain it you thought I was just being kind when I taught you Whispering Energy. You should know that I don't teach someone such a technique easily. In fact, except you, only two more Awakened were taught Whispering Energy."

Michael's eyes widened. He previously had many teachers in multiple fields, but Kraft Viton seemed to be the wisest. His knowledge, business skills, and social contacts were extensive. Learning from Kraft Viton would be a great honor, especially when it came to knowledge about Lord-related stuff.

Michael understood it he had to learn how to overcome the grief pertaining to the deaths of his subjects, or rather, how to ensure that their deaths didn't affect him a lot. He was being too emotional about their deaths and he knew it.

Michael also knew it sure things would never change about him and that he would probably always finish up jumping into fiercely burning flames to rescue his people, if possible, but certain deaths couldn't be avoided.

The same could be said about war.

War was bound to happen in the Origin Expanse and some of his Soldiers would die. It was inevitable.

All Michael had to do was to prepare his heart and mind..

"Please teach me!"historical