Chapter 212: Master and Student
Unlike most youngsters his age who would have jumped at this opportunity, Zich remained completely calm because he had long since understood that nothing truly valuable in this world came without a price.
He looked at her and asked in a firm, serious tone.
"What will I have to pay to become your student?"
Upon hearing this question, the corner of Arthur’s mouth twitched involuntarily.
Across the entire First Layer, countless people would willingly surrender all their wealth, status, or even freedom merely to receive the guidance of a Level Two Hundred powerhouse.
But Zich had not only refrained from immediately agreeing. He was still asking about the price.
Razeil was not angered. On the contrary, she appeared even more satisfied that her decision to choose this particular human had been the correct one.
"First. From today onward, the peaceful life you once knew will end completely."
"I will not be like the teachers you encountered in the past, who only taught you how to increase your level, master Skills, or complete particular examinations."
"I will show you the world humanity’s leaders have always hidden."
"I will also make you confront enemies that you were originally only meant to face after completing your Ascension."
"You will be injured."
"You will fail. There may even be times when you truly approach death."
"Second." The smile on Razeil’s face slowly disappeared.
At that moment, the warm aura surrounding her, which had resembled a gentle spring breeze, suddenly vanished.
Although she still released no power, Zich could clearly feel that the one standing before him was no longer merely a gentle and beautiful silver-haired woman.
She was a genuinely powerful existence who had looked down upon countless worlds and witnessed endless life and death.
"I will not eliminate all your enemies merely because you are my student."
"On the contrary. Unless you are affected by an external force far beyond your current level, I will not intervene easily, no matter what kind of danger you encounter."
"You may rely upon my knowledge."
"You may use the resources I provide."
"You may also borrow a portion of the authority my identity grants you."
"But the battles themselves must be completed by you."
Zich thought it made perfect sense. He met her gaze.
"Is there anything else?"
"One final point." Razeil’s expression became serious. "After becoming my student, you will no longer represent only yourself."
"One day, when you truly leave the First Layer and stand before the other races, every choice you make may affect the relationship currently maintained between humanity and the Angel Race."
"Therefore, before making your decision, I need you to think carefully."
The high platform once again fell silent.
Half of the distant sun had already sunk beyond the horizon.
The final strand of golden light crossed above the arena, stretching the shadows of the three figures across the ground.
Zich did not think for long. He had already been preparing himself for a future far beyond the First Layer from the moment he learned the truth about the higher races. Compared to the opportunity now placed before him, the dangers Razeil had described only strengthened his determination.
"I accept."
His voice was not loud, but there was no hesitation within it.
Razeil looked at him.
"Have you decided?"
"I have."
Zich extended his right hand and gently clasped the palm that had been waiting for him.
"I had already intended to become stronger. Since there are even more powerful races beyond the First Layer, I have even less reason to stop."
The moment their palms touched, an extremely gentle golden light suddenly appeared within Razeil’s palm. It rapidly spread along Zich’s arm before gathering upon the back of his hand, forming a golden wing-shaped mark no larger than a fingernail.
Zich lowered his head.
The mark quickly faded after appearing, but he could clearly sense a faint connection forming within the depths of his soul.
It was different from a summoning contract.
There was no compulsory restraint within this connection.
It felt more like a coordinate. No matter how distant Razeil was, she would always be able to sense whether he remained alive through it.
"This is the Angel Race’s Guiding Mark."
Razeil released his hand.
"It will not increase your attributes, nor will it defend you against harm. Its only purpose is to allow me to know that you are still alive should you ever become trapped within a special region that cannot be perceived by the outside world."
"Of course." That gentle smile reappeared at the corner of her lips. "If the mark suddenly disappears, I will also know where I should go to retrieve your corpse."
Zich fell silent for a moment, trying to stop his face from twitching.
"Is hearing something like that the first thing that happens after becoming your student?"
"You don’t like it?"
"I wouldn’t say I like it."
"You’ll become accustomed to it." Razeil chuckled softly.
Arthur, who stood nearby watching the two of them, finally seemed to let go of the concern he had kept hidden within his eyes.
"Since the master-disciple relationship has already been established, it is time for me to leave."
Zich looked at him.
"You’re not staying?"
"Some of what she is about to tell you is information that even I am unqualified to hear."
Arthur spoke with complete honesty.
Given his status and position within humanity’s First Layer, the fact that he could utter the words unqualified to hear was already enough to demonstrate how important the information Razeil was about to reveal truly was.
He reached out and patted Zich’s shoulder.
"Make good use of this opportunity."
"Also..."
Arthur’s expression suddenly became somewhat strange.
"After the tournament ended, Helen has been looking for you."
"She originally intended to go directly to the medical district to find you, but the Association staff stopped her. Later, she learned that I had brought you here, so she is probably waiting below right now."
At this point, Arthur paused briefly.
"She also asked me to remind you not to forget the promise you made before the tournament."
The promise.
Zich quickly remembered what Helen had said before surrendering.
If he won the championship, he might receive a kiss.
Razeil’s gaze moved lightly between the two of them.
"It seems my student is quite popular."
"We’re only friends." Zich spoke calmly.
The smile on Arthur’s face became even wider. "You should probably tell her that yourself."
"Once you two are done, I’ll come and fetch you, and we’ll leave the mountain."
After leaving those words behind, he did not remain any longer and soon departed.
In the present, thinking back to the conversation he had with Razeil, Zich exhaled lightly before muttering to himself,
"Since I won’t be here for much longer, I’d better make the most of the time I have with them.