Tom was walking with Elfie beside him until a bulky young man bumped into him.
"How dare you!" The bulky man scolded.
Tom rolled his eyes and sighed. As he had been through a lot of journeys and adventure, he naturally had met people like these all the time.
He shouldn't be surprised that he would encounter one in a new continent.
"Every human is unique and different, but there are always patterns in their behaviors."
"What did you say? I am talking to you."
Tom reached out with his hand to the side, and then slapped the bulky young man so hard that his jaw bones snapped, and all of his teeth flew into the air.
The bulky young man was thrown into the air before he crashed onto a nearby tree.
Elfie trembled in fear after he saw this. "Ma…master Tom, what did you do?"
"I slapped him," Tom casually said.
"But… but he was just talking to you, master."
Tom took in a deep breath. "He wasn't just talking to me. He was intentionally bumping onto me, talking with disrespectful tone, and stepping over my boundary. He deserved that slap."
Zerdar immediately ran to Hemur to check his condition.
Hemur pushed himself up. "Seems like he's no pushover, boss."
Zerdar nodded a bunch of times in relief. "Did he attack you with his full power?"
"I do not think so. He doesn't even look like he's trying."
The sound of footsteps was heard from behind.
"Are you his friend?" Tom asked.
"Yes, I am." Zerdar stood up.
"No, disrespect, but I have quite a slippery hand and it sometimes move on its own," Tom said.
Zerdar's eyes twitched. Hand moved by itself… what a lousy excuses, who would believe a Diamond Rank magician could not control his own hand?
"I also apologize for my friend's rude behavior." Zerdar walked towards Tom with confidence.
Tom raised an eyebrow and scanned the man with his godly eyes.
[Zerdar Nastun]
Level: 159
Power: Magic Mastery, Magical Physic, Mana Affinity, Charm
History: A young talented lord from the east known for his flamboyant playboy persona. Despite his undisputed strength, he is still more known for his game in charming women rather than his strength.
Tom almost wanted to laugh. This young lord was so similar to Aldred.
Not only was he talented, but he was also good at charming women.
"I hope we can be friends." Zerdar reached out with his right hand.
"Sure, I am always open to making friends." When Tom grabbed the hand, a notification appeared.
[You have been inflicted with 'Charm']
[Effect negated]
Tom laughed inside. Not only he charmed women, did he charm men as well?
Meanwhile, Zerdar was confused as of why the spell hadn't taken effect. His charm skill had been perfected and improved countless time. Occasionally, he would use women to test his skill, but the one he truly wanted to charm were the powerful and influential men.
If he could make them his friends, then they would help him up.
Zerdar understood that by making your enemies as friends was the same as killing them.
Tom released the hand and yawned. "Alright, since you are a senior here, why don't you show me some things about the campus."
"Uhh… right. I will do that."
Tom nodded. "Follow me, Elfie."
Elfie stopped. "I am sorry, master. But this is where I cannot take another step forward. Only students are allowed to enter the campus."
"Alright, then wait for me at home."
"Eh… alright." Elfie left immediately with a little blush on her cheeks.
That was when Zerdar realized something. Tom was a charmer!!!
The way he walked, talk, and behave was graceful and charming, and so did the way he dress!
Zerdar did not see it at first, but they were quite similar!
No wonder the charm spell did not work on him. A seducer could not seduce another seducer!
Zerdar laughed. "It's really nice meeting you, Tom. I heard that your father is not from this continent, tell me about it."
And so, while they looked around the campus, Zerdar and Tom talked about themselves one after another.
"Oh, so you are from the east," Tom said, acting surprised as if he did not know that already. "Isn't that where the border is?"
"Yes, and my family is protecting it every single day for years."
"Don't worry. I can help you with that."
"What?"
"Protecting the barrier. My father can simply send his golems."
"You can do that. But your territory and my territory is very far."
"Distance won't matter that much. You must have heard that my father and Duke Hushum are building a road connecting our territory. This will not be just any road, but a special road for a special carriage that could carry so many supplies."
Zerdar's eyes lit up. "My father will be so happy to hear this. Naturally, our family will compensate if you do send your golems."
Tom laughed. "We can give you discounts with that."
Zerdar and Tom laughed as they walked around the campus like they were the best of friends.
Tom naturally did not do this for Zerdar. Spreading his golems as far and wide as possible was a really important thing to do.
He would produce more golems and sell them out, and even though they obey the customers, their true master was still Aldred.
So by having more golems on their territory meant that Aldred could take it over whenever he wanted.
Not only that, should he needed an emergency support in a foreign place, he could order the golems nearby to come to his aid.
He could become a global force that would be feared and respected whenever he go.
After they finished walking around the campus, a surprising guest came to see them.
"Uncle Hushum?"
"So you have arrived, Tom?" Duke Hushum laughed.
"Yes, and I just made friends with Zerdar."
Duke Hushum raised an eyebrow. "The two of you come from completely different edge of the kingdom. This is a good thing."
Tom nodded. "I am planning to tell my father to advance the train track to the east."
"That indeed would be good. Tell your father I will help him regarding that matter."
"I sure will."
Duke Hushum then chatted with Tom for a few minutes, asking if he liked his dorm, and what he thought about the campus.
The Duke seemed to really care about Tom which shocked Zerdar and the onlookers around them.
The Duke himself visited Tom just to ask how he was doing. What was the meaning of this?
What did he had that even the Duke had to come personally to visit him?
Tom's image seemed so mystical, mysterious, and powerful in their mind. The hidden enemies that were plotting his downfall began to reconsider their plan, and some even threw it out window.
Duke Hushum was a powerful noble with great influence. His presence alone could silence so many enemies.
But despite this, he would still have enemies for killing Count Heled.
So Tom had to be very careful. In a world of magic, he could die at any time despite his strength.
It was one of the reason why Aldred's real body hid in the divine dimension while his clones explored the continent.
After a few hours, Duke Hushum finally said his goodbye and left.
The CS-Armaggeddon rumbled the earth and sky before it shot into the distance with explosive speed.
If not for the barrier protecting the city, every glass pane and windows would shatter.
"Is that the flying warship that your father gave to the Duke?"
Tom nodded. "Yep."
"Damn… that looks so cool."
"Sadly, it's not for sale."
"Too bad."
Tom smiled. He had to keep the value of CS-Armaggeddon high. The more the duke show it off to the people, the more they would want it, and the value automatically increase.
There was only one of it in this world, which made it even more rarer.
Although Tom had heard from Corduul that some magicians, tinkerers, and blacksmith had tried to imitate the design.
Space and time suddenly warped beside Aldred, and then Corduul stepped out.
"Master, it is ready."
Zerdar was shocked. "Who is that? No. What is that?"
"He is my father's subordinate, Corduul. Anyway, see you later, Zerdar. I will have to take my leave now."
"Oh, okay. See you tomorrow then."
Corduul set his gaze on Zerdar before he waved his hand and vanished along with Tom.
"What a weird looking guy. I cannot sense his mana, but he has a powerful soul. More powerful than anything I have ever seen before. This Tom is so mysterious."
When Zerdar turned around, he saw four 10-meter tall golems.
"Ah, Tom left them here. I wonder how powerful they are."
Zerdar approached one of the golem and tapped its powerful, steel leg.
"This material…"
Zerdar looked at the golem. "Hey, can you spar with me for a bit?"
