"Sir Damian… Please teach me how to get stronger."
Damian's poker face remained unchanged as though he had expected something like this.
"It seems that you have learned your lesson this time." Damian took a seat while saying, "I don't mind teaching you though. However, the price is kinda steep. After all, my fighting ability is closely related to the Greenwood Kingdom. I can't really give you any secret of the Greenwood Kingdom without getting anything, you know."
Noel nodded with a serious expression.
"Of course. I'm prepared to pay the price. So, you can tell me what you want."
Damian thought for a moment. On the one hand, he could ask for an exorbitant price from Noel. They had just failed not long ago, so if he blackmailed Noel with that failure, he could easily increase the price.
However, if he did it, Noel would be skeptical of having a business with him. He might be able to gain a good benefit in the short term, but the total benefit he would get in the long run would surely be less than the original expectation.
On the other hand, becoming too good of a man would make him suspicious as well. So, he had to set a fair price with the current condition. It was something he liked as well, considering he could get more benefits from Noel.
After a few minutes, Damian raised one finger. "I only need one thing."
"And that is?"
"The concept of Rune Engineering."
"!!!" Noel was slightly astonished by the demand. Considering he was planning to spread the knowledge in the future, giving this information away only made the Greenwood Kingdom slightly ahead of the others.
After Noel spread it, the advantage would be gone. Still, it didn't change the fact that the concept would allow them to understand the runes far faster and even take some precautions before the other nations.
So, the price he asked this time was kind of high, but Noel didn't have enough reason to reject it either.
Of course, Damian added, "I can see that you have been improving rapidly without a teacher. Well, you should have some mentors since your basics are still solid. However, you don't have any teacher to guide you. That's why even though you are strong right now because of your numerous abilities and innate strength, that advantage will gradually lose its meaning once you get stronger."
"That's why if you agree to this deal, I will be guiding you to fix all your problems, from your battle techniques to future development."
Noel scratched the back of his head. It was no wonder why they sent Damian instead of anyone else.
"I'm wondering how you became a Vice Captain of the royal army instead of a merchant." Noel chuckled while rolling his eyes.
"To advance in the Greenwood Kingdom, you need more than strength, you know. I think the concept is similar to the Demon Banner Army. But the kingdom is emphasized on it more than the Demon Banner Army."
"Fair point." Noel nodded. He thought about the price first. 'Well, there are five Rune Systems: Rune Enchantment, Rune Engineering, Rune Spell, Rune Body, and Rune Array. The Greenwood Kingdom has the Spirit Enchantment.'
'Even though it's the downgraded version of the Rune Enchantment, the basics are still there. They only need to connect it with the runes and perfect them. So, they don't really need the information about the Rune Enchantment.'
'As for Rune Engineering, this is the second stage of Rune Mastery. Rune Enchantment needs a Rune Master to draw the Enchantment. The same applies to Rune Engineering.'
'However, once you reach Rune Spell, it will become different. Even ordinary people would be able to use Rune Spell as long as they can draw it. So, they will be like me, a Rune Spell Thrower instead of a Rune Master.'
'Then, there is the Rune Body. A Rune Master can embed the Runes on a normal person's body. Once it reaches this level, ordinary people don't need to learn anything about Runes, and they'll still be able to use it.'
'Last but not least, the Rune Array. It's basically the combination of all four systems.'
'The Rune Engineering is important, but giving the information isn't a problem. But things will be different for the Rune Spell and Rune Body, considering they are for ordinary people.'
'Those who are waiting for my development will surely become greedy once they know about it. That's why I think I can agree to this deal.'
'Though, I have to be careful when exposing the Rune Spell to Sir Damian, lest he understands the potential. At the very least, I want him to remain clueless until I become Spirit Grandmaster.'
'The deal gives a good reward, but it's a bit risky. On the one hand, Sir Damian might change his objective and try to kill me after knowing the potential. On the other hand, with him teaching me how to fight, I can become stronger rapidly since our fighting style is similar.'
After a few minutes, Noel finally agreed to the deal. "Alright. I'll agree to this deal."
Damian nodded. "Then, take two days off to recover from your wounds. After that, we can start training."
"I'm also planning to finish the previous few runes to uphold my promise. And we'll be returning to the headquarters and staying there for a while because of this failure."
"So, we should have enough time to practice there. I'll start writing the concept while you train me."
"Sounds good." Damian didn't have any objection to the arrangement.
Noel smiled. Before Damian left, he added, "Still, Sir Damian always appears whenever I activate the badge. You are not going to tell me that you do something that makes you look like my servant to make me open up to you, right?"
"…" Damian abruptly stopped. He didn't answer or deny his accusation. In the end, he chose to ignore it and left the room.
"Well, you didn't deny it either…" Noel chuckled. "I guess the only reason why he remains as a Vice Captain is because his strength is not enough. Once he reaches the required strength, he can easily become the captain. Having a connection with him is not that bad, I guess."
