Chapter 10

Though he was well prepared, Bai Jingyue was still shocked by Areshta's lifestyle. However, he quickly recovered. This was an important negotiation that would affect Bai Jingyue's future life, and he couldn't let the conversation fall into Areshta's rhythm.

Bai Jingyue put his hands in the pockets on the sides of his pants, indicating his harmlessness, and smiled slightly as he spoke to Areshta, "Honorable Chairman, what brings you to call me here?" Overall, Bai Jingyue was still unwilling to conflict with Areshta. No matter the outcome of the conflict, it would only bring harm to Bai Jingyue.

"You used abilities far beyond your supposed capabilities when you saved the girl named Saito Rikoko five months ago, didn't you?" The peculiar voice came again. Areshta immediately questioned Bai Jingyue, and the tone left no room for denial. Mentioning Saito Rikoko also carried a threatening undertone.

"Ah," he sighed. It was just as well; Bai Jingyue had also planned to come clean. He wasn't afraid of Areshta's direct confrontation, but he was afraid of Areshta's underhanded moves. If anyone close to him was hurt, it would be bad. Well, that was the gist of it.

Organizing his thoughts, Bai Jingyue directly met Areshta's gaze. "You're right, so what? After all, with great power comes great responsibility. I just want to live a quiet life."

It seemed like a defense, but Areshta detected the hidden meaning in Bai Jingyue's smiling face. Bai Jingyue took the first step back, showing his sincerity.

"Then how much responsibility can you bear?" This was a test of Bai Jingyue's strength. Sometimes, one had to speak with power. Although Areshta was so close to Bai Jingyue, he wasn't worried at all that Bai Jingyue could harm him. In Areshta's eyes, the power gap was too great.

Bai Jingyue raised his right hand, pointing directly at Areshta in the test tube. In the next moment, countless ice spears appeared around Areshta. Both the speed and range far exceeded Level 3, even approaching Level 5, but such strength wasn't enough to impress Areshta.

However, in the next moment, all the ice spears pointed to the darkness behind Areshta. Areshta couldn't help but be impressed; the ice spears were pointing at one of the highest secrets of Academy City, the angel Aivars!

And now that Bai Jingyue knew this secret, he had to be eliminated! But in the next moment, Areshta frowned.

Part of the liquid in the test tube where Areshta was located had frozen, an impossible situation. That test tube was crucial to Areshta's life, and it could defend against attacks below the level of a demon god.

"Then, now, can we have a serious talk?" Lowering his hand, the ice spears vanished, but the ice blocks floating in the test tube remained conspicuous.

"Bai Jingyue... what do you know, and what have you done?" Now, Areshta had to admit that Bai Jingyue had the right to speak on equal terms.

"Honorable Chairman, I've always believed that only those of equal strength can have a conversation. Those of unequal strength can only oppress." Speaking such harsh words, Bai Jingyue still smiled. "Although I don't know where you got some of the information about me, it's clear that you underestimated me."

"Yes, that's true." Areshta admitted his mistake. In the city he had ruled for so many years, he had become complacent. "I underestimated you. So, let's talk. What do you want to do?" Areshta had to compromise. The ice blocks in the test tube proved that there were things he didn't know, and these things threatened Areshta's life. Areshta could survive outside the test tube for a short time, but he still needed the life support system. If the system was destroyed, Areshta would be doomed.

"First, I need to know how you obtained the information about me. Of course, in exchange, I will tell you my actual abilities."

"No problem."

"Second, I want you to stop all schemes against me and those related to me. In exchange, I will lean towards the scientific side and help you build momentum by becoming Level 5 before the inspection in the summer."

"Oh? You know about the scientific and magical sides? I see. Agreed."

"Lastly, the people I repelled last time seemed to belong to your organization? I also want to establish one, but it will be independent. In exchange, I will help you with tasks I am willing to do, provided I am compensated. How about that?"

After some thought, considering the abandoned plans and Bai Jingyue's value, Areshta nodded. "Agreed."

This was an equal exchange. To show his sincerity, Areshta spoke first: "I obtained that information through the floating circuits in Academy City, which are nanoscale cameras. The people who attacked you were from my direct subordinate organization, ITEM, which is one of the city's security departments but not officially listed. They handle covert operations. If you want to establish one, please provide the name of the organization and find the personnel yourself."

Seeing Areshta's sincerity, Bai Jingyue selectively revealed some information.

"My ability is not ice creation but freezing. I can instantly freeze all liquids within my perception range. Yes, the condition is within my perception range, ignoring all defenses. The range is about the radius of a school district. After I become Level 5, please don't register my true ability; just list it as ice creation. Lastly, the name of the organization will be Protect."

Bai Jingyue's mission was a complete success. The main reason for the successful negotiation was his ability. Bai Jingyue wasn't threatening Areshta; if Areshta was willing, he could kill Bai Jingyue at a cost. Bai Jingyue did this to show Areshta that if he fought to the death, he could take Areshta down with him, thus securing some benefits for himself.

After the talk, Areshta called back Index and had her escort Bai Jingyue out.

"Plan change, this is a significant change, a completely uncontrollable variable." Areshta muttered to himself in the dark, empty space. "No, it can still be controlled. As long as he has enough ties and bonds in Academy City, he won't go down in a fight to the death."

Although he said he wouldn't scheme, it was clear that Bai Jingyue's future life would be very eventful.

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