CHAPTER 404: CHAPTER 404. DEAL

Elder Calma Smith returned shortly with a response after excusing herself briefly to make a call.

She personally couldn’t believe that the higher-ups had agreed to this.

Kailen Darkhaven was gonna become a gold-ranked member of the Long Hai and Kazuka training halls.

This was something that made her question whether or not she was dreaming.

She was a rank 5 intermediate stage galactic-level lifeform, someone who would be respected in every low-tier civilisation she ventured into, and yet, she was only a diamond-ranked member.

However, a kid who was rumored to be a rank 1 beginner stage ascendant-level lifeform had become a gold-ranked member of these two training halls when she was just a diamond-ranked member of one.

It was true that Kailen Darkhaven was a rank 1 Black Flask, and that put his strength at the rank 7 beginner stage galactic level, but still...

Kailen Darkhaven had achieved something she had been working for, for centuries, in a moment!

Sigh...

She maintained her composure and decided to proceed with sealing the deal.

"How about you become a gold-ranked member of the Long Hai training hall and the Kazuka training hall?"

Kailen smiled warmly, pleased with the outcome of things.

"Then I’m pleased to cooperate with you."

They shook hands on it and signed a rune oath that the moment Kailen managed to fulfill the end of the deal, he’d be made a gold member of the two organisations.

However, if he failed for some reason, nothing would happen to him.

After all, he was there to try to help, and anything was possible. There was the possibility that he wouldn’t have a solution to whatever had been done to the two geniuses of the training halls.

The rune oath was sensible enough to not make things absurd.

"When do we begin?"

"After the banquet. I will take you to the physical location of the Long Hai training hall branch in the Astral Empire, and we will begin."

Kailen nodded to her words.

"Before we go, there are a few things I will have to deal with first. So, I will let you know when I’m done settling that, and we will begin."

"Sounds good to me, Black Flask."

Clang... clang...

Silence ensued in the hall as all eyes traced toward the tall male demihuman in elegant clothes standing in the centre.

Flanked by him were two other demihumans, his son and his niece: Arnold and Henrita.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am extremely honored to be your host for this evening.

Thank you so much for honoring my invitation. I’m extremely pleased and honored you were all able to make it.

It is quite sad that the Emperor couldn’t grace us with his presence this evening because duty has called him.

But he sent his representatives from the royal family to honor us with their presence, and we are extremely grateful for that.

Tonight, we gather to celebrate the recovery of my dear son Arnold. Congratulations and cheers to him!"

Kadmen raised his glass and toasted to Arnold, as the distinguished guests in the gathering toasted back.

"Congratulations and cheers to you, young sir Arnold!"

Arnold raised his glass with happiness etched on his face.

He responded to all the compliments and congratulations directed toward him, even if a couple of them were practiced and robotic.

Quickly, his eyes scanned the crowd, where he noticed a young man with enigmatic dark eyes and pale skin, with smooth dark hair donned in an elegant black suit, flanked by a beautiful white-haired lady in a flowing white dress with a warm aura around her.

Ross nudged Arnold, who nodded simply and approached Kailen Darkhaven.

"We meet again, Black Flask Darkhaven."

Arrie was about to give them some privacy, but Arnold simply stated politely:

"Oh please, ma’am. Kindly stay. I actually came to express my gratitude to Black Flask Darkhaven personally."

He looked at Kailen with an expression of deep gratitude. Arnold knew he couldn’t do anything to thank Kailen for saving him. He could only express his thanks in a sincere manner.

"Sincerely, thank you for what you did for me."

Kailen knew he was being sincere.

He replied, "There’s no need to thank me, Sir Arnold. I simply wanted to fulfill a mission for academy credits and recognition. It wasn’t like I was being a selfless person when I helped you, but you’re welcome."

"Hehe. You are a very straightforward person, and I can’t help but admire you. Come, let me introduce my benefactor officially to everyone."

Kailen and Arrie nodded and followed him to the center of the hall.

Arnold drew the attention of the crowd this time, instead of his father.

"Standing right by me is the man who made all this possible. I’m sure many of you know him as Runesmith Darkhaven, the Crimson Devil, but most popularly as Black Flask Darkhaven! He’s the one who saved me when all hope was lost. Before everyone, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to him for everything he has done for me."

Before the crowd, Arnold bent his waist in a manner of respect toward Kailen.

"Thank you for everything, sir. And from today, I vow to serve you with my life. Whenever you need me, I will be there for you! I have thought long and hard about this decision, and this is what I have decided to do, so please, do not stop me, and allow me to repay you for what you did for me by letting me serve by your side, sir."

The hall was extremely silent.

Awakeners were extremely proud individuals, and even if someone had saved one’s life, dedicating your life to serve them was not something that was easy to do.

There were other ways to repay the kindness of a savior.

So why was Arnold Kadmen going to this extent?

This was the question on almost the minds of everyone in the room.

Before Kailen could even respond, Ross Kadmen added, as he patted Kailen’s shoulder gently and chuckled,

"I’ve asked him on consecutive occasions if he is sure of this decision, and trust me, he has never been more certain of anything, young friend."

Kailen nodded to Ross Kadmen’s words warmly, his gaze landing on Arnold again.

The way Kadmen addressed Kailen, young friend, did not go unnoticed by the individuals gathered in the hall.

It had sealed the deal.

Ross Kadmen was not just backing Kailen Darkhaven.

He saw the young man as a friend.

Who was Ross Kadmen?

He was a mysterious powerhouse even the royal family had to give face to. It was not like the royal family succumbed to him or anything, but he was terrifying enough to make them respect him and not put on proud airs around him.

And this person had openly declared Kailen Darkhaven to be his friend?

And not only that, his son wanted to serve Kailen Darkhaven?

Ignoring the facial expressions of most of the people in the room, which gave away their thought processes to Kailen, he stared at Arnold, still performing a waist-length bow to him.

He knew Arnold was being sincere.

But he didn’t need anyone to serve him.

If Arnold wanted to grow among his circle, he was okay with that.

He had his shadow creatures for servants, and even amongst them, there were a couple he treated as companions.

"There’s no need for you to serve me. However, I could use a very loyal friend." Kailen tapped him on the shoulder gently. He spoke with utmost sincerity.

"What do you say to that, Mr. Arnold Kadmen?"

Arnold resumed his normal posture.

"I’ll gladly take you up on that. Please, call me Arnold."

"Call me Kailen as well. And meet my sweetheart, my fiance, the woman who makes me a better man, Arrie Hall."

Under the gazes of the crowd, some ladies who were extremely envious of Arrie, Arnold and Ross exchanged warm words with her.

As for Henrita, Kailen didn’t even look at her.

She was having mixed feelings at this point.

She remembered how she had treated Kailen when they first met.

Had she not judged a book by its cover, things would have turned out well between them.

Maybe she’d even be the one in Arrie Hall’s place, right?

Of course, she didn’t know that even if Kailen had become well acquainted with her, she still wouldn’t stand a chance, as Kailen had a place for only Arrie in his heart.

Anyway, she knew well that no matter how close Kailen became with Arnold, her cousin, there was now this chasm between them that couldn’t be crossed.

Kailen Darkhaven was someone who held grudges.

He may have let the way she treated him that day slide for the sake of Ross Kadmen and Arnold, but that didn’t mean he would ever associate himself with her.

Naturally, Ross and Arnold noticed this and couldn’t help but sigh.

But they couldn’t do anything for her.

She brought this on herself.

Kailen decided to call the rest of the group over and introduce them to Ross Kadmen, who also introduced them to a couple of friends like Aurelius Zeynar and a few others.

Very soon, Ross Kadmen drew the attention of the crowd again.

It was time for the banquet games.