Chapter 1332: A Private Offer

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    "Wait... what?"

    Hearing Aster''s words, it was now Valyr''s turn to be at a loss for words. "Was everything so far just a lead-up to this conversation?"

    "Partly," replied the man with a slight chuckle. "The three clans do want you to represent the three clans as a whole by the time the tournament comes around."

    "However, it''s also true that the Stelyra clan has the same intentions in mind, just without the inclusion of the two other clans."

    Though he was having a slightly hard time wrapping his head around the current topic, the young man decided to continue where it was going, getting the feeling that his confusion would be cleared up at some point.

    With that, he asked a question that he felt was important to establish before they continued their conversation. "Are you merely saying that as the head of the Stelyra clan, or is the decision collectively made by the entire Stelyra clan?"

    "Both," said Aster, his expression calm. "Though I do admit that most of the reason why I''m making a separate offer is due to my own judgment, I have also discussed this with the other high-ranking members of the clan beforehand."

    "Thankfully, the majority were in favor of having you represent our clan in the upcoming tournament."

    "But why me, specifically?" asked Valyr after that. "It''s not like it would be difficult to find another person that''s talented enough to represent your clan in the tournament."

    "It wouldn''t." Aster agreed with his words. "In fact, it would be far easier to find someone with a similar talent to you using the resources and networks we have."

    "However, there''s one thing you''ve failed to take into consideration when I made the decision."

    "And that would be?" Valyr asked, his eyebrow raised.

    "Your existence as a Player," replied Aster, prompting the young man to remain silent as the man continued to explain his reasoning.

    "Although I did say that it wouldn''t be difficult to find someone with your level of talent using the clan''s resources, I''m certain that it would be far harder to find someone with your rate of improvement."

    "Of course, that''s only if I limit myself to people similar to me."

    "Not at all." Expecting Aster to frown at his confession, the young man was instead surprised to see the man smiling.

    "If anything, I would''ve found it more odd if you hadn''t made a deal with the Mage Guild beforehand. After all, they''d have more information on you than us nobles could have."

    "And just so you know, all we got was a small tip from one of the guild''s attendants," said Aster with a faint smile, confident that the guild had already spilled the beans regarding the matter to Valyr.

    "In any case, since you''ve already made a deal with the Mage Guild, then I''ll just have to discuss with their director over the matter," continued the man with a slight shrug, his expression exuding immense confidence.

    "Of course, that doesn''t mean I''ll change any of the rewards I''ve offered to you thus far. They remain the same."

    "...Why are you giving me such preferential treatment?" With Aster not finding his deal with the Mage Guild a problem, Valyr already had no qualms in his mind to accept the additional

    offer.

    However, that didn''t mean he didn''t find the man''s attitude towards him slightly suspicious, especially with how the rewards were greatly in his favor.

    "Because I''m confident you''ll do greater things in the future." Though, when he heard the man''s response to his question, Valyr was briefly reminded of the interaction he had with the

    man back then in Clossbay City.

    Recalling about how ready the man was in answering all of his queries back then while also

    keeping an eye out for him, the young man was reminded once more that Aster was like that

    from the first time he met him.

    With that, Valyr found no reason to delay his reply any further, looking at the man with a smile filled with gratitude.

    "I won''t betray the trust you''ve given me."

    In response, Aster nodded in agreement as he smiled back.

    "I''m sure you won''t."