Hearing the reason why Shane wanted his talent Jason was a little bit flabbergasted
'They want to nurture me so I can unite humanity? Did they fall on their heads or was their isolation bad for their mental health?'
Jason was a rather gentle kid but he had never led anyone, rather than that he was a social-cripple who couldn't even socialize in school.
How should he change the mind of powerhouses comparable to Shane if he was like that?
Even if he wasn't fond of the society with its hierarchical system, it was only normal to let stronger ones lead weaker humans with the exception of a few wise men and women.
The only thing that really shocked him was the enmity among humans and the big clans.
They were already under a devastating threat and now Jason found out that humans additionally fought against each other?
It sounded like a bad joke and Jason paled thinking about millions of humans that died needlessly because of that.
Shane and Dalia noticed that and they couldn't really do anything to help him understand the current situation.
The most problematic was that the information they provided about Canir were already outdated and the threat from foreign races could have increased by a large margin
'But why me? Can´t they search for someone else? It´s not like I´m a saint or something like that.'
Jason needed some time to think their proposal through when a certain question nagged at him.
"I have a question about the Goblin break out...Both of you are under the assumption that the Black Origin Flame can´t be from Astrix and is probably from someone supporting the Goblin King to reign over the island, right?
Is it possible that another faction from the human race supported the Goblin King and provided it with enough resources, to nurture a runemaster, blacksmiths, and even an unawakened Origin Flame?"
This question was essential for Jason to figure out what to do. Even if the chance was minuscule, it couldn´t be accepted that some humans could decide over more than 300 million lives only because of some small benefits.
He knew that Seron and Till were good examples for descendants from big families and Jason also thought that not every big family would sacrifice humans to gain small benefits, but they were most likely the minority.
Jason had read enough stories about humans to find out that they are greedy enough to sacrifice or murder others in order to gain wealth and power.
Shane sighed while Dalia looked down, visibly sad.
"In my opinion, this incident was most likely planned by a foreign race.
However, Astrix is one of the furthest islands from the main continents with the foreign races situated on.
As such I'm relatively sure that humans participated in this whole Goblin King issue. I can't say for sure that one of the big families, clans, or companies participated, but the chance is definitely there.
And to be honest, It wouldn't be surprising."
Shane said and Jason saw that his eyes gleamed in anger and frustration, as he was also a victim of the greed from the big clans.
All of them wanted Dalia´s special physique and he wanted to protect her. As such he became a devil in humanity's eyes, while the true devils lived among humans.
He had to hide, while the others could continue with their hideous acts.
Jason had already the bad premonition that humans were colluding with foreign races for a long time, but figuring out the truth was still appalling.
More than ten minutes passed and he was still unable to gather his thoughts, while Dalia ordered the Dryads to release some of their fragrance to ease Jason´s mind.
She was sorry for Jason because he was only 14 years old and they asked him to unite humanity.
It seemed extremely wrong to force such a huge responsibility on him, but after searching for 70 years, Jason was the first one that seemed to have the potential needed to accomplish this task.
His soul´s size was incredibly huge, his soul energy reproduction was fast and he could already practice the five-braided helix of the Heaven´s Hell technique.
Additionally, his body was cleansed by an unknown, yet high-ranked Origin flame, Jason´s mana core rank would increase extremely fast and his combat prowess was superior to most peers without gaining any special instruction since a young age.
They also found out that Jason´s knowledge was vast while his memory seemed extraordinary due to the fact, that he had already refined his brain, which Shane also observed.
Having formed a sub-area at the age of 14 was also a feat, not many could accomplish.
And in the end, Jason seemed extremely calm during important moments, while his determination was not ascertainable.
Dalia wondered, how Shane found Jason, but he seemed to be their final solution!
It was already lunchtime when Jason gathered his thoughts.
After thinking for a long time, he came to the final decision, but another question in his mind should give the final drop to his answer.
"This question might sound rude, but what can both of you provide me if I try my best in uniting humanity? There is not really much I'm lacking right now… only time and I can purchase resources with the spoils I received from the Goblin King´s basement."
Jason had now enough wealth to purchase a vast pile of resources, after selling the herbs and ores he collected.
Was there even the need for him to promise the Blair´s to unite humanity, If he was not confident in leading anyone, or even achieving the required strength?
Not really!
In the end, Jason could only think of a few things, they could provide and he wanted to hear them saying it before he would tell them his decision.
The two of them were prepared to answer this question and it was only obvious to ask that after they noticed that Jason got a fortune from the basement and in addition even an unknown ranked Origin Flame.
"First of all, we don't want to provide you with mana stones and other resources like that, because we think you shouldn't completely rely on us.
But that doesn't mean we can't give you anything. While I´m a Rank 7 Blacksmith and Rank 5 runemaster, Dalia is a Rank 7 Alchemist and Rank 6 Beast Creator, which is mainly because of her physique. We can teach you all lifestyle Artisan occupations and in addition the Beast creator occupation. Due to that, you can gain a fortune by selling your products later on.
Our knowledge surpasses that of almost all humans, with the exception of a few old hag and gramps I know and it is extremely rare that someone at our age takes in multiple disciples.
Both of us want to teach you everything, while Dalia can even help you with the control over Origin flame, which even fewer people can provide.
And I doubt you believe, we don't know any martial art techniques? Don´t forget that both of us hail from prosperous clans, even if mine has fallen a long time ago.
I noticed that Little Till gave you the unique technique[Splitting Mind] after you've accomplished a mission...Let me be honest... I can give you more, once your body is ready...There is also the family heirloom from the Shore family, which is a Blessed graded technique that was found in a temporary manifested rift."
Shane finished and Jason who wanted to remain calm, couldn't help but sweat as his eyes shined with desire.
`The cream of the crop..` Jason thought as he heard about the Artisan ranks of Shane and Dalia…
To be honest, this was already enough for him to accept their proposal...
His desire to obtain more knowledge was insatiable and furthermore, he obtained the opportunity to learn exclusive and rare martial art techniques.
As such he couldn't contain himself anymore, even if Shane didn´t say what Jason wanted to hear.
"REALLY?" He shouted and jumped up. "Can I learn everything?"
The desire in Jason's eyes shocked Shane and Dalia. Dalia smiled brightly and gently said
"Of course you can… " before adding " If you provide me with enough mana, I can even increase your soul beasts potential to a certain degree, if you want to."
Now the words, Jason wanted to hear fell and he looked at Dalia seriously
"Really?" and his voice grew even more excited
Shane looked at Dalia with a blank gaze.
`Does she like this brat that much` He wondered, as increasing the potential of beasts would hurt her, even with the required resources supplied.
It wouldn´t shorten her lifespan but Dalia was sensible to pain and would avoid it if possible.
"Hmm" Dalia nodded with a gentle smile. She noticed Shane´s gaze but decided to ignore it.
Sighing, Shane turned back to Jason and warned him.
"There are a few things you should know, once you decide to either accept or decline our proposal.
If you decline it, you´ll have to form an advance soul contract, that you have never seen or heard about us.
Lying to us or thinking about breaking the contract will immediately kill you, but it is still better than torture, right?
Accepting our proposal means that most big families will hunt you because learning from us makes you our disciple.
The chances to die once that happens, are high, to put it simple.
Furthermore, once you accept our proposal, don´t force Dalia to use her physique too often, it's dangerous!"
Jason already predicted that he would be hunted once he accepted the proposal stated by Shane but the last sentence caused Jason to look confused.
"Is it really that dangerous to increase the potential of beasts?" He asked innocently, slightly worried about Dalia.
She was extremely nice to Jason and could be considered a cute granny.
Thinking that she would be in danger because if she increased beast potential would be frustrating.
Shane was about to answer as Dalia interrupted
"It is per se not dangerous, it only hurts and my body is sensitive to pain. I won't die or receive permanent injuries"
But Jason looked worried at Dalia and said
"Can't that be prevented?"
Shane stated
"It can be prevented but the resources required to upgrade a beast's potential triple or increase by even more and thus It would be much easier to search for magical treasures with the same effect.
Fortunately, Dalia won´t feel much pain to increase the potential of beasts below the magical rank. As such, after you accept our proposal, we immediately accept you as our disciple."
Gritting his teeth Shane added
"Once you have the required resources, Dalia can increase your soulbonds potential to the unblemished rank, without receiving many backslashes but after that, it´ll be painful."
Jason was already sure what to decide, but after hearing Dalia´s offer he was touched.
"I don´t want the weak to suffer, but I can´t promise anything..." He hesitated because he was unsure if he would be able to do it.
Furthermore, he was unsure what he wanted to do in the future and if accepting their proposal was even useful for him, as he had to shoulder a huge responsibility in this case.
Looking up, Shane and Dalia looked at each other for a moment, before they nodded, accepting that Jason would have to give his best, as Jason was their best solution they found within the last 70 years.
They weren´t even sure if they searched already for too long and it could already too late.
Noticing their approval, Jason sighed in relief, as he said
"Disciple greets Master Shane and Master Dalia… it´s an honor to meet both of you"
The whole atmosphere lifted up and Dalia´s smile was now even brighter, almost radiating the whole room while even Shane sighed in relief, showing a thin smile.
Nobody would know what was going to happen in the future, but Jason´s decision to accept the "Deuce-Master", was the best choice he could have ever made.