"I hope Elder Yorem can ensure no one else bothers me while I am reading in the Martial Arts Repository," Vaan requested before adding, "I don't want my reading time to be disturbed. The waste of time hinders my progress."

Having grown to appreciate Vaan's talent, Elder Yorem would definitely agree. Anyone who tried to stop such a peerless genius from growing would be an enemy of his.

However, Elder Yorem also felt Vaan's request wasn't selfish enough.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Elder Yorem frowned before quickly adding, "If you want, you can be more selfish, you know? With your background and talent, I doubt anyone will continue to bother your reading here."

"How about I take care of this kid for you?" Elder Yorem directed a stern gaze at Acharon, causing the latter to feel weak in the knees.

Naturally, Elder Yorem only implied he would ban Acharon from the Martial Arts Repository. He didn't have the authority to execute a martial student arbitrarily, nor did Acharon do anything bad enough to warrant death.

However, Elder Yorem's oppressive pressure still made Acharon scared for his life, which wasn't surprising.

After all, Acharon was only a Low-level Rank 4 Body Refiner. On the other hand, Elder Yorem was a Half-step Transcendent Body Refiner.

What was a Half-step Transcendent Body Refiner?

It was someone who had successfully taken half a step into the transcendent rank of body refining. If they did not die an untimely death, it was only a matter of time before they fully became a Rank 5 Body Refiner.

"He seems to have a malicious heart. It won't do the Martial Hall any good if this kind of seedling is allowed to grow," Elder Yorem further commented, fully taking Vaan's side by making Acharon a villain and scaring him.

Although Acharon wanted to complain, he didn't dare to refute Elder Yorem's words. He didn't even dare to leave, even though he wished to disappear at that very instant.

"Elder Yorem has spoken too seriously," Vaan smiled at the opportunity granted to him.

"The conflict between Senior Martial Brother Acharon and I is just a small conflict between juniors of the younger generation and should be treated as such. Moreover, Senior Martial Brother Acharon was just looking out for his junior martial brothers and sisters."

"So, in my opinion, there's no need to punish Senior Martial Brother Acharon for falsely accusing me and trying to ban me from the Martial Arts Repository," Vaan spoke on Acharon's behalf.

His words made everyone stupefied and confused, especially Acharon.

Since they were opponents from rival factions, it was already surprising that Vaan did not seek revenge against him when he was given the opportunity. And yet, he even spoke up for him. That wasn't something a normal person would do.

Acharon suddenly had mixed feelings.

As a member of Duke Gamliel's faction, he should destroy Vaan to prevent him from threatening his lord's goals. But as a person, he could not bring himself to hate Vaan.

Acharon sighed at the fact that Vaan did not belong to Duke Gamliel's faction. Otherwise, he believed they could become friends.lightsnovel

"Oh?" Elder Yorem was impressed by Vaan's open-heartedness and smiled, "Since you have said that much, I won't pursue this matter."

"However, there are some things this old man would like to say. This old man doesn't care about the politics outside the Martial Hall. Still, I should remind you that you and Martial Student Acharon are from different opposing factions."

"As long as your two factions continue to clash, you will keep facing each other. Today, you can spare him. But tomorrow, he might not spare you. It would be best to remember that," Elder Yorem advised.

"Thank you for your concern, Elder Yorem," Vaan sincerely replied before arguing, "However, you have spoken too seriously again. There are no eternal allies and no perpetual enemies. As long as interests align, even enemies can become friends."

"And I prefer to make friends instead of enemies," Vaan added with a devious smile while facing Elder Yorem, but his words seemed to be for someone else's ears.

When Acharon heard that, it was like his brain had lit up like a lightbulb.

'That's right! I can bring this person from Duke Zaahir's faction to our side! Due to the lord's suppressive tactics, Duke Zaahir's domain hasn't been doing too well in recent years. As such, Duke Zaahir shouldn't have much to offer this talented young man. We can definitely offer better.'

Acharon was enlightened.

Nevertheless, since the matter was settled, Elder Yorem dismissed the crowd of martial students, telling them not to bother Vaan as he made good on his promise.

Since Vaan had already decided, Elder Yorem didn't try to persuade him and soon returned to his supervising seat.

"Thank you, Junior Martial Brother Vanderlin. You have done me a great favor," Acharon sighed before suggesting, "If possible, I would invite you to have a meal. We may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but we can start over."

"I believe we can get along well. What do you think, Junior Martial Brother Vanderlin?" Acharon asked.

Vaan also sighed, seemingly exaggeratedly, as if he had gotten a huge stone off his back, and said emotionally, "If Senior Martial Brother Acharon doesn't look down on this little brother, I, too, believe we can get along very, very well."

"Nonsense!" Acharon barked with false anger, seemingly displeased, and said, "Regardless of your background or status, I admire your character, and that's enough. I can look down on anyone but not you, Junior Martial Brother Vanderlin."

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"Hearing that makes me feel relieved," Vaan sighed again before saying without shame, "You see, I am actually very poor…so poor that even though Duke Zaahir gave me a priceless pill like the Rank 4 Body Reformation Pill, I don't dare use it on myself."

"Haiz…" Vaan further sighed before mentioning, "Since Senior Martial Brother Acharon is from Duke Gamliel's faction, I wonder if you have a connection to anyone wealthy. It would be great if I could find a wealthy buyer who can offer a good price for this pill… Haiz…"

Acharon's mind blanked for a moment before he blinked several times, straightened his back, and clasped his hands together with a friendly, almost servile smile.

"T-This little brother… What did you say you wanted to sell again?" Acharon carefully asked with his best attitude.

If Acharon's attitude towards Vaan had not yet gone through a hundred and eighty degrees turn before, then it definitely did now.