I don’t know much about Charlie’s family, the Greenbacks. But what I do know is that they are old money.

They are one of the wealthiest families in the world, including other races. Charlie’s father married into the family and was supposed to make a name for himself before becoming a complete family member, but he couldn’t do it.

Charlie stepped up to take on the Greenback’s challenge. If he could prove himself, he would have enough influence to let his dad not worry about money at the very minimum.

Charlie has obviously succeeded, but to what extent.

What he has done is something the current patriarch of the family couldn’t do. Would Charlie be held in his home until he relents and gives the family “their part” of the money? That’s why I asked that question to Cloe, but instead of answering, she suspiciously hung up on me.

My veiled accusal was enough for her to not even try to convince me otherwise. I got what I came here for, even if it’s unsatisfactory. I quietly and quickly leave for any member can stop me and cause me some trouble.

~

Now reunited with Rob, Duchess, and Khan, I decide to visit the dean on campus.

The second year’s tournament is still ongoing, but he discreetly met me in his office.

“Student Ellis, you exceeded my expectations in the tournament.”

“Thank you, dean. The last two fights were more challenging than expected.” I decide to seem humble. People in power like to see people around them devalue themselves while praising their accomplishments. Maybe I am just overthinking this. Not every conversation needs to be a battle.

“It was expected. What was unexpected was your uncanny healing and your absurd tanking capabilities. I believe that if you joined a guild as a tanker, you would be welcomed with open arms.”

A shudder crawls down my spine. If you want to be a tanker, I believe you have a deep-rooted sense of masochism. It’s one thing to be a tank in a video game, where everything is disconnected from reality through a screen. But in real life, having the role of the designated punching bag and always being on the front lines sounds like hell.

“What do you mean by expected? Were there certain expectations already established? Please elaborate.”

The dean looks me dead in the eyes. “The tournament was rigged for you to fight the most powerful opponent for each class type. Only the first fight was untouched. Annabel is the school's precious gem, and Rai is a unique case. His father has a deal with the school that doesn’t require him to take classes.

Befriending one and earning the respect of the other was good work as well.”

Respect? Was there something I wasn’t aware of? More importantly, I hate the feeling of being manipulated.

Everyone with a crumb of power believes they can take advantage of me. Everyone I met with a level advantage considered me a plaything that could be manipulated. I am honestly pissed off. This is how life is, unfortunately. Unless I surpass those around me, I will never be a master.

“Dean Palmer. I need resources to evolve my beasts. That’ll let me get my new class as well. I have a list prepared.”

“We can take a look at that list in a moment. Let’s talk about what a poster child needs to do.”

~

The institute will sponsor what I need (within reason). However, I am supposed to be the institute's “idol.” I don’t need to sing or dance on stage, just all the boring parts.

No alcohol, no dating, no doing anything that could be interpreted as mass murder, just everyday things. I am okay with these limitations.

"I need another clause to be added to the sponsorship contract. I need my personal secrets to stay secrets. I don't want you or anyone else to pry into my beasts or me."

"Hmm, that can be done. However, I cannot promise a 3rd party won't add pressure. Anyone from the Institute won't pressure you into revealing something you are not comfortable explaining."

The dean flicks a finger, and a stack of documents materializes in front of me. I nod and review the contract.

"It says here that the resources I'm allowed don't have a limit, but they are to be approved. What do you mean by this?"

With CC being brand new, we have no idea how markets will change. A set in stone funding may limit you if the economy shifts."

More like, he doesn't want to overfund me. At any point, he could veto something I really need…

Good thing the poster child deal ends when I graduate.

[Ask for weekly stipends until the economy settles. If what you think is correct, the dean would agree and see it as a win. If you haggle back, he will be forced to a middle ground he cannot control.]

I scratch Duchess in thanks. My hand freezes after realization kicks in.

Duchess, can you hear my thoughts?

[Eh, not exactly. Since you are thisss one’s master, I get a rough understanding of what you are thinking about if I am in proximity. When my [Mind] magic got more potent, the thoughts became more apparent. The deeper concepts within [Mind] magic is quite profound, and peering into this field of study takes much intelligence.]

Nerd.

[...]

I follow Duchess’ advice and barter for an allowance. The dean has a hidden sense of delight when I decide not to question his control over my resources. The institute will now pay me 2,000 dollars a week for living expenses for my beasts and me.

A yearly salary of 104,000 dollars is not terrible. It’s pocket change compared to the guilds or the institute.

The dean will send over the things I need for the evolutions by tomorrow, but the first thing I need to do is head to Master Wangs.

~

Luckily, Master Wang is out of his home right now. Rain let me in and allowed me access to the mana gathering formation that Flash Gordon sat on during my trials. The system says that Flash Gordon only needs one more day, but since it doesn’t show lower increments of time. It could be the entire 24 hours or only a few seconds.

I’ve come to an impasse. I can leave Flash Gordon here and do other things or be by his side. Flash Gordon is a big boy and will be fine without me, but I don’t know If I can say the same. I sit in front of Flash Gordon. I watch intently to make sure I don’t miss his evolution.

“…”

[...]

Early into the sunrise, the most spectacular sight reaches my eyes.

Cracks form all over Flash Gordon as a chromatic spectrum of light shines through. The light shifts and changes, bringing a lazy river of light to flood the room. The outer layer of Flash Gordon starts to shift and change. This goes for 20 minutes before he finally “cracks” open to reveal a blogger stone.

[...]

It's amazing. Flash Gordon’s baseball-sized body has grown to a much more impressive softball size. His uniform gray color has been broken into segments by interconnecting pathways of color. His body has gained mass as he hovers slightly off the ground.

[Evolution Completed!]

[Servitude C lv1 (4/5) > Servitude C lv2 (4/5)]

I quickly scaned the new skill and didn’t notice any additonal effects. More important things are at hand, so I open Flash Gordon’s [Status].

Name / Nickname

Flash Gordon.

Species

Elemental Stone (Rare)

Level

50 (0/1,000,000)

Evolution Requirements

Completed

~ ~

Health Points

1225/1225

Mana Points

50/50

Armor Points

50

Might

0

Agility

0

Vigor

245 (135 > 230 + 15)

Mind

0 > 10

Spirit

27 > 50

Luck

5 > 10

~

Traits:

Spiritual Body A

Armor increases by Spirit. Can hit Spiritual Entities. Can float by using their Spirit.

Elemental Body A

The bearer of this body has bound the elements to their body. The user gains massive affinity and resistance to most elements.

~

Skills:

Who Needs Might Anyway A

Damage is calculated with Vigor instead of Might.

Elemental Attunement B

The user may conjure and afflict elemental energy when attacking or defending.

Fragmentation C Lv1

The user may shoot their body out in fragments to deal massive damage. The user reverts back to normal after the skill is used.

Fragments: 5

Damage: Might/2

Cooldown: 1 hour

Siege Weapon C Lv1

The user deals 25% more damage to ‘hard’ targets

Developed Spirit?

Who knows what happens when Spirit gets developed enough. Gain one Spirit per level. Gain Mind stat equal to Spirit/5

~

“...”

Flash Gordon has a new A-rank trait and brand new skills that greatly increase his arsenal. His Might is still 0, but he only needs Vigor. Curiously, his Luck improved even though he didn’t evolve into a [Lucky Stone]. Flash Gordon must be inherently blessed by fortune.

Flash Gordon slowly floats himself into the palm of my hand. It almost brings me to tears, but I cannot cry in front of Flash Gordon. I don’t want him to think I’m soft.

[...]

His new form is a little flashy and may cause ill-wanted attention from envious people.

“Flash Gordon, are you alright with hiding inside my bag for the time being?”

“...”

“Hello, Flash Gordon?”

“...”

Flash Gordon sits in my hand, unmoving.

[Master, Flash has no eyes, ears, or a mouth. Even if he could understand you with your connection as his master, he would have no way of responding. Maybe use a different approach.]

“Don’t state the obvious, Duchess. Flash Gordon is just feeling lazy. Thank you anyway.”

I try to send my intent to Flash Gordon. He floats a bit off my palm before landing right back where he was. I take this as a sign of consent and put him in my bag. Perhaps his claustrophobia has vanished with his evolution.

He floats out of the bag and back into my hands. Maybe it hasn’t disappeared…

~

During the waiting period, dean Palmer contacted me and said the materials were ready for pick up. I asked if he could send them to my address and store them in the garage. He obliged, and now I am running over with the new Flash Gordon in my hands. I move slower than usual, allowing Khan to keep up since his swarm will trail behind if I go too far ahead. I could stuff him in a bag, but he gets pissed off if he has too much energy, so letting him fly after me is good exercise.

Speaking of exercise, the fat snake on my shoulders should get their cardio in too.

[...]