Reborn as the Genius Son of the Richest Family

Chapter 1266: Double offer

This time, it was Michael who got too ahead of himself.

"Ahem. I mean, I want to accept. I really, really, want to say yes."

Eldea leaned forward. "So you should. Jaku is your subordinate. He is your ally. And most importantly, he is your friend. By forcing him to become my student, he will only become a better version of himself. Don’t let his laziness get in the way of that. Sometimes, you have to push people in order for them to come out of their shell."

Michael pursed his lips. "Yes. and if that’s all that mattered, then I would have already accepted it."

This made Eldea a little bit frustrated. "Then accept it! Or are the benefits not enough?

Let me tell you this. Your company and your territory here in the Parched Lands have already gathered quite the reputation back in the Upper Echelon area. And perhaps, this will cause other companies to take action against you.

You will need to prepare. You will need to arm yourselves to the teeth. And from what I can see, your nation is not yet ready for it. You have powerful talents, but you do not have the army to defend yourself against others.

In fact, it’s one of the reasons why your company hasn’t reached Upper Echelon status."

Now this was surprising news to Michael. He always thought that it was because the Upper Echelons hadn’t accepted him yet. But as it turned out, there was a hidden criteria that he needed to fulfill?

"Money, Power, Fame. Those are the three things that dictated the rankings for a company.

Have one of those three, and you could consider yourself as a successful company. Usually, those in the top 500 to top 300 companies in the Golden Ranking have excelled in one of those three qualities.

Once you excel in two qualities, then you can possibly become ranked in the top 200 and below. Perhaps, even in the top 100.

Right now, your company is in that area. But in truth, you are already more successful than even companies in the top 50! Your Money and your Fame far excels than even most of the Upper Echelon companies.

Really, it’s only your Power aspect that’s keeping your company in the lower 100 rankings. It’s completely nonexistent. You haven’t proven yourself to be capable to defend against other Upper Echelon companies.

Yes, you have the Dragonborns. You yourself are a Nascent Spirit cultivator. You have the officers and the top powers needed for an Upper Echelon organization. However, you still lack your army. It’s the true measure of power.

Once you have your army completely organized, then you will finally be recognized as an Upper Echelon."

This revelation made Michael finally realize the reason for his stunted place in the Golden Rankings.

It was his army that was lacking.

"With me as Jaku’s teacher, I will be able to help you with that. I know that building an army is hard. And it’s not something that can be done in a matter of a few months.

But I do have something that I can help you with. If you are able make your officers incredibly strong. So strong, in fact, that you do not have any need for an army, then perhaps you can become an Upper Echelon without having to prove your need for an army."

This definitely was interesting enough for Michael to hear out. "How?"

"Your Dragonborns. I can see that they are all powerful in their own right. But just like Jaku, they are unpolished piece of gems. Once they are sharpened, I can see that they’re all individually more powerful than anyone in the Upper Echelon society.

And for them to become the fully realized version of their potential, they will need a teacher.

I have connections. I have a personal relationship with the other Heavenly Knights. With a single call or letter from me, I can have them come here and teach your Dragonborns."

Michael held his breath, his eyes widening. This was a chance that made his heart beat with excitement. "Really?!"

Eldea nodded. "Usually, those people are hermits. They don’t leave their homes without any good reason. They don’t even do it for our meetings. However, if I tell them that I found incredible talents in your company, which would not be a lie, then they would find themselves compelled to go here and teach themselves."

She knew that just like her, the other Heavenly Knights were just raring to have a powerful student under their care. However, talent was rare.

Luckily for the Reborn company, they weren’t lacking in talent. In fact, they had an abundance for it. The Dragonborns were truly one of a kind.

"If I become Jaku’s teacher, then you can be assured that the other Dragonborns will have Heavenly Knights as their teachers as well."

Michael pursed his lips. It took him everything in his power not to immediately say yes. This was too tempting of an offer!

"Urgh! I really want to say yes!"

"Then do it!"

"I can’t!"

"But why?"

Eldea was starting to get impatient.

"It’s because you’re not the only ones who asked me that question today."

...

...

...

Michael and Eldea walked out of their meeting room, finding themselves in the open area training field outside.

In the distant horizon, they can see a gathering of people in the desert. People marching. People swinging swords.

It took one look for Eldea to realize that Reborn was training an army.

"So you’re already preparing an army," she realized. "I didn’t think you had the capacity—"

It was at this moment that Eldea’s incredible senses finally kicked in.

She put her focus on the few powerful swordsmen training the recruits. They felt familiar. They seemed like well-trained soldiers that she had seen before.

Then, she saw him. Overseeing recruits at the center of the camp was a familiar face. A familiar fire on his chest.

"The Lionhearts?! You... they... they’re training your recruits?!"

Pure shock was written on her face. Shock and awe.