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The seemingly out-of-place comment stunned the man’s listeners once more. But that didn’t stop him from raving about the food, “I would go on to say that you’re as great as the best chefs money could buy. If the circumstances were different, I would’ve hired you in a heartbeat, Ania. Truly, an impressive meal. And though you’ve just begun learning from her, Puula, consider yourself blessed to have such a maestro sharing her secrets and skills.”

No one knew how to respond to such comments. They were all still hung up on the new information. Except for Ania. Strangely, she was far too accustomed to the praise, enough so that it actually emboldened her.

“Why not just take away our clan and make me your personal chef? Wouldn’t that be better than all of this?!”

For just a moment, the man stayed his fork. A sigh escaped his lips and passed over the uneaten bite of potato, blowing off the fresh steam. He then placed the fork back down on the plate with a blank expression. Briefly, he lifted his head to reveal most of his face, all the way to his soft yet piercing dark grey eyes.

“Don’t tempt me, because that wouldn’t turn out well for anyone. But I appreciate the thought and your willingness,” stated the man, only smiling at the very corners of his lips. “Sadly, your clan is more well known than you’d expect, at least among certain circles. And there’s no hope of keeping my identity a secret should I attempt such a bold move...

“However... I can offer something. Vloz, may I have the king’s core?”

.....

The leopard squinted but retrieved the core anyway, placing it atop the table, beneath his paw.

“I won’t be taking it. I’ll be exchanging for it.” Suddenly, two cores appeared beside the man’s half-empty plate. “Two peak perennial cores should be worth the core of a barely ascended king.”

With the casual swipe of his hand, the two cores rolled across the table. One stopped in front of Vloz and the other in front of Ania.

“Your other option would be to trade it on the market, but that would draw some unwanted attention as well as take quite a while. I believe this is a fair trade so why not accept it?”

Ania glanced at Vloz, and Vloz at Ania. At the same time, Puula kept her mouth shut as she had already been overwhelmed and desensitized to the man’s antics. Jarrit, however, eyed those cores with a tinge of jealousy.

“How long have you been stuck at the peak? Still searching for a space core to absorb?”

Blinking, Jarrit’s focus broke away from the casually offered cores. The old mage nodded firmly as he met the man’s soft gaze. “I’ve yet to find a peak core to aid my ascension...”

“Because you only have an early perennial technique?”

As his pupils tightened and his stare sharpened, Jarrit nodded again.

Offering a half-smile, the man shrugged his shoulders. “That would make sense... Space cultivators are rare enough, and most remnant cores of old were made into void equipment... You’re both fortunate and unfortunate to have your natural gifts, aren’t you?”

“In a way... Would you happen to–”

“Be careful.” Interrupting Jarrit’s question, the man’s expression became a teasing smile. “Don’t half-heartedly bargain with me. If you want to discuss something, be frank and we can discuss things like proper cultivators.”

Coughing softly, Jarrit took a moment to rethink his question, “Is there a way you can get me a peak perennial core with spatial affinity?”

“That depends. What would you offer in return?”

“Everything I have and am.”

“Everything? I told you–”

“If I don’t ascend soon, death will eventually catch up to me,” Jarrit stated plainly. “And if you can save me from the fate of time, then why wouldn’t I wholly offer myself?”

For the first time, the man leaned his chin and lips into his fist, resting his elbow on the table. Everyone could practically see his mental gears grinding as they processed information he hadn’t fully anticipated.

“... And what about Rhyner?”

“You don’t know about our deal?”

“Oh I do, but I also understand your relationship. You’re willing to disregard that because of me? Tell me.”

“He would understand. Also, you’re helping him now, so my leave for an exceptional opportunity wouldn’t be as impactful as I had previously anticipated.”

“... I can afford to enslave a king with spatial affinity, so why should I waste time and resources helping you?”

The others at the table sat in silence. They motionlessly allowed Jarrit to confront the man’s serious stare on his own. Just the mention of such wealth and power was entirely jarring as it was, so they couldn’t help but wait a few moments to mentally recover.

“I–”

“Again, be frank. But you shouldn’t rush into this without thinking properly. That isn’t like you.”

Getting interrupted for the second time, Jarrit bit his lip. He took a few deep breaths. Ignoring the others, Jarrit blinked and eventually looked back into the man’s strict, lukewarm gaze.

“I may only be a peak perennial at the moment, but my reputation can speak for itself. If anything, making it as far as I have with a technique barely fitting of a perennial grade should say plenty. With better resources, and little to no need of guidance, I would easily enter the king plane and possibly reach the peak.”

“Only the peak king realm?”

“...”

Jarrit blinked. The others blinked even more than him.

“Is that your goal? Merely the peak king realm?” the man rephrased his question. “If you dare to display your ambition, then show me every morsel of it. What’s your true goal?”

“To do as Dominus did.” The old mage answered instantaneously, further shocking the others. “To prove that spatial cultivators aren’t merely tools to acquire, but that they stand among the most capable cultivators, with arguably the greatest potential.”

“Ahhh...” Squinting slightly, the man nodded. “Is that your final answer?”