Chapter 143 - Discussing Oli's Future

'Would it be better if I was dead?'

'What are you talking about?! Stop--'

'Think about it, Vloz.' Oli elaborated, 'Some powerful people learned that Dad was alive and that resulted in a king cultivator coming to claim me as their subordinate, putting the entire territory in danger. Wouldn't it be best if I was dead, according to record?'

'Oh… I see,' sighed Vloz, glad to have misinterpreted Oli.

Continuing, Oli mentioned, 'If I'm presumed dead, then that means the territory won't be targeted by such powerful people. I doubt they would attack for Mom's sake since they didn't bother trying anything with her last time. With me dead, the territory will be able to progress as it should.'

'That may be true but what are we to do with you then? Ania is heartbroken from your kidnapping and there are plenty of people anxiously waiting for my return with you in tow,' stated Vloz.

'Sadly, I think me being dead would be best. The more I think about it, the more I agree with the idea.'

'But Oli, you would never be able to come back. That would--'

'Why never? I'll be able to return once I'm strong enough, right? If I'm able to defend myself against those trying to capture me, then what else would keep me away?' reasoned Oli.

'And how will you accomplish that without us guiding you and protecting you?' questioned Vloz. 'And don't just say, 'My father did it and so can I'. Don't forget, your father died to those people. It's a harsh reality, but your rate of survival drastically drops without proper guidance and protection. Without us shielding you for what you're unable to handle, what will keep you alive till then?'

'Well… If we think about it, that strange man has given me the perfect opportunity to live a new life disguised as a human? Who would suspect a novice beast to take a human form? I doubt any major figures would compare me to my old self, the novice gorilla from a different prefecture. Here, I can even wield both essences without fear and can learn to create my own cultivation technique,' stated Oli.

'Oh… If you could learn that, then your other essence…' Vloz blinked, realizing why OIi was set on remaining a human for the time being. 'But can you do that so easily? I imagine you've got a reason to be traveling with such weak humans, right?'

'They're with the Practor Family, whose patriarch offered me a chance to join the local institute. I'll be able to study formations and human magic while I'm at it, piecing together a way to create a new cultivation technique,' explained Oli. 'That patriarch also traded me his original cultivation technique and offered to help me through the learning process.'

Pausing for a second, Vloz asked, 'Oli, how did you get that from him?'

'Hmm?'

'What did you trade to get his cultivation technique?'

'Oh… Well, don't tell Uncle Rathe but I traded his Sundering Fist to get it.'

'Oli… please tell me it was fair?'

Shrugging, Oli mentioned, 'Though it's technically an elder grade technique, being original it's both imperfect and alterable. I exchanged the Sunder Fist for it because I felt the splitting nature of earth essence would pair with a sword-based cultivation technique, which Patriarch Hurman happily confirmed.'

'Don't tell me you used telepathy to pass the technique?' Vloz sighed, already knowing what Oli was about to say.

'Yeah… but I talked my way out of it!' Oli stated. 'But since you're here, I'll need your help with something.'

'I won't be leaving you alone until we decide what you're doing for the time being, which is still up in the air in my opinion. Now, explain why you need me specifically.'

'To avoid being revealed as a beast, I've been using the background of nomad cultivator but Hurman now thinks I'm a runaway noble who's currently unable to return home. Since that's true, I ran with it and he eventually asked to relocate his family to our territory.'

'What?!'

'Hurman offered to open a sword school, but we then agreed on him expanding the academy to teach formations and human magic. Having a human patrician clan would attract more people to the territory and increase the influence of Iron Academy. Plus, why wouldn't we want his knowledge and resources as a cultivator that managed to create his own technique? He may not be a perennial just yet, but it's obvious why people have respected him as a mere elder.'

Mulling over Oli's explanation, Vloz nodded somewhat in agreement. 'I'll admit, having a human family become the next patrician clan would be highly beneficial to us. And should they agree to expand our academy, then there's even more reason to make this happen.

'However, how will Hurman's opinion change after learning that you're a beast?'

'That… I'm still unsure of…'

'The moment he learns you're a beast is the moment he may turn and capture you for a profit beyond his wildest dreams,' Vloz stated. 'To have dual essence is one thing, but to be a beast able to take human form so young is unmatched to my knowledge. Your price on the black market would be more than I can feasibly imagine.'

'Don't make it sound like I'm just merchandise,' groaned Oli. 'I think there's a chance that Hurman won't mind, though having you be there will guarantee that I don't get kidnapped on the spot.'

'Then what would you want me to do after meeting with Hurman?' asked Vloz. 'Don't tell me I'll have to delay our return until they're ready to be escorted? The longer I take, the more likely your mother will skin me alive upon arrival, especially if you're trying to stay and pretend to be dead.'

'Would you do it for a human metamorphosis manual?'

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'A human metamorphosis manual?' Oli repeated himself, smiling slyly. 'It's an ancient text that helped me take human form so quickly. According to the text, anyone can perform human metamorphosis with enough practice, though their essence affinity and plane of cultivation are factors as well. Just think, you'd be able to take a human form like me. Wouldn't you want that?'