Julio's expression turned serious when Kai's name was mentioned. This was a sensitive topic for the higher up in the base, so he couldn't treat this lightly. Meanwhile, Peter trusted Sofia's instinct, especially when she brought the matter herself.
Like how the EU Base trusted her instinct, he decided to bring the proposal to the base and got the approval almost immediately.
However, Kai didn't have such trust from the US Base because his ability was elsewhere. That was why Julio needed permissions first.
He thought for a moment. Compared to Sofia's one-year enrollment, Kai only needed to attend their military school for three months, and he would even get a customized exoskeleton from them.
"I have a condition." Julio narrowed his eyes and continued. "I would like for him to be accompanied by his group."
"!!!" Peter widened his eyes, not expecting this suggestion. He fell into deep thought while stroking his chin. 'On one hand, if I allow this, we will have the chance to entice the entire team. According to Sofia, Evan Young won't be swayed by this because Isabelle Fisher is in this base.
'However, the rest of the group is his harem, so if we can entice Kai to stay in EU Base, we might be able to get the others. Nonetheless, they are still two S rank magicians and one Zodiac. We can even entice them first and get Kai Carter.
'On the other hand, Sofia might not be able to get closer to him. It's like that matters though, since we are fine as long as he joins the base. What we should be wary about is the fact that the girls are harder to entice, especially that Michelle Graham.
'They might get in our way of persuading him. This is something that we don't want to see. As expected, I can't allow this one since the cons outweigh the pros.' Peter took a deep breath and said, "Rejected. We let our Sofia enroll alone, so I hope you can do the same for Kai Carter.
"At the same time, unlike this base, exoskeleton users usually fight alone. Since Kai Carter is new to everything there, we can let him operate together with Sofia. Besides, we have given him a customized exoskeleton for him. Together with the time limit, I believe we should be the one to add another condition."
Julio narrowed his eyes. "Hoh! What condition are you talking about?"
"Make an exception for Sofia and let her join the Lion Group as the sixth member."
"!!!" Julio gritted his teeth and clenched his fists before he thought it wasn't that bad at all. 'Now that I think about it, if we let them have close contact, she might have some attachments to Kai Carter himself. Although there is a risk, I believe this is worth a shot.'
When both of them discussed something like this, Kai was fuming in anger inside. He screamed inwardly. 'Are you treating me like an object here? Are you serious? I have never thought of myself as a part of the US Base nor EU Base. I can live anywhere as long as my family is there as well. So, it doesn't really matter where I stay.
'Besides, if I go according to this plan, I will also get a personalized exoskeleton. I can't say I am not interested in it. Additional strength is welcomed, especially with my enemy's power and how Tasha will soon release her limiter. One year and three months huh…'
As they kept negotiating about it, Kai suddenly stated. "I will agree to this. However, I also have a condition myself."
"!!!" Peter and Julio stopped and glanced at him. They realized they were too excited talking about it, and the content might hurt him a bit, so they let him talk. "Please tell us."
"Aside from my personal exoskeleton, I want another four exoskeletons. Considering you are trading me here, each base should give me two exoskeletons each. And it should be in advance." His voice was filled with resolve, making it hard to reject.
Kai didn't ask an excessive amount. He simply asked four exoskeletons for his girls, including Sakura.
On the other hand, Peter and Julio thought that the exoskeletons were for the girls and Evan. Looking at his friendship, they knew if they managed to entice Kai and established a relationship with him, he wasn't someone ungrateful. This was indeed a huge enticement for both of them.
"As expected, I would need to call my boss for this." Peter sighed. "If you don't mind, I can talk with them now and ask. How about it?"
Kai nodded.
Peter then stood up and grabbed Sofia to ask her opinion.
"I also need to call the president and my boss." Julio let out a long sigh. He was talking about the future here, so he couldn't be a cheapskate, or he would leave the US Base.
Julio also stood up, calling the minister of defense and the president.
Without even them coming back, Kai already knew the result from Julio. However, Peter and Sofia were sneaky as they contacted their base without talking. In other words, Kai didn't know what kind of conclusion they arrived at.
After waiting for a few minutes, everyone returned to the room.
Peter agreed to Kai's condition before Julio said anything. "We are fine with your condition as long as you join one of the battles as our strategist. My boss is curious about your ability, so that's the only condition. Of course, we will do the fighting unless you choose to participate yourself."
"I understand. I am fine with it." Kai nodded.
On the other hand, Julio reworded what he wanted to say in his mind to make it more acceptable for Kai. "As a citizen in US Base, the president will award you two exoskeletons. After all, your group is at the center of attention right now. Since we can't customize the exoskeletons, you need to finish it before the group from the EU Base return.
"At the same time, we can't give you the exoskeletons yet because we want to prioritize the other fighters to have them first. This will be a complicated problem because you are still a student that will take a mission only once a month."
"I know. I don't want to rush it as well." Kai nodded. In fact, he wanted to keep this a secret at first, so the girls could focus on their training instead of the exoskeletons.
"If you are fine with it, then we will handle everything for you." Julio nodded with a smile.
Meanwhile, Peter used this chance to add another thing. "We are the same. As long as you need the exoskeletons to be ready, just ask one of our specialists to customize it for you. It will be our priority. If they are unable to handle your request, we will send another one for you."
Peter and Julio glared at each other with a sly grin. There was a spark between their eyes, clashing with each other.
Kai let out a breath of relief. He didn't like how they were trying to take advantage of him, so he would also take a bit of it. At the very least, he could strengthen the girls.
If he asked for a ridiculous request, they would reject him and might even think of him as an uncontrollable person. In that case, there might be a chance for both bases to send an assassin to kill him, or the situation in United Asia would take place again. At that time, he wouldn't have any places to stay unless he forced his way back to United Asia.
However, Ayaka's new Kudo Group or Michelle's Graham family might get caught in the flame. He needed to get stronger first before he rejected them.
Peter then stood up and stretched his hand toward him.
Kai subconsciously shook his hand, never expecting Peter would shake his hand first instead of Julio.
"Truly a remarkable youngster. We are looking forward to your visit next year." Peter smiled like an old fox. He had two reasons for letting Kai come to their base one year later. First, he could let Sofia see what kind of person Kai is and his abilities. They wouldn't want to have him if he turned out to be a fake that US Base made.
If everything were true, they would then have a long time to prepare. These two reasons were the most logical ones they could choose on the spot, showing him that they didn't have anything to hide and genuinely wanted him to come.
On the other hand, US Base seemed to be the losing one here because they couldn't be compared to what EU Base promised him.
After a series of handshakes between each party, they ended the meeting. When they left the room, Sofia asked to talk with him alone as a talk between two juniors.
"Fufu, you are really interesting." Sofia suddenly came to him with a smile.
"What are you talking about?" Kai played dumb.
"You know that you can't avoid it, so you are trying to get your share. Now that I think about it, how much resources we need to give you if you decide to come." Sofia smirked, looking at Kai excitedly.
"I just don't like how they treated me as a trade object. Since I can only accept that, I would rather be an agent instead of an object." Kai shook his head.
"Thus, the pay for an agent. Trying to work your words eh?"
Kai shrugged.
"Anyway, I am looking forward to working with you as a member of the Lion Group. Don't worry. I will be obedient there."
"It's a pity." Kai chuckled.
"Hmm?" Sofia narrowed her eyes, staring at Kai as if asking for an explanation.
"Nothing. You will know it later." Kai shrugged and left the room. "Just make sure you don't piss your pants when that happens. Haha…"