C18 Disrupting the Relationship

Clutching the glass jar, Odin made his way back to his dormitory and settled cross-legged on his bed. He popped open the jar and retrieved two Scaleheart Fruits.

As he placed them in his mouth, the fruit dissolved instantly, defying its wrinkled exterior. A warm sensation flowed through Odin's throat, and soon, his entire body felt as though it was basking in the comfort of a hot spring.

His blood circulated more rapidly, cleansing away the day's fatigue. After some time, Odin exhaled a misty breath, his depleted HP now somewhat replenished.

The Scaleheart Fruit, while not a high-tier medicinal component, was notably effective in restoring physical energy. However, it was ineffectual for external wounds and sprains.

Thus, Odin could still feel a twinge of pain in his arm and the unhealed wound on his brow, but thankfully, his HP was sufficiently restored to keep him going.

His mind then drifted to the suspicious individual he had encountered in the contestant's corridor earlier that day. Odin fished out the letter sealed with the Silver Serpent's wax from his pocket and laid it on his bed.

With the essence of the Scaleheart Fruit absorbed and evening upon him, moonlight filtered through the window, casting a mystical glow on the silver corners of the envelope.

Odin examined it closely, concluding that it bore no resemblance to the Ebon Hand's correspondence, suggesting it was unlikely they were behind any plot against him.

He couldn't recall any interaction with the cap-wearing man from today. Given the man's swift movements, he was likely an agile fighter. Had he been from the Ebon Hand, an ambush in the corridor would have been more their style, not a vanishing act as if nothing had transpired.

Odin retrieved a small knife from his desk and carefully sliced open the envelope, shaking out a gold-foil embellished letter that carried a subtle scent.

He unfolded it and skimmed the contents, a chuckle escaping him at the absurdity. He tossed the letter onto his desk, and the envelope drifted to the floor.

The letter held no significant information, merely an introduction to the Silver Serpent and an address, with an invitation for Odin to meet with the club's representative the following morning for a face-to-face discussion.

Reflecting on the past two days of fighting matches and considering his own performance, Odin understood the intentions behind the letter, even though it didn't explicitly state the reason for seeking him out. It was clear they were trying to recruit him.

The appointment book and badge from the Church of Life were coveted not only by Odin and the siblings from his fighting club but also by the other clubs participating in the ranking competition. They all aimed to secure those two rewards.

Odin's exceptional performance over the recent days had caught the attention of numerous fighting clubs. If they could persuade him to join their ranks, their chances of victory would significantly increase.

Odin finally realized why the emblem in the wax seal seemed familiar. After one of the matches, he had seen the current fighting club rankings on the big screen, and the Silver Serpent emblem had been in either third or fourth place. It was, by all accounts, a major fighting club.

Odin took a match from the drawer and set the letter ablaze. He wasn't opposed to considering the 'invitation'; in fact, he was curious to see how they would approach him.

The meeting place was a courtyard within the academy, a spot Odin had passed on his way to the Death Cult. He found the location with ease.

Several people were already seated in the small white gazebo, likely upperclassmen. No one else was within ten meters of the courtyard, leading Odin to surmise that this was Silver Serpent territory.

"I didn't expect you to actually show up. When I had Chris deliver the letter to you yesterday, I wasn't entirely sure you would," said a man with golden hair seated at the table, before Odin even had a chance to sit down.

Chris must be the man from yesterday, the one with the cap and swift movements. Odin subtly raised an eyebrow and took a seat to the man's left, not rushing to respond.

After a brief silence in the courtyard, the man, seeing that Odin remained quiet, spoke again with a hint of irritation. "I'm Grant, the vice president of the Silver Serpent Fighting Club. You've probably guessed why I've asked to meet with you today."

"To be honest, I'm not a fan of yours. Your tactics are underhanded and not exactly honorable. But our president sees potential in you and insisted that I have this conversation. So here I am, following orders," Grant said bluntly, not mincing words about his distaste for Odin.

Odin was indifferent to how others perceived him. He was in a position of power since they were the ones trying to court him, so he felt no urgency. He simply sat there in silence, waiting for Grant to finish his pitch.

"I know you're a member of the Ahalin fighting club, and you don't hold any special titles. Switching clubs should be quite easy for you. The Silver Serpent can offer you far better terms, whether it's in learning opportunities, positions, or financial benefits."

As Grant spoke, he watched for any reaction on Odin's face, but Odin was unyielding, his expression remaining impassive regardless of Grant's words.

"What perks has the Ahalin Fighting Club offered you? Whatever it is, we at the Silver Serpent can match it!" Grant was growing impatient. Chris, who was standing nearby, laid a hand on Grant's shoulder, firmly keeping him seated as he attempted to rise.

The slight pain in his shoulder brought Grant back to his senses, and he resumed negotiating with Odin.

"There are no perks. I'm helping them voluntarily; it's unrelated to any of that," Odin said with a smile, finally breaking his silence.

"Don't paint yourself as some kind of saint. Would you really help a small, obscure club without any promise of compensation? That's laughable." Grant couldn't fathom what the president saw in this kid, who he viewed as nothing more than a greedy fraud.

"If you're talking about compensation, there is indeed something. The first prize in the ranking competition includes a Life Badge," Odin stated plainly, not mincing his words.

"A Life Badge? Hahaha." Grant couldn't help but laugh, finding something amusing in Odin's statement. His earlier impatience gave way to uncontrollable laughter.

"Should I call you naive or foolish? My friend, there's no way you'll get the Life Badge," said Grant, finally managing to contain his laughter.