Flames engulfed the entire arena.

Within the fire, Ragna's silhouette could be seen faintly. It was stalwart and steady as he stood in silence.

However, when the fire drifted away to reveal his figure...

His eyes were shut unconscious. It was clear that his body couldn't handle it anymore and had stopped moving.

Ragna had lost the match.

"As expected, you're the type of person that would rather die standing. How admirable."

Elias slowly walked up to the gigantic man. He raised his head and stared directly at Ragna's pupils.

The match had concluded by his expectations.

He had won overwhelmingly.

In this fight, his goal wasn't just to win. It was also to show Hajin and Ragna the difference between him and them.

When it came to prideful people like Ragna and Hajin, they were selfish people who would not follow anyone at all.

If he wanted them to follow and acknowledge him as their leader, he had to show them his worth.

What better way than to show his strength?

Not just mere strength, but an overwhelming display of strength that made them acknowledge him as superior.

"...How did you do that?"

At this moment, Hajin suddenly asked with a strong gaze. There was an unprecedented desire showing in his eyes.

'The fish has taken the bait.'

Elias thought as he slowly turned around to look at Hajin. He couldn't help but smile a little.

"I told you, didn't I? That was mastery. The ability to change the sharpness of anything I touch."

"I know that. But how did you achieve it?"

Hajin's eyes were solemn. He muttered under his breath, feeling confused and irritated at the same time.

There was a sense of urgency in his voice, despite how he tried to hide it. His curiosity, for the lackofbetter term, was overtaking him.

'When the fish has taken the bait, the hook is only what's left.'

Elias thought as he suddenly walked ahead of Hajin and patted his shoulder twice with a knowing smile.

"I use my blade. That's all."

Hearing those vague words, Hajin's pupils

widened in surprise. Only they knew what the other meant by those words.

Before Elias could walk away further, Hajin turned around casually and opened his mouth.

"I thought about your offer."

"Interesting."

Elias smile turned wide as he stopped his steps.

Looking at his cousin's back, Hajin let out a small sigh. It had a feeling of resignation to fate.

"I'll join you... under one condition,"

"Tell me then."

Elias raised his brows in interest. A condition wasn't entirely out of his expectations, in fact, he more or less was expecting it.

He could compromise a little if it was a talent like Hajin.

Then, Hajin paused again before asking.

"You'll grant me anything I desire, correct?"

"That depends. I'm not your slave."

Elias didn't agree nor disagree. If it was reasonable, then he could do so in a heartbeat.

But if it wasn't, he could live without Hajin. He would not sacrifice too much for just an individual.

Hajin rolled his eyes and snickered.

"Tsk... I'm not even a member yet and you're already taking back your words? I could already feel this was going to be a bad decision that would haunt me in the future..."

"So what is it do you want?"

"I want everything."

Hajin said casually. Elias was stunned, he could feel that his cousin was not joking in the slightest.

But before Elias could open his mouth express his confusion, Hajin continued with a short apologetic sigh.

"I've thought it over... I can't just agree with following you. It's impossible. But I'll do it anyway. I'll follow you and help you achieve your goals, I promise that. However..."

"When the time is right — you stand on top of the academy, I'll take you down. I'll be your enemy next. When you have everything, I'll defeat you and take over your position."

"But until that time, I'll help you."

Hearing his words, Elias was stunned. He didn't expect that condition at all. He couldn't help but laugh loudly.

"Hahahaha! you never fail to make me laugh, Hajin! I agree then. If you have what it takes, I'll be waiting for that day."

"I'm excited for that day as well. Take care of yourself. Don't forget the women and wealth you promised, kay?"

Hajin nonchalantly shrugged, smiling widely. He exhibited a dangerous and nonchalant air at the same time.

Elias didn't reply and continued walking. With this, he obtained his "Sword" or Left-hand man.

***

After the match, Elias took his coat from the stand and draped it over his shoulders. He looked at the arena.

As he expected, there was no damage to the private arena at all. If it was the public arena, it might've already been destroyed.

The private arena used a rare material called "unzerstörbar" that could be found in a private dungeon the academy owned.

It was impervious to most kinds of magic and destruction, and the only way to destroy it was through the power of a high-Rank C or Rank B ranker.

But there was no student with that kind of strength.

Thus, this private arena was indestructible. Even if he went all out, he wouldn't be able to dent this arena.

Elias shook his head and thought of his plans going forward.

'After this fight, the next person to recruit should be...'

However, at this moment, Ragna's eyes finally returned to consciousness.

Confused, he looked at himself. His entire body was battered and bruised, as though he had just experienced an intense battle.

He looked over the back of the arena... there he saw his opponent, Elias Corleone, fully dressed, without a trace of injury.

'Did I...'

Then it struck him — he had lost.

'...lose?'

But he wasn't angered by his loss. It wasn't fury that filled him. On the contrary, it was excitement and expectation for the future.

Ragna could feel his lips curl into a grin. He had finally found a worthy opponent that he could not defeat.

After calming down, he looked at Elias and opened his mouth.

"...Corleone, you have won. I will honor our bet, what do you want me to do?"

Elias nodded and didn't respond immediately. He unhurriedly walked toward him before he explained.

"Recently, I've been looking to make a club. I want to conquer this academy and turn it around. It was said that since the academy's founding, no one has ever managed to do that. I want to destroy that tradition."

"But with my strength alone, I know I can't do it by myself. I need people and they should be worthy at the same time. I'm looking for a partner that can be my fist in the time of crisis."

Then, Elias stopped his steps as soon as he was close to Ragna. He raised his head and smiled.

"That's why... Ragna Newgate, follow me. I'll give you anything you desire and you only need to be my fist. Let's turn this academy around."

"...If I follow you, then does that mean I will have more fights with worthy opponents?"

Ragna suddenly asked.

Elias was stunned for a moment. Then, he couldn't help but laugh uncharacteristically. He patted Ragna's shoulder and looked him dead in the eye.

"I swear on that."

Ragna grin widened. He laughed outloud as he narrowed his eyes.

"...But after I kill them all, one by one... I'll fight you again. Do you have any problem with that?"

"No, not at all. have no problems with that as long as you follow my orders to their absolute."

Elias couldn't help but raise his brows. How come both his right hand and left hand want to kill him?

It was quite laughable, but if this was what it takes to have them by his side, then he had no problems with it.

After all, they had no chance to achieve it anyway.

Hearing his words, Ragna snorted and shook his head.

"Don't worry. I'm a man of my words. I will live by it, and die by it."

"Excellent."

Elias replied casually as he looked at both Ragna and Hajin deeply. He put his hand on his chest.

Then, he solemnly spoke:

"From this day henceforth, I shall treat both of you as my equal. Whether we go to hell or heaven, I'll be there to accompany you. If any of you are in trouble, I shall help either of you to the best of my abilities."

"By agreeing with me today, we are forever allies. We are bastards and yet we are more than that. We are partners in crime. In the name of Corleone, I swear to you."

"As long as you do not betray me, I will not betray you. I will be your light in the darkness. I will be your ally in the times of criris. I will be your friend when you need one."

"As ourselves, we are merely mortal men. But together... we are gods that can accomplish anything."

"I promise that."

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