Chapter 88: Magnus’s Proposal

Magnus had spent decades cultivating and dealing with powerful martial artists. He knew the difference between someone who had accumulated spiritual energy and someone who had crossed into an entirely new realm.

His gaze sharpened.

"Lucian."

"Yes, Uncle?"

"Release your spiritual pressure."

Evelyn looked between them.

"What?"

Magnus didn’t take his eyes off Lucian.

"I said, release your spiritual pressure."

For the first time since entering the room, his tone carried unmistakable seriousness.

Lucian considered the request for a moment.

Then he nodded.

"All right."

He allowed a small fraction of his newly transformed spiritual energy to escape.

The atmosphere changed instantly.

A dense, invisible pressure spread through the study. The documents resting on Magnus’s desk fluttered, and the curtains near the windows stirred despite the absence of wind.

Magnus’s eyes widened.

He shot to his feet.

"Martial Master?!"

The exclamation escaped before he could stop himself.

For a man who had spent decades maintaining his composure, the reaction was extraordinary.

Lucian immediately withdrew his pressure.

The room returned to normal.

Magnus remained standing, staring at him as though he had just discovered something that defied every reasonable expectation.

Evelyn, meanwhile, looked thoroughly unimpressed.

"Yes, Father. He broke through a little while ago."

Magnus turned toward her.

"A little while ago?"

"About a minute before he destroyed the testing machine."

Magnus looked back at Lucian.

Then at the cracked floor.

Then at Evelyn.

"Wait."

He raised one hand, stopping her before she could continue.

"How long has he been cultivating?"

Evelyn answered without hesitation.

"Less than a month."

Silence descended upon the study.

Magnus slowly lowered his hand.

"Less than a month?"

"That’s what I said."

He sank back into his chair.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

The Martial Master realm wasn’t an ordinary milestone. Across the Earth Federation, countless young cultivators spent years building their foundations before reaching it.

Even the heavenly prides of ancient families, those blessed with extraordinary bloodlines, abundant resources, and the guidance of renowned masters, couldn’t casually cross that threshold.

Yet Lucian had done it in less than a month.

Magnus rubbed his chin, studying the young man with renewed interest.

"Tell me something, Lucian. Have you been hiding your cultivation talent all this time?"

"Not exactly."

"Then how do you explain this?"

Lucian shrugged.

"I cultivated, and I broke through."

Magnus stared at him.

Evelyn pressed her lips together, clearly struggling not to laugh.

"That’s his explanation," she added helpfully. "Don’t expect anything better."

Magnus let out a slow breath.

"Wonderful."

He had raised a daughter who enjoyed provoking him and now had to deal with a young man who could reach the Martial Master realm in less time than most people needed to complete their initial cultivation training.

Perhaps the two of them deserved each other.

Still, Magnus’s surprise gradually gave way to contemplation.

Talent like Lucian’s couldn’t be ignored. More importantly, it needed to be directed properly.

A powerful cultivator without a clear path could waste years pursuing the wrong opportunities. Someone with Lucian’s potential couldn’t afford that mistake.

Magnus folded his hands on the desk.

"All right. Let’s discuss the reason I called you here."

Evelyn straightened.

Lucian’s expression also became attentive.

"You’ve both reached an age where your next decisions will have a significant impact on your futures," Magnus continued. "The question is simple. What do you intend to do next?"

He looked at Evelyn first.

"University?"

Then he turned to Lucian.

"Or are you considering joining the military?"

Evelyn glanced at Lucian before answering.

"We’ve discussed both options."

"And?"

"We haven’t made a final decision."

"Good. Then I can save you the trouble."

Magnus leaned forward.

"Forget both."

Evelyn blinked.

"Just like that?"

"Just like that."

He reached for a document on his desk and placed it before them.

"Federal universities are useful for ordinary cultivators. They provide training, access to instructors, and a structured environment. But they also come with restrictions."

He tapped the document with one finger.

"Resource allocation is dependent on institutional priorities, rankings, and political connections. Even the most capable of students have to fight for the opportunities that are available to them. You will find yourself spending a considerable amount of time at classes, assignments, and schedules that are designed to accommodate the average student."

His eyes fell on Lucian.

"Do you really think that someone who has reached the Martial Master realm in less than a month has to waste his time waiting on a university committee to decide on his cultivation resources?"

Lucian shook his head.

"Not really."

"Exactly."

Magnus walked over to the second option.

"The military has more to offer in terms of combat experience, training facilities, and missions that regular cultivators can only dream of. With that being said, there are downsides as well."

He took a seat on the other side of the table.

"Discipline is necessary, but obedience is mandatory. The military does not cater to your needs, but rather, dictates your needs. You will not be allowed to make decisions and arrangements freely because, at the end of the day, they will decide what you need to do."

Evelyn looked somewhat perplexed.

"So even if we have the capacity to handle whatever mission the military has planned for us, we would still have to wait for them to arrive at our location?"

"Precisely. In addition, if your superior officer finds that your skill set could be better utilized in another area of operation, then your personal agenda will have to take a backseat."

Magnus took a breath. "The military is not a bad option. In fact, for people who appreciate order and structure, it is an extremely good option. As for cultivators who value freedom of operation above else, it might not be the best choice."

Lucian simply listened to him.

The more Magnus talked, the more he realized what he was trying to say.

Simply put, the university would not be the best place to hone his skills as a cultivator.

The military would bind him to a hierarchy.

Neither offered the degree of freedom he wanted.

Magnus seemed to see through the conclusion in his heart.

"Fortunately this isn’t your only options."

Opening a drawer he pulled a different file out.

"There is a third option."

He set it on the desk.

MERCENARY SYNDICATES.

Evelyn leaned forward to read the title.

Magnus continued to explain, "Mercenary guilds fall under the governing of the federal, but internally they are much more relaxed. They take jobs from the government, companies, researchers, and even individuals."

He handed them the paper.

Some of the jobs listed were stalking strange beasts, investigating mysterious locations, escorting cargo, retrieving stolen items, and killing hostile targets.

Lucian scanned the list.

The options seemed vast and varied.

An organization could get him in on the missions, the resources, the information, and even the battles he desired, without shackling him to their service.

Magnus continued, "The bigger the organization the better the missions they have available. The most well known syndicates only take on jobs that are highly paying, extremely challenging, or both."

"More specifically the missions offer desirable rewards," he said with a knowing smile.

"Such as cultivation resources?"

"Among other things," Magnus said, "rare techniques, restricted equipment, and sometimes even access to Federation facilities."

"But with greater risk," Evelyn said.

Magnus nodded, "Of course."

Evelyn gave a slow nod, "And we can choose which missions to accept?"

"As long as the contracts don’t outright forbid it, its perfectly fine to refuse," Magnus said, "You aren’t obligated to accept a job because your boss says so."

Lucian finally spoke, "That sounds much better."

Magnus gave a small smile, "I thought you might say that.

He tapped the file.

"I know a few people in the business who would be willing to take either of you under their wing. Lucian with his talents, and Evelyn with hers.

Lucian fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.

"This isn’t what I was looking for.

Magnus frowned, "What do you mean?"

"I prefer to build my own syndicate."