SSS-Rank Talent: Super Upgrade System-Chapter 51: Power, Pride and Potential

Daniel was still trying to comprehend the implications of Ayra’s scandalous statement.

"Vance!" Ayra’s voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and direct. Ignoring the sudden hush that fell over the nearby recruits.

Ayra didn’t beat around the bush. "You fight well. Very well," she conceded, a hint of grudging respect in her tone.

It was probably the closest she’d come to a compliment for someone who’d accidentally seen her mid-shower.

"Thirty million Federation credits. Be my sparring partner and my teammate until we’re done with this entire Stargate assessment.

How about it?"

Daniel blinked. Thirty million? He almost laughed.

After the rewards he’d received, Apex Caches, SSS-Rank tokens, thousands of Commendation Points.

It was a fortune to most recruits, perhaps even a life-changing sum back on Earth, but in the context of his current resources and the power scaling of the Verge, it was... meager.

His SSS-Grade [Soul Assimilation] talent craved unique essences, powerful skills, and rare materials, not stacks of digital currency that couldn’t directly fuel his exponential growth.

Teaming up with Ayra, an S-Grade Berserker, had its tactical merits, certainly.

She was a walking, talking engine of destruction. But it also meant sharing kills, which meant fewer souls for him to assimilate, and explaining his unconventional methods was out of the question.

"Not interested," Daniel replied flatly, his voice calm.

He gave her a polite, almost dismissive nod.

"Find someone else. I’m sure there are plenty of recruits who’d jump at the chance."

He considered her skills not bad at all, S-Grade was S-Grade, but not essential to his unique path.

He could defeat her, or any other S-Grade, instantly if he went all out with his assimilated powers.

That wasn’t arrogance; it was a simple statement of fact based on the terrifying efficiency of his talent.

Ayra, looked like she had just been slapped with a very large, very confused fish.

Her jaw, which had been set in a determined line, went slightly slack.

This was, Daniel suspected, the first time in her entire life anyone had turned down such a generous offer from her so bluntly, especially after witnessing her power.

Lia, standing beside them, coughed delicately into her hand to hide a smile.

The surrounding recruits, those brave enough to still be eavesdropping, gasped audibly.

"Did... did he just turn down Ayra Sand?"

"And thirty million credits?!"

"Is he insane? Or just that confident?"

"He’s the SSS-Talent record-breaker, remember? Maybe thirty million is chump change to him!"

Ayra’s grey eyes narrowed, a flash of that crimson fury returning.

"Not interested?" she repeated, her voice dangerously soft. "Do you have any idea who I am? What I’m offering?"

"I have some idea," Daniel said, still polite. "And it’s a generous offer, truly.

But my path is... different. Teaming up in that capacity wouldn’t be beneficial for either of us in the long run."

He made to leave, gesturing for Lia to accompany him.

"Good luck with your team formation, Ayra."

Ayra looked like she was about to explode again, maybe even attempt to redecorate another section of Platform Alpha with his internal organs.

She was clearly unaccustomed to the boldness of his rejection.

"Ahem! Aspirant Vance! Aspirant Sand! A moment, if you please!"

Director Thorne’s voice, sounding strained and slightly desperate, cut through the mounting tension.

He hurried toward them, accompanied by two anxious Academy aides who appeared to be mentally mapping the nearest escape route.

The Director looked like he hadn’t slept in days, which, given the events of the last 24 hours, was probably true.

His eyes shifted between Daniel’s calm, firm expression and Ayra’s barely contained outrage.

"Ah, Director Thorne," Daniel said, feigning pleasant surprise.

"Just discussing inter-aspirant synergy in combat scenarios."

"Yes, well, your... ’synergies’... have already cost the Academy a small fortune in structural repairs and a perfectly good Adamantium Impact Pillar," Thorne grumbled, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow despite the platform’s climate control. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

"Perhaps we could continue this... fascinating discussion... somewhere more private?"

He gestured vaguely. "I happen to know a small, surprisingly decent eatery in the commercial sector of this platform.

My treat, of course. To discuss... future collaborations and the importance of not turning Academy property into abstract art."

Ayra, still fuming but recognizing the Director’s authority, gave a stiff nod.

Daniel, seeing a potential way to de-escalate the situation and curious about what Thorne wanted, also agreed.

Lia, always the poised opportunist for information, simply smiled.

The "small, surprisingly decent eatery" turned out to be a private dining room in one of the platform’s more upscale establishments, clearly reserved for high-ranking personnel.

Director Thorne ordered a lavish spread of actual, non-ration-paste food, which Daniel and Ayra attacked with an intensity that made the Director nervously eye his expense account.

Lia ate with her usual refined grace, occasionally interjecting a calm, insightful comment.

Nyx, from Daniel’s pouch, was given a small bowl of what looked suspiciously like pureed steak, and devoured it silently.

After the initial wave of hunger had been quelled. Director Thorne cleared his throat, a pained expression on his face.

"Aspirant Sand," he began, turning to Ayra, "your family, the esteemed White Lotus Clan, has always been a significant... supporter... of Vanguard Academy.

Their contributions are invaluable." He then turned to Daniel. "And Aspirant Vance, your... unique talents... have drawn considerable attention, not just from the Academy command, but from numerous influential sponsors and allied factions who are very keen to see such potential nurtured."

His voice dropping to a hushed, confidential tone.

"The White Lotus Clan, along with several other prominent sponsors, have expressed a... strong desire... to see you two collaborate.

They believe your combined strengths would be... mutually beneficial, and demonstrably effective in the more challenging phases ahead.

They are even prepared to offer significant resources to facilitate such a team-up."

He slid a datapad across the table. It displayed a list of benefits: advanced training modules, rare alchemical ingredients, priority access to restricted Academy facilities... and at the bottom of the list, a single line item that made Daniel’s eyebrows shoot up.

’One (1) B-Grade Weapon Exchange Coupon.’

A B-Grade coupon. Daniel already had A-Grade handwear, but his C-Grade bow was a glaring weakness.

More importantly, Lia, his intended healer teammate, was likely still using basic F-Grade Academy-issue gear, if anything at all.

A B-Grade weapon, especially one suited for a healer or support role, would be a massive upgrade for her, significantly boosting their team’s overall survivability and effectiveness.

His [Soul Assimilation] could probably even push it to A-Grade for her.

Daniel looked at Ayra, who was trying to maintain a façade of indifference while subtly gauging his reaction.

He then glanced at Lia, who met his gaze with a calm, unreadable smile.

The influence of the White Lotus Family, and other sponsors, was clearly significant. And that B-Grade coupon... it was a very tempting carrot.

The silence stretched, punctuated only by Nyx attempting to steal a bread roll.

Director Thorne watched them anxiously, probably praying he wouldn’t have to authorize another platform renovation budget.

Daniel tapped the datapad. The B-Grade coupon. That was the key element.