The First Legendary Beast Master

Chapter 1930 Terms Of Training

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Fleets. Welcome to the Darklight Host's Blackwoods branch office. I understand that you have a proper business proposal for us today," Karl began.

The Elves gave him a curious look at the "Blackwoods Branch" moniker, but decided that Karl had simply assigned a name based on the Pack that he had taken in, instead of keeping the old name for the place as a mockery to the Clan that he had taken it from.

That could be viewed as a kindness on his part, as it wasn't common practice.

"Yes, we do indeed have a trade agreement for you. And it is our opinion that the Fleets of the Elven Navies have enough to offer that you will want to accept.

First, we would like to trade not only for the goods that you make, but to have some of our young officers trained in the unique skills that only the Darklight Host knows. Prior to your arrival, there were no other members of your Guild on this world, and none who would willingly teach our Sea Shamans and Wave Riders the skills of the Sea.

I see your hesitation, and you're likely going to tell me that you have no such skills.

But I know that you can get them.

You see, the Blue Elves of many worlds speak to each other. While we might have agreements not to interfere or travel to each other's worlds to loot and pillage, we are aware of the things that a Divine Guild can get their hands on with a bit of determination."

Karl nodded slowly.

She wasn't wrong, they could indeed get their hands on many curious things. And with his [Skill Merger] ability, and the option to purchase Skill Books for points, there was a very good chance that he could get his hands on some extremely rare and niche skills.

If nothing else, he could send Leo and Remi to the Skill Hall to pick out some water-based skills that the Elves would like, and then work from there.

"So, you would like to send some of your shamans ashore to learn things that your own fleets don't specialize in. And you would like to trade for bulk goods, crafted by the Darklight Host, to resell to your coastal customers?"

"That is correct."

"And what do you offer in return?"

The Captains smiled, and one of them handed over a scroll.

"There are many things that we can offer to a coastal city. A Naval Fleet for hire is the most obvious of them. But the resources of the sea are the real bounty.

We are willing to offer you wholesale prices on Pearls, Water Gems, Aquatic beast eggs, edible seafood, and access to deep sea dungeons known only to the Fleets."

Now they were talking.

The value of Dungeon access to the Darklight Host could never be underestimated. And if they could get more crafting materials, plus food for new recipes, it would be excellent.

The prospect of beast eggs, was an interesting one, but Karl didn't intend to add to his own family so soon after getting a new member.

But that didn't mean that the Beast Rangers in the Guild wouldn't want one.

Lycans, as most lycanthropic species, were terrible swimmers to begin with. They were too densely muscled, and lacked the buoyancy to keep them afloat, so they had to struggle constantly to keep from sinking.

If they had an aquatic pet, that would expand their area of operations immensely, and allow access to new coastal resources that nobody else was plundering.

It was a guaranteed windfall.

Karl considered the options, and decided to go with an only slightly disagreeable first option.

"We can sell our produced goods to you at the System's wholesale price, and we will purchase from you at the same rate. We are also willing to train your new members, but not for coins.

In exchange for skill training to include at least one Epic Grade skill related to their specialization, we would ask for a term of service. One year for every year in training, starting the day they graduate.

We will accept them as members of the Guild until they leave, at which point they are free to rejoin any faction that they choose."

The Elves paused.

That was a dangerous proposal. Sure, it was free. And he was willing to promise their trainees an Epic Grade skill that was related to their specialty, which was far more than most would claim in their lives, unless they lived to become Elders or Captains.

But what he asked was loyalty.

Loyalty to the Blue Elves was not an open-ended proposition. If they served the Darklight Host and returned to the fleet, they would serve the fleet wholeheartedly.

But they would not betray the Darklight Host.

They might exploit their connections for profit, extort acquaintances to improve negotiations. But they would never betray.

It was the code of the sea.

Flexible in many ways, but there was a very clear distinction on what was and was not acceptable. And if members of the fleet ever betrayed the fleet, it would be catastrophic.

They all needed each other to survive the dangers of the oceans.

"We may need some time to consider that," the head of negotiations replied carefully.

"I won't rush you. However, I also won't ask that the trainees give up their loyalty to the fleets. If I'm right, you can be in both. A guild and a fleet. So, I won't ask that they give up their connection, or do anything that might be considered betrayal.

But training is about more than money, and our Elders do not lack money.

They will not do it without loyalty in return, and a training master's right to send their apprentice on missions that they don't care to take care of on their own.

What good is being an Elder if you have to do your own grunt work?

If they leave the moment that they're trained, the Elders lose out on all the benefits of having an apprentice."

That explanation made the Captains chuckle softly.

Indeed, there were benefits to being the boss. But that couldn't shake the feeling that Karl had some sort of plan in mind that would lead to a complete restructuring of the Elven Fleet's hierarchy.

Powerful youngsters would rise quickly, and displace those with lesser talents who had been struggling to become Captains for a century or more.

And if their suspicions about the Darklight Host were right, everyone they sent was likely to become one of those talents.

Even if they hadn't been one to start with.