Choice

"Develop in your territory?"

Both Jonas and his father wore extremely strange expressions. Jonas’s father had never imagined that this Augustus prince had sought out his son for something like this.

Jonas looked equally embarrassed. He had not expected Josh to actually come and discuss this with him after the competition ended.

What he had said about discussing it after the competition was merely an excuse, a tactful refusal.

After all, no matter who won, the other would naturally not be in a very good mood. If he won, then Josh would certainly have no mood to discuss such matters.

He had watched Josh’s previous matches. Although he felt that Josh lacked offensive methods, Josh was still very strong. However, as an elf ranger, he still felt that he had a chance. Most importantly, he had never considered the possibility that Josh might be a Sixth Tier mage.

And even if he lost by accident, he would definitely be in a terrible mood. Jonas had thought that at such a time, this prince would not come to kick him while he was down.

But Jonas had never expected that this prince had no such thoughts at all. Instead, he had brazenly come over to ask him once again.

Jonas was practically beginning to wonder what kind of education this prince had received.

Still, he became somewhat curious. He felt that perhaps this prince had encountered some problem and needed his help, or perhaps he truly thought highly of him.

Jonas found a seat and sat down. At the same time, he took the healing Magic Crystal his father handed him and poured in what little Battle Qi he had left, activating the crystal. A faint blue magical fluctuation immediately emerged. It was the magical fluctuation of the Water element, which possessed healing effects.

Only after doing all this and seeing his complexion improve slightly did Jonas slowly ask, "Your Highness Josh, I’m sorry, but I can’t answer your question directly. However, may I ask why you want me to develop in your territory?"

Jonas truly wanted to know the reason. As for things like their races being different, that was complete nonsense.

On the Muya Continent, the degree of integration between races was actually quite high. It could be considered a relatively harmonious living environment.

Even orcs, whom humans disliked, could still be seen in some human cities.

After all, what humans hated and despised were those orcs from the Orc Empire who raided and slaughtered people in other border nations. Humans were still relatively tolerant toward those who had long since left the Orc Empire, worked as mercenaries in other countries, and earned money by risking their lives.

So it was not strange for an elf to serve in a human city.

Even in a nation like the Elf Empire, quite a few humans worked in public offices. Some humans had even become minor nobles in the Elf Empire.

So it would not be strange at all if Jonas went there. Furthermore, the Augustus Empire and the Elf Empire had relatively friendly relations, and the two empires held roughly equal status. It was entirely acceptable for Jonas to go to the Augustus Empire, but surely he needed to know why.

"Well, how should I put it? I actually need an outstanding ranger to serve as a teacher for a group of people."

"A teacher?"

"Yes."

Seeing Jonas’s puzzled expression, Josh shrugged and explained.

Jonas’s skill was indeed quite good. He was fully qualified to serve as a ranger instructor, and he could contribute to Josh’s territory in many other ways as well. However, after hearing Josh’s affirmative answer, Jonas’s expression did not look very good.

Be a teacher? Good heavens, what kind of joke was that?

Jonas very much wanted to refuse outright, but an elf’s grace made him patiently hold back instead of rejecting him so hastily. He was rather curious about what kind of people His Highness Josh wanted him to teach.

"What kind of students could make an imperial prince like you personally come looking for a teacher?"

"Mm, you should know about my territory, right?"

"Yes, Rivendell. A name filled with poetry and beauty. I’ve also watched your Magic Cinema. It was perfect. Aside from being somewhat bloody, its music, scenery, and reflections on war and peace were all perfect."

Magic Cinema had indeed earned tremendous favor among the elves, something that did not surprise Josh in the slightest. He was very pleased that one of his goals had been achieved.

That was to use Magic Cinema to let people from other countries learn about his territory, learn about Rivendell. At least for now, it seemed to be going well.

"I’ve built many things in Rivendell, including a huge school. I call it Rhine University."

"Rhine University?"

"Don’t worry about the name. My school is divided into two major academies: the Warrior Academy and the Mage Academy. The Mage Academy has four smaller divisions corresponding to the four major elements, while the Warrior Academy is the same. In addition to knights and warriors, it also has assassins and rangers."

"You mean you want me to take a position at the Ranger Academy?"

After Josh briefly introduced his school, Jonas immediately understood.

Josh nodded, but then quickly shook his head. If he merely wanted someone to take a position there, he could simply find some skilled rangers. Why insist on finding an elf?

"You guessed half of it."

"Half?"

"Yes. I do hope you’ll take a position at my academy, but more importantly, I have a group of very special students. That’s why I came to find you. Of course, you won’t be the only ranger instructor. I’ve recruited a number of people, and you aren’t the only one I’ve taken an interest in. There’s another person I have my eye on, and I’ll invite him after the Four Nations Invitation ends."

Josh shrugged, then emphasized, "Of course, there are no positions such as dean in these smaller divisions. If you’re interested, you can try competing for it."

"I haven’t agreed to anything yet, Your Highness Josh. Can you tell me about this group of special students you mentioned?"

"Mm-hm, no problem. During an exploration of my territory, I accidentally found a group of elves. They live in my territory."

"Elves? Are you sure?"

"Of course. I tried to negotiate with them, and the results were quite ideal. They knew they were in the Augustus Empire, but their location was rather remote. The previous lord had not extensively developed that area, so no one found them. However, they have now agreed to join Rivendell."

The explanation Josh gave left Jonas full of doubt. Something no one had discovered before, yet you managed to discover it?

Although Jonas did not know how large Josh’s territory was, the previous lord could not possibly have been careless enough not to inspect his own territory, could he?

So he truly did not quite believe Josh’s words. But he also could not think of any reason why an imperial prince would lie to him.

After hesitating for a long while, he finally asked, "Why didn’t these elves choose to return to the Star Empire?"

"That’s because the journey is rather far, and my territory doesn’t have a teleportation Magic array."

"But with elves’ speed, even children could reach cities with magical teleportation arrays if they were willing to spend the time."

"Perhaps the scenery where I am is simply too beautiful, and they couldn’t bear to leave?"

Jonas rolled his eyes. He did not dare believe a single word Josh said. After all, His Highness Josh was always pretending to be at Fifth Tier strength, ready to trick people at any time.

But as an imperial prince, Josh dared to say these things in front of others, so Jonas could not quite figure him out.

Although there might truly be some issues with the origins of those elves, and this prince did not want to say anything about them.

However, there was one thing Jonas could be certain of: there might really be elves in this prince’s territory. Otherwise, he would not have come looking for him. The best choice to teach elves was naturally another elf.

There was no doubt about that. Elves and humans differed in many ways. Only elves best understood the traits of elves, and only elves themselves could better guide the growth of elves.

Of course, that applied to foundational education. After reaching Third Tier, how they would proceed and which path they would take would still depend on the individuals themselves.

After thinking for a long time, Jonas truly could not make up his mind.

Personally, he really did not want to go to the Augustus Empire, especially not to serve this prince, whom he considered exceptionally cunning and deceitful. If Josh had not deliberately hidden his strength, Jonas might not have suffered such serious injuries.

Jonas had entered the Four Nations Invitation competition because he truly wanted to prove himself and secure better prospects for his family. His luck had been good, and he had fought his way from the qualifying rounds into the elimination rounds.

In the end, he encountered an imperial prince who had hidden his strength and possessed Sixth Tier power.

If Jonas had known from the beginning that this prince possessed Sixth Tier strength, he would never have fought so desperately. Knowing he was bound to lose, this elf ranger would not do something so foolish.

The first lesson in elf ranger courses made it very clear: unless it was a national war, a living ranger could create far more value than a dead one.

Rangers were not warriors. Although they could also produce impressive results on the frontal battlefield, rangers were even more terrifying behind enemy lines. They could even do a great deal of intelligence work.

Although everything in the arena was for the sake of victory, rangers would absolutely not fight desperately at all costs when they knew they were no match for their opponent.

After hesitating for a long while, Jonas finally looked at his father.

Although his father’s strength was truly not very impressive—otherwise, he would not still be at roughly the same level as in his youth, only at Sixth Tier—Jonas had always listened to his father. Whenever he encountered a problem, he would always consider his father’s advice.

"You need to make this decision yourself, Jonas. You’re grown up now. You need to have your own thoughts and judgment. But no matter what you do, I will support you." As though he had guessed Jonas’s thoughts, his father smiled and spoke the moment Jonas turned to look at him.

"But I’d rather hear your opinion."

"My opinion? Actually, I don’t want you to leave the Star Empire. After all, it is so beautiful, and you’ve lived here for more than twenty years."

Jonas’s father sighed, but he continued, "But for the sake of your future, I think it would be better if you went to His Highness Josh’s territory. If I remember correctly, Your Highness Josh, you went to Rivendell at the beginning of spring last year, correct?"

"Yes, sir." Josh nodded. "And it wasn’t called Rivendell then. It was called Constantinople."

"Everything in Your Highness’s territory is still under development. As long as you seize the opportunity, you can have better prospects. The Gale Family will also have better prospects. Of course, it all depends on you, Jonas. You’ve grown up, my child. You are my pride."

"I understand, Father. I know what I should do."