Focusing on the main object, for the first time, Vale looked at the man he was supposed to manipulate to prevent a war. "I can't use Endure A Being's Pain, not yet anyway." Vale had a good handle of how to use the talent. The same way a human can lift their finger at command, controlling his first ability was easier than adding up basic two digit numbers on paper.
Emperor Zeral sat upright behind his smooth metal desk. His giant frame was condensed in muscle, which was surprising given his age of two hundred years old! His outfit consisted of a long dark red cape and armor that was also, dark red. He thought it to help him so the protection didn't get stained as easily when he fought. Long grey hair fell from his head, luscious and without bald spots. While his hair had the color of an old man, his facial features were refined and youthful, like he was in his early thirties.
With magic, even someone's lifespan could be extended, which is why it was so heavily valued in the universe.
Taking away his bodybuilder frame, Vale thought he'd be more intimidating, but that just wasn't the case. Zeral looked kind. Vale knew this was just a front, but he found some comfort in knowing he at least could act professional.
"Please take a seat, and feel welcome. I'm thrilled to hear about your heavenly powers." Zeral was already waiting for him, and Vale didn't hesitate to take a seat in the chair facing him.
As Vale sat down, his legs spread out nonchalantly. It stunned the Emperor to see he wasn't showing an ounce of weakness.
This was all apart of Vale's plan. Inducing respect was the only way to climb the ranks in any world, and since he saw the worst of the worst douchebags all the time while serving, he had all the facial features and smug faces remembered.
Brute's like Zeral didn't perceive respect on the same level he did. Eye contact, and glossy gazes were necessary to establish an equal ground. "I'm excited to explore new avenues Emperor Zeal, I want nothing more than to help the empire succeed in its campaigns." Biting his tongue at the end, he did was required.
Zeral immediately got to business, demanding to be informed of Vale's abilities that would enable him to become a feasible spy. "I heard you harness mind talents. Those are rare, and if used correctly, you can win a war without lifting a single finger. Explain your abilities to me, and share no expenses."
Vale instantly went to persuading, and he wasn't going to hold what he knew of his power back. If anything, that would worsen his chances at completing the second segment of the tutorial mission.
"Since it's of high value, I thought to wait before pronouncing my magic to the Zeral Empire. But as you've heard from Sargant Derrick, I have psychic type magic. With just a look, I can see into your deepest miseries, regrets, and insecurities. It goes the same way for happiness and virtues. I'm basically the greatest informant to ever walk." Vale assumed a look of formality, as speaking of this topic was an indefinite mystery. Vale retained some idea of how his first mind talent operated, but he needed more time experimenting to gain some real insight into what he could do with it.
"It acts like a gauge, and if I'm around someone enough or I understand their psyche sufficiently, I'll know everything about them and their ideals at a simple yearn of my desire. You can imagine how that would benefit a war based on information."
"Exactly, it seems you know of your own use. Now, I'm sure they're won't be any problems with your aid, will there?"
"I hope not." Using a condescending tone, Vale was dangling his value over Zeal's head like an apple that was just barely out of reach. "I'll assist you, but only under a few provisions." Amazed at Vale's flamboyant behavior, Zeral smiled and replied, "That seems reasonable."
Vale, however, was thinking about how to prevent this act of foolishness. Scanning the memories of that clown from before, he pondered why this battle was happening in the first place. "A war with the world on the stake, really? Just because you guys can't agree on a land treaty?"
Zeal continued the conversation. "I know you can read people's emotions and memories, but can you read minds directly?"
The system opened up at the best time, per usual.
[The Skinny Warlock Psychologist System does have the dormant potential to read into the conscious mind and hear their internal monologue, with limitations of course.]
Vale tried squeezing his own reasoning in, to sound believable. " If you're talking about exact words, it's possible, but it requires a great amount of mana."
"You seem to know your value quite well, kid. Let's start talking numbers. I'll give you anything you want if you join the Zeral Empire as espionage agent."
"I don't have a problem with being a spy. " Vale lied, he had a huge issue in tandem with invading a kingdom as a spy! But he didn't let that show. He needed a higher rank to fulfill the requirements of his mission. "Make me a general, and I want all the benefits they have." Vale was hungry, and after this, he was going to the most expensive restaurant in the city. "I think I deserve that ranking since I'll be helping dictate an entire war."
"You punk! Who do you think you are?" Derrick barked at Vale's words, where Vale narrowed his eyes in annoyance, not even bothering to look in the Sargant's direction. "If this works how I think it will… then I'm going to have fun bantering with you..."
An empire general is the second highest on the hierarchy of the military branch, and Sargant was at the lower totem poll. This in turn, means that if Zeral agreed, Vale would become the cocky derricks higher ranking officer!
Opening his hand, Lord Zeral signaled his palm towards Derrick's direction, calmly commenting. "Silence. The boy has a point. I'm a man of verities. And he isn't exactly wrong."
Lowering his signal, Derrick had assumed attention, and weirdly, felt like he was the weakest one in the room.
"How about this Young Cadet, if you lend us your powers, I'll give you a salary of a hundred thousand dollars a year, and you'll be a senior general of the Zeral Empire. Know this, if you're lying to me and you can't do what you promise, I will have your head." Lord Zeral wasn't playing any games, and Vale felt a wave of intimation hit his soul. Nonetheless, he got what he wanted. "This fucking idiot, giving a cadet one of the highest positions in the empire. Now I can study you without this insect berating me as my superior." Vale had a few ideas on how to speed up this tutorial mission faster, but he needed time.
Derrick, not learning from his past digressions, made the same mistake when he inputted his opinion between the two. "Sir, I don't mean to be out of line here, but don't you think this is too much? I've been here for two years and this runt hasn't contributed a thin—" Before he could finish, Derricks face underwent a terrifying transformation as the Emperor sent a bloodthirsty look his way.
Delivering a magical surge towards the now shivering man, Zeral looked like a feral animal, his animalistic glare making Vale turn his two eyes to the side for a second. "That's some heavy che..."
Immediately, Sargant Derrick bowed his head exclaiming an apology.
While this may seem volatile, some truth was hidden behind his threats. Winning a war and claiming victory over anyone who would dare question Zeral's rule was absolute, and if it meant giving a young man a prolific rank he thought of it to be a drop in the ocean when he considered the compensation he'd receive back. "Derrick, shut your filthy mouth and direct our newest Zeral General to a brand new penthouse. Once you're done immediately send two grand to his checking account as a bonus."
Gulping, Derrick did exactly that, and Vale couldn't wait to start bantering with his subordinate.
Vale was inwardly cheesing in his chair. "You fucking asshole, we're on the same level now! What are you going to do if I laugh in your face, kill me? Zeral wouldn't be too fond of that choice…" Vale got out of his seat, heading behind Derrick out the door while realizing his confidence growing.
"I'm starting to like this new Vale. Every time I interact with someone who's supposed to be superior to myself, I learn that I'm not that off from their level."