"Wow, that sounds interesting, but what is a faction?"
Ark didn't know about any faction involved in this school.
"Yeah… should have started with that, didn't I?"
Lexie scratches her hand in embarrassment before explaining how faction systems work.
"So! When you reach the age around 9-10 there, you will go higher up in class, and at age of 15 you will be enlisted as one of the school personnel, before graduating at around 18-20."
"Starting At 9-10 you can be registered as a volunteer member for the faction mission to gain points, the point can be traded for rewards like rare medicine, etc., or even candy!"
"So, is it like a mercenary mission? Done by a child???"
Ark wants to question the moral dilemma of this system, but who is he to judge?
"Yup! But the catch is, the rewards are faction lock."
"Huh?"
"When you finish the mission, there will be two types of points, first is the normal point, you can get this type of point by finishing the school mission which is like a neutral faction, the reward is usually of lower quality than faction mission but always available, and carefully listed by teachers."
"And the second type is faction point, this type of point will come by after you finish the mission that is listed by faction, but faction mission usually harder and some even deadly, because it got sponsor by older classmen that graduated but need helping hand, and they want us, little junior to get some real experience too. Isn't it a win-win?"
"So, they turn to their old school and use cheap labor to work for them."
This is Ark's conclusion after hearing how the faction system works.
"I don't want to call it cheap because most of the time, the price is fair, and sometimes even higher than it should be, because not only is it a mission for the student to practice, but it is also scouting for a future collaborator."
"That makes sense…"
Ark knew how important scouting a valuable person is for maintaining power.
A smart leader alone is nothing compared to a normal leader with a lot of talented followers.
No one rules alone, after all.
"So, instead of a mission, it is a test. Instead of a reward, it is a bribe."
"Wow!! you sure smart for someone a quarter of my age, I only figured that out when I was 16."
Lexie felt surprised that Ark can see past all the elaborated methods of scouting talented people.
What is the best way to lure kids to work for them? Give them a chance to prove themselves and then reward them with something, so when they leave the school, they will come to you to repeat the same thing.
But now, it is for YOU, the sponsor.
You get both missions done and receive talented followers.
"The next logical thing I should ask is not what the other faction is, but who is their sponsor."
"Yes."
Lexie answers.
"You make me scared, kid."
The male upperclassmen shivered by Ark's critical thinking skills, most of their classmates aren't smart like this.
"Our faction, Green deer, is sponsored mostly by the military, maybe some nobles here and there too."
"Oh! Isn't that big?"
"Not if you compare it to other factions… The blue eagle sponsors are the royal house and nobles, the red lion sponsors are parliament and merchants. Compared to them, we look like beggars."
Even though what she says paints their faction in a negative light, Lexie still seems to not care.
Because she knew Ark valued honesty, so she did not need to hide such things, also this is common knowledge, someone smart as Ark will easily learn it.
"Then why should I join your faction? I'm both noble and my father is a member of parliament."
"Oh…"
Lexie seems to not know this, she knew Ark as at least a noble, but his father is a parliament member, she didn't expect that.
"Haha… if that so, let pretend not thing happen here…"
"No, I'm already here, sell me something about your faction, this faction thing piques my interest."
Ark feels like when he started in the military, there were a lot of factions waging civil war in his past, and it takes a while before he can choose who will get his support.
He knows choosing who you will side with needs to be done with careful consideration, so, he is already here, let's get to know them.
"Ok, if you say so. Let's just cut all the crap, we didn't pay as high as the red lion or have a good connection to offer like the blue eagle, but we, as a green deer help common people, also our mission is usually deadly compare to the child play red and blue give, so if you wanted real experience in combat and world, you should join green deer."
This is the selling point of the green deer faction, their mission is a real mission that real warriors do, they venture into the wild and protect the innocent, so they can face real danger to hone their skills to the limit.
In Lexie's opinion, the blue eagle and the red lion missions are just a child's play that their parents made up to stroke their ego and use them as a tool to compare their child to others.
"Sorry, but I have to wait until I hear from the other two factions first, then I will decide what to join. Maybe I will not join any and do school missions only, who knows?"
Ark didn't care much about experience or noble cause.
He has done too many of them, so in this life, let's just relax and let other people do their things.
"Welp, I said all I can. If you want to join others, it's up to you. but remember, green deer always welcome you."
Lexie seems to be a bit disappointed that Ark didn't accept her offer right away.
But she was sure, even after she already graduated when Ark grew up, he would still choose green deer.
Because people like Ark aren't exactly welcome among those elitist factions.
"I have to say, I like you, kid, very very much. So, here's a gift."
Lexie gave Ark a deer emblem with a silver lining.
"It is an invitation letter, when the time arrives or you want help from our faction, show this."
"We just talked about using a reward as a bribe and you gave me a bribe, but thank you anyway."
Ark politely accepted her gift and smiled.
"Haha! The system works for a reason, so why not copy it? Are you interested now?"
"Nope, still don't. See you again next time, Goodbye Lexie, and also you."
Ark bows to both Lexie and the male upperclassman and then leaves.
"Tsk… but remember, big sis Lexie is always open to help!"
Lexie waved her hand and shouted while Ark went further away.
"That kid sure is something. Should I tell my sister to get in touch with him? She should join our counsel when he is at the age to select a faction."
"No, we gave him the first impression of pure heart, using any trick would break his trust."
Lexie quickly declines her advisor's offer.
"For someone like him, what we need to do is prove ourselves that we are worth his present. Agh… it's time to up the PR budget, isn't it?"
She seems bored but oddly satisfied.
"I get that he's good. but are we sure to invest for him that much? Aren't we overreacting?"
"If it's just for the factions, yes. What kind of leader changes the budget plan for a mere child?"
"But for the political world outside? I will pay as much as needed to make him join our side, no, to make sure he does NOT join them!"
The male upperclassman steps back in fear from the anger in Lexie's voice.
Just as established, this is not only about school life, it is also a battle for a member of the real political world too.
If they lose a kid that has this much ungodly amount of potential to another faction, their hope for the commoner to become a dominant force is done for.
But if they got him on their side, the hope is as bright as it can be.
All they need is for him to at least not pick any side.