Anastasia's decisive rejection left Alan somewhat stunned.
After all, he was an Adept Rank awakener and a tier-3 alchemist.
With such strength and a prestigious alchemy background, many factions on this planet would eagerly vie for his loyalty.
Yet Anastasia wore an expression of utter disdain.
"Lady Anastasia, won't you reconsider?" Alan pressed, unwilling to give up. "My ultimate goal aligns with the House of von Michelstein—to destroy the House of Violet…"
The old man, seeing Alan's potential and alchemical expertise, privately transmitted his thoughts to Anastasia:
"Miss, this Alan has extraordinary talent and is absolutely qualified to join the Watchers' Legion. His alchemist skills could be invaluable for the fortress's development."
Even so, Anastasia firmly shook her head.
She had no intention of recruiting anyone else.
Dealing with Velen alone was already enough of a headache.
Her attention and energy were divided between monitoring and fostering his growth.
Adding another person would only disrupt her own progress in rank advancement—a priority in her quest to ascend to the upper-plane universe and exact her revenge.
Being rejected twice by Anastasia left Alan, a man of high pride, feeling as though his dignity had been trampled.
You ignore me today, but tomorrow, I'll be out of your reach!
As he prepared to leave in a huff, the ring on his index finger briefly emitted a faint and barely perceptible glow.
"Stay calm," a voice resonated within the ring. "Anastasia is no ordinary person. Following her could greatly aid your future revenge."
Hearing this transmission, Alan suppressed his indignation.
His journey to becoming a tier-3 alchemist and reaching Adept Rank before the age of 17 was all thanks to the mentor within the ring—a once-great figure who now guided him.
He had never doubted her advice, and this time was no exception.
Reluctantly, he turned back and asked earnestly, "Lady Anastasia, if I don't currently meet the qualifications to join the Watchers' Legion, what would I need to do to be accepted?"
Anastasia frowned slightly.
Why do I keep running into these stubborn types?
With a cold smirk, she replied, "It's not impossible for you to join. The fortress is in dire need of resources. See that guy over there? He paid 100,000 gold coins to get in. If you can offer the same, you'll be welcome."
She didn't believe for a second she'd encounter two desperate fools in one day.
"100,000 gold coins?"
Alan's eyes widened.
Even as an alchemist, he didn't have that kind of wealth on hand.
And this was outright extortion!
Building a fortress and forming the Watchers' Legion should be about talent and qualifications for awakeners, not about paying gold coins—especially such an exorbitant amount!
Anastasia seemed ridiculously money-hungry. Working for someone like her was insane!
As these thoughts raced through his mind, the ring transmitted another mental wave.
Alan sighed deeply, suppressing his emotions, and spoke again.
"Lady Anastasia, I swear my sincerity in joining the fortress is as clear as the sun and moon! If 100,000 gold coins is truly required, could I perhaps write an IOU and pay it back slowly through my alchemy work?"
Anastasia: "…"
Could this kid not see she was intentionally trying to reject him?
Still, Alan's determination left her no choice but to add another condition, hoping to dissuade him entirely.
"You might not fully understand the current state of the fortress. It's still under construction and likely won't be able to provide sufficient resources for rank advancement."
Alan dismissed her concerns with unwavering resolve. "Lady Anastasia, as long as I can join the fortress and serve you, I don't need any resources!"
Another one who doesn't need resources?!
Anastasia felt a strange sense of déjà vu and glanced at Velen.
Velen, noticing Alan's determination, coughed lightly and said, "Mentor, I think this kid has potential!"
Come on now. Targeted within his family, stripped of his inheritance, and carrying an ancient ring with an immortal mentor inside?
This was textbook protagonist material!
The sheer potential luxury points he could gain just by flaunting wealth in front of this guy was too tempting to pass up.
Anastasia was surprised by Velen's sudden support for Alan.
During the earlier battle against the House of Violet, Velen had shown no such sympathy.
Alan, too, found himself intrigued by this stranger who seemed to hold a special relationship with Anastasia.
"Well then, there's no need for an IOU," Velen said, smiling. "I'll cover the 100,000 gold coins for you!"
With that, he handed a storage pouch to Anastasia.
Alan was stunned.
This was their first meeting, and Velen was willing to spend 100,000 gold coins on him?
Had he encountered some absurdly wealthy benefactor?
Anastasia was equally shocked. Why was Velen so eager to recommend Alan?
Even if Alan had potential, wasn't Velen worried that Alan's addition might threaten his own position?
But it was too late to protest now. Anastasia found herself holding a storage pouch brimming with gold coins.
With no legitimate reason to refuse, she sighed and relented.
"Since you're so insistent on joining, fine. But remember this: if I catch even a hint of you conspiring with the House of Violet, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Her words carried a chilling intent, shaking the valley.
Alan nodded seriously but felt puzzled.
He hadn't done anything to provoke her, so why did she harbor such hostility toward him?
At that moment, Velen's system notification chimed in his mind.
"Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting wealth. You have earned 500 luxury points!"
Velen froze for a moment.
He had only intended to befriend Alan, the chosen one, but receiving such a hefty reward was an unexpected bonus.
As expected of a chosen one!
Velen couldn't help but grin as he regarded Alan with the predatory gaze of someone eyeing a prized resource.
This guy is going to be very useful.
"You take them back to the fortress," Anastasia said curtly, clearly tired of the two of them. "I need some time alone. I'll officially begin your training in a few days."
Without sparing another glance at Velen and Alan, she turned and left.
If not for the old protector's insistence, she wouldn't have accepted any recruits.
Now, she had not one but two clingy newcomers she couldn't shake off.
The old man, however, was delighted, nodding approvingly at Velen and Alan.
"With your addition, the Watchers' Legion can now officially be considered established!"
Velen's talent and financial resources made him a standout prospect.
Alan, despite his tarnished reputation in the House of Violet, was clearly no less exceptional in skill and potential—likely a victim of the family's internal strife.
As they followed the old man, Alan approached Velen and said gratefully, "Thank you for helping me just now. I'll work hard to repay the 100,000 gold coins!"
Velen waved it off with a smile. "We're all members of the Watchers' Legion now—comrades who will share life and death together. Let's not let money get in the way of our friendship. It's just 100,000 gold coins."
From the system's reward, Velen was more convinced than ever that Alan was special. Strengthening their bond would be crucial.
Alan was moved by Velen's generosity but couldn't shake the feeling that this seemingly kind benefactor was far from simple.
Despite being only Novice Rank lv9, two ranks below him, Velen's effortless generosity was extraordinary.
He must be some kind of rich young master with secrets of his own.