Daniel smiled after hearing William's response; then his gaze settled on the two girls.
— You two… give me one reason not to erase your memories of everything you've heard.
The young women were caught off guard and left stunned.
"Can he really erase our memories?" Jessica thought, frightened.
But before she could form a response, her friend was quicker.
— If you accept me as you accepted William, I can be useful too! — Estela said promptly.
She didn't quite understand why William had yielded so easily after that fascinating man touched the space between his eyebrows. Estela also didn't care about nations or ideological causes; her only desire was to have control over her own life—something impossible due to the family she belonged to. However, that stranger gave her the conviction that by following him, she would achieve an extraordinary existence.
"And besides… having such an attractive boss would be very pleasant!" she thought, feeling her face warm at the possibility.
— A-And… I can be useful too! — Jessica shouted right after, casting a frustrated glance at her companion.
"That bitch is being bold… I need to be careful not to be left behind!" she thought, noticing the false shyness on her friend's face.
With a curious expression, Daniel walked until he stopped in front of both of them.
— William possesses a rare talent, which is why I chose him. I don't see the same in you… but I'll give you a chance to explain yourselves.
If it weren't for the fact that they reminded him of Sindy and Lúcia, his two former disciples, Daniel wouldn't have been so lenient, as their potential was low.
"At best, they'd reach the Unrestricted Realm… if they're lucky," he assessed mentally.
Still, he found it intriguing that they offered themselves without even understanding why William had chosen to follow him.
— We… Estela and I belong to two extremely influential bloodlines in the world: the Rothschilds and the Waltons. My name is Jessica Walton, and she is Estela Rothschild.
Daniel showed slight surprise upon hearing them. He hadn't imagined those young women belonged to such giants—especially the Walton Family, often cited as the richest on the planet. As for the Rothschilds, their wealth was fragmented among many heirs, but their influence was global, and if their total fortune were exposed, it would surpass that of the Waltons.
Daniel didn't recall either of them from previous dealings with those families; he had never heard their names, which led him to conclude they held no real importance within their clans. Even so, he decided to let them play their cards.
— You've earned a reason to be heard, but only that. If you're here in space, it's because you're running away, correct?
— Yes… — Both Estela and Jessica smiled bitterly as they confirmed.
This time, Estela spoke:
— Indeed, we are escaping the influence of our families. Aside from our lineage and a few million dollars, we don't have much, but… if you're willing to keep listening, it's because you feel we can benefit you, isn't it?
Daniel pondered. He wasn't a tyrant, and he had only arrived in that timeline an hour ago. Having influential individuals handling minor matters—like finances, logistics, and organization—would save him many headaches. He remembered that in the future he came from, those two families had split: one side allied with the Murim world, while the other fought for humanity's independence.
"If it weren't for that division, we might have resisted longer," he reflected.
— I have one condition — he declared. — I'll give you the capability and the time needed, but I want something simple: I want each of you to become the leader of your respective family. Only then will you be fit to follow me!
William, who had been watching everything, grew increasingly stunned. He knew his classmates had some influence, since while he had to struggle studying to earn his place, the two of them had simply presented their surnames and Director Alisha had granted them admission—albeit reluctantly.
If he was shocked, Jessica and Estela looked like they had seen a ghost. They didn't know whether he was rejecting them with an impossible demand or speaking seriously.
— Well? What do you say? — Daniel asked, indifferent to their astonishment.
— Y-You… you can really help us lead our families? — Jessica asked, refusing to give up. Deep down, she felt this was the opportunity of her life, no matter how unreal it seemed.
— I'll give you the competence for it, but how you act will be your responsibility. A small test for me to decide whether it's worth investing in you.
Jessica and Estela exchanged glances. Everything was too frantic and fantastical to be real—it felt like pure madness. They bit their lips, hesitating for a few moments, until determination shone in their eyes. They accepted the proposal.
— Fine. Read and sign!
Daniel raised his hand, and mana condensed into particles, shaping two contracts that floated with an ethereal glow. They took the documents with trembling hands, stunned by their supernatural origin. As they read, they swallowed hard.
The contract stipulated that if they so much as considered betraying him, their hearts would explode and their blood would flow in reverse. If they revealed his secrets without consent, they would suffer excruciating pain—worse than death—for an hour. They would have only three chances; after the third failure, death would be their fate.
Despite the terror of the clauses, the benefits were tempting. The first was ascending to command of their families; the second was that, through good service, he would help them reach unimaginable power, allowing them to rule lands in other worlds after conquest. Once he established control over Earth, he would grant them royal titles and matching authority.
After finishing reading, the young women began to grasp the magnitude of that man's plans. Did he intend to dominate the entire planet like a Monarch? Global unification under a single banner. It was something impractical for modern nations—even for the United States—despite being the hidden dream of many rulers.
— So, Jess, what do you think? It sounds impossible, but my instincts say this man can actually do what he promises! — Estela whispered.
— I agree! I feel the same, even terrified of the punishments… I don't know about you, Estela, but I'm grabbing this opportunity with everything I've got! — Jessica exclaimed, taking the golden pen floating in the air to sign her name.
Immediately, the contract disintegrated into a beam of light, and she felt the information being engraved into her mind, becoming impossible to forget.
Seeing her friend's action, Estela signed as well. Both had decided to risk their lives; the temptation of what had been offered was too great to resist.
Daniel stroked his chin, slightly surprised. That was an S-rank magic: Subordination. However, he had modified it so they would retain free will and receive fair rewards, though he kept the severity against betrayal.
"I thought they'd back down, but it seems their ambition outweighs their fear of death… Well, it doesn't matter. I'll reward those who deserve it and punish those who don't. Simple as that!"
°°°
Turning to William, Daniel went straight to the point.
— William, I showed you who I am because I intend to make you my first disciple in this timeline…
William blinked twice, somewhat dazed by how fast everything was happening; however, recalling martial arts movies, he understood he should show respect to his master. The man, who had already stood up, carried his 180 kg body—shaking with every step—and prostrated himself before Daniel, performing three bows.
— I, William Dimas, pay respect to my master!
Daniel smiled.
— Good. You were supposed to be my 1101st disciple, but since we're in another timeline, you're now the first!
Jessica and Estela couldn't help but feel a hint of envy. While they had to risk their lives signing the contract just to follow this powerful man… William, whom they had once looked down on, could accompany him without consequences. It left a bitter taste in their mouths.
The two beautiful young women—one from the prominent Walton Family and the other from the imposing Rothschild—were no better than an overweight old man of over a hundred kilos, who was sexually impotent and reeked of sweat? It was hard to understand what this "talent" their handsome boss spoke of really was…