Il Ji and Orio used the semi-functional teleporters to return to the basement. Luckily, they had several layers of redundancies, and those that were left with intact ground still worked.
They shortly appeared on the bottom floor. With a single glance, Il Ji confirmed Orio's earlier statement. His sister had returned. She was standing with the rest of the gang.
However, standing next to them were six imposing figures.
"Master Orio!" The Tide Emperor shouted. "Was this your plan all along?"
"No, no, the idea belonged to my young protege; they were his and his alone."
"Hmph." The Tide Emperor crossed his arms. "Young man, it seems you've gotten the better of your elders. We have no choice but to acknowledge your acts, as we agreed by council vote."
"However! We have also agreed that, with your abilities and newfound wealth, you are too valuable to leave alone. Alongside the recent ruin of this building and the various dangers it entailed, we have formally acknowledged your need of a guardian protector."
"As such, we have agreed to let you choose any 1 Archaic beast of ours to watch over and protect you until you are strong enough to do so on your own."
The Tide Emperor, Sky Emperor, Sky Queen, Mammoth Emperor, Architect Emperor, and Warden Queen gazed at him coolly.
'If they send someone to protect me, they're surely meant to watch over me as well. Even if that's the case, I might as well make the most of it.'
"In that case, in accepting the wishes of such vast seniors, I choose the Architect Emperor's Elemental companion, Stryftos."
"Done." The Architect Emperor stated plainly. Summoning the companion from his soul space, the Emperor gave instructions. "For the next year, you are to follow Il Ji, this man here. Protect him. After the year is up, should you or he wish to change the arrangement, we can do so at that time."
"Il Ji," the Sky Emperor intoned, "You are a high rising star. Be careful that you do not rise too fast. After a council-led review of your character, we have deemed you worthy of your rise. The fact of the matter is, though, that if you hadn't given your new wealth to your friends out of goodwill- you would not have even risen to see the next day."
"Speaking of which," the Mammoth Emperor boomed, "I've decided to take this here boy as my disciple."
'Sebastian?' Il Ji thought.
The Architect Emperor then coughed as well. "As for Minata, I and a few of my friends will be co-mentoring her. We plan to teach her the art of smithing and design, and allow her to travel in her father's footsteps. Hopefully she can become the Armament Queen of our Federation. On the side, the Warden Queen has also agreed to stop by and teach her the arts of battle."
The Sky Queen spoke next. "Sebastian's sister, Maya, has the chance to become a trur bastion of the fire element. While I have yet to name her as my disciple, I will give her the chance to study at my Five Pheonix Palace."
"Il Ji, your thoughts?"
"Mm. My thoughts are as such: The three you mentioned, as well as my sister, have signed a contract. The contract concludes that I will be their sole Creation Master through the end of this year's Chrono Cup."
"Therefore, I am the only one able to formulate cultivation and training plans as well as the only one able to put such plans into action. As such, they will, unfortunately, only be able to agree to such an apprenticeship after 8 months."
The six Archaic-level figures looked at him, startled.
"That being said, while I am their sole Creation Master for this time, I am more than willing to take suggestions."
The Sky Emperor gathered his thoughts first. "I see. Il Ji, you seem to hold us as your equals."
"Is not every man equal under the sun? Every man dies, and every man lives. We all accomplish the best we can with what we're given. Such is my philosophy."
"I see." The Sky Emperor returned. "Well then, Il Ji, I have a new concession on behalf of my colleagues."
"This building is undergoing modification. While we are here, we can create 5 additional subfloors for further projects between the twefth and eleventh subfloors, as well as liven up the scenery here in general. "
"For now, the fifth floor we build will belong to you. We will give you everything you need for your [Primordial Project]. In addition, on the fifth floor we will add teleportation nodes to our capital buildings."
"As for your friends, we will give them teleportation access to both our capitals and your floor. As such, you can monitor their progress and be available to confirm your assent."
"We will also purchase one of the nearby buildings in your name to house your team. Thoughts?"
"As long as you all sign in front of Kairo, affirming that you won't adjust their cultivation without my consent, I see no reason not to." Il Ji replied.
"...."
"...…"
"...…."
"….Just what mental skills have you found, kid? Alright, we'll do as you ask." The Tide Emperor spoke up.
"Good." Il Ji responded. "However, I have one last request."
"Speak." The Mammoth Emperor's deep voice resounded on across the forest.
"I have more than six All-Access cards. As I have all 12, might I have a teleportation node for each capital as well?"
"As the Construction Emperor and one who takes precedence here, I can take the lead. Il Ji, I grant your request." The Architect Empeor spoke softly.
"Good. There is only one last thing to take into consideration."
"Friends, do you agree to accept a discipleship with these seniors?"
"Yes." Minata timidly spoke up.
Sebastian nudged Maya. "I-I do too!"
Sebastian waited a few seconds. "Mammoth Emperor, while I would surely amass great fortune from your tutelage, I must admit: being the CEO of my family's business takes much of my time."
The mammoth emperor held up three fingers. "Three days! As long as you can show up three days a week, I can confirm you as my disciple."
"Then as the CEO of Law Technologies, Inc. I accept your offer humbly." Sebastian gave a small bow.
The Tide Emperor took the lead. "Il Ji. As it is done, we will return shortly with our draft proposal."
The six nodded their heads and teleported away. Il Ji's four friends were still standing around, muttering in confusion.
"Sebastian, Maya, Laila, Minata! Today surely marks a start for you. Normally, I'd put you in their hands to start. But, because of my innate abilities, I can give you much more, much faster- at least, up until [Gold] rank."
"Since that's the case, this is currently the best option we have. Over the next week, I'll be transferring several skills to the four of you. After that, you'll be free to join your masters at their capitals."
Il Ji turned to his new protector. "Stryftos."
"Yes, protectee?"
"You are an Order and Chaos Elemental, correct?"
"Yes, protectee."
"Good! …I'm sure I'll feel well-protected in your care."
Two lights flashed inside Il Ji's soul space.
After a few short moments, the six returned. Not seeing any discrepancies they had spoken of, or future loopholes to avoid, Il Ji went ahead and signed their copy.
"Good! I'll send this to Legislator Kairo; he should arrive shortly with your copy." The Tide Emperor vanished in a swirl of water.
After he left, several bubbles popped upon the tall grass. One hit an open puddle and made one of the flopping anchovies sneeze itself into the puddle next over. Laila let out one of her little laughs, and Il Ji smiled.
The Tide Emperor returned with the Legislator in tow.
Kairo took the signed paper and put it into his beast, a tool-type printer. The printer beast ate the copy it was given, and spit out the next few copies.
"As the Legislator of the Chrono Federation, I, Kairo Maescillius, present Il Ji, Il Laila, Sebastian Law, Maya Law, Minata Ru, and the party representing the Chrono Federation's Ruling Council, with their individual and collective copies of their signed agreement. May it be so."
Handing a copy to Il Ji first, he proceeded to hand a copy to each and every person mentioned. Everyone quickly gave the document another glance-over.