Valian's words and request were truly enormous.
Not only did he hold a grudge against a member of the Zoldyck family, but the person he hated was perhaps one of the most important active Zoldyck members aside from Zeno and Silva.
Considering all of these, it would not make sense for Conrad to try to persuade him if he did not want to let go of his wish.
At least for the time being.
Illumi was genuinely someone terrifying to kill or even pursue. If even one of his needles struck a target, that person would fall completely under his control, and Illumi possessed the assassin skills and Nen mastery necessary to make that happen.
If Conrad himself wanted to hunt down Illumi, he would be needing a huge amount of planning and strategy to make it happen; it would be best if he were to not try to assassinate him but try to force him into direct combat.
At least, Conrad believed so.
"That's a huge request," Conrad said.
Valian smiled.
"From your reaction, I can tell you know Illumi."
Conrad nodded.
"Yes."
"And I know exactly how dangerous and powerful the person you're talking about is," he added.
"To be honest, the Zoldyck Family is probably one of the strongest organizations or family groups in the Nen world. Gaining the hostility of such a family just to recruit you into my group doesn't really benefit me."
"The goal is already to deal with enemies eventually, but right now, by yourself, you're asking me and my team to make an enemy far greater than our current enemies."
"I can offer something different," he said.
Valian was already aware that his request was huge and difficult. He knew it would probably not be accepted. Still, when it came to dreams and desired goals, asking for something like that felt natural to him.
"Eventually, I can make you strong enough to kill Illumi yourself, and later on, I can help you as well..."
"Five years."
"At most, within five years, you'll reach a level where you can kill Illumi. And if you still can't, I'll personally help you," Conrad said, raising five fingers.
Valian took a deep breath.
"Five years isn't that long..."
"For a goal and desire like this," he said.
Conrad smiled.
"Yes..."
"So, what do you say?"
Valian looked down at his hands. A smile appeared on his face, calm and sincere. It was a truly hopeful and valuable smile.
"Alright..."
"I accept joining," he said.
Conrad nodded.
"Good."
"Come to my room with me. There are some conditions that need to be fulfilled. Also, you must never have harmed a child."
Valian placed a hand on his chin.
"A child?"
"Harmed?" he asked repeatedly.
Conrad nodded.
"There's no place in my team for people capable of hurting even a single child. That's why anyone accepted into the team needs to have at least certain moral boundaries," he said.
Valian took a deep breath.
"This really must be a different kind of group..." he thought.
To be honest, this new rule and limitation made Valian realize that the Seekers Of The Unknown were at least somewhat well-intentioned and not a completely evil organization.
Many groups made up of Nen users without moral principles usually operated under the idea that everything was permissible.
Knowing he was not joining such a group relieved Valian.
Half an hour later, Conrad and Valian were in a training area within Heavens Arena, completing the required conditions.
After all the conditions were fulfilled, Conrad officially asked once more.
"Valian, I personally invite you to join the Seekers Of The Unknown. Do you accept?"
Valian took a deep breath and let it back out. He had really gone through far more conditions than expected.
"Yes!" he answered from the depths of his heart. Even so, his goal and desire were more important than his emotions. In fact, they were the strongest emotions he possessed.
The moment Valian said yes, a strange and unfamiliar energy filled him instantly.
All conditions had been fulfilled. The Nen had activated and made Valian part of the group.
Every other member of the group would instinctively and automatically feel it.
Conrad smiled.
"Yes..."
"Welcome," he said.
Valian placed a hand on his head.
"Thank you," he replied.
"So, what are we doing now?"
Conrad smiled.
"Now, we're going to train a little."
"First, I don't want you using your Nen ability. Just basic combat training. I want to see how you fight, defend, evade, and use those kinds of skills."
Valian had expected something like this, so he was not surprised and nodded.
"You attack first," he said.
A light and ordinary ten clearly covered Conrad's body, becoming fully visible in only 0.1 seconds.
Valian noticed it but made no comment.
He quickly stepped forward and threw a simple punch aimed at Conrad's face. Conrad calmly dodged the punch with a slight movement of his head by only a few centimeters, grabbed Valian's arm with his left hand, and threw him backward.
In only half a second, he had both avoided the attack and disrupted Valian's balance.
"If you attack in the most predictable way possible, you'll meet the deadliest result," Conrad said.
Conrad raised his hand and began speaking.
"You're an experienced Nen fighter, but if I'm not mistaken, the other Nen users you've fought were generally limited to those in Heavens Arena."
"If you're going to become an effective member of the group, you need to understand that in life-and-death battles, Nen users around your level can use the most unexpected defenses and attacks imaginable."
"Nen users weak enough for you to overwhelm easily usually won't pose much of a threat unless they possess very specific and complex Nen abilities and unless they have someone intelligent guiding them on how to use those abilities."
"When carrying out your plans and attacks, try to fight or defend using ideas that could even surprise yourself whenever possible. Most of the time, a single idea or plan created at the right moment and timing, a smart strategic thought, determines whether you win or lose a battle, whether you survive or die," he said.
Valian smiled.
"This is going to be pretty fun and educational," he replied.