(Leo's POV, the real world, Arc Ship)
Leo marched onto Captain Kid's cabin in a happy mood post Luke's win in the final round of the rankers tournant.
Their plan to ensure his victory appeared to have worked flawlessly, evident in Luke's sheer exhilaration as he shared the joy of his triumph with Leo after logging out of the ga.
The four of them celebrated his victory briefly at their ho before Leo headed over to et Captain Kid, however, Leo hoped for him to have won after defeating PinkLotus, but her forefitting the match wasn't too bad either.
Leo stepped into Captain Kid's cabin, the door creaking softly as it closed behind him.
The Captain stood quickly, a mix of nervousness and eagerness flashing across his face.
He knew he had done a good job and was expecting Leo to praise him for it, but still felt nervous about what he was going to say.
"Well, Captain," Leo began, his voice casual but carrying an edge that kept Kid on his toes. "You didn't ss our plan up. I suppose that's worth sothing."
Kid let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and forced a grin. "I'd say more than sothing, wouldn't you? Luke's victory was a masterpiece. Perfectly executed," he added, scratching the back of his neck, "I can't say I expected PinkLotus to forfeit the final match like that, but I controlled every other variable perfectly."
Leo smirked, leaning against the edge of Kid's desk. "Yeah you did nice captain, I might let you off from your slave collar really soon if you keep this up. Also yeah, I too did not expect sister-in-law to just forefit the match, considering her otherwise competitive nature, however, it seems like she's more fond of my brother than what I give her credit for."
Kid nodded, agreeing with his assessnt. "In my defense, no one could've predicted she'd just hand him the victory—and kiss him in front of millions, no less. It was a bold move, but… kind of a perfect ending, don't you think?"
Leo's smirk widened, though his eyes held a flicker of amusent. "Perfect for the viewers, maybe. I doubt the rankers who lost to Luke feel the sa."
Kid laughed awkwardly, clearly relieved that Leo's mood seed lighter than usual.
"So, now that Luke's win is a done deal, as long as I complete imparting outer world knowledge to you for 25 more days, I'll be a free man right?" Kid asked nervously, as he writhed his hands.
Leo didn't respond imdiately. Instead, he leaned back in the chair across from Kid's desk, his gaze drifting toward the small cabinet in the rooms corner.
"Sure. As long as the lessons you impart everyday are aningful, I'd say you have paid back fairly" Leo agreed, prompting Kid to let out a sigh of relief.
Now that the most difficult aspect of his freedom was already completed, the rest was easily manageable.
"Well, now that Luke's win is behind us," Kid said, clearing his throat and straightening in his seat, "I think it's a good ti to move on to today's lesson."
Leo raised an eyebrow, his relaxed posture shifting slightly. "You're eager to teach today, huh? What lesson have you prepared for today?"
Kid leaned forward, his fingers drumming lightly on the desk. "I thought we could cover sothing practical—sothing you'll need to know as you step into the wider universe. Specifically, the treatnt and expectations for warriors at different levels…. And the difficulty to reach that tier."
Leo gestured for him to continue, his interest mildly piqued.
"Alright," Kid began, pulling up a small holographic display from his desk. "In the universe, warriors are broadly categorized into tiers: Amateurs, Masters, Grandmasters, Transcendents, Monarchs, Demi-Gods, and Gods. These titles aren't just for show—they define your status, rights, and opportunities in society."
He paused, allowing Leo to absorb the hierarchy.
"The 'Master' realm," Kid continued, "is the absolute minimum requirent for being acknowledged as a true warrior. Without reaching this level, you're little more than a glorified amateur, treated as expendable and lacking basic rights. Those below Master level are often relegated to cannon fodder in wars, grunt work in rcenary groups, or nial labor for powerful organizations. They struggle to survive and unless they belong to so proper family, live miserable lives."
Leo's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression growing serious. "So you're saying you have to reach Master to even be considered a citizen?"
"Exactly, in most places it's like that, being a master ans you get proper burial rights, travel rights and so on.
While amateurs aren't exactly treated the sa as animals, there are many practical freedoms that they don't enjoy" Kid confird.
"Once you hit the Master realm, things change. You're given basic rights, acknowledged as a proper individual with value, and actively recruited by organizations. At this level, you can expect reasonable compensation for your skills, training opportunities, and even so political privileges depending on the planet or faction you're part of."
Leo nodded thoughtfully, the implications settling in. "And Grandmasters? What about them?"
Kid's expression shifted, a hint of awe creeping into his voice. "Grandmasters are in an entirely different league. To be a Grandmaster is to be revered, not just respected. They're seen as the backbone of elite organizations, the ones who command armies, lead divisions, and hold sway over entire regions."
He leaned back, letting the weight of his words linger. "A Grandmaster is a symbol of stability and power. They're rare, even on a universal scale. Wherever they go, they're treated with a mix of fear and admiration. But it's not just the status—it's the influence they wield. A single Grandmaster can turn the tide of a war."
Leo's gaze didn't waver as he absorbed the information. "So, being a Master is survival. Being a Grandmaster is dominance."
"Precisely," Kid replied, his tone growing more solemn. "But it's not just about power. It's about the responsibilities and expectations that co with it. Grandmasters don't live simple lives. Most are Emperors, powerful generals and rule over continents."
Leo leaned forward slightly, his curiosity now fully piqued. "And what happens when soone surpasses even that? What does it an to be a Transcendent?"
Kids breath hitched at that question, for now was the real interesting part.
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