My SSS-Rank Clone Talent: I Level Up Endlessly!

"I refuse," Zarek said without missing a beat.

Immediately, a looming shadow fell over him. He tilted his head to look at her. His heart palpitated instinctively, but in his mind, he felt no fear of her.

His goal was clear…

To adapt.

He braced himself for Melissa's attack once again but it never came. Confused, he slowly opened his eyes and looked at her with a slight tilt of his head.

"Eh?"

"What are you scared of?" Melissa asked with a chuckle.

"Of course not," Zarek replied honestly, shaking his head. "But I was preparing for you to attack me again."

"You see," Melissa's figure vanished in an instant, then reappeared right in front of his eyes.

Zarek's pupils dilated. He cursed inwardly, 'How fast is she?'

Melissa smiled as she spoke, "We do not wish to be your enemies."

"Enemies?" Zarek blinked, his gaze sharpening. "What about how you said I stepped on the face of the Empire and couldn't be forgiven for my crimes?"

"Those?" Melissa chuckled. "How could beating up a few corrupted guards be considered an insult to the Empire's dignity? The real reason you were captured was because of a power-hungry duke who wanted to flaunt his strength."

"…I see." Zarek nodded, finally understanding.

Melissa raised her hand and ruffled his hair.

"You're quite handsome," she said with a teasing smile. "I wouldn't want to become the enemy of such a good-looking man, now would I?"

Zarek's brows twitched in response, but he didn't say anything. She was stronger than him, if he were stronger, the tides would have shifted.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"How about you join hands with the Empire?" Melissa offered. "We'll provide you with all the resources you need. In exchange, we become allies."

"…Why would I want to ally with those who captured me?" Zarek replied coldly. "Besides, what would public opinion be if they found out someone who supposedly stomped on the face of the Empire was not only roaming free but also allied with it?"

"Wouldn't you be called cowards?"

"Who dares?" Melissa merely smiled as she heard his words:

"The public's minds are like sheep," Melissa said calmly. "They follow whatever narrative the masses create. Those who think differently are always excluded. Besides, only the name 'Zarek' is the prisoner here, isn't it?"

"You want to change my identity?" Zarek narrowed his eyes.

"That's right," she nodded. "Enemies are temporary. Benefits are eternal. We'll provide you with all the resources you need. All you have to do is shake my hand."

Melissa extended her hand toward him.

Zarek looked at her slender, snow-like hand in near silence.

After a moment, he finally spoke.

"…Alright." He extended his hand and shook hers.

"Welcome to the Ragnarok Empire, General Kaine," Melissa grinned.

"Hmm." Zarek nodded. "But I have a condition first."

"Please, tell me. I would never disappoint a General of my empire," Melissa replied with a smile.

"I want to attend the Dragon Hunting Festival," Zarek said, his eyes gleaming.

"Okay," Melissa shrugged nonchalantly. "The Falcon Empire is five empires away from us. If we travel by horse, it would take several months to reach it…"

She smirked:

"However, I have a way for you to get there quickly."

"Oh?" Zarek raised his brows, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"As a General of the Ragnarok Empire, you'll definitely have the opportunity," she said slowly. "However, I cannot grant you the title of General so easily."

Zarek's brow twitched. 'She was the one who offered the alliance and wanted to grant me the title of General,' he thought. 'And now she says it's not so easy?'

She was speaking in two tones.

"Don't get me wrong," Melissa said, rubbing her forehead with helplessness. "Even though I might be the strongest Telekinetic Master, even I can't break certain rules. You'll need some military merit to earn the title, so you'll have to enlist in the army."

"Hmm?" Zarek frowned at her words.

"Don't worry," she added with a sly smile. "I'll make it easy for you to earn those exploits."

"How much time will it take?"

"A week."

"Too long. I need it faster," Zarek said, shaking his head.

"This…" Even Melissa hesitated for a moment, becoming thoughtful.

"I might be able to arrange enough military exploits for you in a single day—but it could be risky."

"Done." Zarek nodded with satisfaction.

"Alright," she shrugged. "Your choice."

After that, everything was more or less settled.

Honestly, Zarek had been planning to withdraw after some time. He knew there was no way he could defeat this Telekinetic Master so easily.

But as it turned out, his luck was even better than expected…

They had formed an alliance.

With the power of the Ragnarok Empire behind him, Zarek's influence at the Dragon Hunting Festival would rise significantly and he could assist Drayken far more effectively.

Not to mention, he had a cheat-like skill called Adapt.

With everything settled, a few servants dressed in maid uniforms approached and guided him to a luxurious chamber. Melissa left after giving him a simple instruction:

"Just stay here until I return."

The maids served him tea, and Zarek sank comfortably into the plush sofa, casually sipping from his cup.

His nose twitched at the lingering aroma in the air.

"Ah, what a beautiful scent," he remarked.

Even if the tea had been laced with poison or hallucinations, it wouldn't matter.

His body would simply adapt.

As expected, as he sipped the tea, his vision began to blur but he quickly adapted to it.

'That woman,' he thought, pausing for a moment, clicking his tongue before taking another sip.

The maids watched him with expressionless faces, though he could hear their hearts pounding faster.

'Sigh. It's probably not their fault. I'll get even with Melissa, though.'

As he reflected, his mind cleared, shifting to thoughts about his exclusive Telekinesis skill, a skill that couldn't be leveled up normally.

It was truly confusing to him.