Demonic Po*nstar System Chapter 753: Rewarded Loyalty

"Are you sure about this?" Kaiden questioned.

Tessa reclined in her seat, draping one leg over the other, and shot him a glance mixing amusement with frustration.

"Let me make this clear. You sit opposite me, guild leader of a group led by the Shadow Monarch, supported by the nation's hottest team, boasting an initial lineup strong enough to form a mini-army, and you're wondering if I'm fine joining?"

"I’m checking if you’re alright dissolving Nova Circuit."

The mirth faded from her expression. Tessa gazed down at the table before lifting her eyes to him again.

"I’m about to share something, and you must take it as the praise it is, despite how it might seem like self-criticism."

He stayed silent, waiting.

"I’m no skilled guild leader."

Talia, positioned next to Tessa with a hot mug cradled in her hands, let out a soft noise of consent she didn’t try to hide.

"Not even a whisper of protest from you two..." Tessa muttered, her eyes narrowing.

"Why would I object? Finally, you’re making sense," Talia replied brightly.

"..."

Tessa brushed off the comment and faced Kaiden once more. "Nova Circuit remains a bottom-rank guild lacking resources, talent pipelines, proper setup, and any prospects. No young hopefuls rise through because no structure exists for them. I failed to hold onto any standout recruit except Vaelira, Sasha, Jack, and... the unfortunate Leon."

That swordsman perished since Vaelira offered him up to defeat the boss monster.

"Beyond those four, all others departed once they gained enough strength for guilds that could pay decently."

She halted briefly.

"Regarding the sole A-tier newcomer I retained... I couldn’t manage her at all. For months, a newbie overpowered me, threatening to quit unless I allowed her whims. You had to intervene and sort it out."

"Oh, yeah!" Tessa brightened abruptly, her self-mockery vanishing like a shed disguise. "Vaelira’s turned into a perfect angel since then."

Kaiden maintained a blank expression. "Has she now."

"A total angel. No clue what words you used, but after your hospital visit, she’s on time, polite, and obeys without backtalk." Tessa marveled, shaking her head.

"Hm." Kaiden nodded pensively. "Occasionally, folks just require a solid chat."

"Whatever that chat involved, teach me. She’s transformed entirely." Tessa’s eyes sparkled. "Truthfully, it was the ultimate proof. I wasted months handling it with commands, formal reprimands, every guild leader tactic, yet nothing stuck. You took minutes alone with her, and she changed completely."

A faint prickle stirred at the base of Kaiden’s skull, home to his conscience, though tiny and easy for him to disregard.

’Does she truly believe I shared an earnest conversation?’ he pondered. ’Reality was nearer to a grave violation. I deserve prison for life.’

"Anyway." Tessa flicked her hand, banishing thoughts of her past. "The key point: I recognize my strengths and weaknesses. Guild leadership isn’t mine. Combat is. Now I can battle freely, free from payroll hassles, documents, sponsor talks..."

Her voice faded, a clear shiver coursing through her frame.

"Vespera," she whispered. "Have you shared a room with her when she’s displeased?"

"...What’s your guess?"

"Fair enough. Yeah." Tessa chafed her arms. "Now, if any sassy blonde newbies decide to rebel and flex, they’ll deal with the Shadow Monarch. I doubt the talk drags on."

Kaiden simply nodded.

"So yes." Tessa beamed at him broadly, relieved. "I’m fine with it. Beyond fine—I’m ecstatic."

"Excellent." Kaiden bent forward. "I’ve got a particular role planned for you."

Tessa’s brows lifted.

"Eclipse requires a Recruitment Director."

She blinked. "A what now?"

"A person who spots fresh talent, assesses it, and recruits them. Scouts answer to you. You check videos, stats, and pitch to promising ones."

Tessa gaped at him.

"You discovered me," Kaiden stated plainly. "Your scout caught the clip, sure, but you reviewed it and chose to bet on me. A weak, F-tier unknown ignored by every other guild nationwide, yet you contacted me."

"That was merely..." Tessa began.

Kaiden understood the situation perfectly, yet it didn't faze him one bit. "That was judgment. That was an eye for potential. And you’re going to do it again, over and over, except now the recruits aren’t joining a low-tier guild with no resources."

He observed the notion taking root.

"You know the field inside out. You’ve battled for ages, attended Association events, and can spot true potential from those who merely look good on stats. And you’re..." He motioned toward her. "You. You’re so easy to approach. Recruits will be terrified, particularly the youngest ones. They require someone welcoming right at the entrance, someone who makes them sense they fit in. It calls for a dependable, magnetic grown-up who handles tasks swiftly and expertly while keeping that friendly vibe, and I believe you’re ideal for it."

"And what if they stir up trouble?" Tessa inquired, her grin returning slyly.

"You handle only recruiting and making sure they feel at home here. Miss Guild Regent will manage the troublemakers."

Tessa burst into laughter.

"Okay," she replied. "I’m in. Obviously."

Talia stayed silent during much of the conversation, cradling her mug with both hands, simply absorbing it all.

"What about you?" Kaiden questioned.

"I’m happy, Kaiden."

Those straightforward words held no theatrics. Talia raised her mug, savored a leisurely sip, then placed it back down.

"Runewoven defined my father’s existence. He forged it from scratch, investing every Chronos he gained into superior gear and refined methods. He aimed to become the nation’s top artificer, and for his guild to gain fame for it."

"Independence wasn’t the aim. Excellence was. My father never minded if Runewoven stood alone, served as a branch, or formed part of a bigger entity. The craft mattered most to him."

Talia gazed at Kaiden, her eyes steady and bright.

"Eclipse’s combat squads will don Runewoven armor. The upcoming stars of American guilds, venturing into dungeons, contests, and Association gatherings, outfitted by my father’s smithy. That surpasses any legacy I might have built alone."

She halted briefly, a subtle smile gracing her lips.

"So yes. I’m happy."

Kaiden gave a nod.

For an instant, the trio lingered in silence.

Tessa shattered it first, as Tessa always pierced quiet moments first.

"So." She rubbed her hands together and bent forward. "When do I begin? I’ve got a list ready. Never had the funds to act on it before."

"Or the reputation," Talia chimed in.

Tessa parted her lips, shut them, and pondered that briefly.

"...Yeah. No cash, no clout." She let out a breath. "Tough to lure talent when your sell is ‘join my obscure, broke guild and get paid in training and positivity.’"

Then she stopped short. Her gaze locked onto Kaiden.

"Hold on. Do I get a budget now?"

Kaiden let out a chuckle. "The Guild Regent has lined up sponsors already. Funding is solid, but the startup phase will be lean. Avoid lavish spending."

Tessa dipped her head, her look cautious and composed, like a woman bracing for a solid but sensible upgrade from her former scraps.

"Show me the figures."

"I won’t hand over exact amounts, but you can multiply your previous Nova Circuit recruitment budget by a hundred for starters."

Her guarded demeanor vanished.

Tessa rose to her feet.

"Hundredfold?!"

"Give or take."

"Give or - Kaiden, this isn’t the moment for jests!"

"The Shadow Monarch and the surging anomaly, unmasked as a mother-son pair, unite to launch a new guild. Think sponsors would be hard to snag?"

"Someone’s feeling cocky..." Talia whispered from beside them, grinning. Then she glanced at Tessa. "But she’s right. You won’t need to plead for recruits’ attention anymore. Quite the reverse—your phone will ring off the hook with them pleading for yours. Pick them wisely."

"Exactly," Kaiden concurred. "Tessa, I recommended you for this position, but it doesn’t make you untouchable. Own your decisions and produce outcomes."

At those words, Tessa’s surprise faded, giving way to assurance. "Of course. I’m not some nepotism hire but the one who spotted your gifts first. My achievements will prove it, or I’ll bow out on my own."

Kaiden just nodded approvingly, appreciating her mindset. Tessa embodied precisely the type he sought: magnetic yet reliable, keen to prove her worth. He knew from experience how effortlessly she conversed, convinced her charm would draw fresh faces while her maturity ensured accountability for her calls.

"Alright. I’ve got the full green light and plenty of funds ready to use. Can I bring my team along?"

Kaiden realized she was talking about her scouts—the small group that had laid the groundwork at Nova Circuit, combing through videos and hitting up tournaments on a bare-bones budget.

"Bring them. Mother will likely give you more staff as well, but we lacked a solid pick to head up recruitment specifically. The spot’s been vacant."

He reclined in his chair.

"You’ll team up with the other department heads Mother recruited. Intelligence, operations, logistics... each already has its leader. But recruitment’s all yours, if you’re in."

"If I want it," Tessa echoed, the notion sounding utterly ridiculous to her. She remained on her feet, pacing back and forth, phone already clutched in her grip.

Kaiden rose and walked away, abandoning the two thrilled women to jump into their fresh positions.

...

Kira lingered just beyond the door.

Her back pressed to the hallway wall, tablet gripped tightly, one ankle crossed casually over the other, she resembled a fashion spread that had wandered off-set into the guild hall. Overhead lights danced on her split-dyed locks, and her striking mismatched gaze snapped to Kaiden the instant he appeared.

"Boss." She matched his stride seamlessly. "The Association’s verdict just dropped."