Veronica sat across from him in the carriage, trying to make conversation.
Vael stared out the window.
Damn… wish they had headphones and good music here.
He paused.
Hmm. That's probably something I could invent.
Eventually he relented and looked at her.
"So what's in the city worth seeing?"
Her eyes lit up.
She started explaining:
Market districts
Noble zones
Guild halls
Trade centers
Then she spoke about House Abel's role managing frontier permits and monster zones.
That caught his attention.
Registering as an adventurer would be useful.
She studied him quietly.
Should I sponsor him? she wondered.
Then she asked casually,
"So why do you want to register anyway? And how strong are you really?"
Vael smiled and looked straight into her eyes.
That hypnotic gold-and-violet gaze.
She felt her cheeks warm.
"…fine. You don't have to answer," she muttered.
They arrived.
Vael hopped out.
"Preciate the ride."
He headed straight to the library.
📚 The Library
He spent hours reading.
Spells.
Monster weaknesses.
Martial arts manuals.
Economics.
Trade systems.
He absorbed knowledge fast.
Too fast.
People noticed.
Little did he know, his incubus aura had the place acting up.
Some girls slipped him their contact crystals.
Even the thick elf librarian auntie got flustered when he asked for a book.
Vael just smiled politely and kept moving.
🍽️ Quick Bite & Business
He grabbed food and texted Lucien.
Vael: directions?
Lucien: pass the trade center, turn left, big building with our name on it
Easy.
🏢 The Meeting
Vael arrived at a large building stamped with the Kase name.
Inside stood a man who looked like Lucien but older, with streaks of grey and a trimmed beard.
Lucien's father.
Mr. Kase.
Next to him sat a dwarf drinking beer.
Mr. Reves.
Vael thought,
So the stereotype true — dwarves really stay drinking.
He approached confidently.
"Nice to meet you."
Mr. Kase nodded.
"My son says you have interesting devices that'll make us money."
"Yes sir. I do."
"Then let's talk."
They walked to the office.
Workers crafted items and repaired artifacts throughout the building.
Real operation.
They sat.
The dwarf lit a cigar.
Mr. Kase folded his hands.
"Well, unless this is just a kid's dream… let's hear it."
💰 Business Mode Vael
Vael's demeanor shifted.
Calm. Sharp. Focused.
He presented:
A self-heating mug.
A portable spark lighter.
Convenience items for people without mana.
Simple. Useful. Profitable.
He laid out blueprints.
Explained materials.
Production costs.
Market demand.
Adventurer use.
Mr. Kase's eyes sharpened.
The dwarf leaned forward.
Now they were interested.
Then Vael pulled out a mana contract.
Terms:
Profit percentages
Exclusive rights to his designs
No sharing schematics
Replication restrictions
Clean.
Professional.
Smart.
They sealed the deal.
Mana glowed.
Contract formed.
Vael walked out smiling.
First step toward wealth.