After their brief introductions, Brandon finished setting everything up.


    To add to his look, he currently adorned ck–framed sses.


    Pushing the sses up slightly, Brandon turned his head slightly to check if the powerpoint presentation was still working.


    Nodding his head in approval, Brandon turned his head back, meeting Jain''s gaze.


    Currently, Jain was seated at his desk. On his right, stood his daughter, ire Victoria.


    Apparently, ire was training to be his secretary. It was a needed development for her, much so, to expand her connections until she eventually took over the business.


    "Kuhum."


    Clearing his throat, the business proposal began.


    At that moment, Brandon''s mouth began to move. He had rehearsed this a couple of times with his team, even Bellion was present for that.


    It was quite difficult at first since he would often stutter and forget his lines. However, after practicing a lot, they soon approved of his presentation.


    It was not as if their product wouldn''t be approved. Brandon was sure it would be approved.


    But that was only one criteria. He had to show Jain that he was apetent business partner.


    For that reason, he had kept practicing, muttering things to himself with shcards.


    Eventually, he perfected his presentation.


    It didn''t need to be said.


    His presentation was perfect. To the point where he didn''t need to look back and read the text written on the powerpoint.


    The words just came out naturally. In fact, he may have forgotten some lines, but he memorized the ins and outs of their product to the point where he could impromptu his way out of anything.


    Of course, it had to be said, there were looks of doubtsing from ire and Jain, especially from Jain.


    After all, they had never heard of such artifacts before. It was too surprising, especially knowing Brandon was just a 17 year–old.


    Still, they remained silent throughout the entire presentation, keenly listening.


    "Hm…"


    Jain, who sped his hands in front of his mouth, began to hum, seemingly in deep thought.


    Brandon had just finished his presentation and stood with his back straight. The entire time, it was only him who spoke.


    Ironaxe wasn''t good at this sort of stuff. However, he was brought here for a different purpose.


    "I have a question."


    Jain asked.


    "If what you say is true, then I agree that this product is revolutionary. But it had to be said, do you have a sample?"


    "I''m d you asked, Sir Victoria."


    Then, Brandon turned his head, looking at Ironaxe. Nodding his head and giving him the signal, the little dwarf walked towards Jain, carrying a briefcase.


    Click—


    A soft clicking sound echoed, and the briefcase opened.


    On the briefcase, there were two objects present.


    An amulet, and a ring.


    The first product that seemed to have intrigued Jain was the amulet as he picked it up and scrutinized it closely.


    "This is the one where I can use a different affinity?"


    "Yes, it''s as it says in the presentation."


    Brandon nodded his head.


    Yet again, there was a look of doubt in Jain''s features.


    "Mr. Locke, I heard you were a Penta–Elemental mage. So I can''t ask you to test this item. Apologies, but I''m quite wary. If it were to malfunction, who knows what the aftereffects would be? You''ve never stated them after all."


    His caution was understandable. He was a prominent figure in this continent. His safety was a priority.


    "Can I ask that little friend of yours to test it?"


    "Little sh—"


    "Ah, of course."


    Brandon cut Ironaxe''s words off before he could say something he shouldn''t.


    "Ironaxe, if you please."


    Ironaxe frowned, but eventually, walked back towards Jain.


    "Wait."


    Just as Ironaxe was about to ask for the amulet, Jain pulled back.


    "Now that I think about it, you''re ire''s friend, correct?"


    "Oh, yes. We''re actually the best of friends."


    "Wha—"


    "Right, ire?"


    Brandon tilted his head, smiling at ire.


    ire stood petrified. She seemed to have remembered what had just happened a few days back during their spar.


    "Right, yes. That''s right, Dad. We''re friends."


    "Good, ire. Be sure to continue expanding yourwork. Treasure this friendship of yours with Mr. Locke."


    "Of course."


    It had to be said, ire was smiling awkwardly, and it looked as if sweat started trickling down her forehead.


    "I''ve fully assessed your character, Mr. Locke. Since you''re friends with my daughter, you must have good intentions."


    "Huh—"


    "Dad, what are you—"


    "I''ll trust this product of yours isn''t faulty by any means."


    "There seems to be a misunderstanding—"


    "We''re not dati—"


    At that moment, Jain put on the amulet, and a surge of mana began to spiral in the air.


    Jain''s eyes widened and immediately stood up.


    "This….."


    With raised brows and a shocked expression, Jain turned his head and looked at Brandon.


    "Is this for real…?"


    "Yes."


    Brandon nodded his head, a smirk creeping up his face.


    At that moment, Jain extended his hand forward.


    Magic power spiraled, the room slightly shaking.


    "Wait, Dad. You might destroy the room!"


    "It''s okay, ire. I can control it."


    Brandon didn''t doubt Jain''s words. Someone as powerful as him must have profound mana control.


    "No, Dad. Mana control is exactly what you''re bad—"


    It was then.


    Boom—!


    Arge ice crystal emerged and the wall, along with the bookcases shattered at that moment.


    "...."


    Jain scratched his neck in embarrassment.


    Amotion urred downstairs, gasps and screams echoed throughout the entire building. On the hole, a small head peeked out.


    "Uhm…."


    "Ah."


    ire could only breathe out a sigh and clicked on the transmitter.


    "Haaa…. Earth Mages, please gather here, quickly!"


    *


    After cleaning up, Brandon and Ironaxe sat back down on the couch. Jain had finished evaluating the product, sitting on his desk.


    It had to be said.


    It was a sess. Though Jain didn''t specifically say it, the look of exhration on his face told Brandon all he needed to know.


    They had passed.


    "It''s a good product, Mr. Locke. Victoria Corporation will happily establish a partnership with Locke Enterprise. What you need are resources, correct?"


    "As it says in the documents, Sir Jain."


    "Of course, of course."


    Now that the resource problem was out of the way, it was time to solve the next one.


    "But I have another condition, Sir Jain."


    "Hm? What is it?"


    On normal asions, this wouldn''t even be approved of. But since Brandon was also in a coborative partnership with the Imperial Army, Jain gave him the limelight to do so.


    "Currently, my team iscking manpower. I''d like to propose for some of your workers toe work for me, Sir Jain."


    It was a bold proposal.


    A really bold one.


    But Brandon was confident.


    "I understand, but that''s not possible, Mr. Locke."


    "What if it''s in the form of a loan?"


    "No can do. You know of our business ventures. Victoria Company needs as many workers as it can get."


    It might''ve been for that reason, why their employees seemed tock any sleep.


    It was then when Brandon stood up and slid another document in front of Jain.


    Jain leaned close and scanned the document.


    As soon as he finished reading, a crease formed in his temple.


    "Respectfully, Mr Locke, are you insane?"


    "Sir?"


    "This is clearly an attempt to swallow my business."


    Thump! Jain smacked the table.


    "I will not stand for this!"


    Then, Brandon turned around. He wasn''t intimidated by the least and motioned for Ironaxe toe close.


    "I''ll let you in on a little secret, Sir Jain. You too, ire."


    "Hm?"


    "What?"


    At that moment, Ironaxe unveiled his disguise. His dwarven features became present for everyone to see as his beard reached the floor.


    "You look like—"


    "A dwarf!?"


    ire''s words were immediately cut off as Jain screamed.


    It had to be said that they had never actually met a dwarf. None of the humans had ever met a dwarf.


    But by some sheer coincidence, dwarves were mentioned in children''s fairy tales, and a couple of novels published.


    But Brandon already knew why that was the case.


    It wasn''t just dwarves, but elves were also mentioned.


    And from what he knew about Ironaxe, he had been here way before any of them were born.


    Yes, that meant that there had been several sightings of them in the past. But were most likely omitted from history textbooks for some unknown reason.


    "Correct, Sir Jain."


    It was an agreement Brandon and Ironaxe hade to terms with.


    That Ironaxe would reveal himself to the world and cement the identity of dwarves.


    On the off chance that dwarves would begin to reveal themselves, they would be epted in society.


    After all, humans would be frightened by the unknown. But if that unknown became the known, then there was no need for them to be frightened.


    That was his n.


    To lure the dwarves out into the open, hopefully, forming a rtionship with them.


    And eventually, Ironaxe would meet them and they would take him home.


    "Those artifacts have dwarven technology."


    *


    And of course, the entire business proposal was a sess.


    Though Brandon had failed to swallow the business, they had formed a partnership with good incentives.


    Manpower would be sent to hispany, and surprisingly, the resources became free of use.


    But it had to be said that Victoria Company took a 5% cut in all the profits Brandon made.


    That, and Brandon too had be an important figure in thepany.


    It was basically a jointpany now.


    After all, how could Jain miss such a money making opportunity?


    He had an eye for such things. That Brandon''spany would soon rise to the market, and that dwarven technology would be the future.


    Shortly after, Brandon bid his farewells and left the building with Ironaxe.


    ***


    ire recalled the events that had just transpired.


    Truth be told, she was astonished by what Brandon had just aplished.


    In fact, she found it quite unbelievable.


    How long had he been nning all this?


    Was this the reason for his disappearance as well?


    How had he aplished so much in a span of a year?


    She had way too many questions for him, but refrained from doing so.


    Her respect for Brandon had just gone up a notch.


    "Make sure you maintain that rtionship of yours with him."


    "Dad, you''re misunderstanding things. We''re not dating."


    "Oh."


    Jain looked as if realization had washed over him.


    "That aside, it seems like you two are good friends. That boy has a bright future ahead of him. I''m d I''ve be someone respectable enough for that boy to approach first."


    "Yes."


    ire nodded her head. She wasn''t listening at all, the words just flowed in her ear and out the other.


    "But why not?"


    Jain suddenly asked, turning his head to look at her.


    "Not as good looking as me, but I approve of him. He seems quite aplished. And his credentials from Astrea adds more to his name."


    "Pftt….."


    ire couldn''t help but let out a chuckle.


    In truth, she actually did find Brandon quite attractive.


    But attraction didn''t mean feelings.


    "You''re still hung up about ''that'' boy?"


    "That boy?"


    "You know who I''m talking about."


    Of course.


    Who else but Reinhard Van?


    Her childhood friend.


    "Hung up? As if. I can''t even stand hi—"


    "Even if you say that, you can''t ignore your feelings. But that''s good. That boy can''t be helped. Not even that Bellion boy can do a thing about him."


    "I don''t understand why no one is stopping him."


    "A man''s pride. If I were in his position, I''d do the same, even if it kills me."


    "...."


    Reinhard had gone too deep in the rabbit hole to be helped.


    No, he had been in the rabbit hole for a long time.


    Just thinking about the fake smiles he had been giving since his childhood frustrated ire.


    All the jokes, and all the misunderstandings around him.


    The fact that he didn''t care about the rumors surrounding him frustrated ire even more as she clenched her fist.


    But her thoughts were soon broken by Jain, who looked at her with a frown.


    "Your clothes."


    "....?"


    "How many times have I told you not to wear such obscene clothing?"