"Fusing add-ons? Is that even legal?" Axel asked.

"Of course it is. You don't even need a convergence gem to do it, but it is such a difficult task that requires so much time and preparation to do it well that it is not even worth trying." Mark explained.

"But using a convergence gem is almost like installing a sub. You just need to activate it and let it do its job before you get a new add-on." George explained.

"I guess it is not as easy as it sounds, right? There should be some restrictions or something like that." Axel said.

"Well, each gem has a limit on the rank of the add-ons that it can fuse, so weaker gems don't work on high-rank add-ons. Also, if the add-ons are too different or incompatible, you will probably lose some of their functions as a result. The most common use is to fuse back an add-on that has split in two because it has become too powerful for the current world's rank." Mark explained.

After hearing that, Axel's eyes opened wide as he realized something.

"Are you saying what I think you are saying?" Axel asked while smiling.

"Maybe. What do you think I'm saying?" Mark exclaimed, laughing.

Axel looked at the rest of the people around him before talking.

"I'm decided. I want a convergence gem," he said.

"Ok. Its price is 300 contribution points." John said.

"No problem," Axel replied.

"Kid, I have yet to tell you how many points you have received from the rift," George said while rolling his eyes.

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"Oh, right. How many points did I get from the rift?" Axel asked.

"Well, I have to calculate the total value of the loot we got from it before knowing how many points you deserve. I will let you know tomorrow." George said.

"You know, it may be a coincidence, or it can be fate, but I have a rank 1 convergence gem in the storage room, and I don't have any use for it right now," John said with a smile." I got it from a rift a few months ago, and I ended up not using it because I broke through to rank 2 soon after. What do you think? Should we let him get the gem as the reward for today's rift?"

"Really?" Axel said amazed.

"No, we shouldn't." George said." I have yet to calculate how many contribution points he would get for today's rift, but my early guess is around one hundred and twenty, more or less, so I'm not gifting him a convergence gem just because he ended up not being completely brainless."

"What about if we make him a loan? We let him take the gem, but he would not get any loot from future rifts until he pays what he owes us." Mark suggested.

"Why are you giving him such favorable treatment? Is it your secret son or something like that?" George asked while looking at Mark.

"Well, I've known him since he was a kid who came to my father's store to buy trading card packs. I have seen him grow and, after seeing how much he has progressed in his world in such a short time, I'm sure he will become a great worldbuilder when he corrects his mistakes and learns more about this hobby." Mark said.

After hearing those words, Axel couldn't help but look at Mark with shiny eyes.

"Thank you, man. I really appreciate everything you are doing for me," he said.

"It is nothing, but you better make my investment in you profitable. I might have some affection for you, but if you end up backstabbing me by not paying your debts or allying with our enemies, I will make sure that your world's core ends up completely shattered." Mark said it very seriously.

"I will make sure that never happens," Axel replied while nodding repeatedly.

"That's how I like it," Mark said.

"Are you ok with that decision?" John asked George.

"Do whatever you want. In the end, it is your gem." George replied.

"I will be back in a minute," John said with a smile before entering a door behind the bar.

A few minutes later, he returned with a little wooden box that he gave to Axel. As soon as he opened it, he found a small gem: half black and half white.

Axel placed the gem between his hands, and after applying a little force, he noticed how it crushed before disappearing. That way, Axel had absorbed the convergence gem.

"Thank you for everything. I'll make sure you don't regret this." Axel said while bowing.