CHAPTER 36

This brought her some anger. This was against the school rules. If it was that easy to get points, wouldn’t the richest pupils outside turn out to be the richest inside too? The goal of the school was equality in chances, to that end, it was forbidden to trade golds for points. So much so that only expulsion would result from this foolish act. She scolded the two kids:

“Don’t ever ask such a thing! It is against school rules! You could be expelled for doing that!”

Mir didn’t think she would raise her voice that loud even though he had a vague idea this would turn out to be impossible, he only wished for a confirmation. He earned one, a barbaric one but clear.

He hurriedly made her calm done by saying he was just curious and wouldn’t do it. He even swore on it. Anyway, he wouldn’t do it now that he knew the consequences, he wasn’t dumb. Having a pawn do It for him though…This was going to be kept inside his mind.

Next, he asked her:

“Why are people staying in this school for so long?

-For the treasures, obviously. You will understand if you reach the 7th level. Politics, economy, environment…Everything is linked to this tower. Also, the energy is many times denser in the school.”

She said mysteriously pointing to the tower-part of the school that was strangely magnificent under the moonlight. They discussed a few more things in a good mood and went back inside the school after an enjoyable meal.

Oka nearly never talked but was the one who enjoyed it the most…He also enjoyed going to bed… This night, he was going to have good dreams.

Mir went to bed with many thoughts, there was much to do from now on. He was still perturbed by her words though but he would leave it for later, keeping it in the back of his mind.

The next morning, he sat with Oka and began to sell all the pellets they made and a few of those he had in stock. His supply was enormous. But the demand was bigger than expected. They sold most of what they planned to when Liuya arrived with a dozen others from the Ninth Followers.

This time though she was not the one in the lead. It was a different woman. An older one. Likely one with a higher standing in their alliance. She smiled at Mir and waited her turn. Once she was next, Mir grinned and said:

“How can I help you?

-I am Ma Huang, I would like to discuss the partnership you offered to my sister yesterday.

-Alright. Oka, you stay and manage the stand. Once you run out, go buy some supplies, double yesterday.

-Yes, young boss!”

Mir got up. He was shorter than Ma Huang, she was around 1.75m with her heels. They were both standing still, grinning. Ma Huang was a woman with the appearance of a mid-forties and looked quite like her sister, as an older version would. It was Ma Liuya who broke the silence:

“Big sis, how about we move to a different location?...

-Right, young friend Mir, did you have lunch already?

-Not yet.”

As he said that, his grin became even bigger while Liuya’s face distorted in fear. As she saw Mir’s grin, she thought he might bring them outside again…Seeing her expression only added to Mir’s own grin though. But this time, he wasn’t going to force them to go outside. There was no reason. Ma Huang told Mir:

“How about going to the golden ninth senses then?

-I would love to.”

As he agreed, the fear in Ma Liuya’s heart eased and she heaved a sigh of relief. They walked to the golden ninth senses. It was a giant restaurant looking like a traditional Chinese palace. One thing to mention was that it was made from white stones and bricks only.

Also, there was a golden nine in the front as well as the name of the building written beautifully throughout it. At the entrance were two heavily geared young men. They did not even blink as Mir and the group crossed the giant white golden doors and entered.

Inside was exactly as you would have expected it to. Sumptuous and Luxurious. White and gold were the standard with some red here and there. Ma Huang told the dozen armored followers to wait on the first floor and have their own meal here. She then led Mir and Ma Liuya to the topmost floor. It was just under the roof and they were the only ones there.

They sat at the only available table and were served the greatest of delicacies. Nine different plates came one after another before the dessert. All contained a different meat or a fish and strange vegetables and pastries. Nonetheless, it was excellent. Mir enjoyed it as he made sure it was a free meal. Eating something good for free had always been one of his most enjoyable moments as a businessman.

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They enjoyed the feast and discussed a possible partnership after. Ma Huang was more vicious than her sister and clearly well-versed in the art of business. She went straight to the point:

“What do you have to offer?

-Pellets, all types up to rank 3 realm 5 in bulk.”

Mir could make pellets of higher realms but he deliberately concealed the fact. A true businessman never shows his whole hand. Still, this was enough to have Ma Huang interested. After all, pellets were sold by many but the prices were high and as a top-class alliance, they needed lots of them.

If the kid had something good to offer, there was no reason to refuse. She smiled flirtingly even though she had the looks of a forty-something years old woman and was surely older than that and said:

“We can already secure pellets. What do you have to make your offer more interesting?”

She was making a point. Clarifying the fact that her standing was higher, and as a powerful faction, they could already secure substantial amounts of supplies. She didn’t expect Mir’s answer though:

“Because of my relationship with elder brother Nio, I am willing to give your faction a ten points reduction on every pellet. And you already saw that my prices were attractive enough as they were.”

Mir was no amateur either. So, what if she came from a higher background outside and had a significant role in a big faction inside? He had a good enough relationship with the prince that he could refer to him as elder brother publicly.

What’s more, his offer was very tempting as it was. Ma Huang couldn’t help but shiver at the thoughts of the economies this deal could lead to. Truth is, ten points on a pellet isn’t much but when it comes to hundreds or thousands of pellets…

There were many strong individuals in the faction and they required massive amounts of high-ranked pellets, it was not hard to supply it but it was not easy either. She asked him:

“How many pellets can you provide?

-At least a thousand a week of whichever ones you need.”

Her eyes and her sister’s eyes nearly got out of their sockets. A thousand pellets per week?! This was an insane number. The most talented member of their faction needed at least three weeks to consume a single pellet and this kid could produce a thousand of them in one? This was hard to believe but both women did.

The kid in front of them was dead serious, they could see it in his eyes. The way he looked straight into them, the fact that his voice was calm and steady and the assurance he had when he said it made it clear that he believed in his words. He was someone the prince himself wished to keep close and that only heightened their own beliefs that he told them the truth.

He was offering to give them all the pellets they would need for the lowest price they would ever get. Every week. This made Ma Huang frown. Such a good deal obviously had its own demerits. She asked:

“What are you after?

-Many things. First, I wish to keep a good relationship with the ninth prince without having to join his little faction. I don’t intend to play a part in politics.

-That is understandable. It is fine.

-Second, I am weak right now and the school forces us to enter an alliance and do missions… I will create my own alliance today or tomorrow. I want help in finishing the required mission quota from you.

-That is possible as it is quite easy. As long as you select simple missions, we can agree to it.

-Third, I want your faction to publicly declare your intent on shielding us and do it.

-Asking us for protection, aren’t you? This is fine as well. We have enough fame to. We can also spare a few members to stand guard for you.

-Fourth, I want you guys to build me my own lab.

-No.”

Mir frowned and was slightly angry inside. Why would she refuse this one? And so sternly. She saw the look on Mir’s face and explained herself, still smiling:

“It costs too much and we can’t be sure of your trustworthiness yet. What’s more, to own a lab, you need to own ‘land’ and everyone can challenge your rights to a ‘land’. If you need our help just to finish a mission, you won’t be able to keep a ‘land’. We would lose both massive amounts of points and some of our image.”

This explanation was clear enough that Mir could now comprehend her rejection. And since he understood why she was against it, he could make a comeback with a what if:

“How about building and lending me a lab from your ‘land’ then?”

Ma Huang thought a bit only a brief second before she asked:

“What would we earn from doing this?

-You would not lose the building or the land for one thing. Also, you would cut the cost and delay of deliveries since I would be making your goods at your place. And whenever you become unsatisfied, you can stop our contract, without loss.”

She reflected on Mir’s proposition. Truth is, it was feasible and realist. She made a few calculations in her mind and answered:

“Fine. We can agree to this much.”

Mir heard it loud and clear. ‘this much’ meant no more than that. He didn’t need more though but it is true that he would have requested more if she would have let him. He smiled and straightened his arm towards Ma Huang, opening his palm. She took it and they shook hands while both saying with a bright smile: “Deal”.

Business is simple. As long as you can provide something that the other party believe is enough, you can get your hands on what you covet. Here was the same. Through a promise, Mir earned protection, fame, money and a building. He wouldn’t need to provide them with anything until the building was available either.

They discussed the design after sealing the deal. It would take at least two weeks to build it. In the meantime, Mir would have to use the school facilities but it did not matter. He had enough points to keep going.

He went back to see Oka who was sitting in the third level where Mir had left him. Oka was sulking and Mir understood why quite easily. He gave him a sandwich he got from the restaurant. Oka ate the sandwich but was still sulking. Mir sighed and said:

“Come on, Oka, if you want to eat there that much, we can go…

-No, that’s not why…I want to eat with beautiful women too!”

Mir was extremely surprised at Oka’s answer and so were all the onlookers. This was the same as Oka saying he wanted some…But yeah, now that he thought of it, Oka was at that age. In this world, some kids were marrying at fourteen so it was no wonder Oka would be interested by the opposite gender.

The onlookers brushed it off as a funny joke and kept walking away but Oka was seriously reproaching Mir for his action. Mir told him:

“Don’t worry, you will be surrounded by beauties if that’s your only wish. I will make sure to take you if I know in advance there will be some.

-Don’t you forget that, young boss! I am dead serious on this!

-Yes, yes. But still, weren’t they too old for you?

-Age doesn’t matter.

-That’s true but…Ah, whatever, let’s go.”

They went to the alliance building in the second level after this awkward exchange. As they were queuing, they were discussing the name of their faction. Though it was a one-sided chat:

“Oka, seriously, don’t you have a single interest in what we will call our faction?

-None. I believe in young boss. And you promised me women, so anything else is of no importance.

-Really? What if I decided our alliance would be called Pussy Team?

-Sounds good. Makes it clear what we are after. Young boss is clearly wise!