After exiting the store with the materials he starts going back home.

'Now I gotta think of the way I am gonna approach Reiyo. Probably a "naive" type approach will help me...

Even though I wouldn't like to work with a piece of shit like him I need his connections and resources.'

As the man rummage his thoughts he feels someone watching him.

'What...? Why would someone watch me? Has this happened in the past too? Is it Reiyo?(maybe the way I acted triggered some alarms in his head. The cunning bastard)

For now I think it's best to ignore it. If this also happened in the past it's probably nothing.'

Even still the man couldn't contain his nervousness. After all if things started changing so soon, part of the information he has about the future will become useless.

'I still remember how the butterfly effect can act...cannot let that happen again.' An image of a crystal palace comes into mind.

The man continues his way home while under the gaze of an unknown individual but the moment he starts reaching home, the gaze leaves.

'Looks like it left...'

________

"Mom! I came back!" The child tells his mother.

"That was quicker than I thought it would take. You normally take a while for things like this. I know you don't enjoy it...but Reyo is always happy when you visit."

'I wonder why...' A disgusted look almost crawls to his face.

"Yeah I know. Although he wasn't very happy today, probably a bad morning"

"Oh that's a shame. Hope he gets better later." His mother does a small gesture with her hand.

"I am sure he will. Now let's get through the day shall we?"

_______

Night is starting to fall.

All in all it was a peaceful day. Not a lot of costumers (mostly the regulars) but seeing some old faces brought a couple different reactions from him.

"..."

"Is everything alright sweetie?" His mother watches the melancholic expression on his face.

"Oh sorry...I was just thinking about something..." he didn't put much effort in his lie. (It always hurt when he lied to her). "And by the way I will go out for a walk in a little. If that's not much trouble?"

His mother watches him for a second trying to analyze his expression. (She was the best at it. Until he...)

"Are you sure sweetie? You won't get in trouble right?" His mother had a concerned expression.

"Don't worry mom! You always know I never liked trouble." The Child smiles.

"Ok... be careful please..."

As the Child changes his work clothes to his normal ones he responds. "Of course mom." The Man let's a small smile escape his lips.

______

It was dark outside but not enough to need candles just yet.

'Now i gotta go to the meeting with Reiyo'

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Reiyo the "protector" of the streets. A while ago criminal groups ruled the zone, doing whatever they wanted whenever they wanted. That is until one day Reyo stood up for the people and with his group he defeated them. After that he became the protector of the streets, always lending a hand to those who need it.

That's the story everyone knows. It was only after his death that the truth was revealed. (In life no one suspected anything)

Reiyo also know as "The Gravedigger" was hired muscle for one of the criminal groups, as his nickname would suggest, whenever he killed someone he always buries them. No matter the age, sex, or affiliation of the person.(Why?)

But one day something changed. Nobody knew exactly why but he started to desire something... Power. He wanted influence, resources, control. And thanks to his multiple years in the criminal underground he had enough information to deal a massive strike to each of the criminal groups.

So he did. At an accelerated rate he took control of each of the criminal groups and hide them from view, later he put himself as the protector of the streets. Thanks to this he became a respected public hero and feared criminal head in the background.

'He did an incredible job hiding the entire operation. When publicly he gave home and shelter to people in reality he sold them as slaves to whoever had the money to pay.

And if anyone spoke up? Vanished, publicly and eventually privately. It was only after his dead that the jig was up.

He is smart. He is strong. And most importantly he has the things I need to start making progress. I have a general idea of what I need to do.'

The man continues walking as he stops at the store again.

'I need to make a deal with him. I got the info advantage but if I don't guide this conversation correctly...he will kill me.'

_______

Entering the store, the place was empty except for Reiyo himself at the counter.

Reiyo was eyeing the newspaper of today. He was relaxed, it appears that whatever had him annoyed in the morning was over.

"You know Kei. After reading the newspaper I can't seem to find that story you talked about." He wasn't even seeing him.

"Oh then it must have been yesterday's newspaper. You know that sometimes things gets mixed up." Kei tries with little effort to keep the lie.

"Kei... you know that you can tell me when my kid annoys you. You don't have to defend him."

"I don't know what you are talking about. The story is real I swear!" He puts a childish smile in an exaggerated way while putting his hands up.

'Poor kid deserves a little rest'

"...*huff*...OK if you don't wanna talk about it that's your thing. Now... what did you want to talk about" (Now Reiyo was a little tense)

'This won't do'

"Oh its a little something I want to try my hands on."

"Andddd I guess I have the things necessary?"

"Wow always on top Reiyo. Almost like you read my mind. Didn't heard that you learned that magic?"

"I wish I had that much talent. Sadly this old man just has muscles on his back."

"I don't know man... I heard that in the capital a new kind of potion is starting to circulate."

"...? What kind of potion?"

'Got him'

"Heard that it's one that boost magic to an obscene degree. But not only that, it also makes you capable of casting complex types of spells even if you aren't talented." Kei says with a mischievous smile, as if he was shearing the biggest secret he knew.

"U la la, talk about a boost. Where did you heard this from?" Reiyo's attention focused on Kei.

"Sorry but can't reveal my sources" Kei shrugs.

"Oh come on little man, do your big friend Reiyo a little favor. I wanna hear more about it."

"Mhhh....maybe maybe...if you also do your little friend Kei a big favor." A mischievous smile appears on his face.

"...ha..."

"...?"

"HAHAHAHAHA" Reiyo starts laughing like if he heard the world's best joke.

"..."

"HAHahaha....uffff....sorry kid. It's just that seeing young blood trying to negotiate is like seeing a baby's first steps."

"Hehehe...did I do it so badly?" A defeated smile adorns Kei's face.

"T.e.r.r.i.b.l.e. if that supposed potion existed I highly doubt you of all people would hear of it. After all why would you care about it? It's not like it's of any use to you. Even if you say it's for negotiation that's a critical mistake you are making.

As a merchant you start small, gaining experience and reputation. If you wanna go big all at the start you will end like that dude with the wings from that history we tell you kids about."

"Hey! I am not so young that you can call me that!"

"For me, anyone below 20 is a kid, kid. Anyway you also didn't hide your intentions with your body language, that smile and little moves you made? HA too obvious."

"Oh well at least I tried." Kei puts his hands up.

"That you did...what did you even need anyway. For the attempt I will help you a little. I like when kids like you try to their fullest." What appears to be an honest smile adorns Reiyo's face.

'...I wonder how many people you lied to with that smile.'

"Thanks a bunch Reiyo. Own you a big one."

"So....what do you plan to do?"

"...Just a little alchemy" a melancolic smile adorns the Man's face. The image of a woman with green hair flashes in his head.

"Alchemy?" Reiyo had a curious look on his face. "Now that's a weird choice but a promise is a promise. I will get you some materials for tomorrow, how does that sound?" Reiyo had a curious look on his face.

"Sounds good to me. Then tomorrow morning?"

"Not a problem"

"Then see you tomorrow Reiyo!" The child says as he leaves.

"..."

"..."

"Alchemy huh?" A contemplating look is on Reiyo's face.

_______