"Winnie, as the eldest daughter of the Alex family and the head of the vast Alex Chamber of Commerce, embodied noble pride. Thus, her every move was the focus of Green City.
Even the lower-class civilians across Green City knew that the pearl of the Alex family was elegantly praised as the most beautiful tulip of Green City.
Kohen, born into a noble family, though his family was a minor and powerless noble, remained exceedingly attentive to Lady Winnie, the pride and admiration of the nobility.
This attention was akin to an ordinary person's fascination with a celebrity, filled with longing and unattainable dreams.
"My Lord, hello, I am Winnie."
Hearing Kohen's low cry, Winnie did not get angry. Instead, she politely greeted him first.
Feeling flattered, Kohen didn't even know where to place his hands.
Seeing this tulip, which even stunned her, Veena's eyes showed a mix of wary and uncontainable admiration and longing.
What a beautiful lady, she thought. If she were such a beautiful noble lady, perhaps Lord Lide wouldn't be so cold towards her.
"Lady Winnie, it is an honor to meet the most beautiful lady of Green City. I am Lide Kachar, the master of the Crimson Mage Tower."
Lide slightly raised his head, the corners of his mouth carrying a faint polite smile, and looked directly into the girl's eyes. His gaze was clean and bright, without any unnecessary colors.
Although the girl's appearance and demeanor were impeccable, he, having reached a state of purity in his heart, maintained enough grace and elegance.
Winnie wore the most appropriate smile. Upon seeing Lide's pure eyes, she felt a strange sense of favor for this mage from the countryside.
Compared to those nobles who appeared elegant on the surface but turned lustful behind closed doors, this mage indeed seemed somewhat different.
Could it be that all geniuses are like this?
"Winnie Alex, I should say, it's my honor, Mr. Lide. To know the most magically talented genius mage in Green City, disciple of Great Mage Spark Russell, will surely bring brilliance to the Alex family."
Nobles are indeed nobles. Even knowing it was flattery, looking into those beautiful violet eyes, Lide felt at ease.
This is true skill.
"Miss Winnie, your words make me somewhat ashamed. Maybe only my teacher is worthy of such praise."
Teacher, Lide sighed silently.
Although the Blood Clan Ancestor had a prideful nature, he was very meticulous. When he entered Green City, he used the identity of a border town noble's heir.
The name Lide Kachar was verifiable. However, the original small noble's territory had already been occupied by beastmen, and the noble heir with the same name had been devoured by dread wolves.
It could be said to be a perfect identity.
But here's the tricky part—the bastard Blood Clan Ancestor, upon entering Green City three years ago, somehow thought it wise to apprentice under Great Mage Spark Russell, one of the city's three greatest mages.
And that's not the worst part. The worst part was that after becoming an apprentice, this fellow stayed at the mage tower all day and never visited Spark's home even once.
Although they were nominally student and teacher, only Lide knew that they were actually more like strangers. He wasn't even sure if the powerful Great Mage had remembered him after completing his magical research.
The Blood Clan Ancestor was simply a waste of resources—a Great Mage, one of only three in the entire Green City, who likely had countless treasures stored at home.
Lide originally planned to visit Spark after familiarizing himself with the spells on the attribute panel; this incredibly powerful Great Mage was undoubtedly an excellent resource.
If the Golden Wheat Commerce had the banner of a Great Mage, their development wouldn't be so easily hindered.
Winnie smiled faintly, without continuing on the topic, and after a few polite words, invited Lide to her office.
A magical genius, especially one supported by a Great Mage, was worth befriending. This is the most standard noble behavior, to always befriend useful people.
Fifth floor.
In an elegantly decorated large room, the windows faced the bustling streets of Green City, offering a direct view of the City Lord's mansion nearby.
Veena, Kohen, and Laurent waited in another office.
Kohen looked around the spacious and luxurious room with curiosity.
"Veena, is the Alex Chamber of Commerce the greatest in Green City? It has existed since the city was built a thousand years ago. Do you think Lord Lide's vision can be realized? Can the Golden Wheat Commerce ever reach the level of the Alex Chamber of Commerce?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Veena nodded firmly.
"Yes, Lord Lide never lies."
Since Lord Lide took her away from that abusive stepmother's home and canceled the marriage agreement with a crippled noble that the stepmother had promised, she never doubted the man who changed her life. Lord Lide always kept his word, just like he promised to bring her back to the mage tower.
Laurent found the young ones' naive words amusing.
Such fearlessness displayed by young calves, who still did not know the power of predators! The Golden Wheat Commerce reaching the heights of the Alex Chamber of Commerce?
Only someone who hadn't experienced the extortion of underground forces and nobles in Green City would say such a thing. Even reaching a tenth of the Alex Chamber of Commerce's status would make Laurent view Lide as a remarkable person.
The Alex Chamber of Commerce, which had dominated Green City for a thousand years, was so powerful that not even the City Lord dared speak lightly of it.
"Mr. Lide, this is our first time meeting and conversing formally, isn't it? As expected of a genius mage, able to immerse yourself in magical studies at the mage tower; such dedicated spirit is something I need to learn from you."
Office room.
Winnie sat on a gray rectangular sofa, separated by a round table filled with tea and snacks, facing Lide, who was seated opposite her.
After Lide sat down, he squinted slightly, turned his head to look at the fur covering the sofa, and felt unusually comfortable from the rich magic power emanating from it.
"Fierce Grey Bear?"
Fierce Grey Bears were a species of bear-type magical beasts living deep in the Far Mountain Range, with an adult's level reaching above 15.
Even an army of a thousand might not be a match for an adult Fierce Grey Bear.
The fur of these beasts was a critical material for making Four Circle and Five Circle magic scrolls, with the skin of an adult fetching 4000 to 5000 Gold Pucks.
These two sofas required the fur of at least two Fierce Grey Bears, meaning the sofas he casually sat on were worth tens of thousands of Gold Pucks.
This minor detail alone made Lide keenly sense the profound heritage of the nobility.
He was starting to get interested in the Alex Chamber of Commerce.
"Mr. Lide, you are certainly knowledgeable, but these are just sofas. With the power you command, I believe you could even hunt a giant dragon's skin."
Though Winnie's words seemed incredible, her sparkling eyes made one feel she was serious.
Lide shook his head. No wonder the Blood Clan Ancestor disliked dealing with such people; excessive courtesy made it feel somewhat insincere.
Feeling a sudden curiosity, he opened the attribute panel in his mind and focused his thoughts on the noble girl in front of him.
With a brush, an attribute panel appeared before him.
Lide trembled as he looked at Winnie again; his gaze had clearly changed.
Was this girl's background too exaggerated?"