The following day, Victoria Street.
'I need a cigarette... And a drink.' Vivian let out a long, low growl, pure exasperation and pure annoyance on her face.
In front of her was Apex Financial Solution, the firm she had helped a potential Wise Owl obtain.
'This guy doesn't waste any time...' the woman raised an eyebrow, watching multiple blue-collar workers move around the building, taking notes and discussing repairs.
Several passersby on the street watched this as well, some with curiosity and some interest, coming over to see what was going on.
It had barely been a day since he had bought it, and he had already begun to repair the firm. Harvey Wayne was either very sure he could get this dead business back on its feet, or he was very stupid.
Or he had a lot of money and no idea what to spend it on.
Any one of those three options was possible.
Shaking her head, Vivian adjusted the bracelets on her arms a little. That done, she entered through the huge double doors of the firm. Strolling through the reception area, she could see more blue-collar workers checking everything and being escorted by a well-groomed young man.
Ignoring them, she walked to the stairs. Her heels clicked on the tiles with a resounding Tap Tap Tap Tap.
"Excuse me, Miss!"
"Uh?" Snorting somewhat annoyed, Vivian turned to whoever had called her, and the well-groomed young man from before looked her way with a severe expression.
"What do you want? I have a meeting with your boss, and I can't waste time."
The expression on his face softened, and his eyes widened slightly: "Oh! Then you must be Mrs. Vivian! Yes, Mr. Wayne informed us that you would be stopping by. He's waiting for you in the office. I'd accompany you if I could, but I have-"
"Yes, I know. You have to accompany the revisions," the Barbarian rolled her eyes disinterestedly.
"If that was all, I have a meeting to attend."
"Ah, yes, go ahead... I'm Assistant Eleanor, by the way..."
"Don't care."
Having already turned off her hearing, Vivian ignored the man completely, turned around, and walked up the stairs.
Pursing his lips and frowning slightly, Eleanor could only return to his work. Criticizing the woman for being so rude.
...
Arriving on the fourth floor, Vivian lightened her walk and the force with which she was stepping. Her heels now barely clicked.
Her almost silent footsteps guided her to the last door on the floor, and, unlike yesterday, the plaque was no longer on it.
Stopping in front of the nameless door, Vivian clenched and unclenched her fists a few times. Her heart was pounding so hard that she felt her brain beating in rhythm with it.
Letting out a soundless sigh and closing her eyes, she went into semi-cogitation to calm down a bit. Once calmer, the woman opened her eyes and raised her right hand in a fist.
"You may come in, Miss Vivian!"
'Not only did you hear me coming, but you know who I am? What do you have? Super hearing?' Pursing her lips, Vivian considered whether this was a good idea.
'It's okay... I still have the gift...' The normally cold metal on her neck now felt like a silent guardian protecting her with its shield and sword. Ready to slay her enemies
With more courage, Vivian grabbed the knob and opened the door, stepping into the room.
"You're later than I thought. It's almost 11." Harvey Wayne pointed, not looking up from the documents he was reading. Besides the papers, she could notice a beautiful black pocket watch.
'Well, at least it's safe to say he has money if he can buy that kind of watch.' Vivian noticed the fine details that pointed out how high quality it was.
"You're weird. Has anyone ever told you that? How did you do that?" She grunted as she looked around the office.
Almost nothing had changed; the only difference she found was that the symbol of the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom now hung on the mural behind Wayne's seat, above the paintings of the previous owners.
Hearing the lawyer's question, Adryan could only laugh in amusement:
"By your steps, Miss Vivian, you should lay off the booze and start exercising. Your belly is starting to show."
The woman's face froze, and an expression of disbelief was plastered on it.
Unconsciously, her eyes lowered to her stomach.
Not being able to hold it, Adryan began to chuckle.
"Hahaha! I'm just joking, Mrs. Vivian. You look very good for your age."
"Please stop playing games, Mr. Wayne." Recovering, Vivian gritted her teeth, her cheeks a little red.
She hadn't expected that teasing as soon as she arrived.
"Huhu~ Excuse me, excuse me. You looked too tense; I thought innocent playfulness would do you good."
'"Joking with a lady's weight is not gentlemanly."
"I didn't know you were a "Lady," I thought you were a Barbarian."
"With all the finesse this lady can summon... Fuck you, Mr. Wayne."
Chuckling in amusement, Adryan finally looked up from the documents he was reading. His coal-black eyes sparkled mischievously.
"I'm glad you've come, and well? What's your decision?"
"I'll stop you there," Raising a hand, Vivian silenced the man, who closed his mouth but kept a slight smile on his face.
Sighing a little, she straightened her back a little to make herself taller and stared into the man's black eyes.
"Before jumping into anything, are you a Wise Owl?"
Raising one hand into the air and placing another over his heart, Adryan closed his eyes and said solemnly.
"I swear by knowledge and wisdom. That I am a member of the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, and if not, may lightning strike down and judge me as the sinner that I am."
''You crazy fuck!" Incredulous, Vivian jumped backward, trying to get as far away from this lunatic as possible.
She only wanted to know if he was a Wise Owl, not for him to swear an oath of that sort!
Before she could continue her escape, her back slammed hard against the door. A loud thud reverberated through the office, and Vivian could only stare frozen at the man who had finally opened his eyes.
Smiling gently at her, Adryan nodded graciously. "Now, do you believe me, Miss Vivian?"
"Princess, remember I'm still here," Flora said flatly, if a little nervously.
Swallowing her breath, Vivian returned the nod. "I-I think so, Mr. Wayne..."
Turning away from the closed door, the Barbarian felt cold sweat trickle down her neck.
She hadn't closed the door.
"Please take a seat. I think our conversation will take a while, so why not do it while we're comfortable?" Adryan gestured calmly to one of the seats in front of him.
Vivian nodded tensely and took one of them, moving it a little further away from the man's desk, who said nothing about it.
Once seated, the lawyer just grunted and stared into his eyes:
"Why don't you arrest me? I'm a wild Beyonder, isn't that your job?"
"You haven't caused any trouble so far; of course, apart from being a pleasure to be around, you're alright. I don't have to waste my time with you; other feral Beyonders require more attention." Adryan explained.
"Why do you want me to join your team? Is the contract method so simple?"
Adryan, who had been taken as a member of the Church at the whim of one of its members, smiled, amused.
"You can put it that way. But you're getting confused; I don't want you on my team. Well, not yet. For now, I want you to work for me at the firm. Helping me with whatever legal problems are coming our way."
"If that's all it is. Why did you offer to help me with my ingredients and formulas? Was it all a lie of yours?" Vivian narrowed her eyes. Suspicion was clear on her face.
Adryan waved his hand in disinterest.
"I do not lie, Miss Vivian. Everything I have told you has been the unvarnished truth. If you join my firm, your problems with ingredients and formulas will be over; I will take care of everything."
"Prove it," Vivian said with a serious expression, her gaze cutting.
"Oh?" Adryan raised an interested eyebrow.
"Prove what you say is true, and I join," the Barbarian explained, and her gaze sharpened further.
"It is very difficult to obtain the potion formulas from the Lawyer pathway. The only ways I know of are to either join the crew of a Sea King or become part of Intis royalty. Those are the guaranteed ones; otherwise, you have to try your luck outside.
"It's obvious that you are neither. So if you have a way to get it, then prove it!" Vivian finished tightly, squinting even more.
Adryan smiled some more.
"Princess, why don't you tell her the name of a Sequence from her path? I'm sure that will win her over." Flora recommended observing the conversation.
"That Harlot is a Barbarian. The following sequence to that one is Briber; I'm sure that'll be more than enough-
"The name of Sequence 2 of the Lawyer Pathway is
The aggression with which Vivian was watching him disappeared in an instant. That distrust that burned like a flame was extinguished by a tsunami.
The woman's mouth and eyes widened like saucers and visibly trembled. Disbelief and pure bewilderment were etched in her expression.
"What did you say..." the barbarian whispered, trembling. Her pupils shrinking.
"Princess... You're joking, right?" The Jacob stuttered. But the black-haired man's smile grew, shocking the noblewoman even more.
This bastard had said the name of a Sequence Angel to a Beyonder who was barely a Sequence 8!!!
Laughing softly at both women's reactions, Adryan rested his cheek on his hand. His glittering eyes narrowed.
"Is that enough for you? I can tell you the name of Sequence 1 if you like-"
"No need!!!" Holding up both hands, Vivian stopped Harvey from continuing. Her face paled, and a small layer of sweat formed.
This was not what she had planned! It was only supposed to be a simple test to determine whether he was serious!
She would have been satisfied if it had been the name of Sequence 6, even if it had been the name of Sequence 5.
She didn't expect the man to tell her the name of a Sequence as high as 2; he even seemed to know the name of Sequence 1!!!
Huff Huff Huff Huff!
Her hands were shaking, and she found herself swallowing saliva.
'I underestimated him too much... This guy is not a mere Church member. His rank has to be much higher than team leader!' A trembling smile formed on her face.
She may have bitten off more than she could chew...
'This is good... this is good. If he has information as important as the name of Sequence 2 and 1 of a Path, he might know something about it...'
'But I can't ask now. Something like that is not something I can just say. He'll look at me like I'm crazy!
'I need to gain his trust, prove myself to him. Once I do that, I can ask him...'
Even if he knew nothing, it was obvious that she could get closer to fulfilling her dream if she joined him.
Giving a weak nod, Vivian slowly lowered her arms.
While it was dangerous, she could see the opportunity in this danger.
"Give me a few days to give my resignation to Briarwood Chambers. By Saturday, I'll be working for you..."
"Wonderful!" Clapping his hands satisfactorily, Adryan rose from his seat and walked around his desk.
Vivian also rose from her seat and stood before the man. Still a little nervous.
Extending his right hand, the smile on the black-haired man's face grew.
"You may not have officially joined yet, but let me welcome you."
Coughing slightly, Vivian grabbed the hand and shook it. "I'll do my best."
...
A few hours later.
Now, Adryan was alone in the office. The light coming in through the window was now orange. Dusk was coming to an end, and night was approaching.
He had spent the whole day reviewing all the firm's debts and problems, along with the problems in the building the contractor had found and the price he was asking for the repairs.
'Dieter, I was wrong about you. Not only are you useless, you're a waste of oxygen.' Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Adryan signed and pushed the paper aside.
Adding up the debts and the repairs the building needed, the money it would cost totaled 45,000 sassem!
'No wonder he was so hurried to sell everything and leave. Not only was the mafia after him, but the IRS would be after him soon...' Shaking his head, Adryan could only sigh.
He could only be thankful that the bastard only had the firm for four years.
Luckily, he still had plenty of money saved up, so he could afford to pay it all off.
He had 42,192 pounds when he arrived in Lenburg, which he quickly converted more than half of into the country's currency.
With one pound worth three sassem, he was left with 90,000 sassem. That left him with 12,192 pounds in his savings.
"Princess... Do you really know the name of Sequence 1 of the Lawyer Pathway?" Flora suddenly asked.
"Yes I do. Do you want to know?" Adryan asked calmly as he set a document aside, placing it on top of a rather large pile.
Flora thought about it for a few moments. The cryptologist in her whispering in her ear to say yes but reason telling her it was a bad idea.
After an intense psychological debate, the Jacob replied:
"I'm fine."
"Your loss." Adryan said visibly disappointed.