While the life of Luvi remains ever so eventful since obtaining the gift. The same was true for many in the world that understood the value of this gift of knowledge.
But let's go back to a day ago, the things we're not going good for Aoto. It turned out, two of the employees he found were gamblers and had done some bad things to fuel their addiction, which is why they got a call from the police and were now in jail for it.
And with that kind of heat, it was almost suicidal to show his relationship with people like that. Because in case the police smelled something wrong with him due to his connection to these men. His plan might be ruined.
Not to mention, he might be forced to walk on a tightrope and his movements might have to slow down as well.
It was why Aoto gave these two some money from his pocket to shut their mouth before disappearing in the wind.
'I am too tired.'
Of course, it happened too fast and he had to take time out of his serum cooking to waste on the two. Which impacted the rate at which he made the potions. But that was fine. He had cooked up the quota that he had proudly proclaimed before and then some excess drops which he was feeding to a few rats, like he had planned earlier.
He wished to check if the serum actually worked or not. And if it did, he can only imagine how high his achievement would be.
But sadly, the rats didn't react much after being force fed the serum. Or it might be that enough time has not gone by.
This didn't mean he should try some other things. He knew that meeting with FIX was close by, and he needed to look best for the person who he had met on the internet.
It was why, recalling the meeting spot, he hid a total of two guns which he bought through illegal means, into different parts of his jacket. While he slid a tanto at the back of his pants with its handle exposed.
Of course, the tanto was a distraction and a sign that he didn't come unarmed. While the real killers were the guns he hid in his body as well as the emp grenade he hid in the suitcase which would explode after hearing a single code word.
Because, even though he might be weak without any combat talent and only knew two spells. It didn't mean he was a fool.
The value of the serum was unprecedented and there was only him and DreamMachine that knew of the recipe.
Which makes it so that the chance of FIX betraying him and DreamMachine was high, even though he acted kind on the internet.
He was no fool, he was an adult that had survived under the unemotional fist of his father and was treated like a tool all his life. So even with his brilliance in medicine, he had learned to prepare for certain accidents.
Of course, there was also a suggestion from DreamMachine, who was also acting cautious towards FIX. He had said that for someone to send a drone to Aoto, their capability might be too high for them to handle so be prepared in case FIX betrays him.
Which was a sound suspicion. FIX hasn't hid that he sent a drone to pick up the material. Which gave away to FIX's true capability.
"Little children, I will be coming back in a bit." Aoto spoke to the four rat in cages who relayed their diverse thoughts to him in their squeaks, which were translated automatically in Aoto's mind.
"Food…food!"
"Sleepy!"
"Food food!"
"... Gone?"
Hearing the last thought of one of the rats, Aoto paused for a bit and looked toward the rat. Usually, the rats are stupid and only think about eating, f*cking, running, and sleeping.
And when kept together, it usually devolves into playfulness or outright murder.
They never understand a word he says nor can they understand any complex emotions. And his ability was understanding animals, not the animals understanding him or following his commands.
So this was the first time when a rat has responded to him as if it understood what he said.
'Number four…'
Looking deeply at the small rat. Aoto smiled a bit, then with a suitcase in his hand, he left his home.
It was time for the meeting. And who knows, he might have to put his life in danger for it. But, this was an opportunity that he can't lose.
For he was not going there just for an exchange, the other reason was to check on FIX's loyalty.
It was the other job given to him by DreamMachine.
The site for selling training techniques and martial arts will be up in a few days and FIX was responsible for building up the security.
But sadly, DreamMachine never trusted FIX and he has told all of this to Aoto for one reason alone. "I know you, but I don't know FIX… unknowns have nothing to lose, so they can't be trusted."
"Also, aren't you rich?... FIX is sending a drone to your location, even if it's Japan, the laws over weapons are not as strict as before. If possible, buy some self defense tools, including an EMP. If you can't find an EMP, make one in your home. They are not hard."
"It's better to be ready, than be sorry."
It was a side of DreamMachine that she hasn't shown him in group chats.
A completely paranoid individual who acted normal on the surface, but played their cards safe when the moment calls for it.
It was also the reason, after taking DreamMachine's words into account, he chose a place close to the public.
An old mall that was going to be demolished.
In the current days, malls are harder to find since online retailers took over the world. Which made the mall community more cut-throat and only few had survived to this day by adapting to the circumstances and needs of the people.
Making the active malls of these days closer to an entertainment park than a shopping venue. While those that couldn't die out and now are either being demolished or refurbished for something else.
And as it is, most malls are usually closer to popular streets to attract most customers, which is the reason why the place Aoto chose can be considered safe.
Of course, all of these preparations might not be needed if FIX acted normally as he has on the internet all this time.
But Aoto didn't know that FIX had been following him high up in the air.
And "she" has found something interesting.
-"His father truly is a worrywart."
She thought, while looking at the two random cars which chased him in sequential order and changing lanes when the other car came to follow Aoto.
It made it so that Aoto never noticed them and even if he did, the cars that keep changing between intersections would make him think this was all an illusion. Of course, they can only do so in the city with multiple roads. The moment Aoto leaves the city, their trick will be exposed.
But that is if he leaves the bounds of the city.
It was why FIX fired two EMP darts at their car, shutting it down. If it was the old days, these emp darts might not have affected the cars at all. Because their interfaces were more mechanical and they rarely used digital or electronic interfaces to operate it.
But these were not old days and neither these cars were military vehicles that might have been immune to emp attacks.
So they shut off the moment a small emp blast rendered the car useless, which activated the safety mode of the car and they stopped on their own without much harm.
But this caused Aoto to leave them in dust.
Though, this in turn might have made the matter a bit serious. Aoto's father might directly come to him to learn who was helping him and why. Because taking down the eyes that were left on Aoto was a serious matter. And not anyone can do it so cleanly.
FIX didn't even leave any signs of her existence, as the darts exploded while releasing the emp.
*****
Aoto, oblivious of what happened at the back, arrived in the mall.
Of course, he didn't go deep into the mall, instead, he chose a more open area where there were a lot of exits and in case this old mall chose to fall down today, the sky was open and nothing would directly crush him.
'Seems like my brain had started to get affected by DreamMachine's words too much.' Aoto wondered what kind of person DreamMachine was and why she was doing this.
It would have been easier and safer for her to join some big organization and hoard all this knowledge to herself. But she didn't do so.
But he knows that he is thinking too much about DreamMachine when his focus should be on more important things, like the person he will be meeting today.
And as expected, he didn't have to wait for long as a drone not bigger than a bike flew down from the air.