"Are you serious?" Pietro asked with a disbelieving expression on his face.
"Do you think that young master is free enough to come here and joke with you?" Jack's cold words made him clear that this wasn't a joke.
"Sorry, it's just too unbelievable," Pietro said sheepishly.
Luis nodded his head in understanding. Then, with an impatient expression, he said, "I want to purchase your mine. Do you want to sell or not?"
His attitude made it clear that he didn't want to waste time. If Pietro doesn't agree, he will leave and search for somewhere else.
How could Pietro not understand that? Moreover, he doesn't want to miss this opportunity to sell his mine.
Who knows when there will be someone ready to buy an empty mine?
As for why Luis wants to buy an empty mine, that's none of his business, nor is he in any position to question it.
"Yes, yes, I want to sell it," Pietro said hurriedly, as if afraid Luis would go back on his words.
There was a gleam in Luis' eyes, which was perfectly hidden underneath his indifferent expression.
He turned to look at Jack and said, "Finalize the contract and settle it now."
Pietro was surprised and didn't expect things to move so fast.
"Aren't you going to negotiate the price?"
Luis looked at him weirdly and said, "Isn't it the same price at which you were searching for someone to buy it?"
Pietro was dumbstruck for a moment, and then realization hit him. Indeed, some time ago he did search for people to buy his mine and the price he set was extremely low compared to the mine's actual value.
Unfortunately, no one wanted to buy a mine that can't even produce metals and now is infested with monsters and beasts.
He wanted to negotiate the price with Luis and sell at a high price. But, who would expect Luis had already investigated the information about him and the market?
Pietro wanted to remedy the situation and increase the price from his set price range. But Luis already saw through him and didn't give him a chance.
Narrowing his eyes, he asked, "Is there a problem?"
Although it was a chance for him to increase the price, Luis' question put him under a lot of pressure. If he goes back on his words, Luis may feel offended and not buy the mine off him. That is not something he could afford to happen. After all, he can never be sure about the mood of rich people.
"No, I agree. Happy cooperation."
There was a happy smile on Pietro's face. Although he sold the mine at a lower price than he wanted, it was still better than nothing. With the amount he will receive, he could start his own business and finally be free from this poor life.
Luis let out a rare smile and said, "Happy Cooperation."
Then, turning to Jack, he said, "Jack, bring the contract."
"Yes, Young Master."
Jack brought out some papers from inside his mana bracelet. Yes, this contract is what Luis asked Jack to prepare beforehand.
Pietro was surprised that Luis had everything prepared, but he didn't think for long. From their interaction, he already knew that Luis didn't want to waste his time, and having a prepared contract beforehand is 'absolutely' normal. He joyously moved over to Jack and carefully went through the contract.
Looking at Pietro, who seemed very happy. Luis couldn't help but think how easy it was.
Everything went according to his plans. Pietro acted just as he expected. From the start, Luis created pressure on Pietro while also comforting him in between.
From Jack's aggressive attitude to Luis' indifference in purchasing the mine. Everything was planned.
It was all to not let Pietro suspect that there was something special about the mine. With his indifference under slow pressure, he let Pietro believe it was the best thing for him to sell that mine.
He made Pietro believe that it wasn't Luis who was excited to buy his mine. Rather, it was Pietro who should be glad to sell his mine.
For the finale and to not give Pietro time to sort out his thoughts again. Luis put the contract in front.
'Now look at him happily selling such a treasure mine.'
Shaking his head, Luis thought of the mine and the weird natural laws of this world.
In his previous life, minerals and metals were resources that were already present inside the earth's crust and were dug out.
But in this world, things are different. The minerals and metals in Alnaur, form naturally over time because of the energy present in the environment.
But this also means that the resources are easily exhaustible if there is no energy.
The metal ores formed inside Pietro's mine were called Irphine. It is one of the few metals which has slight mana conductivity and is sturdy enough to be made into a popular product for awakened equipment. That is only for the average awakeneds below C rank.
If combined with Tharium, it becomes a special alloy with mana resistance. Which is popular as a material for defensive equipment.
Now when the quality of Irphine ore started decreasing, Pietro assumed that it was because the energy near his mine was used up.
It was a normal reason, and a simple conclusion based on the observation.
But Pietro was wrong. It was not because there was no energy in the surroundings. It all happened because of a metal ore that absorbed all the energy in the surrounding and didn't let any other ore form or absorb the energy.
It was all because of the world's best mana-conducting metal in the world. Which is so rare that many people don't even know about its existence.
It was also Luis' purpose in coming here and purchasing the mine.
Omni Ore.
Though it was not the only reason for purchasing the mine. The Omni Ore is the thing he was mainly after. Other benefits are secondary.
In the game, the first magic sword the protagonist obtained was called the Omni-Sword. It was made of the alloy of this Omni Ore and a few other strong metals. It was the creation of Pietro, the blacksmith.