The Solarian Government didn't discourage non-Talented individuals from entering Nexus. Most people earned from the abundance of the region, so as long as they were of legal age, anyone could enter with proper registration at the Solarian Talent Association.
This rule made the obligatory education essential for those who wished to enter Nexus or had no other means to pursue formal education. In this special program, as long as someone had attended for two years, they could enter Nexus.
Not foolish enough to dive straight into Nexus's perilous environment, Aiden knew the importance of education. He had only learned about places around the safe zone, which provided decent earnings.
However, with the newfound opportunity of possessing a Talent, there was no way he would be satisfied with the safe zones. He needed to venture deeper, where the real riches were.
His sister, Louisiana, would soon be old enough to attend university. Aiden hadn't had the chance to go himself, only receiving the obligatory education. He didn't want the same fate for his sister—she had the potential to be a professional.
'Ignoring her intelligence would be such a waste. If I can send her to a good college or university, her life will be better, even if I don't make much.'
Keeping the importance of education in mind, Aiden picked up a flyer listing affordable schools for the Talented.
'Get the best among the cheapest schools for Talented! Even if your potential is Novice Rank, you'll feel as if you have an Expert Rank!'
'11 out of 12 graduates from last year's class have shown tremendous prowess despite only being Adept Rank, giving them a head start over normal Expert Ranks!'
'Need to master your Talent? Rodrick Talent School has the best curriculum for you! We've produced seven famous Nexus Online Players!'
Shaking his head, Aiden couldn't find anything that offered to teach Master Rank Talents. It seemed these schools targeted the denser population of lower-ranked Talented individuals, who had fewer opportunities compared to those with higher ranks.
Frustrated, Aiden left the flyer behind and was about to exit the STA building when someone interrupted him.
"Hello, did you come here for an awakening?" a recruiter asked, dressed neatly in formal attire.
Aiden shook his head, his interest piqued as he noticed the guild badge on the man's left collar. It seemed like he was from a private guild.
'Hm... Most Talented people enroll in schools after obligatory education to further improve. But those with high-ranked Talents usually join guilds and train there.'
Seeing an opportunity, Aiden decided to find out what the recruiter had to offer.
On the other hand, the recruiter was already sizing Aiden up. Wearing cheap, worn-out casual attire, Aiden didn't seem worth the effort. However, since his guild had just started, the recruiter reminded himself to be humble.
"No, I didn't come here for that."
Hearing this, the recruiter felt dejected. He regretted approaching such a poor, non-Talented individual. Who knew? Maybe this young man was here for solicitation.
'I should've thought it through. I just wasted my time,' the recruiter thought as he turned his back.
"May I ask which guild you're from?"
The recruiter paused. Though uninterested in continuing the conversation, he didn't want to appear rude in front of others at the STA.
'He's probably just going to ask for money,' the recruiter thought.
"I'm from A-One Guild."
Aiden's eyebrow raised in confusion. He hadn't heard of this guild before. Could it be a small guild? But the recruiter didn't seem like he was from a small one.
"Is it a small guild or a new one?"
The recruiter's expression remained uninterested, though he made sure not to let his irritation show.
'What have I done? Now, he's pestering me!'
"It's a new guild," he said abruptly, already starting to walk away. "You know, I have better things to do than answer your questions. I should go."
Aiden was confused, not realizing he had just been dismissed. The recruiter hid his true feelings well.
"Is that so? I just awakened a Master Rank Talent."
As soon as Aiden said this, the recruiter froze. In an instant, a smile spread across his face, and his eyes lit up.
"Why didn't you say that earlier?" He quickly grabbed Aiden's hand and dragged him to a corner. "Let me introduce myself—Liam White, head of HR and PR at A-One Guild. What's your name?"
'Now this is more like it—head over heels all of a sudden, unlike earlier. He probably judged me based on my outfit. But it looks like I've got his attention now.'
While guilds offered benefits to the Talented, they came with contracts. Unlike rogue Talents, those in guilds had less freedom, but the earnings were far better than going without a contract.
'I never planned to join a big guild right away. I'm still inexperienced and could easily be scammed by their contracts. So, while I have this recruiter's attention, I'll check how small this starting guild is. I might be able to take advantage of their need for Talents.'
Extortion was a common fear among amateur Talents. Some were lucky and secured fair resource distribution and earnings, while others weren't so fortunate and fell victim to unfair contracts.
One of the main reasons for this was the size of the guild. The larger the guild, the higher the chances of getting scammed.
Aiden's goal was to take advantage of those desperate for Talents—especially since he was Master Rank, which would blind people to his inexperience.
"I'm Aiden Blackwood. Nice to meet you. Could you tell me more about your guild?"
Liam began explaining the details of A-One Guild. It was a newly-formed experimental branch of AA Enterprises Inc., a company extending from industrial and commercial sectors into guilds, using its members to create brands and sell specialized goods more effectively.
Since A-One Guild was still in its early stages, AA Enterprises funded it until it made its first thousand in profit. However, they weren't heavily investing yet, as the guild was more of a research project. Once they saw results, more investment would follow.
Liam, on his first day as head of HR and PR, had hoped to get lucky—and now, it seemed, he had hit the jackpot: a Master Rank Talent!
'Wait, I need to make sure he's really a Master Rank.'
"If you don't believe me, I have my newly printed ID right here."
Aiden showed his ID, and Liam's excitement grew. He was grateful he hadn't been too arrogant or dismissive earlier—if he had been, Aiden might have gone to another guild.
"Can we discuss signing you on? I already have a contract ready."
'So eager. I must have really impressed him. A Master Rank Talent can certainly attract attention from guilds.'
Aiden nodded and received a copy of the contract. Without wasting time, he read through it, but some clauses left him confused. While he wasn't an expert at contracts, he had enough experience to spot what was beneficial or problematic.
From his time bouncing between parties as a non-Talented porter, he knew how others tried to take advantage through contracts.
"I don't like the idea of a yearly contract. I want more flexibility. I'm willing to settle for the higher salary and shares, but the 50 percent cut doesn't work for me."
Liam understood what Aiden had noticed in the contract. In truth, it was a test contract to see if amateurs would fall for it. But seeing Aiden's experience, Liam allowed a soft smile to form.
He pulled a business card from his coat pocket and handed it to Aiden.
"Give me a call, and let's negotiate a better deal. How does that sound?"
Aiden took the card, briefly reading the contents before pocketing it. He smiled and began outlining the changes he wanted.
"Make the contract quarterly for the first year and bi-monthly after that. I also want a hundred thousand more, making it two hundred Solarian pesos quarterly, with 60 percent shares from loots and other sources."
Liam was taken aback by the demands. This was far more than he could easily accommodate, even with his position. Asking the higher-ups for such changes wasn't something he could do lightly.
'If this isn't greed, then he's smart enough to know his real value. I'm at a loss, but I can't let him slip away—he's a Master Rank, after all.'
Though hesitant to make promises he might not be able to fulfill, Liam nodded to Aiden's requests.
"Can I get your contact information instead? I'll reach out once I get approval from my bosses."
Seeing how serious Liam was, Aiden felt a sense of relief. This could be the start of a better life for his family, beginning as a newcomer in a budding guild.