Partnership for Axzec Trading

"You didn't go to the knight class?" Milo asked.

"No. It's too late. Besides, I also can't use the school practice ground facilities if it gets dark."

Aizen decided to head back after the mage training class. For most of the day, he just sat and watched the other students busy getting used to chanting magic spells.

When his turn came, he could only show how skilled he was at circulating and controlling the Mana in the body without being able to cast any magic. Such a hopeless situation would surely invite laughter and ridicule from all the students in the room.

Even so, Dante hoped and still convinced Aizen not to give up on the mage class because he had already paid for the tuition fees upon entry for the two Raven Academy class divisions.

On the other hand, Aizen also needed to loosen up his muscles that were too tense because of trying to get used to the 20 kg weight. It was not the usual weight for a 20-year-old and thin and short build. Being able to walk and do ordinary things was already an extraordinary achievement.

"We have arrived." Milo declared.

"I know we've arrived," said Aizen, putting on his expressionless face as he looked at Nathan and Inkgrit standing beside Milo, "But why are you two coming too?"

On top of that, Nathan was also accompanied by his steward, which meant that there were now five people in front of the Axzec Trading Workshop.

"Why? Did you forbid us from coming? No, didn't you!? Besides, we came because Milo invited us. So it's none of your business." Inkgrit replied.

After the incident in the practice class, she more or less understood Aizen's personality and wasn't angry or offended when asked something like that, and with such an annoying tone and expression.

When the five people entered, there was a servant named Jude that immediately approached, and greeted them enthusiastically. That was because the store had not been visited by visitors for a long time.

"Ah, Young Master and Aizen, it's been a long time since we last met. I wonder what brings you two here today?"

"Yeah, it's been a while since early Spring. I want to see my father. Is he busy?"

"Not busy. Master Axzec is in the room just looking at the shop's financial books. You know it's been almost a year since our buying and selling activity has dropped a lot."

Milo covered his face when the servant casually stated the state of their trade.

"Young Master, there is nothing to hide. All the merchants in Mada City know about our situation. The people around are no exception. And even the slaves on the outskirts of the city know about it too."

"It doesn't matter, brother. I am here. Let me have a look. Who knows, maybe something might catch my eye." Nathan nonchalantly answered while patting Milo's right shoulder.

Meanwhile, Aizen rolled his eyes at Nathan's pretentious behavior.

'I don't know if this kid is innocent or too stupid. But one thing is clear. This kid is exasperating when his mouth is babbling.'

On top of that, Aizen also glanced at Nathan's servant at the side, who didn't even bother to stop his own master from behaving like that.

'Well, I guess. Prince's steward and the ruler's steward are in different demeanors after all.'

Aizen did not know and had never seen Nathan's steward before. However, he had known and seen stewards of several emperors and kings with different auras in his previous life. Even though they were servants, they displayed grace and discipline. Apart from that, some of the stewards also had the aura of reliable and formidable fighters, perfect for a guard and protectors for a ruler.

"I'm also going to take a look around here," Inkgrit said, following Nathan's intention to help.

Milo was happy to hear that and showed eyes shining full of hope and gratitude to the two as if they were close friends who had gone through thick and thin in life.

Aizen smiled helplessly after seeing that cringe moment. He didn't expect the three of them to get along so well. Even though if counted the days, they were only together for two weeks.

However, he didn't care how their friendship would last and be established as long as it didn't interfere with major events related to the Omni War.

"In that case, let me meet Uncle Odin. Milo, you stay here while accompanying the two to look at your shop.

"Oh, yes, Servant Jude. He is the prince of the Aslan Empire. So, there's no need to be shy about showing them all the goods in this workshop. Who knows, he might open up his imperial pockets and buy up everything here."

Hearing that statement, Servant Jude perked up and ran as fast as he could to notify his master, Odin Axzec, of Milo and Aizen's arrival.

Meanwhile, Nathan could only swallow his saliva at Aizen's words. He originally said about looking through stuff just to calm Milo down. But if forced to buy up all the goods in the workshop. He would be in trouble.

His seasonal allowance from his mother the imperial queen was only 5 Gold Coins. That meant he would have to survive a hundred days or so with it.

If he couldn't manage his expenses, then he would be sent back to the imperial palace. He would be told to stop pursuing the freedom he wanted and learn various skills and knowledge to lead the nation.

That included state administration issues, such as diplomacy, military strategy, taxation, administration, and justice. He must also learn about the history and culture of their empire, as well as the laws and customs that govern its people. In addition, he would receive education in art, literature, philosophy, and other topics important to his development as a leader.

In other words, Nathan had no choice and was forced to take part in the race to succeed the emperor's throne; he was bound by the unshakable hereditary obligation of the imperial family to compete for the title that direct descendants of the emperor should hold.

Meanwhile, Servant Jude returned and asked them to take a look at the workshop.

"Master is waiting for you in his room, and for the others, I will serve myself. So don't hesitate. Ask me if you don't understand anything and want to know something."

Aizen smiled and took a step, walking away from the three kids. As he ascended the stairs to the second floor where Odin's room was, his steps suddenly stopped, and he looked back at Milo, Nathan, and Inkgrit with a frown.

His expression was one of contemplation as if he had something on his mind that he could not quite put into words. Whatever it was, it seemed to linger in the air, leaving a feeling of uneasiness and uncertainty.

'I have a momentary feeling of the aura and trait of assassins, though I'm not sure if it was real or just my imagination.'

And that feeling came from the steward, who just stood straight without any strange expressions or behavior behind Nathan.

"Was I mistaken about that? Well, whatever."

Aizen put that aside and continued walking toward Odin's room. When he arrived, he was welcomed by Odin, who was sitting and massaging his forehead as he looked at the figures in his financial books.

"Uncle Odin, long time no see." Aizen greeted, while bowing.

"Ah, you've come? Sit in front of me here. I've heard from Servant Jude. So, what business do you have to meet with me? And on top of that, just the two of us without Milo and the others present?"

Aizen sat down and sighed. He then blinked his eyes and smiled subtly.

"I wish to form a partnership with Uncle Odin. Thus, I will offer four deals, though the last one is more of a selfish wish than a deal.

"How does Uncle Odin think of this? I can assure you that this offer will help Axzec Trading improve in the future."

"Hmm."

Odin was uncertain whether to take Aizen's offer seriously or not; after all, Aizen was an orphan with no background in trading or any experience in dealing with merchants.

Despite that, Odin couldn't help but be intrigued by why Aizen would propose such a thing. And he was left wondering if the sweetness of Aizen's offer would be enough to drown out his doubts.

"Let's hear your offer first. If it's plausible, I'll seal the deal with you."

"I want what is being discussed now written on a magical papyrus contract and signed before I reveal the offers."

The request was immediately met with a frown from Odin. How could he do that without knowing the offer first? This time, his doubts rose and strengthened because of something like sheer nonsense.

But on the one hand, there was a possibility that Aizen's offer was too valuable that a deal must be sealed before a disclosure could be made.

Such a thing had happened, although it was obscure.

'Should I accept what this teenager is saying? Ah! Damn it! Let's do this!'

"Fine! I accept that. But to be fair. You have to say the first offer first. Then after that, I will sign the contract."

"No. I won't go into the context. But I can tell Uncle Odin about the scope. It's customary food, fine quality equipment, and war horse breeding."