Volume 2 Episode 36

"Tell me more about your product."

Eric looked at the small syringe that was filled for a while. He then moved his gaze to Lin, who was standing near him, holding the syringe in front of him.

"You're definitely going to alter my memories aren't you?" Eric, who had accepted his loss, had now finally regained some of his enthusiasm.

"Nope. Why would I do that? You're pretty smart, right? You and I both know that there's no possibility that it'll ever happen." Lin smiled at the tied up Eric, who smiled back in return.

"And you are probably going to turn my family as well, right?" 

"Of course I am, wouldn't you do the same if you were in my shoes?" Lin answered Eric's question, as he pulled the syringe back and placed it in his pocket.

Eric sighed as Lin squatted down in front of him, leveling their eyesights.

"So, how about explaining your product while you still have the control over your mind?" As he looked straight into his eyes, Lin asked.

"Fine." Eric stayed silent for a while before he opened his mouth.

"Omega. Code name: Drain.

We import it from the Republic of Zaire; we own a private land over there, unofficially of course, where we grow the Omega plants without having to worry about governmental supervision."

Eric spoke of his family product, the Omega plant, grown from the country of Republic of Zaire, where military dictatorship prevails in favour of democracy.

"You made a deal with the General?" 

"We pay a hefty amount and he keeps his mouth shut. Although the payment doesn't come from us, but from our sole customer." 

Eric looked at Lin with serious eyes, and Lin stared back. He wanted to know who was the sole customer for the Omega plants. Eric knew what he was thinking about and continued.

"Our customer is the Government of Nubia." 

"... You mean the country, Nubia?" 

After Eric's explanation of their sole customer, Lin asked to make sure who he was dealing with, to which Eric nodded his head for confirmation. Lin sat back on his chair, puzzled at what he should do to solve this issue.

The country of Nubia was one of the most powerful nations in the world, known for having the largest military force, at least the official ones, as well as also being the second largest economy, growing vastly in recent years. The Sultan of Nubia, Tanten the Third, was known for owning the world's largest Magic crystal exploration, production, refining and exporting company, The Ovair Limited.

"Now that's one big issue." Lin massaged his temples, trying to figure out a way out of this mess. The government of Nubia was known for doing shady businesses, and he definitely didn't want to be doing business with someone who could control him easily. The government of Nubia definitely was more powerful than him at the moment, and he didn't want to work with them for a long period of time.

"If you're thinking of not going through with the shipping, then you'd better think again. The Nubian Sultan definitely doesn't let anyone slip away from him easily. You can't beat him, it's too risky."

Eric gazed at Lin who was in his own thoughts, and basically told him to throw away any ideas of resistance. And unfortunately, Lin had to agree with him on this one. As much as he didn't want to be a part of this deal, there seems to not be any way to the outside, at least not yet. So he had to keep the deal in place.

"Why do you think the Sultan of Nubia is buying the whole export of Omega from you?"

"I don't know, and I don't want to know. I just know our product works. I mean, you injecting me with my product is kinda the only reason why I'm not attacking you right now. I can certainly assure you that there's a market for it."

Lin looked at the syringe he had in his pocket. He had injected the Omega into Eric's blood veins, making him unable to use his powers for a certain period of time. The Omega is a drug derived from the Omega plant, which inhibits the powers of the gifted, and according to the dose, duration of the process can vary easily.

This was certainly a useful product to use against enemies. But if a country like Nubia is buying the whole exports of the Omega, then that's for an even buy reason.

"War." Eric sighed at the words that came out of Lin's mouth. 

Warfare. It was most probably the only reason why a large country like Nubia, would invest so much in the export of the Omega drugs. With the political tensions high between Nubia and the rest of the world, especially with the country of Circassia, the world's largest economy in the world, the chances of both of them resorting to war was said to be extremely high.

"How much do you make out of this deal with the government of Nubia?" Lin had finally realized that he couldn't escape the Nubian government that easily, and so he asked about the financial gains that he would be receiving after gaining access to the Lindon family. He wanted to know if the risk of having a deal with the government of a country was worth the gains.

"Almost sixty five percent of all our earnings in the last fiscal year came from the deal with the Nubian Sultan. So yeah, it does pay extremely well." 

Eric answered Lin's concerns. It seemed that the deal with the foreign government was the reason for the rapid growth of the Lindon family as of late. 

Lin furrowed his eyebrows. Although he really didn't want to do business with a shady and powerful nation, seeing as the Lindon family had no choice but to move forward with the deal, he thought he might as well make some gains from it.

He got up from his seat and moved towards Eric once again. Eric looked at the young boy who was now in control of the Lindon Family. Even though he had acknowledged his defeat, he was still surprised by the smartness of the youth who wasn't even in his twenties yet.

'Who knows what this young man might be capable of in the future?'

Eric thought about the changes Lin Hamill would bring to the world, but he quickly erased those thoughts. He didn't have a need to think about it anymore. He, or at least this version of him, was going to be replaced. Soon a memory altered Eric was going to be in his place, and he who was to be no more had no future to think of.

Lin stood in front of Eric and gazed down at him. He then opened his mouth.

"Well then, you ready Mr. Lindon?"

Eric Lindon closed his eyes.

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[ The Practical Zone Stadium ]

[ Lin's room ]

Lin had finally returned back to his room. Having dealt with most of his problems, he could finally focus on his training once again. 

He got ready, and started his usual training regimen. He knew he had to get stronger. The whole ordeal with the Government of Nubia reminded him of the fact that there were people far stronger than him, and if he were to ever confront any of them, he would be utterly helpless.

'I don't want to feel helpless. Not anymore.'

Lin didn't wish to be powerless. He wanted to have even just a little bit of control. Even though he might lose, he didn't want to be useless, unable to do anything.

As he thought about his next match, Lin concentrated on his training. He had to get ready soon.