The Genius Evolution Store

”I’ve heard you are one handsome kid, but after looking at you, I know that the image on the internet is rather lacking.” Chief Lucas smiled. ”Thank you for coming.”

”Not at all. Thank you for inviting me.” Auric nodded calmly. Even though he was standing in front of the supreme chief of the Evolution Association, he didn’t feel pressured.

However, Chief Lucas noticed something. He looked at the person who had come with him. ”Aren’t you Lieutenant General Lunaria?”

Auric was a bit surprised. Lunaria usually stayed at home and looked gentle, so he didn’t expect that this person was actually such a high-ranking person in the military.

Lunaria placed her hand on her chest before politely nodding. ”It’s an honor to meet you, Chief Lucas. I’ve retired from my post, so I’m just a representative of the Relesha family now.”

”To think that I could meet the famous Fierce General of the East, the honor is mine.” Chief Lucas nodded. ”I have heard that Mr. Auric is staying at your residence.”

”That is correct. Although this is a bold request, I hope you don’t mind my presence during the interview.”

”Hmm?” Chief Lucas had thought he had asked for a one-on-one interview with Auric. ”What happened?”

Chief Lucas knew that the Relesha family wasn’t the type that changed their promises without any reason.

Lunaria paused for a moment. ”There’s just a bit of a problem.”

”Hmm... The topic that I’m planning to tell him is rather unique, unless the Relesha family is already aware of it.”

Auric tilted his head in confusion, wondering what kind of topic Chief Lucas intended to discuss with him. He had told a lot of things to Maya, but he didn’t know how much Maya had told his family about him.

On the other hand, Lunaria suggested, ”How about using an interrogation room? As long as I am able to keep an eye on him to protect him, I don’t care about what you discuss. Just turn off the microphone there.”

Chief Lucas thought for a moment. It was a good suggestion. They usually used it to interrogate rogue evolution masters or criminals, so it might work.

”I believe Mr. Auric’s opinion matters the most.”

”Auric has agreed to the arrangement regarding his safety.” Lunaria smiled.

”It’s not that I don’t believe you, but I need him to personally confirm that.” Chief Lucas shook his head. For an evolution master, he was like a protective father. That was why he wanted Auric to confirm so that he knew the Relesha family didn’t threaten him to accept their arrangement.

Auric nodded. ”Yes. I have agreed to their arrangement.”

”I see.” Chief Lucas turned around and asked his secretary. ”I need you to prepare the interrogation room. Bring the couches and make it comfortable.”

”Yes, sir.”

Chief Lucas extended his hand. ”In that case, how about we have a little tour? Do you have something you’d like to see from the headquarters?”

Auric thought for a moment. ”I don’t particularly have anything I’d like to see. Maybe the places where other masters usually work?”

”Sure.” Chief Lucas smiled.

He was a bit curious about the equipment here. After all, he had his own equipment, but that was only because of Lindwurm.

Besides, Lindwurm didn’t provide any machines.

Chief Lucas guided him around.

The headquarters of the Evolution Association was huge. It was bigger than the branches he had visited. No, its size alone was about four times bigger.

The evolution masters here were also of a higher level. He could see a lot of diamond-grade evolution masters walking around.”

”Now that I think about it, have you decided on the kind of path you’d like to pursue?” Chief Lucas asked.

”The path I’d like to pursue?” Auric tilted his head in confusion.

”Has no one ever told you about it?” Chief Lucas looked amused. ”There are three types of specialization that evolution masters can choose. The first type is the evolution path.

”In this path, the evolution masters will do their best to learn anything necessary to evolve someone. That includes learning about materials and all kinds of techniques to help them evolve.

”The second path is research. Evolution masters in this path will focus on using their knowledge and sensitivity to learn more about magical energy and everything that will allow us to understand it better. This is essential because evolution masters have to keep growing.

”The third path is item refiner. It’s not exactly the path that only evolution masters can choose, but most item refiners are evolution masters. There are a lot of item refiners who ask for evolution masters’ help.

”Because there are so many things to learn, most people usually focus on one path. So, have you ever thought about the kind of path you’re planning to take?”

Auric looked up, contemplating. ”To be honest, I haven’t thought about it.”

Auric had opened his Night and Day Store because he wanted to develop as an evolution master.

At the same time, his eyes allowed him to develop as a researcher. The Sun Store and the Moon Store were examples.

However, he was a bit interested in being an item refiner. The fusion concept was related to magic items after all. Besides, his ’Edict’ would be quite suitable for magic items. If he combined them, these magic items might become one of the goods sold in his store. He had yet to determine whether he should sell them in the Sun Store or Moon Store, though.

Auric asked, ”Is it really not possible for someone to learn everything?”

”It’s possible, but it requires a lot of time. However, it doesn’t seem that you’re intending to just walk the path of an evolution master. You wish to become stronger individually, right?”

”Yes.”

”That’s why the difficulty will become harder for you.”

”In that case, I’m a bit fortunate. Studying is one of my strong suits.” Auric scratched the back of his head.

”Is that so?” Chief Lucas nodded. ”I’m not going to be a grumpy old man who will tell you not to do this, not to do that. You are still young, so you should try everything. The reason so much talent goes undiscovered is that people haven’t explored that path yet.

”How do you know you’re good at football if you never touch a ball? How do you know you’re good at singing if your teacher bans you from singing?

”That’s why, do it! Just do everything you want to do. However, I’m not going to let you ruin your path as well.

”Young people need to be smart. Chasing dreams is good, but you need determination and hard work to do it. Blindly studying without knowing your goal is bad. Even a blind person can reach somewhere as long as they just continue walking, but there’s no telling whether that place is their destination.

”So, instead of stopping you, I’m going to tell you this. First, figure out your goal. Once you find your goal, think about how to achieve it. Is your skill sufficient? If not, learn from someone who can guide you. Do you have enough money? If not, learn how to find funding, whether it’s from working normally or doing business.”

Auric smiled. ”Thank you for your advice.”

”Very good.” Chief Lucas continued guiding Auric around. ”So, do you find the Evolution Association exciting?”

”Yes, it’s exciting. There are a lot of machines that I haven’t been able to see before.”

”Hoho. That’s the first thing that comes to your mind? I heard you have your own stores. Does your store not have something like this?”

”I’ve been doing everything myself all this time. It’s not troublesome yet.” Auric shook his head.

”That is also good. Relying too much on machines also slows down your progress. However, it is also good to know how they work because they might help you accomplish something that was previously unimaginable.”

”Yes. I’ll take that to heart.” Auric nodded.

”Sir.” Suddenly, the secretary returned.

Chief Lucas waved his hand and asked, ”Well, it looks like the room is ready. Would you like to continue the tour, or would you like to have an in-depth conversation with me?”

Auric answered without hesitation. ”I can always tour this place in the future.”

Chief Lucas was a bit surprised, but his confidence was clear in his eyes. He knew Auric’s true ability, so he knew there would be a day Auric dominated this field. At that time, even the Evolution Association would feel honored to have him tour its facilities.

That was why Chief Lucas chuckled. ”That’s right. I’m looking forward to that day.”

Auric nodded. They immediately went downstairs, heading to the interrogation room. Even though Chief Lucas trusted his subordinate, he double-checked everything to reassure Auric.

This way, Auric could feel reassured.

The interrogation room had been decorated to make it look more comfortable. Chief Lucas’s secretary stayed with Lunaria in the room next to it, monitoring everything through the one-way mirror.

”Do you have anything you’d like to eat or drink?”

”It’s fine. There’s no need for trouble.” Auric smiled.

”Very well.” Chief Lucas nodded. ”Now, let me formally introduce myself. I am Lucasta Robein, Supreme Chief of the Evolution Association. You can just call me Old Lucas or Chief Lucas.”

”I am Auric Elfe. You may call me Auric, Chief Lucas.”

”I heard of all your achievements. Becoming a silver-grade evolution master and other stuff. It’s truly wonderful. I’m sure that you’re able to grow even further after this. Looking at all your records, I doubt you will struggle much to reach the gold grade.”

”I’m not going to underestimate the tests and slack off. That’s the only thing I can promise you.” Auric nodded. ”I will treat the exams like I treat all my patients.”

Auric’s record was clean. He treated each customer sincerely, so this answer was satisfying to Chief Lucas.

”In that case, let me properly grant you that privilege again. From today onward, you are allowed to take the test at any Evolution Association’s branches. The difficulty will be adjusted unless you are taking the exam in the formal way, which only happens every six months.

”Don’t think this is nepotism. If you are talented, you need to know how to market yourself. By marketing yourself, I will know you’re talented and see if you need special treatment or not.

”I may not be exactly supportive, but I intend to nurture as many talents as possible. So, don’t think of it as a privilege. Think of it as an opportunity. I intend to take back that opportunity if you stop growing. Do you understand?”

Auric smiled. ”Thank you. I’ll do my best.”

”Very good. In that case, shall we begin with the heavy part?” Chief Lucas smiled.

”The heavy part?”

”Your talent is amazing. To think that you are the person behind the gathering techniques... Isn’t that right, Sunlight?”

”!!!”