Sarka Jarbez had done a great deal for the Spider Syndicate in the original timeline. Claude Noire, I had no doubt, knew her worth better than anyone.

My eyes glanced at the tattoos etched into his skin by past versions of himself, information and intel passed between loops.

Under the directive of the Spiders, Sarka gave life to some truly blood-curdling inventions. But the two most infamous were: the teleportation portal—something I had already commissioned her to develop—and the creation that made the Spiders wealthy and powerful beyond measure: the Vitacage, a generator capable of harvesting and refining dead mana into usable energy.

Dead mana, in its raw form, was more of a deadly curse than a valuable resource. It clung to the land like a sickness, leeching life from anything it touched. Exposure was fatal, and the continent was decaying because of it, with the pollution spreading further with each passing year.

However, where most saw a spreading plague, the Spiders had seen profit.

With the Vitacage, they monopolized what no one else dared touch. And thus, from the corrupted earth, Sarka Jarbez extracted Necraflux.

I set my cup down on the table with a clink. "You hope for her to build the Vitacage and begin producing Necraflux, isn't that right?"

Claude tilted his head slightly, that wolfish smile still lurking beneath his eyes.

"I was right, so you were aware of that," he replied in a low and amused tone.

Unlike mana stones or light stones, which were hard in form, Necraflux was a thick, viscous black liquid that swallowed light itself. While unpleasant in appearance and touch, it was not lethal, as it was stabilized dead mana.

And its potential was extraordinary.

Necraflux could absorb solar energy and hold it for weeks. It powered autonomous carriages, eliminating the need for horses entirely. Vehicles could run silently through the night without needing rest. It was used to fuel cooking stoves in ordinary households, particularly in poorer districts where firewood and mana stones were too expensive or scarce. Artisans used it to operate forgeless furnaces and kilns, reshaping production lines in both rural towns and industrial districts. And in smaller villages, Necraflux-powered pumps had replaced hand-drawn wells entirely, drawing water automatically regardless if it was dawn or dusk.

It had, in many ways, become the backbone of the syndicate's influence, just as the mage trade had been in the past. Thus, with the dwindling quantity and quality of mages, the Spider Syndicate was able to continue to rule the continent, not through fear, but through complete and utter dependence on their new monopoly.

Necraflux was cheap, readily available in vast quantities, and the most efficient energy source known within the realm.

And in this new timeline, it was I—not Claude—who possessed the woman responsible for its invention.

I would not have been surprised if he had tried to take her from me by force, given just how valuable she was. But instead, he sat across from me, serene, smiling, not a single thread of tension in his voice.

"Although it pains me not to have her, I'm certain we can work out an agreeable arrangement," he said.

"Certainly," I agreed.

While I could have kept her entirely for myself, I had no intention of cornering him like a rat. Cornered rats were vicious. And Claude was far more dangerous than a mere rat.

"I imagine it will take some time for Sarka to develop it," he said lightly, refilling his teacup. Wisps of steam curled up from the dark red surface, catching the glow of the light stone chandelier above.

I nodded. "True. But I'll be able to accelerate the process in future loops."

"I'm sure you will," he said, his tone calm, agreeable. Then, he tilted his head slightly. "However, if I'm to put a halt to the mage trade immediately—as you've requested—I'll need a replacement stream of income in the interim. My investors aren't patient people. The employees of the Spider Syndicate have... certain expectations. If payments stop, so does civility."

He took a sip of the red tea, moss-green eyes continuing to gaze toward me over the rim of his cup.

The ball was in my court.

However, I was ready for this.

"I propose another pivot," I said.

Claude arched one eyebrow. "Another?"

"Yes," I said. "Your current mage network is valuable. Not simply because of what you sell, but because of who you know. You've built an empire through business ties, supply routes, and alliances. But the mage supply itself is running dry. And what's left is deteriorating."

[ Intelligence +1 ]

I blinked at the System notification, confused why it felt the need to inform me that my Intelligence had suddenly increased.

As for Claude, he didn't comment. All that I said was well known to him, but he remained attentive.

"So," I continued, "instead of selling mages as property, you sell their skills. Services, not bodies."

Stolen story; please report.

Claude tilted his head, amused. "You mean… rent them out?"

I pursed my lips. I didn't like his word choice. It irked me.

"No," I replied. "Renting implies that mages are objects. Replaceable. Breakable."

Claude leaned against the arm of his chair. "But they are."

Ah. There it was.

To Claude, mages were nothing more than commodities. To him, they were no different than tea or sugar was to the Frey Merchant Guild. I wasn't going to win him over with a moral lecture, and so I wasn't going to bother wasting my time attempting to do so. I doubted he even saw most human beings as human. He saw only tools.

So I shifted my tactic.

"Objects break," I repeated, "and your supply can't afford that. If your organization is seen treating mages with dignity and respect, as employees and partners, your clients will mirror it. If only to avoid your retaliation."

Claude didn't interrupt, but something in his expression shifted. He was calculating.

"And to that end…" I said, taking a breath, choosing my next words carefully, knowing full well the reaction I would receive. "I suggest you become a public champion of mage rights."

Claude stared at me, and then his mouth widened into a large grin, and he roared with laughter that echoed against the decorated walls of the parlor.

"Rights?" he said, when he finally calmed. "You're joking."

"I'm not," I replied.

"Do you know how mages are treated across the continent? In my syndicate?" He inquired. "That kind of pivot would make no sense. No one would buy it. Fuck, I don't buy it."

"You can make people believe it," I replied, keeping my voice level and calm. "Besides, if they do, it'll benefit you. If you are seen as a champion and employer of mages, high-quality mages will flock to you on their own, eager for employment and protection. You'll get what you're really after: strong, loyal talent. Not children whose mana cores you have to increase through artificial means. Ah, and that has to come to a halt immediately if you sincerely want to partner with me."

Claude stared at me for a long moment, silent.

"You're serious," he said.

"Of course," I replied. "And if optics are the issue, I know someone who can spin up and spread a story to make it land properly and quickly. She's a publicist of sorts. A heartfelt tale can be spun up that you fell head over heels in love with a mage. And your deep love and concern for her made you decide to champion on her and other mages' behalf—"

"My identity is unknown to most," Claude cut in. "It's a secret. And for good reason."

"All the better. We can craft your public persona however we like," I stated.

He picked up his tea again, swirling it in the cup, like one might assess a vintage wine.

"My investors won't buy it," he said.

"Who cares about them buying it?" I retorted. "They just need to know the financial workings, right? They can be in on the lie and help spread it."

Claude took a slow sip. Then, gradually, a familiar smile curled across his face. The kind a wolf might wear right before pouncing on its prey.

I felt myself involuntarily shudder.

"Very well," he replied. "You're going to have to allow me to prepare, however. I'm no miracle worker. But I can make the announcement during the Summer Festival during our annual auction. Not the love story part—"

"Obviously," I cut in.

That part would spread more effectively through whispered speculation and gossip, rather than formal declarations.

"—but the shift in business strategy," he finished.

"That brings me to the last point," I said, leaning forward. "I want to found a school for mages in Genise. And I want you as my partner."

The idea had taken shape from one of the novels I read at Lisa's. It wasn't fully formed yet, but the blueprint was solid. I'd memorized the steps from past examples of how public schools gained legitimacy and momentum.

While the quantity and quality of mages had dwindled, mages were still out there. They were in hiding, stifled, and overlooked. Mages were some of the best possible weapons against the demonic forces of Kobar. Yet, most were treated so poorly, I suspected many who could wield magic with notable talent kept their talents hidden to avoid discrimination and being forced into slavery.

Claude's grin widened. "Ah. So that's the true purpose behind reforming the Spider Syndicate. A school. Yes, how convenient. It would supply a steady pipeline…"

There was a slight loss in translation, but it was the outcome that ultimately mattered. And the result aligned with my goals.

I reached for the teapot, only to find it dry.

"We'll need another pot if we're to finish this discussion properly," I said, speaking into the red-rune ring Ben had given me. "And snacks."

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Your discussion with Luca took longer than expected," Belestris commented, her tone probing.

"It has," Claude agreed. "I suppose I'll be fashionably late to the syndicate meeting."

He hadn't intended to attend previously, but felt it was worth attending to see Micah Frey.

The interior of the carriage was dim, lit only by the soft light stone hanging overhead. The warm glow reflected faintly in Claude's pale eyes as he leaned back into the cushions.

Outside the carriage window, the last traces of sunlight slipped away, beyond the twisted silhouettes of the Humton Forest. Long shadows stretched across the road, and the dark, gnarled trees stood on either side, looking more eerie than they had during their earlier passage during the day.

However, this time, Claude's carriage included additional guards.

Four riders cloaked in dark leathers, trailed beside and behind them, riding at each corner of the carriage. Belestris and he were sufficient enough to stave off any threats, but he wasn't one to throw caution to the wind. At the very least, the additional four horsemen would serve as fodder for whatever creature they had encountered prior that afternoon, should it reappear.

"Big changes are coming to the Syndicate," Claude mused aloud, watching the trees blur past. "If we want to stay profitable and in power, we'll have to adapt, investing in the future."

"You'll finally expand to the second continent?" Belestris asked, the hint of hope slipping into her otherwise unreadable expression.

Claude frowned, not even bothering to hide it.

Why must she always suggest that blasted route? I'd rather die than get on a boat.

"No," he replied coolly. We're pivoting away from selling mages… to selling their services."

Belestris blinked. "So, renting them out?"

"Don't use that term," Claude said sharply, recalling the disgust on Luca's face when he had uttered the same. "They are to be positioned as valued and respected partners."

Belestris did not reply. She didn't need to. The look she gave him was sufficient to convey her skepticism.

Claude chuckled, resting one elbow on the windowsill as he gazed out at the sky that had shifted into hues of coral and violet.

"Well, if you must know," he added lightly, "I've fallen in love. Madly so, with a mage, as it turns out."

Belestris stared at him, with her thoughts written all over her face: just what is this nonsense?

"But you've only met once!" She suddenly exclaimed, like a pot having boiled over.

It was Claude's turn to stare at her, incredulous.

The sound of the carriage wheels rolling and the hooves of horses filled the silence.

"….what in the world are you talking about?" he balked.

"Sure, you had me run all those background checks and—" Belestris recounted all that Claude had requested of her regarding his preparations to meet with Luca, much to his amusement.

Does she really think…?

Claude smiled, humored by her misunderstanding.

"People really are suckers for love stories, huh? If even you got sucked up in one."

He gazed out the window. The sky had finally turned a navy blue, with the sun having left entirely.

I suppose it will be bought up easier than I thought. Just as Luca Frey said it would be.

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