"So, what is everyone's takeaway after today?"

Techlord was the first to speak.

"That woman with the advanced weaving. Her technique will let us sell stuff without a shadow affinity that comes with a light weakness, and if we combine it with your black silk we will see a big upgrade in everyone's gear."

Decanov nodded along.

"I agree with the boy. That woman is the only one to have presented something complete and ready for sale. Yes, combining it with our existing superior material will vastly improve the design she presented, however, that is more of an alternate advanced version than a mandatory necessary fix like every other one had. The fact that her completed invention truly is useful is a nice bonus."

Larry agreed.

"Yeah, folks have been complaining about our designs. The downstairs guys did their best with dyes, but having some new stuff will make people happy. Maybe she'll know how to make some fancy clothes as well?"

"That is indeed something worth pursuing. While we should always prioritize functionality, aesthetics do have an impact, particularly when it comes to clothes. Thank you for the reminder, Larry."

"No problem, boss. By the way, what did you think of Grandpop? I think the party balls could be fun."

Techlord hummed.

"I don't know about them being fun, but if he truly found a way to manipulate space like that for cheap then it has a lot of potential. It would make transporting stuff much easier."

"No. I see the potential of spatial manipulation, but this man won't be one of ours."

"You sure, bossman? I would help tons."

"I veto it. This man is too dangerous to let in. As I've already mentioned previously, a budget would only grow the size of the crater when he fails. He has shown a complete lack of care for safety and common sense and has failed to even understand the guidelines of the interview. I am considering outright reporting him to the authorities."

"Sheesh, boss. You're sounding a little harsh."

Blake tutted as he wagged his finger on his screen.

"Harsh, but true. Determining whether the risk is worth the reward is an important point of managing a business. However, I will say that if you do plan on reporting his activities to the police or the Union, you should do it as an anonymous tipper, not Silhouette. We wouldn't want people to think they can't confide in or share their more dangerous secrets with you."

The scribe felt the need to interrupt, bringing up a very valid point.

"Does the contract even allow us to do that? We can't use or share the information we learned without hiring him, right?"

Mesker chuckled at her question as he brought his black hands together, an amused and proud smirk on his lips.

"Have no worry. My contracts are written to be fair, but they also are made to avoid trouble. Exceptions concerning possible threats to the public's safety were included in the fine print. Though I will say he was the only candidate today who fit these conditions. A pleasant surprise, really. I expected more."

"You heard Mesker. As soon as this meeting is over, I'll have someone make a call. Now, ignoring Grandpop, what else do you wish to say?"

Techlord spoke.

"The origami drone. I like the idea. It only needs a few adjustments and it's good to go. I know going with the parchment thing rather than tech is more efficient, but do we have the equipment to? Like, should we make a printing press or something?"

The scribe tilted her head as she pondered the question.

"Well, we'll need to put the final in any case, to ensure the link between each dragonfly and its receptor is unique, but having the do the rest over and over on our own could take time. Lord Runar always hated the idea of automatization, he said it removed the art and prevented us from learning."

Techlord scoffed.

"Yeah? Well, he's gone and we're not."

Mesker wasn't quite as dismissive.

"While I agree Runar's methods were a little archaic, he was right to say his scribes' education needed the practice. He didn't run a school with studious students, he ran a workshop with the discarded and the unwanted. No offense, of course."

Her barely repressed grimace showed she did take offense. Thankfully she kept her tongue in check.

"What I mean to say is that Runar's former mages are not the best. There is a healthy number of them at a decent level, but the rest still need practice before moving on to larger and more complex projects. Unless you plan on hiring an instructor or repurposing one of your current high-level ones as a teacher, having them work on the same designs over and over is for the best."

Decanov groaned.

"It's wasteful. We could have a runic printing press do the brunt of the work, netting us a major gain in efficiency, but you don't want it because they are too incompetent and need the practice?"

"Unless a good part of the workforce is removed and put through a proper lesson plan, yes."

"Then we will do as you say. Doctor Decanov, I'll let you discuss with our veteran scribe here to prepare the best runic printing press you can when discussions are over. I'll look into setting up a runic school. Perhaps it could be a way to hire new people: offer a free period of learning in exchange for a mandatory equivalent period spent working for us."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Blake smiled.

"If you're doing that, why not open up a school proper in the slums? With that 'free learning for work' strategy, I'm sure you could find plenty of people to take all those jobs you need. Not to mention the goodwill and reputation boost."

"No. At least, not now. We do not have the resources to manage a beginning business and a school in the most dangerous parts of the city. I am willing to reconsider when we have more means and employees, but for now, we will stick to internal programs."

"Eh, your business, your choice."

"Why don't you go with this plan, then?"

"The Black Family is supposed to stay neutral. We can bend the rules and play favorites but within reason. Establishing something like that in Zalcien would be akin to creating a foothold, a proper base. Only the top of the family can do that kind of thing, and even then they have to make their case to Noir."

"Your dragon ancestor, right?"

"In a sense. He does have a few biological children he spawned long ago, but most of the family is adopted. It's the price of being a notorious and infamous family for generations, you get curses that jump past bloodlines. We're all sterile and infertile, that's the cost of being a Black."

"How often do new members join, then?"

"It depends. Does someone feel in the mood to get a kid? Is there an intern or employee who performed particularly well and deserves to be rewarded? Did an existing member try something stupid and someone needs to fill their empty spot? Sometimes nobody joins for decades, other times we get a dozen in a single year. Noir himself doesn't take anyone in anymore, that's the only certainty."

"Good to know. I trust you to warn me should one of them be nearby."

The bank manager sighed as he leaned back in his seat on the other end of the screen.

"Sadly, I can't promise anything. I like you a lot Silhouette and I want you to succeed, but the bonds of the Black family come before all. We may not all see eye to eye and often engage in political plays and power grabs, but Noir made sure that we wouldn't betray the family to outsiders, not without abandoning the name of Black. I will do my best, though."

"I appreciate the sentiment."

And James truly did. He felt he could safely assume the bonds Blake spoke of were more than just words. If at his level he could have Mesker write magically binding contracts, he had no doubt someone at the apex of the world could do far worse. The fact Blake was willing to test the limits for his sake was reassuring. James still wasn't the biggest fan of the man, but at this point, he knew he could count him as an ally. Not the most loyal or helpful, but an ally nonetheless. It was already a miracle he had met so many loyal and trustworthy people so far in this cutthroat Super world, he couldn't rely on only dealing with those forever.

Decanov grunted, crossing his arms as he leaned forward.

"Some of us have better things to do than stand there and listen to you two talk about yourselves. Especially if you want a runic printing press made in time. If we could hurry this?"

"Apologies, Doctor. Does anyone else have a particular candidate they wish to point out today? We'll do an individual check on each one when we're done with interviews."

Mesker was the one to seize the opening, sitting a little straighter - a feat considering his already stern and rigid pose.

"Young Maggie Thespian. Her enchantment work was not perfect, but it was impressive. I also believe her creation would be popular amongst the populace."

Larry happily agreed.

"Yup, that would make one good seller. I know Barry often complained about bugs back in the slums."

Decanov narrowed his eyes.

"Ah, that is something we overlooked. She mentioned her invention being offputting to sapient parasites and blood feeders. There is a possibility it would be effective on wilder and more dangerous creatures than the mundane pest of the city."

Mesker agreed.

"I know quite several vampire hunters who would spend a fortune for something to keep their enemy at bay, particularly if we find a way to replace that air humidifier function with a cloud of holy water."

"Vampire hunters? I was under the impression they and the rest of the undead weren't hunted on sight in the modern day."

"Under normal circumstances, they would not be. The fact remains there are still feral ones popping out of old tombs and the merry serial killers and blood cults out and about. Young Blake Black would know some about those."

The rich man shrugged.

"What can I say? My aunt and her daughters are not the friendly sort. They are cordial and perfectly safe to our clients, but the village they established their private estate in doesn't have the same luck. I don't like it, but what can I do?"

James made note of that. Members of the Black Family were free to do as they pleased so long as it didn't impact their business. Blake's nonchalant but otherwise nonviolent attitude suddenly looked much better than before. Hopefully, the rest of the family wasn't quite as bloodthirsty, but knowing they let this kind of behavior happen and were founded by a particularly greedy dragon, James didn't have high hopes.

Techlord ignored the uncomfortable silence that had followed the mention of a normalized massacre to continue the original discussion.

"We'll need to find a base design for her thing, though. She mentioned a techy friend who wanted to do it but couldn't, right? Maybe we could ask her to give it a try?"

Decanov scoffed.

"Had you paid attention to her tone, you would have noticed the implication that her friend dropped the project. She didn't work on it not because of a lack of time, but because she didn't want to pass the interview. You can go ahead and start designing your version of the gadget."

The teen genius didn't wait a second to respond, annoyance clear in his voice.

"Oh yeah? How can you be so sure?"

"That's enough, you two. Cease butting heads constantly. However, since it is relevant, Doctor Decanov is right that their collaboration is unlikely to happen even if we gave them more time."

Blake leaned forward in his seat.

"I couldn't help but notice you don't treat her the same as the other candidates. Is there a particular reason as to why?"

James sighed.

"One of my employees befriended her on an online forum and expressed concern she wasn't aware of the risks taking this job would entail."

"Oh?"

"I know they would all theoretically be in danger. We have gone without any loss so far, but the Biflora and his cultists are still plotting against us, not to mention the other factions who have yet to make their stance clear. The invention she presented was one of the best today and not hiring her would be a mistake. I am simply displeased I couldn't quell my employee's worries before and likely won't going forward."

"Managing a business comes with heavy choices, my friend. Knowing to put your personal feelings aside is good."

Larry raised a hand.

"If you want boss, we could mention the danger thing when we call the candidates to announce they passed the test. Like, give a final chance to go back, you know what I mean?"

"I think I do, Larry. That is a good idea. There wasn't a need to needlessly worry them all, but those about to join deserve to know the truth. Perhaps we could even use the opportunity to mention we have openings in the slums should they wish for a change of scenery."

Techlord tilted.

"Why would anyone want to go there?"

"You'd be surprised how many people would be tempted by the thrill or change in scenery. There are also those who would take the chance to help or try to take charge when protected by a powerful group."

"Eh, if you say so."

"If no one has any more major or urgent remarks to make, this will be it for today. Remember to put your thoughts down to paper and send those to me by the end of the week. Outside consultants, thank you for your time. Employees, you know what to do. Larry, you and I will prepare the acceptance speech."

The man smiled happily.

"Okie Doki, boss!"

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