A while later, Conrad returned to the bar. This time, he chose a different table and quietly began thinking.
"If I judge those two Nen users by the amount of aura they possess, they're stronger than new Nen users like Gido, but weaker than someone like Kastro..."
"Of course, judging a Nen user only by the amount of aura they possess isn't very logical."
"If they fight properly and their Conditions and Limitations are strong enough, they could still become a serious problem for me."
Conrad took a slow breath and ordered himself a beer.
"I suppose I'll eventually have to take some kind of active approach if I want to earn their trust..."
"But if I think about it carefully..."
"They'll never fully trust me."
"Because of that, whatever I do has to stay below the level that attracts unnecessary attention," he thought.
Time passed quickly.
The following day, Conrad met the two Nen users once again.
"My name is Almord," the older man said.
"And this is someone I consider my student. Her name is Lindsy."
Conrad nodded.
"I assume you already know my name."
"But I'm Conrad."
Almord smiled, and the three of them began walking together.
As they walked, Conrad occasionally closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Late the previous night, he had carefully explored the surrounding area and quietly placed several Obelisks in important intersections, corners, and central locations.
Whenever he focused on it, he could tell that nobody was following him.
Aside from Almord and Lindsy, if there were other Nen users watching him, he wanted to know about them before they became a problem.
"Let's see..." he thought.
After a while, they arrived at the Central Gate.
Just like before, an enormous wall separated the Middle District from the Central District.
Because Almord and Lindsy were accompanying him, Conrad entered without difficulty.
Had they not been with him, he would have required special authorization.
Obtaining that kind of permission on his own would have been extremely difficult.
"The Central District is reserved for senior administrators, people who have made major contributions, merchants, and individuals who play important roles within Meteor City," Almord explained.
"We also use this area to house as many orphaned children as our resources allow. Most of our orphanages are located here."
Conrad nodded before asking a question.
"Roughly how much does an orphanage cost to operate each year?"
"And how many children does one usually care for?"
Almord paused to think.
While waiting for the answer, Conrad quietly observed the Central District.
No matter where he looked, it was obvious that enormous resources had been invested here.
Nearly every building was constructed from stone or other durable materials.
People wore clean, ordinary clothing.
Some even owned vehicles.
Compared to an average city, there was nothing particularly unusual.
However, when compared with the Outer District and the Middle District, the difference was overwhelming.
It was like comparing two entirely different worlds.
"On average..."
"About twenty-five million Jenny per year."
"One hundred children."
"That includes two meals a day and the basic needs of the staff," Almord replied.
Conrad nodded.
Looking at it purely from a financial perspective, the cost was surprisingly low.
Of course, the primary reason was obvious.
The standards inside Meteor City's orphanages were built around necessity rather than comfort.
Even the employees accepted extremely small wages.
Most of them worked simply in exchange for food and a place to live.
Because of that, expenses remained limited.
In an ordinary city, maintaining a similar institution would probably cost three or four times as much.
Higher salaries, better food, electricity, plumbing, maintenance, and countless other expenses would dramatically increase the budget.
Here, the calculations included only basic meals, shelter, simple education, and enough heating to survive the colder seasons.
"Hmm..."
At that moment, the usually quiet Lindsy spoke.
"Are you interested in orphanages?"
Conrad nodded.
"Orphanages are among the simplest and most important institutions humanity can build."
"Unlike adults, children should always receive priority."
"If they receive proper education and a proper beginning, they'll grow into healthier people."
"It shapes both their character and their state of mind for the future."
Lindsy quietly listened before smiling.
Almord commented as well.
"That's a good way of looking at it."
A few minutes later, the three of them came to a stop.
Almord pointed toward an enormous mansion standing ahead of them.
"This is Overseer Manor."
"The Overseer Elder governs Meteor City from here."
"It's also his private residence."
Conrad nodded.
"From this point onward, please pay close attention to your actions," Almord said.
"You'll first be meeting one of the Overseer Elder's advisors."
"Based on the advisor's opinion, various opportunities may be offered to you."
"If your proposed investment is considered significant enough, you'll receive permission to move freely throughout the Central District."
"Keep that in mind."
He paused before adding another warning.
"There are more than thirty Nen users with different abilities inside."
"You seem like a decent person."
"I'd rather not see you get hurt."
Conrad smiled.
"Thank you."
Together with Almord and Lindsy, he passed through the gates of Overseer Manor.
The moment he stepped inside, he sensed them.
Several Nen users.
Almost simultaneously.
Others casually talked among themselves.
Several appeared relaxed, while others watched him.
"They're on guard," Conrad thought.
The three of them crossed the enormous courtyard before reaching the main building.
Inside, they waited in the lobby for nearly ten minutes.
Finally, footsteps echoed from the staircase.
A woman with long blonde hair descended gracefully.
She wore an elegant dress that suited the formal atmosphere of the manor.
Her facial features were sharp, and the confidence in her expression suggested she was accustomed to authority.
She smiled politely.
"My name is Lanali Lax."
"I'm the Third Advisor to the Overseer Elder."
"I heard that you wanted to discuss an investment."
Conrad nodded.
"That's correct."
Lanali returned the nod.
"Then please follow me."
She turned and began walking deeper into the manor.
Conrad followed immediately.
Almord and Lindsy walked behind him without hesitation.
Neither of them intended to leave Lanali alone with someone they had only recently met.
They still did not trust Conrad.
And from their perspective, they had very little reason to.
Conrad understood that perfectly.
Trust was never built through a single conversation.
Especially in a place like Meteor City, where caution was often the difference between survival and death.
"I would be suspicious if they trusted me so easily."