"I'm not the Chairman's trump card. I'm merely his investor. His true trump card is himself."
A figure of pure light materialized behind Samuel, taking a feminine form. Golden hair swayed without wind, clad in loose white garments, a strange halo atop its head, its words laced with static.
Aiwass, self-proclaimed "Holy Guardian Angel," bore no relation to Cross Church angels. The name seemed a human construct, a title shaped by human language and thought.
It was Aleister's half-mentor, instrumental in founding Academy City.
Its power was among the world's greatest, second only to the enigmatic Magic Gods. The moment Samuel saw Aiwass, he knew a fight would end in his instant defeat.
Yet, he now stood on the same existential plane as Aiwass.
In game terms, both were at the third job advancement, but Samuel was level one, while Aiwass was level one hundred, nearing a fourth.
Aiwass didn't care how Samuel knew of it—irrelevant to its concerns. What mattered was…
"You're fascinating. You've independently converted magic and ability formulas, stepping into the realm of angels."
Aiwass gazed at Samuel's Primordial Spirit, formed by his AIM Diffusion Field, a substance akin to its own body. The difference: Aiwass descended with vast power; Samuel condensed his own.
"So what? This world is vast, with many stronger than me—you, Aleister, Right Fire… and even more terrifying beings."
Indeed, having reached this level, Samuel confirmed the Magic Gods' existence. The overlapping, distorted phases were proof of their influence.
"You know much. I'm curious how, but I suspect you won't tell me."
Aiwass's words carried intermittent static, grating to most ears.
It spoke in "angelic tongue," a language of higher mystery, nearly its essence.
Samuel, unfazed, translated it instantly with his computational power.
He merely smiled at Aiwass's remark, then asked, "What are my odds against Aleister?"
"You dodge my question but ask your own? Heh, since you're amusing, I'll answer. One-on-one, without extras, you're 1.5 to his 8.5. With his 'Blasting Rod'… you're below 0.00001."
Samuel suspected if probability allowed zero, Aiwass would've said he was doomed.
He agreed with the assessment. His own calculations, without invoking the Ark of Civilization, matched it.
"I pursue what's interesting. Aleister is fascinating, so I aid him. You're interesting too, and I'm willing to help—if you prove your worth or offer something intriguing in trade."
Aiwass rarely intervened, preferring to watch captivating "actors" on the world's stage.
If an actor performed well or "hired" it as a cheerleader, Aiwass might lend its voice, boosting their prestige. If it adored an actor's skill, it could obsess like a fan, treating them like family.
No such figure existed yet. For Aleister, Aiwass merely "cheered," "liked," "favorited," or "voted."
Samuel had just earned its follow.
"This world is splendid, and you, at its center, shine brightly. Congratulations—you've earned the right to negotiate with Aleister. I look forward to your performance!"
Aiwass vanished as silently as it appeared.
"The true qualification."
Despite his titles—Academy City Director, Judgment Chairman, business investor, tech magnate—Samuel lacked the true standing to negotiate with Aleister.
He wasn't unique. Aleister could replace directors or chairmen without impacting his plans. Any prior talks or deals were at Aleister's whim.
True negotiation required equal footing. Between weak and strong, it depended on the strong's mood.
As a saying goes: the weak aren't always beaten—only because the strong choose not to today.
Now, as a Level 6, Samuel gave Academy City a power to rival the magic side without Aleister.
Like a general to a king, Samuel was irreplaceable, capable of harming Aleister.
They were equals, each able to ruin the other.
Aleister could no longer "bestow" concessions at his leisure.
Samuel had gone from sailor to the sole helmsman—anger him, and the captain sank too.
He began planning his next move.
He'd exhausted this world's gains. It was time to prepare for a new journey to amass capital.
Samuel decided after resolving ITEM he'd embark on a new adventure.
***
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