Hearing Russel's words, Zeun replied,
"My King, it's only a prototype of the paper. It requires more research and, most importantly, time. But once it's successful..." Zeun didn't continue, leaving the rest to their imaginations.
Illegal copying or rewriting of official documents posed a significant challenge for the nobles of the Aisa Continent. Frauds and scammers were a constant pain in the ass for the Nobles and Royals, becoming so powerful and daring that they operated multiple organizations in the shadows. The Nobles couldn't eradicate them completely; they were like leeches—if one organization was removed, another would pop up.
Thus they gave up on eradicating them and instead used the time and wealth investing in creating new magical and special ink. However no matter how hard they tried or what countermeasures they researched, a flaw always remained. The best result was the discovery of Runic Ink, which couldn't be duplicated or modified.
However, it was so expensive and challenging to produce that even Royals felt a "heart bleed" when using it.
Most tampering of official documents occurred among the Nobles and lower-ranking officials, so the discovery of Runic Ink provided little to no help.
Both of them looked at Zeun with gleaming eyes, drooling at the paper's future potential.
Regaining their composure, Russel asked, "So... what do you want? Since you've revealed something like this, I'm sure there's something equivalent you want."
Contemplating in silence, Zeun took his time, unfazed by the impatient stares growing in the eyes of the King and Mira.
Almost five minutes later, he looked confidently into Russel's sharp eyes and said, "There are two options:
"First, I shall take my time researching, because my Awakening Ceremony is only four months away. After that, attending the academy and training there will consume most of my time and energy. Therefore, I may not achieve the desired results for this paper for ten years, if not more. Whatever results come of it, I shall only take 30% of the shares. In the meantime, you must find my mother and guarantee my security."
Both Miria and Russel furrowed their eyebrows, clearly not satisfied with the condition. No body wants to go to Everlost forest. Its a sure death zone for most people , even for Lady Miraina himself.
"Second," Zeun continued, "I'll sell you the research, the process, future development, and production rights—everything will be transferred to you. In return, you'll provide me with two bottles of pure Runic Ink each year and take a 15% share of the profit from every sale. What do you think?
"However, if you're unable to develop the current version within the next 20 years, I reserve the right to create something similar or better. Should that happen, you'll lose all rights, and our contract will be terminated."
The King fell into deep contemplation.
Though both scenarios initially seemed like a loss—presenting the unappealing choice of either providing two bottles of Pure Runic Ink or venturing into the Everlost Forest—the long-term value quickly became evident. This paper model, even in its current state, could effectively curb fraud in lower government levels for at least 20 years. Even if a countermeasure emerged, it would likely take decades to develop. In the long run, the profit clearly outweighed the loss, making it a win-win for him, not to mention the honor and rewards from the Empire.
"Let me be clear," Russel began, "are you sure you want to sell this to me? Its future potential is limitless, and if the Empire shows interest..."
Zeun cut the King off mid-sentence. "I don't want the spotlight or any involvement in the political affairs of Kingdoms and Empires. Honestly, I didn't even want to come here and deal with royalty. Sigh. If it weren't for my mother and sister, I wouldn't have bothered. So please, don't reveal this deal to the public or the Empire. Just take all the rewards, honors, and credit—I'm content with a 15% share and Runic Ink bottles."
King Russel's mind churned with a whirlwind of reactions—disbelief, frustration, and a touch of irritation.
He couldn't fathom why Zeun, the possessor of such a groundbreaking invention, seemed so indifferent to the potential wealth and influence it could bring. In his mind, a few choice curses danced around, expressing his exasperation at the apparent lack of appreciation for the opportunity presented.
"Doesn't he realize the value of what he's holding?!" Russel grumbled inwardly. He pondered the irony of someone so nonchalant about dealing with royalty yet holding a key to immeasurable power and wealth.
The King's emotions swung between bewilderment and mild annoyance, but beneath it all lingered a keen curiosity about the enigmatic little boy's motivations. 'Perhaps it's because of his family,' he mused.
The unfolding negotiation left King Russel both intrigued and slightly vexed.
King Russel sighed.
"Okay, then let's sign the contract after your Awakening. Until then, you can either stay in the castle or within the city's inner area. The core area is the safest part of my capital city, but to stay there, you'd need to expose your identity as an official of the Royal family or as a contributor to the Kingdom's development."
As he spoke, he looked at the little boy, who listened seriously.
"Alright, if possible, I'd like to take a villa in the inner area, close to either the outer walls or the inner walls please..." Zeun requested.
Russel tilted his head. 'What a weird boy,' he mused. 'Scholars and geniuses are indeed weird by nature, though...'
"But why sign the contract after my Awakening? I can sell them to you now and sign a contract. You'll get more time to study, research, and produce them. Why waste four months?" Zeun asked, genuinely confused.
Both Russel and Mira looked at the little boy strangely before realization dawned upon them.
"You haven't attended Kindergarten school, have you?" Mira asked gently.
Zeun nodded, still bewildered. 'Am I missing something?'
Looking at the innocent, cute boy with red eyes and black hair, both Russel and Mira glanced at each other and chuckled. This time, Miraina approached Zeun, squatting to his eye level. "Come to the northernmost building of this castle tomorrow morning at 9 AM sharp. Don't be late."
Miraina couldn't help but ruffle Zeun's hair before kissing his forehead.
Not expecting such a gesture, Zeun's face turned into a tomato. Both King Russel and Miraina burst into laughter at the sight.
~~
Early the next morning, Zeun stood before a tall, majestic building. Many children, similar to his age and even younger, roamed in the garden before it. He observed them from the huge gate where guards stood.
"The magic paper Lady Miraina gave him is pointing at this place. How ironic!" Zeun thought.
"Voldemort Kindergarten," Zeun read aloud, looking at the massive entrance gate before him.
Beyond the entrance, a straight lane stretched ahead, flanked by massive green grasslands where children trained. The building itself was encircled by very high walls with tight security.
Curious eyes from well-dressed children passing by stared at Zeun, who stood out in his shabby clothes. Most of them, from noble and royal upbringings, clearly didn't appreciate commoners.
The well-dressed children, eyeing Zeun's shabby attire, couldn't hide their disdain.
"Look at this commoner! What's he doing here?" one of the nobles sneered.
"Probably got lost on his way to the fields," another remarked with a mocking tone.
"He's ruining the image of this place," a girl whispered, shooting disapproving glances at Zeun.
Such harsh words echoed through the air, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere around Zeun. He felt the weight of judgment from those who deemed him unworthy based solely on his appearance.
Feeling a bit awkward and embarrassed, he wondered if the guards would kick him out because of his clothes. He sighed, 'It's okay, tolerating this will temper my heart and mind.' Still, his heart felt very uncomfortable.
It wasn't that Zeun lacked money; these were simply the best clothes available in Caspara City. As a border fort, it didn't have fancy clothing stores, and after entering the royal capital, he hadn't had time for shopping.
The guards exchanged puzzled glances as Zeun, seemingly a beggar, stood before the castle gates.
Guard 1 thought, 'What's a beggar doing here? How did he manage to get past our security?'
Guard 2 mused, 'Must be some fool trying to sneak in.'
Their skepticism turned to surprise when Zeun mentioned being sent by Lady Miraina.
Guard 1's inner thoughts shifted, 'Sent by the Lady? That can't be right. Is this some kind of joke?'
Guard 2, equally shocked, turned extremely serious. "Kid, do you know who you're talking about? I suggest you not take that name lightly in Voldemort Kingdom."
Zeun stood there, his face confused. He was trying to learn more about this lady who was so casual even with the King. "Isn't she just His Majesty's bodyguard?"
The guard looked around, as if checking if anyone else heard them. "Shh! Kid, lower your voice. I don't want a kid to die this early."
Zeun nodded understandingly, indicating he was eager to know more. The guard looked around again, as if checking for eavesdroppers.
In a hushed tone, the guard continued, "Listen carefully. In this Voldemort Kingdom, King Russel is indeed the King, but the one who forged and trained him to be that King is Lady Miraina. She might appear young, but in reality, she's over 300 years old."
Zeun was shocked by this revelation as the guard proceeded.
"The King's father and Lady Miraina were close friends. In a war against demons, the King's father sacrificed his life to save Lady Miraina. On his deathbed, he requested her to take care of his son and protect him. So, since childhood, the King has been like a nephew to her. She's also the strongest Aura user in this Kingdom."
"Now do you understand...?"
Zeun, having gathered the information he needed, didn't let the guard talk anymore. He directly showed him the paper given by Lady Miraina.
The guard's eyes widened as he examined the paper signed by Lady Miraina. A mix of astonishment and realization washed over his face, replacing the skepticism he'd held just moments before.
"Wait, Lady Miraina sent you?!" he exclaimed in a hushed tone, the weight of understanding settling in. "Forgive me for the misunderstanding, kid. You're not just any beg... ahem; you're someone sent by the Lady herself."
The guard's demeanor shifted from suspicion to respect as he processed the unexpected twist in the situation. Zeun's revelation had not only silenced any doubts but also garnered newfound attention and reverence from the guard, who now saw him as a person of importance within the castle walls.
The guard himself escorted Zeun to his allotted class as per the paper.
---
end of chap
hope you enjoyed reading :-)
elab and expl
Zeun's Leverage: Zeun shrewdly uses the King's and Mira's evident desperation as leverage. By not immediately revealing the full potential and taking his time with his contemplation, he emphasizes the immense value of his discovery and asserts his control over the negotiation.
Lowballing Shares (for now): Offering "30% of the shares" for a potentially world-changing discovery might seem low, but it's conditioned on the King fulfilling his part of the bargain immediately: finding his mom and guaranteeing his security. This makes the King's immediate investment relatively small for a huge potential return, making the option appealing.
Chapter Commentary:
This segment builds on the mounting tension and provides a concrete direction for the plot. It highlights Zeun's intelligence not just in magical discovery but also in negotiation. The establishment of the fraud problem provides a clear, practical reason for the Mana Paper's revolutionary importance. The stage is now perfectly set for the King to react to Zeun's first, rather demanding, option.
This section concludes Zeun's negotiation with the King, firmly establishing his disinterest in public power and revealing his core motivations, while also solidifying the Mana Paper's significance to the Kingdom.
Zeun's Second Option: The Buyout: This option is a powerful play by Zeun. He offers a complete transfer of rights, which is incredibly valuable for the King (especially given the war and fraud issues). His demands are precise: a yearly supply of Runic Ink (crucial for Helena's curse and his own future research/training) and a 15% profit share. This ensures long-term benefit for him without active involvement.
The 20-Year Clause: The contingency clause—the 20-year development window—is brilliant. It gives the King a strong incentive to invest heavily and quickly but also protects Zeun's ultimate rights if the Kingdom proves inefficient or incapable. This demonstrates Zeun's strategic mind and his understanding of long-term leverage.
This segment solidifies the terms of the deal and underscores Zeun's exceptional intelligence as a negotiator. The Mana Paper's strategic importance is fully realized, making Zeun an invaluable, albeit reluctant, asset to the Kingdom. His firm refusal of public recognition and his clear focus on his family humanize him and create an interesting dynamic with the power-hungry world he's navigating. The chapter ends with the negotiation complete, leaving the reader to anticipate the King's final decision and the implications for both Zeun and the Voldamort Kingdom.
The Irony of Zeun's Naiveté (or Feigned Naiveté): The King's pondering of the irony—Zeun being "nonchalant about dealing with royalty yet holding a key to immeasurable power and wealth"—underscores the dramatic irony we've seen earlier. The King, driven by the Eye of Doom's prophecy and the kingdom's dire needs, sees Zeun as a pivotal figure, while Zeun himself seems primarily motivated by personal safety and family.
Motivation for Acceptance: The King's final thought, 'Perhaps it's because of his family,' reveals his deduction of Zeun's core motivation. This understanding allows him to frame his counter-offer in a way that aligns with Zeun's stated desires, making his proposal more palatable.
Offering Security with a Condition: The offer of staying in the castle or the "safest part of my capital city" directly addresses Zeun's earlier concerns about safety. However, the condition—exposing his identity "as an official of the Royal family or as a contributor to the Kingdom's development"—is a significant caveat. It pulls Zeun, however reluctantly, into the public eye and closer to the very political spotlight he wishes to avoid. This creates a new dilemma for Zeun.
Vulnerability: Despite Zeun's advanced intellect and past-life experience, this scene emphasizes his current physical and social vulnerability as a young child in a prejudiced environment. He can't simply reason his way out of social disdain or magically produce better clothes. This grounds his character and sets the stage for how he might overcome these social barriers.