The Genius Evolution Store

”Grandfather.” Axel took a peek at his grandfather’s office.

Dexter raised his head and put down his paper. ”What are you doing here?”

”I just got a call from Auric. It looks like he needs our help.”

”So, the time to repay the favor has arrived. What does he need?” Dexter asked, his expression turning solemn.

”Apparently, he wants to open a store in our city. It will only last for a week.”

”A store? His evolution store?”

”Yes.”

”Does he have any other requests?”

”According to him, he has just awakened his dark element, and he would like us to keep his identity a secret and give him some protection. If possible, he would like to get his hands on light and dark battle techniques.”

”And how did you respond?”

”I told him I would prepare a store for him, including the security as well as advertising while hiding his identity. In addition, I agreed to help him with the light and dark battle techniques. That’s all for now, but I’m going to prepare one or two people to help him manage the store.

”Since he is planning to hide his identity, it will be fine as long as he has the badge for it. As such, I will also consider the people who won’t ask any questions. The location of the store should be quite strategic, not only for his protection but also for attracting customers.”

Dexter nodded with a smile. He was rather satisfied with his response. Axel was indeed worthy of being the heir to the family. Once he managed to resolve the poison issue, he took advantage of his element, which had a low rating, to speed up his progress.

He might not be as strong as people with higher-rated elements, but Axel also had a sharp mind for business. As long as he grew up steadily, he was more than worthy to become the next head.

Dexter asked, ”Do you understand what this favor means?”

”Yes, Grandfather.” Axel politely nodded. ”This is the chance to repay the favor. After that, we can develop a relationship that is equal. With that, more opportunities will come.”

”Indeed, but you are not completely correct this time.”

”Not correct?” Axel tilted his head in confusion.

”Indeed.” Dexter raised one finger. ”What you need to do now is give him everything he wants or even surpass it. Why do you think I am giving you this suggestion?”

Axel contemplated. ”To show Auric that we are trustworthy people?”

”No. It is to make him comfortable with us. In his mind, he will have us as a family who can give 120% for him. This will create an idea where he will be more inclined to ask us for a favor than any other people. Someone like Auric will surely become someone big with a lot of connections, but because of this, we will become a priority.”

”Oh!” Axel widened his eyes in shock. It looked like he hadn’t put enough thought into it. ”I understand, Grandfather. I will also help him with the store personally. In addition, I will prepare the materials for his store, but I wonder if I should ask my cousin to just become one of the staff.”

”You want to be a matchmaker now?”

”It’s something to consider. I mean, Ellia Stroph Astler is very close to him. I just fear that he will be ruined, so... to save him from her clutches, I’m thinking about asking my cousin to help or just hiring models to be the staff members.”

Dexter shook his head helplessly. ”No need for that. If you were a girl, then perhaps you could pursue that approach yourself. If you use other people, it might come back to bite you. If he wanted your cousin, she might end up having more power than you, which would threaten your position in the family.”

”I wasn’t careful enough. My apologies.”

”Besides, rather than helping him that way, you should help Ellia to get him.”

”I beg your pardon?” Axel was bewildered. ”Why? She is the infamous devil child.”

”My point exactly. If they get together, both of them will owe you one. They won’t threaten our family because of this help, unlike your cousin.”

”But what about him? Won’t we have to worry that Ellia might end up ruining him?”

”If that’s the case, then that’s the extent of his potential. Once you reach this point, you will start selecting your friends based on the benefits you can get from them. It’s hard to even find a friend that wants nothing from us. Rather than getting involved in something like that, you should just believe in him and think about what’s next.”

Axel was a bit perplexed, but he understood the gist of his explanation. ”I understand, Grandfather.”

”When is he going to visit?”

”In ten days. The store will be open from Monday to Sunday. He will be back in Thunderer City on Sunday afternoon.”

”All right. Do you want cash from me?”

”No, I have enough on me.”

”Good.” Dexter waved his hand, gesturing for him to exit the room.

However, it looked like Auric would end up having another plan this time.

Instead of going back to Thunderer City, he might end up in a much more unexpected place.

”What?” Auric widened his eyes. He wasn’t the only one surprised.

Maya had actually gathered his group. Ellia, Arina, Eric, and Milinda were here as well.

”We got an invitation from Kallarnos University as well?” Arina asked. ”This is unbelievable.”

Maya nodded. ”That is true. All of you are invited, but this time it will be part of the exchange program.

”Kallarnos University is planning to send five of its students to our university. In exchange, we will have to send all five of you there for two weeks.”

Ellia crossed her arms. ”This sounds like a scheme.”

Maya agreed. ”From what I can see here, they must have realized that they can’t get you and Auric. So, they’re trying to tempt you and Auric.

”However, you two will most likely refuse, which is why they’re extending this invitation to all of you in a way you can’t reject.

”By sending their students to this school, if you reject this invitation, it would mean that the entire academy won’t get the benefits.

”At the same time, I think experiencing Kallarnos University for some time will be quite an experience for you, especially Eric and Milinda.

”They must want to make you think Kallarnos University might not be a bad place, which could result in your full transfer. If one of you rejects, the exchange program will likely end up failing, so... yeah, this is probably the trick.”

Auric smiled wryly. ”This feels like inviting us into a tiger den.”

Lindwurm suddenly spoke. ”I don’t think this is a bad opportunity for you, Auric. Since your time there is limited, you can use this opportunity to find elements that you like and get out of there.”

As Lindwurm said, it might not be a bad idea. Kallarnos University was filled with talented people. If he could stay there for a while, he could get the elements he needed to evolve.

Eric didn’t feel bad, even though he was only invited because of Ellia and Auric. After all, he had the chance to clash with the geniuses over there.

He wanted to see the gap between himself and them. At the same time, he wondered if Auric would remain a monster over there. If that was the case, he just had to keep chasing after Auric.

Milinda, on the other hand, remembered that Auric had told them that he might close the shop for a while because he wanted to renovate it.

So, it might be more beneficial for her to stick with him. It wasn’t like she could do anything with the store closed.

Arina was similar to her. She would just stick to Ellia. If Ellia wanted to go, she would go.

This time, however, Ellia had no choice but to go.

Ellia sighed. ”When?”

”They are still processing it. Most likely within two weeks?” Maya shrugged.

Auric smiled wryly. His schedule seemed to be packed. The only normal week he would get was the following week. After that, he had to manage the flash store before heading to Kallarnos University. It looked like he had to leave this city longer than he expected.

”So, what do you think?” Maya asked.

”I personally don’t have a problem.” Eric nodded without hesitation.

”Remember, Eric. They may use this chance to crush you. A lot of people who have visited Kallarnos University end up sealing their potential, thinking they can’t compete with them.”

Eric pointed at Auric. ”Like him?”

”No.”

”Like Tommi?”

”Yes.”

”In that case, you don’t have to worry. I’m going to have the last laugh over this guy.” Eric pointed at Auric. ”So, I don’t care who is in my way.”

”It looks like you have a good friend.” Maya chuckled, looking at Auric.

”We are best friends.” Auric laughed and put his hand on Eric’s shoulder.

Eric slapped his hand away and harrumphed.

Milinda nodded. ”In that case, I will also go. I’m quite curious about the level of Kallarnos University.”

Milinda expected that she would be mocked because of her unique element, but it didn’t matter to her. After all, a unique-element evolution master would be standing by her side.

”I will go with her.” Arina pointed at Ellia.

Ellia let out a long sigh. ”It looks like I have to readjust my schedule. To think that I would end up going back to the capital so soon...”

”You are right. I guess you’re going to stay with your family?”

”I have no choice. Well, I guess I can host a few more people.”

Auric smiled wryly. He pointed to himself. ”I will probably stay in...”

Auric glanced at Maya. She nodded. ”Yes, if he knows about it, he will probably nag me to send you to him.”

Auric chuckled. ”I guess I will stay in the Relesha family.”

Maya agreed. ”As for the rest of you, you can choose whether to stay in my family or somewhere else. I guess Ellia doesn’t mind hosting a few friends?”

Ellia nodded. ”If it’s too much trouble, you can also stay at my hotel. Do they not provide any accommodation?”

”They will probably give you a dorm, but that’s it. You should stay in better places.”

”We can talk about that later, can’t we?” Milinda asked.

”Indeed. I suppose all of you accept the invitation?”

They looked at each other before nodding.

”Very well, I will reply back to them.” Maya stood up. ”Anyway, all of you should get prepared. Living in the capital city is not exactly easy. It’s expensive, more people will bother you, and the people there are more arrogant. They think they’re at the peak of this country, while you guys are just country bumpkins.”

”Sounds like it comes from experience.” Auric smiled.

”Don’t make me start.” Maya rolled her eyes.

...

Kallarnos University.

”It looks like the principal has made the decision this time. We will have to send five people from the Student Union to head there as well. What will we do, President?”

The man who was reviewing the applications was none other than the president of the Student Union.

”It looks like things are going to get a bit interesting. The Devil Child is returning to the capital city, and now... there is also a rumored genius who has become a three-star bronze evolution master two days after his awakening.

”However, he’s just a bronze evolution master. There are plenty of silver evolution masters in this university.

”If they want to come, then come. Kallarnos University will ’welcome’ them dearly. For now, just send the candidates for the Student Union over to Grand Magica College.

”Tell them that their position will be determined not only by their skills but also by their results at Grand Magica College.

”This is the most prestigious university in this country. Not everyone can enter this place, so we will show them what it takes to be the students of Kallarnos University.”