There were only two individuals in the room: one laughing his ass off and the other giving an awkward smile.

  "Pfft— What kind of devil are you? You made them all quit!"

  "What?! No way! I'm obviously innocent here! I even recommended them to stay!" Jack protested righteously.

  "Riiiight! Let me guess. It's totally the fault of a magical Fairy that just happened to pass by, is that it?" The man joked.

  In Jack's pocket, a tiny fairy was currently covering her face with her hands, ashamed. This really was all her fault!

  "Bah, whatever. Whether I'm innocent or not matters little. I'm old man's Aron's student if that means anything. Shall we cooperate?"

  "You're his student?! Are you serious?! That means you know about his other student, the mighty Dresden, right?!"

  "That sounds too cool a name for Elder Brother…." Jack commented, puzzled.

  "…."

  "…."

  "Holy shit, you're really his student? Are you crazy?!"

  "What?"

  "Ever since his wife has left the world, he's been known as a reclusive old coot that can't teach anyone properly. He works his students until the brink of death!"

  Then again, this wasn't too strange. Any new student would seem lazy compared to a grass elemental that risked his life every time he came near the forge.

  Funny how such a "stern" mentor had actually recommended he take a break instead. The fault probably lay with the random wannabe students.

  "Anyway, why did you come here? Just be honest. We both know you're far from ordinary. Just that servant of yours is next level." The owner remarked with a playful gaze.

  "Sigh, I guess the gig is up. Was it my handsome face that gave me away or my glorious aura?" Jack seemed like the epitome of a narcissist at that moment.

  "Pfft! Hahahaha!"

  As for why Jack was joking so much, well…


  [Made the "Treasure Prince" Laugh!]

  [Increased Affinity!]

  Jack almost felt like a cheater, for the system was straight-out pointing to the man's weakness. As long as he raised the affinity enough, he was sure to accomplish his goal.

  "How about it, shall we attend the Commerce Union's meeting together?" Jack seemingly innocently proposed.

  "So that's what you're after." His gaze suddenly turned as sharp as a blade. "Fine! But I'll be using your master's name, hehe! What do you think?"

  The man paused. It was one thing to introduce himself as his student, but another to take advantage of their relationship.

  There was no way that he'd agree easily, but he was prepared to slowly convince him to—


  "Sure!"

  There was no hesitation, no regret, and he was already heading for the door?! What kind of heartless bastard was he? Or perhaps they just had a great relationship?

  It didn't take long for the two to be back at the grand manor, the guard on duty instantly locking on Jack.

  "Entry token!"

  "I have none."

  "Then move out of the way, you annoying—" 0_0

  As he finally noticed the man next to Jack, he couldn't help but stare in shock. It wasn't that he had been hiding, but he wore a cloak that hid most of his face.

  But the true reason why the guard had initially disregarded the "Prince" was that he walked side by side with Jack as an equal.

  A flash of a token later, the guard's expression was turning purple. Had he just offended an unknown bigshot from the Capital or something?! Jack's taunting grin only made it worse!

  They were quickly ushered into a security council chamber look-alike-

  Enormous murals depicting humans fighting various demonic races-

  Circular floating table seemingly made of jade, engraved with glyphs-

  Bunch of extravagant-looking men shouting all over.

  "There's no way this is fair to us! Do you know how much deficit this will cause my Golden Axis Conglomerate?! Do you?!"

  "Selfish old thing, of course, I'm aware! Do you think Ascending will just sit by idly and take all the losses?! Are you crazy?!"

  It's only then that a third man had to intervene.

  "Both of you, stop this nonsense. We need to decide what to do concretely. Besides, we have a guest…No, guests?" Inquisitive gazes focused on Jack as they assessed him.

  It was time for the two of them to start plan BLUFF!

  The whole idea came from Jack's twisted mind and made his new companion question his sanity. He grinned as he looked at the magnificent table.

  This thing was actually a very popular artifact from his past life, one that every organization worth its salt possessed.

  He was thus VERY familiar with it.

  He casually strolled toward the table, giving a peaceful smile. At this moment, he didn't look at all out of place, as if this place was his own manor.

  "…"

  Many fell silent, utterly baffled. Most here were merchants and were great at reading people: this man was way too relaxed!!

  He didn't wait for an invitation. He went toward an empty spot before the table and sat…in the air!

  "?!"

  Was he actually just a fool? Did he expect a chair to magically appear? What kind of silly person had the "Treasure Prince" brought along?

  A few chucked. How great would his face look when he fell on his ass?! They couldn't wait for it to happen and—


  The artifact table suddenly shone as a glowing green throne appeared out of nowhere.

  "#%$?!"

  "W-what?!"

  "H-he did it!"

  Shellshocked bigshot merchants cried out one after the other. A few had actually seen what had happened, but they weren't any less confused.

  All he had done was brush his hand on the table, a few glyphs had appeared, and his seat had been summoned?!

  Didn't this mean that he was a Glyph Master?!

  Their eyes bulged in shock as they stared at this mysterious bigshot. But then they glanced at the Treasure Prince, begging him to enlighten them.

  The man was inwardly screaming. If they asked him, who was he supposed to ask?! Who was he really?!

  He finally realized why he had so readily agreed to use his mentor's name. Forget the mentor! Who cared about a half-dead old man, anyway!

  He slowly opened his mouth, remembering Jack's instructions: keep it mysterious!

  "May I present to you all my newest associate?"

  "?!?"

  This was as good as saying nothing!! But they forgot their disappointment as the mysterious Jack lightly chuckled…