Chapter Sixty-Six: The Right to Develop the World

He waited until Lando finished eating, yet Old Mohr still remained silent. Seeing that the latter was still hesitant, Lando rose in annoyance and headed toward the kitchen.

This time, it was Old Mohr’s turn to pull him back. With a wry smile, he said, "It’s really nothing serious. Didn’t you recently gain a portion of profits from a world? According to the rules, you’re allowed to work with external trade guilds for development. My family approached me, hoping I could connect you."

"So that’s it? Simple enough. We can arrange a meeting, but I can’t guarantee I’ll grant them the development rights."

Hearing this, Old Mohr finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"That’s best. When are you available?"

Lando had been spending his mornings lately catching up on lessons with Otto, so he replied, "I’m free every afternoon these days, including today. I just don’t know if your family is available."

"They’re certainly available!" Old Mohr answered as if it were obvious.

"Alright, let’s do this afternoon then—three o’clock. Where shall we meet?"

"At the academy gate. They can’t enter the academy, so the discussion will likely take place in the Entertainment World."

"Oh?" Lando had heard of the Entertainment World—a tall building near the academy, filled with all sorts of amusements: hot spring massages, gourmet feasts, XXXX, ZZZZ... and other activities that would be censored if written outright.

"That’s my family’s business," Old Mohr explained.

Lando nodded in understanding.

Time passed swiftly. At three in the afternoon, Lando arrived punctually at the academy gate. Old Mohr was speaking with a halfling of middle age, who clearly treated Old Mohr with great respect.

"Hey!" Lando greeted as he approached.

Old Mohr introduced, "This is Toru Mohr, current patriarch of the Mohr family and president of the Mohr Trade Guild."

Lando exclaimed in surprise, "So your surname is Mohr!"

Old Mohr’s face darkened as he muttered, "Rude brat."

Toru stepped forward respectfully, "Master Lando, it’s a pleasure to meet you!"

Lando nodded, neither warm nor cold in demeanor.

Toru took no offense, continuing, "Master Lando, this isn’t the best place to talk. Shall we move elsewhere for a proper discussion?"

"Certainly."

A Lightshadow 2000 flying car, already waiting nearby, swept over and picked them up.

On the way, Toru smiled and said, "Master Lando, you truly are accomplished for your age—so young and already in possession of world profit rights."

"Just lucky," Lando said honestly.

"Luck is part of strength. Which of the empire’s famous figures didn’t possess both extraordinary talent and remarkable fortune? And you, so heroic in bearing, possess both."

That was true, and Lando found himself liking Toru’s straightforwardness.

"I asked Uncle Mohr to arrange this meeting. At first, he refused outright. Only when I explained that my main purpose was to befriend you, and that we’d pay far above market price for your development rights, did he reluctantly agree."

"Oh?" Lando looked at Old Mohr with a smile. "Looks like you’re here to give me money. Why didn’t you just tell me?"

Old Mohr turned away, ignoring him.

Seeing this, Lando trusted Toru’s words a bit more. From what he knew of Old Mohr’s upright character, such behavior was entirely believable.

As they spoke, they arrived at the Entertainment World. The Lightshadow 2000 landed directly on the rooftop, and the three entered the top-floor conference room. It was spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides, offering sweeping views into the distance.

Lando glanced toward the academy, only to find it shrouded in mist, impossible to see anything.

Once seated, Toru offered a green, transparent drink. Lando took a sip; a refreshing sensation spread through his mouth, as if he were standing in a forest caressed by a gentle breeze.

Seeing Lando’s response, Toru smiled, "This is Essence of Emerald. If you like it, feel free to take some with you when you leave."

Lando set down the drink and said, "Let’s hear your proposal."

"Very well, I’ll be direct. The Mohr Trade Guild is willing to pay five times the market price for a hundred-year development license, with profits split fifty-fifty."

"Five times?" The offer startled Lando, prompting him to ask, "Why offer so much?"

Even Old Mohr was taken aback by the price.

"There’s considerable fluctuation in the price of world development licenses. Strong worlds fetch higher prices than weaker ones, and larger regions more than small. Your world is destined to become a World Laboratory; when that happens, the price of its development rights will rise sharply. To avoid future disputes and establish a friendship, we want to give you a satisfactory offer."

Lando understood then—Toru had received news and was willing to pay extra for it.

In fact, if the World Laboratory were successfully established, not just fivefold but even tenfold prices could easily be fetched. However, there was a question of timing: Lando didn’t know how long it would take to reach the third stage and control the Heart of the World, nor was the establishment of the World Laboratory a matter that could be accomplished overnight.

The Mohr Trade Guild’s willingness to pay five times for a hundred-year license was based on their belief in Lando’s exceptional talent, trusting the laboratory would be built within fifty years. If it took longer than fifty years, they’d earn less; after sixty, they’d break even; beyond that, they’d lose money.

No trade guild established by a legendary arcanist family could tolerate such losses, for as long as the legendary arcanist still dreamed of building a floating city, he would always be penniless!

So, from this angle, Toru truly came with sincerity.

But—

Lando certainly didn’t believe he needed fifty years to reach the third stage. In his estimation, ten years—or even less than five—would suffice. The system’s golden finger could easily let him attain a full elemental body, and constructing his unique Arcane Furnace and elemental form would happen at the third stage, in tandem with his mental construction. Only at that step would he linger for any length of time.

If so, wouldn’t he be taking a loss?

Lando thought the negotiation might not go much further, given the difference in expectations. He doubted the other side would believe he could reach the third stage so quickly, which meant their price expectations would be too far apart.

Still, he decided to give them a chance, saying, "I guarantee I’ll reach the third stage within ten years. If you believe me, buy the development license at ten times the price, and I promise that as long as you strictly abide by the Silver Tower’s world development rules and don’t exploit loopholes, I won’t raise the price further. Of course, I also require you to pay the development license fees for the next ten years within one year in advance."

It would be easy to close the deal—Lando could offer to forfeit the rights if he failed to reach the third stage within ten years, and Toru would certainly agree to such a wager. But Lando saw no need for that. Confidence in himself aside, he would never hand over leverage to others; this was one of the first lessons he learned after entering the academy, one of the arcanist’s iron principles!

Toru pondered deeply, weighing the pros and cons of Lando’s proposal.