The Author's POV

"Alright"

Sitting down on one of the chairs of the cafè, I patiently waited for Melissa to come.

To be honest. One of the reasons why I chose to directly go to the Leviathan building rather than section C to meet Melissa was so that I wouldn't be noticed.

Last time, although not much, I believe people did find out that I had met with Melissa. I did get stares here and there, but with people not knowing for sure what had happened, it ended there.

...but that was more than enough for me to feel annoyed. I was already getting plenty of unnecessary attention to begin with, I really didn't want any more.

In all fairness, their reaction was understandable, I mean, she was a very popular young girl after all. With how beautiful and smart she was, she was bound to be the center of attention from all of the boys in the academy. Be it junior or senior.

Fortunately, this time, I had come prepared.

I specifically chose to meet her at the Leviathan building. The most prestigious and high-end building in the whole academy.

Reason being?

Because, at the moment, only thirty students were officially part of this enormous building.

Yes.

Only thirty.

The top 10 from all years. First to third.

Moreover, with them being relatively prominent figures, respectively leaders or high ranking members of their own factions, they would rarely frequent this area. Meaning that this was at the moment, the safest and most unnoticeable place throughout the whole academy.

Plus, this was pretty much my only option.

Considering Melissa's personality, it's not like I could ask her to meet me somewhere in private. She would definitely reject it even she had goodwill towards me...which she definitely didn't.

Either way, although there weren't many students, there were still some, so I chose a rather secluded space inside of the cafè.

After all, even if exclude Melissa's popularity, we were going to talk about an extremely sensitive topic.

...Couldn't afford to let others know what our conversation was about.

As I was waiting for Melissa to come, after five minutes, I saw her figure in the distance. Raising my hand to let her know where I was, I said

"Over here!"

Spotting me from the distance, wearing a white blouse and long jeans, Melissa headed in my direction. Wearing thin gold-rimmed glasses, Melissa's elegant figure slowly walked in my direction.

As the sun brightly lit the surroundings, as she walked in her casual clothes, Melissa looked absolutely stunning. If not for her personality, I estimated that she would be even more popular.

Arriving before the area I was sitting in, taking a chair, she soon sat down and crossed her legs. Frowning, Melissa said

"Refrain from looking at me for any longer than five seconds please. The very image of you repulses me"

"..."

Speechless, before I had time to respond, glancing around, Melissa added

"I see, so you chose this place because you were afraid I'd do something to you?"

Shaking my head, with a smile on my face, I said

"Of course not"

She was spot on.

Damned witch.

Interlocking her hands together, Melissa rested her chin on top of her fingers. Looking at me, she said

"Anyways, let's skip all the pleasantries and tell me why you've called me here"

Nodding my head, rummaging through my pocket, I handed her the things I had worked on before.

Of course, the paper I had handed to her didn't contain everything that I wrote. Just a small percentage. After all, if the deal didn't go through, I didn't want her to steal my ideas.

...I just gave her a small fraction of the data.

"Right, here"

"What's this?"

paper I placed on the table, Melissa frowned slightly

I've been

her brow, she skeptically

"...and?"

paper with my

"Just look"

frown on Melissa's face deepened. She was almost tempted to not open it, but in the end, curiosity got

"hmm...huh"

at first Melissa looked unimpressed. However, a minute later, her eyes opened wide and she sat up straight. Seriously looking at the paper in front of

'Got her'

the magic cards, a triumphant smile appeared on my face. She had caught

"Y-ou, how much?"

down, Melissa tried her

was something that she had been researching in her past time...but it wasn't as detailed as this. Moreover, she

leaning on

"How much for what?"

I had caught her

a reason why I specifically chose Melissa for the card development..and that's because she was the

only person smart enough to create them...I meant

Melissa created magic cards. If there was one person I could rely on for the creation and

the crap, stop beating around the bush and tell me how much for

chin, I thought for a moment before

actually, I'm not looking to sell

but raise a

did you just come here to gloat to me about your brilliant idea?...it

idea...but she didn't need to

her souring mood, putting my hand

I'm looking

my words reached her ears, Melissa paused.

"Cooperate?"

"Yeah"

her hand on her chin, Melissa questioningly

our cooperation

Smiling, I said

take care of selling it. Very simple

her chair, Melissa fell into deep thought. Altough Melissa had only caught a glimpse of the idea, she felt that if she had more data to work with, she could really develop the concept written on

from selling the cards, she could finance her more expensive projects...this was a win-win

head, seemingly having come

"hmmm...60/40"

my head to the side,

me and

head,

sixty me and

shook

"Sorry but no deal"

was no way I was going to agree to such unfavorable terms. After all, the idea was pretty much almost

Melissa thought for a bit longer before

"50/50"

my head once again, I looked at her in the eyes

for me ten for

"What!"

ranked aura rose from her body. It soon

bit, still sitting down with a smile

lot of money off of this, so

percent, if the cards sold...the amount of money she could make would without

knew this. She was just trying to test the waters, and I

that her pressure was doing nothing, clenching her teeth, Melissa's pressure decreased. After a bit of

ten is too little

*Sigh*

shoulders. Standing up from my chair, I

"Alright"

Melissa couldn't help but

"You're leaving?"

head, I

"Yup"

off-guard by my abrupt behavior,

you going

ten is already too much for me

"Ah..."

I pretended to not notice Melissa's slightly