Nicole, who had been lost in thought after hearing Leo's words, nodded.
"We underestimated the value of the Half-Wizard. We didn't know you were already receiving such artifacts as compensation. We thought we could recruit a skilled wizard for cheap…"
"No, Sister. There's no need to be so honest…"
"Can't you see? It's better to be honest with someone like this. Rather than trying to fool them in a clumsy way."
Maoren seemed to have something more to say, but Nicole's sharp gaze made her close her mouth.
It seems that Maoren's intentions were significantly involved in Platon's office's attempt to recruit Leo.
When I first met him, I thought he was just acting, but surprisingly, he actually had feelings for Leo's abilities.
Before Leo could even finish his thought, Nicole stood up without hesitation, holding the handbag she had brought.
"I'll take my leave for today. This isn't the only chance I have."
Anyway, I guess all the conversations I had to have with Panoa are over. He is a person who is quick to act in many ways.
As she was leaving the office with Maoren, who was hesitating and following her, he turned his head as if he remembered her and added.
"Oh, there's one more thing I have to tell you."
"what?"
"I don't know what the wizard thinks of what he's doing now, but the actions Dyke Corporation is taking now are not all that smart."
"...…"
"I can't say that it was a wrong choice to jump into the game first now that there is so much confusion over the agreement with the autonomous region, but the frontrunner always takes on a lot of risk."
Nicole said that with an eerie smile.
"No one knows whether they will be the ones to step into the shoes that Dyke has created."
"You're talking about the obvious."
But Leo responded calmly, as if there was no need to worry.
"I know what you're trying to say, but aren't you making something seem too obvious?"
"....."
Nicole smiled meaningfully, opened the door, and disappeared. Leo sipped his remaining coffee, staring at the closed office door.
I can guess what she meant by saying that.
Perhaps he was trying to shake him in one way or another to see how he would react.
But Leo, despite his disappointment with the way Dyke Enterprises handled things, did not think they were such a brainless or incompetent organization.
In this city full of fierce competition, this is a huge company that has trampled on its competitors and established itself proudly in the inner districts of the city.
Even though stepping into the 40s area was a bit awkward, the act of expanding the business base was something familiar to those who had been growing the company since its founding.
At least until the end of this project, it was right to believe and move forward that way.
Leo also got up from his seat as he watched Panoa coming in through the door.
She wouldn't have called Leo just for a meeting with the Platon Mercenary Office.
Since I just received Enakpil's artifact today, I knew that I had to do some annoying things.
preview
"This is Ban, a new external advisor hired by the planning team at headquarters. I hope everyone will give him a warm round of applause!"
Waaa ...
As soon as the unknown host finished speaking, enthusiastic cheers rang out.
"...…"
At the end of an auditorium filled with hundreds of people.
Leo stood in front of a small stage, picked up the microphone, and sat there, lost in thought.
Although I had asked Panoa for a certain price for this incident, I was not properly prepared when I went up to the stage, so my mind was in a mess.
The host continues his remarks.
"The outside advisor has proven his outstanding magical skills and excellent work ability, and has developed a deep connection with the headquarters. I believe he will be a good example for the students of Labatenon University who participated in the headquarters field trip today. I will end today's tour after hearing some brief words of encouragement. Please give everyone a round of applause!"
It's a cliché, but the response is extremely enthusiastic.
Labatenon University was a familiar word to Leo. Wasn't it the school where a professor he knew worked?
It's rare to see a wizard working in a corporation, so this reaction is somewhat understandable.
Only after hearing the applause did Leo sigh and turn on the microphone.
The wizard's talent kept Leo calm even in such an unexpected situation.
He quickly concludes his speech by adapting the lessons he had learned about academics from his time on Earth and offering some words of encouragement.
"...I hope you realize that talented magicians like you are needed in every corner of society. Thank you."
I come down to the back of the auditorium while hearing applause that is much louder than before.
Perhaps because he had brought down the wireless microphone, the other employees waiting nearby were startled and politely accepted the microphone from Leo.
The other employees are now guessing how Leo is being treated in this company.
A VIP who is treated with great care by the head of the planning team at headquarters and appears in person at all events.
There were also rumours that he was a key researcher working on an important project within the company.
As he handed the microphone over to the staff, Leo turned his head to find Panoa.
Beyond the thick curtains, she and a handsome middle-aged man were walking together.
Leo looked at her blankly and opened his mouth.
"I got confirmation in advance, but I need to make sure that I get paid for this work."
The man who stepped forward in her stead, trying to answer, extended his hand toward Leo.
"I'm sorry about this. I was wondering how to conclude the in-house tour conducted by the head office, and ended up asking for the help of the magician."
The man continued speaking with a faint smile.
"I'm Dustin Goodman. I'm a small company, but I run the company."
"...Half."
Is this man with a lively face the president of a huge company called Dyke?
Leo reluctantly accepted the handshake, but he still had something to say.
"I did it anyway because I didn't want to ruin the position, but I definitely need to be paid for the work I did."
The only way to show that you are upset and break the game is to shake hands.
Especially considering he still has work to do with Dyke.
However, even at this point, it was unacceptable for Leo to just let it pass without saying anything.
"I know."
Dustin said with a bright smile.
"Was the number of times we could work together with the half-wizard three times in the future?"
"...…"
"I will count the fact that you came here today as a request. Today's field trip to Labatenon University was that important to me."
When Dustin said this, Leo had no choice but to listen to his story quietly.
If that's what he intended, Dustin has the makings of a great negotiator.
It wasn't something that could be done with effort alone to make the other person willing to listen to the story, even at the cost of sacrificing some of their own benefits.
Anyway, since they are offering me one less contract based on five requests here, there is no reason not to accept it.
Leo shrugged and replied.
"If you come out like that, I have nothing to say. Would you mind going out of the auditorium again and answering the students' questions?"
"As expected, a skilled wizard has a sharp eye. That's accurate."
"...."
I have a feeling I'm getting sucked into it somehow.
Even though Leo thought about it that way, he eventually had no choice but to leave the auditorium again.
President Dustin had asked the students to demonstrate to him directly how great a wizard employed by a company can be.
"I listened carefully to the speech earlier."
Against a certain professor who had personally guided them.
"It's really impressive that you've been able to practice magic in such a difficult environment. I'm also a teacher, but I wonder if I've been too focused on my research to pay attention to the students who need to learn."
Familiar blonde hair and blue eyes.
A calm, yet affectionate tone of speech.
A woman Leo knew well, with a cool voice and a calm expression, was standing there waiting for him.
"...…"
"Is there a problem?"
"...No. I was just thinking about something else for a moment."
Alice bit her lip, her pride slightly hurt by the carelessly made excuse.
"Well, I understand that you must be confident in your skills if you are being hired by a big company like Dyke. But I will not show myself in an embarrassing way in front of my students."
Aris spoke as if her skills were lacking, but Leo did not feel like laughing at Aris' words.
It's not that Leo wasn't confident that he could fight her head-on and win even now.
You could tell just by looking at the magic that Alice often used when teaching Leo in the library.
It has everything from magical power and controllability to sensitivity and rotational speed and a deep understanding of magical theory.
Regardless of the issue of status, Alice Richellen was already a complete wizard.
If they are really serious about competing for each other's lives and raising their magical powers, Leo will have to give it his all as well.
'You said it was a demonstration…'
Wouldn't it be okay to just show some moderately flashy magic?
To begin with, Leo doesn't know what level of wizards the students from the university gathered here are, and he has no idea what level of demonstration they will be performing.
We just need to adjust it appropriately so that no one gets hurt.
Leo glanced at the students looking at the two and immediately drew up his magic power.
[Lightning Cracker]
Pubbubububu!!
When you clench your fist and then spread your hand out wide, small beads of light created inside your palm spread out into the air.
After a brief moment of delay, the sparkling grains burst in an instant, scattering bright blue fireworks into the air.
It is a magic that has little power compared to its strong visual effect, and Leo can directly control the amount of magic power to limit the range.
I haven't used it before because it doesn't have a lot of practicality, but it seems like it would be perfect for a situation like this.
Until Alice saw Leo's first move and responded with a much higher level of magic.
[Filling water]
Suddenly, a turquoise magic circle appears in the air, and dozens of water droplets shoot out from inside, instantly swallowing up the grains that Leo had spread.
The grains that had not yet burst were eaten by the water droplets and disappeared, while the electricity that had already burst and was falling towards Alice was received as is and sent into the air.
"....."
Leo's eyebrows twitched as he realized that the magic he had first used had been completely suppressed.
Come to think of it, this is my first time seeing a wizard of such high level face-to-face and demonstrating my magic.
Even though you're being taught by her in the library, you're not in a position to use magic, are you?
But if you have half a face, it's a different story.
Leo wanted to see a little more of the unique magic she used.
Just by watching the movements of that refined magic, something inside Leo could be sensed.
'Let's try a little more.'
There is no harm in slightly satisfying your rising curiosity here.
The Dyke officials probably don't want it to end here, either, as they're watching from down there.
Leo, having made his decision, immediately raised his magic power once more.
It's difficult to perform noticeable magic without causing significant damage to the surrounding area.
In the first place, the magic and tactics he used were specialized for turning the board upside down and manipulating the battlefield as he wished.
But if you use your head appropriately, there is nothing you can't do.
He added his left hand, filled with magical power, as if rubbing it in the air.
container!
[Aerosol Jet]
Just as ripples formed on a still pond, a huge wave appeared in the air and soon a huge mass of air shot out towards Alice.
A strong wind blew so hard that it blew the hair of other people sitting in the auditorium.
Alice responded again.
[Conclusion]
Tsk tsk tsk...!!!
The moment the magic circle thrown by Alice touches the rapidly expanding flow of air in the air, it rapidly contracts and returns to its original state.
It was created by stabilizing the jet mass that was shot out by distorting the air flow in the opposite direction.
Freezing magic… In that situation, the attribute chosen was an attribute, but more than that, I was more interested in the magic Alice used.
The first time I encountered a unique magic before my eyes. As I saw and faced its true form directly, I began to feel something tickling in my chest.
If you look a little more, if you hang out a little more.
'I think I can follow it?'
He picked up the bottle of water that had been placed on the stage and threw it on the floor, then poured his magic power down on it.
[Frost Control]
Hwaaaaak!!