The days marched on. Work continued without issue, which meant I could continue leaving on time. Terada continued to exclude me from the afterwork meal. Something I both hated and loved. And also, Leo kept pestering me.

  Honestly, I swear that Leo took pleasure in annoying me. That and watching me struggle to right this ship back into safe waters.

  On the topic of the afterwork meals, I hated missing out on those meals because it cut away time I could be using to network with my co-workers. Already, me being excluded was having an effect, and much like Tom, I found myself being ostracized. Not that they did it without reason, considering what I was doing. Even if it allows us to have actual time off and not kill ourselves trying to meet quota.

  Really, they should be worshipping me. Not making me into a pariah…

  On the other hand, not having to deal with social niceties gave me more time to look over the books I had borrowed. Books that were surprisingly light reads. Most of their pages were filled with diagrams and pictures, with clear and concise writing.

  Really, it made spending a silver coin worth it, with just how much I learned through those books alone.

  Despite how light of a read each book was, I often went back to them. Over the course of the month, I took every chance I could to borrow and read books, doing everything I could to memorize them or mark their contents down on a separate piece of paper.

  It was a whole new world I had to learn about, and more often than not, I was surprised by just how far reaching the knowledge implanted into me was. That grimoire on necromancy had given me the equivalent of a full college run on the subject, and occasionally, parts of that knowledge would refresh when reading different books.

  If anything, all the extra knowledge helped me piece together what was already in my skull.

  On the surface of it, magic wasn’t anything fancy. Lots of books expounded on it, and most of it was more theoretical. And, not really worth my time. Still, it was better to have the knowledge than not.

  Like how different elemental typing works together or how they conflict. More specifically, how my ice magic makes me harder to heal. How it also grants me a stronger resistance to physical and mental damage. What my weaknesses were, how I could counter them, and so on, so forth.

  Again, most of it was just basic knowledge, or so it felt, but to me? Someone that never dealt with magic before? It was well worth the price.

  Quickly, I gained a passing knowledge of all things magical. And with it, a further realization that if I kept going as I was, I wouldn’t survive very long. I was doing the absolute minimum with my abilities. Like a man bashing skulls in with a loaded gun.

  My options were, oddly enough, both limited and expansive. I could focus on improving my own abilities, focus on control and training myself. A good long-term strategy, but with minimal gains in the short term. Conversely, I could start making up for my individual weaknesses by leveraging what I already had, namely, my knowledge.

  More specifically, the knowledge implanted into my skull, thanks to that grimoire.

  Ice lends itself to the creation of subordinates. Specifically in the form of golems, or revenants.

  Revenants were a more special use case… Typical undead would need corpses and… it wasn’t like I had a space to store bodies or had an easy way to acquire them in the first place. As weird as that may sound. As for golems? That was by far the most viable solution, only, how was I going to make them in my apartment? It was just barely big enough for me, so how was I going to go out of my way and make a golem in this space?

  Moreso, how was I going to get it out of my apartment?

  Just imagining trekking a man sized block of stone or relevant material up and down my apartments stairs… Hell, just the thought gave me nightmares.

  What I needed, was a safe space, a place to do my work. A warehouse would work, one preferably with cold storage or such, especially if I want to work on the material closest to my own element, Ice. It took a few calls, and looking through my phone book, but I eventually found a match. After a series of calls, a few visits to different sites, I closed in on a possible location at the edge of the Port District.

  The issue with getting a warehouse in the port district was transportation. The train lines circled the central district and exited out towards the various inner districts. The issue was, the port district was nowhere near the current rail system. The Port District was beyond the Business district. Thus, not an inner district of the city.

  There were bus routes but relying on a bus to go back and forth was a needless waste of time. Not to mention how I would have to plan my days around bus schedules of all things.

  Which meant, I needed transportation. I needed… a car.

  As it so happens, I had, maybe, probably, a car in the impound. Though, it was wrecked when I left it, so it probably was still wrecked. I also needed to see if anything survived the crash and the fire. A two birds, one stone kind of situation.

  Which meant, I knew exactly what I was going to do on my day off. I was going to the precinct, and hopefully I wouldn’t run into Grim while I’m there.

  So, with plan in mind, and eager for my day off… It was only right that something went off the rails on the day before my day off.

  “Who exactly am I speaking to?” A voice crackled over the phone speaker. The landline phone inside Leo’s office currently had its speaker button lit up. On the phone was just one of our many clients.

  “Prima, Prima Belle. I’m currently standing in for Leo.”

  “And where is Leo?”

  “Busy, I’m afraid.” Leo was in fact, sitting across from me, on the other side of the room. He had donned his sunglasses once more, but it couldn’t hide the dour look on his face. Not that I blamed him.

  “Busy, right.” The man scoffed. “When has that kid ever been busy in their whole life?”

  I chose not to respond to that and pivoted. “Well, sir, if I may, why have you called?”

  “I’m calling because I just received the progress report your division sent me.”

  “Is that so? Is there an issue with it?”

  “An issue? AN ISSUE!? Of fucking course there is an issue! I didn’t pay for this generic shit! I paid for Terada’s team. Not this!”

  I kept my cool. Literally. The ice pulsed through my veins. Keeping any heat from my tone. If anything, my tone was frigid.

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  “Sir, I assure you. Despite the slight style change, it is still our divisions work.”

  “Bullshit! I know the difference between god honest work and this! You can’t seriously expect me to pay for this slop, right?”

  “If I may, Sir. You get what you pay for.”

  “Pardon?” He sputtered.

  “You heard me, sir. You and I both know, you’re paying well below market rate for our services. As a service to you, Leo offered a low rate, but you can’t seriously expect Terada’s honored work for such a price, and with such demands.”

  He went quiet. Mentally, I counted down. It was after all, the same song and dance…

  3…

  2…

  1…

  “I DON’T GIVE A FLYING SHIT ABOUT THAT! I paid; I was promised that I would get a proper Terada work!”

  “Sir, you know as well as I do that there is nothing you can do. We are following the contract to the letter, I assure you. Though the style is different, there are no errors, issues, or artifacts. Even if they do exist, they’re not egregious enough to be noticed. If… however you wish us to change the style of art, we would require more money.”

  A flurry of swears cut out over the speaker.

  “You think I’m going to pay more for this shit? Ha! Terada is down and out, and I just gave you my business out of pity, no more! And you! You think just cause you’re warming that little shit’s bed that gives you the authority to talk back to me!? Call Leo, get him on the phone now!”

  I exhaled, frost on my breath. “Or what, sir? Will you cancel the contract? If so, I must inform you, the funds you gave us will not be refunded.”

  Another slew of swears, with threats, and eventually, he hung up. In that same moment, I pulled back the ice and slouched back into Leo’s chair. It was a bit big, but it served its purpose well. I couldn’t help but rub at the growing migraine between my eyes. Part of me wishing I had the time or sense to buy a stress ball of all things.

  “Think he’ll cancel the contract?” I asked.

  “Doubt it.” Leo replied, sounding grumpy. I would be too if I were getting calls all day with people insulting me. “Guys a grade-A asshole.”

  “How’d you even get him?”

  “I offered him a cheap contract, apparently he’s doing this out of pocket to corporate climb.”

  “Shit… you really undersold us, you know that?”

  He just shrugged at it. “Not like I cared. Even if I did, do you think I know the standard going rates?”

  I imagine. He didn’t seem like the type to understand money very well.

  “Anyway, I suppose that would be the final call we’re getting today…” He goes to stand and heads over to his cabinet. “How about a drink?”

  “Oh, please, yes… After all that, I could really use a drink.” He chuckles at that, and soon enough I have a nice glass of liquid gold in my hands. Just a single sip has my body absolutely tingling. “Oh… that’s the stuff…” I moan out.

  “Don’t think I’ve ever seen a girl enjoy her drinks quite like you.” He mutters.

  “Ah, that’s worrying.” I mutter after another sip, allowing my body to melt into the chair.

  “Why? Think I’ll start catching feelings for you Ice Queen?”

  I groan audibly.

  “Well, don’t worry about that, you’re not my type.”

  “Wonderful… and just what is your type?”

  “Big booba, fat ass, you know the type.”

  “Booba, really?” I counter.

  “It’s what men dream of.” He says, polishing off his drink and pouring himself another. He motions if I want more, but I wave him off. A single glass was enough for me. Anymore and I was liable to fall asleep or worse...

  Leo was, exactly like I expected. A child. Seeing me actually doing his work, he seemed content to just sit back and watch. He even, strangely enough, warmed up to me. Though, it didn’t make me forget how he had acted before.

  He was shockingly capable if he put his mind to something, and if I let my guard down too much, he might bite me in the ass. Though, it was nice to have him actually cooperating with me.

  I couldn’t imagine having to deal with him and all the angry callers we had been receiving. A few dropped their contracts, netting us free cash, which we could use to pay the fourth division and help alleviate our deficit. Most just dealt with it, and notably, one group actually forked over the difference for a more honest production.

  Which really just meant nothing had changed. Though, that didn’t mean trouble wasn’t brewing… I could get the sense that we stepped on one too many toes with this rapid shift in direction. And with how many calls we’d been getting today…

  It was obvious that a storm was brewing…

  “So, how do you think we’re looking?” I asked, mostly to pivot, in part, I was hoping he might help me figure out what it was I missed, if anything.

  “Well…” he sighs. “I haven’t really looked through my files, but based on who called, I can imagine we’ll be fine for next quarter.”

  “Just next quarter?” I asked in shock, had we really lost that many clients?

  “Yeah, the few people that did quit were those that I managed to pencil in for the quarter after, or rather, the start of next year.”

  “Frankly, I’m surprised more of them didn’t jump ship.” I say that, but… something still didn’t feel right.

  Leo chuckled at that. “You won’t believe how many of them were desperate for a quality company to do work on the cheap.”

  I could, easily… and yet… what was it?

  I nursed my drink and let my mind wander. Luxuriating in the warmth coursing through my body. Leo had taken off his sunglasses, his eyes were looking into the distance, out at the setting sun in the distance.

  Looking at him like this, lost in thought… Mm, I had to admit he looked somewhat handsome. He could be a real leader if he put his mind to it. Just based on how he got all these people to sign questionable contracts, I was beginning to think his dream of rubbing shoulders with elites and partying all the time wasn’t impossible.

  “Say…” I start. He blinks slowly and looks at me. “Do you really think your dream is impossible?” I ask.

  He gives me a strange look. “My dream? You mean the whole, wine and dine, models in my arms dream?”

  “Yeah, that.”

  He hums. Even looks at his glass of alcohol with a thoughtful expression. Seeing him without his sunglasses was a rare treat. Being able to actually see his eyes, made it much easier to read him.

  “I don’t know...” He finally says after taking a hearty draft of his drink. “I’ve never actually given it any real thought…”

  “You haven’t? I’m actually surprised with you in your position, I figured you would have started networking and prepping for that. I mean, surely, you had a plan for when the company collapsed, right?”

  He laughs. “Nope. Not a plan at all. I figured I’d be disowned, my father would go bankrupt and well, I guess I’d just be working as a cashier somewhere, maybe a janitor.” He said with a smile.

  I wasn’t too sure what to think beyond, that I should have expected as much…

  “Well, you clearly have a talent for pulling people in.” I say, eyeing my dwindling liquid gold. “Did you learn that from your father?”

  I ask, but the derisive snort he gives me is all the answer I need, not that it stops him from pressing on. “That old man? He never let me do anything, always said I was a failure, that I’d never achieve anything. Why else would he put me here? The only reason he gave me this job, is so that he could use to me to further his own position in the company.”

  I… actually knew how that felt, to an extent. And something on my face must have showed as he gave me a look.

  “Right, I heard about your background…” He finally said. Notably, he avoided my gaze.

  “Have you now?”

  “Yes… it was why I even bothered to hear you out that day, my mistake.” He rubs his neck.

  “It sure was… I… knew a guy like you that liked to monologue like that, and well…”

  “And what? You kicked his ass as well?” He laughed, and I tried to laugh with him, but it felt forced, fake…

  After all, I killed him. Almost killed Leo here too… I buried the nervousness in another sip of my alcohol. Letting the warmth flush away the nervousness and anxiety.

  “And what’s my position here, exactly?” I asked. “How do I factor in your father’s plans?”

  “Hell if I know…” He says, finishing his drink. For a moment I could see him consider a third glass before shaking his head. “I just know his type in women.”

  “Really now?”

  “Yeah, and you fit the bill perfectly.”

  Not exactly comforting… It also put into question the gift he gave me… Among other things. Had our meeting really been a coincidence? Was he on the prowl? Just imagining that sent shivers down my spine…

  “Well anyway…” I say, pivoting away from this awkward subject, “If you ever find yourself in the position to pursue your dream, if you ever need an investor or sponsor, consider giving me a call.” I say, raising my glass to him.

  “Really?” He said, almost shocked. “Would you really do that?”

  “Why not? As I said, you have a talent for getting people to sign on the dotted line, it could be useful…” I say, but really, a promise cost me nothing. And it wasn’t like he’d ever be able to pursue his dream. If everything went well, I’d have Leo out on his ass by the end of the year. With me firmly in his seat…

  “I’ll… consider it, yeah… if it ever happens.” He said, but… if he were a dog, his tail would be wagging like crazy. Clearly, I’d just made his day. Maybe even week.

  We spent a bit longer talking, while I perused through the documents one last time. Still, I couldn’t quite dismiss that feeling that something was wrong and yet… was I just wrong? My instincts were rarely wrong and yet…

  Just as I was considering doing a full audit, spending the night looking through the documents, my phone buzzed. Marking that it was time for me to clock out. Making my decision for me. Surely, it’s probably just jitters.

  “Welp, I’m heading home.” I announce and strut right out. Today I was going to bed early. I need to rest up for tomorrow. Not like anything crazy will happen, but… Just in case. I’d rather be ready just in case something does happen. Though, how would I even begin to prepare?