Chapter 159 - Oli's Involvement with the Practor Family

"Before we get into the sad details of the family's financial situation, let's move on to discuss Oliver's involvement in the family," Hurman stated, looking to Jonon. "You'll be providing Oliver with private lessons while he'll come to me with any questions regarding his cultivation."

"Whoa, whoa… What's this?" Keldon asked, intrigued. 

Hurman explained, "Oliver accepted the job without payment in order to receive private lessons and claim the Practor Family's slot in the city tournament."

"What?!"

Jonon added, "The kid's good, so why wouldn't we? Did you know he's only an early-adept, yet he protected his party for the entire trip?"

"He's only an early-adept?!" Blinking uncontrollably, Keldon evaluated Oli yet again. "So young yet so much potential… And Hurman will be guiding his cultivation? Why not Jonon or--"

"That was one of my conditions," Oli mentioned. "They already know this, but I won't be focusing on swordsmanship. I'm learning it to expand my repertoire and learn to better fight other swordsmen. And I appreciate Hurman's cultivation advice more than Jonon's due to his experience with original cultivation techniques."

"That… You want to make your own technique?" Keldon mumbled in thought. Rubbing his forehead, Keldon thought aloud, "If you want his advice on that… then you're a dual cultivator?"

"Correct."

Thinking some more, Keldon asked, "What essence types?"

Oli grinned, glancing at Jonon and Hurman. "Earth and Dark."

"What a rare combination… Earth and Dark. Finding such a technique would be very difficult, so it makes sense to try and make your own," mentioned Keldon. "But there's no way stubborn Hurman agreed to give you all that just to get some lilies… What else did you offer Hurman?"

"And why should I give that away?" chuckled Oli.

"Because if he wanted that, then it's likely I'll want it too. And if you're willing to offer it to him, then you wouldn't be against offering me the same, right?"

"Keldon… I'm sorry, but our discussion wasn't anything simple. You underestimate my negotiating skills and just how intricate the deal was between us," stated Oli, catching Jonon off guard. "Before I even mention any details, I would need to hear Hurman's opinion about you and better understand what you could offer me."

"Then now's a perfect time, since we're already talking about you, Oliver. Go on, Hurman, tell him everything."

Hurman squinted and looked back at Keldon. "I'll be honest. I don't think you would be willing to offer anything that matched my offer to Oliver."

"WHAT?!"

Both Keldon and Jonon shouted in startlement of Hurman's statement. Neither understood what was going on nor why Hurman would make such an offer to Oli. 

"Father, you can't be serious. What did you--"

"At some point, you'll hopefully learn of my deal with Oliver, Jonon. But for now, without Oliver's permission and me making the final decision, I can't share anything we've discussed in detail," answered Hurman. "And Keldon, it's not that you can't match my offer, it's that I don't believe you would be willing to do so. And given the terms of mine and Oliver's agreement, we can't include you in any discussions unless I believe you're willing to be so generous."

"That… You've made such a serious agreement with a young man you've just met?!" Keldon shouted with the fury of a businessman. "Are you mad?!"

"You know I'm right here," mentioned Oli, raising one eyebrow to Keldon. "If you don't want to be apart of our grand deal, then go ahead and make fun of it. I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinion on it."

"..." Keldon immediately shut up. His trust in Hurman made him want to believe that such a deal with Oli was warranted, but Keldon couldn't imagine what Oliver could bring to the negotiation table. "Perhaps… I'm more willing than you believe? Can't we mention some slight details and let me test the waters before you accuse me of being too stingy?"

"No."

"Oliver, we can--"

"Keldon, I'll likely be a returning customer of yours since you're good at your job. Given the respect that Hurman has for you and the little I've learned personally, I wouldn't be against making a deal. But I only negotiate when I know for a fact a deal will be made. The terms we cover aren't something you can simply forget. I'm sure you understand that much, right?"

Keldon nodded. "I see… Then tell me what the end result could be for me. I don't need specifics but at least a general idea."

'I somewhat like this man.' Before Oli could reply to Keldon, Vloz spoke up telepathically, 'Why not test his curiosity a little and see what he's willing to offer? Having a human merchant dedicated to Iron Town could be just as impactful as the human branch of the academy.'

"Oliver? Come on, there can't be a negotiation if you're not willing to set some minimal parameters of discussion."

"Keldon…" Oli sighed, pondering carefully what to say on the tightwire of a subject. "I'm not claiming we can complete any negotiations at this very moment, but probing your curiosity and willingness should be possible."

"Great."

Glancing at Keldon's grin, Oli mentioned, "And make sure to listen, Jonon. Your reaction to these tidbits of information may determine how quickly you learn the terms of my agreement with Hurman.

"First off, what's your end goal of being a merchant, Keldon?"

"Simple, to make the best profit possible from items of great value. If my product has no value, all profits from such a product would be meaningless and empty, able to deteriorate at any moment."

"You don't have any goals about where you want to live, how much influence you hold, or what sort of clientele you're after?" asked Oli.

Blinking, Keldon considered Oli's words carefully in an attempt to deduce the purpose behind the question. "As for where I live, I'm not too picky. My family isn't from Trighton City and I live alone so location isn't important to me. Influence is something I wouldn't mind having but it's not necessarily what I'm after either. My clientele could be anyone, so long as I can provide value while amassing my wealth. The devil himself could enter my store if he's willing to cooperate with the rules of my shop and pay a fair price."