SSS Talent: From Trash to Tyrant Chapter 609: Polite Intrusion

"So, regarding The Glass Atrium..."

The mana engineer standing next to the alchemist made an irritated sound, shifting slightly closer. He lowered his voice, annoyance rather than fear coloring his tone. "Don't speak that name so casually, Merric. Inspection wards are active everywhere during event week, and the Atrium's overseers are not known for their leniency with careless chatter."

The alchemist let out a small scoff but did indeed lower his voice. He was a lean man with dark hair, clad in a long coat bearing reagent stains near the cuffs—the unmistakable sign of someone who had spent years making accidents seem like mere steps in the process of discovery.

"If Aurevane were to detain everyone who gossiped during the event, they would need to shackle half the attendees beneath the administrative hall by sunrise."

Caelum held the cartridge steady between his gloved fingers.

The vendor before him continued to speak, eager to secure the sale. "As I was explaining, sir, the casing is sourced from northern foundries. It possesses enough reliability for hunters, escorts, and anyone who prefers not to be vulnerable when the streets turn perilous."

"That casing is prone to instability if mishandled," Caelum responded, employing the dry, aged voice he had adopted for his vampire persona. "Unless your sales pitch includes a disclaimer about replacing fingers, you should refrain from proclaiming its reliability with such certainty."

The vendor's smile faltered slightly. "Do you have prior experience with this particular type of ammunition, sir?"

"Sufficient to recognize when a merchant prioritizes selling confidence over substance."

From behind him, the alchemist persisted, "I only inquired because the western section was sealed off earlier. Such action is unusual for a public exhibition space, particularly on the inaugural night."

"It is more than merely a public exhibition space," the mana engineer countered. "That is the detail individuals seem to consistently overlook."

Caelum carefully placed the cartridge back into its designated spot within the tray.

The vendor leaned forward, making one last attempt. "Will you be purchasing it after all, sir? I am willing to offer a discount if you decide to acquire more than one."

"No," Caelum stated, leaving a coin on the counter. "Your explanation has already proven sufficiently beneficial."

He turned away before the vendor could determine whether his words were intended as commendation or a veiled insult.

The two men directly behind him halted their progression simultaneously. Caelum inclined his head, adopting the mannerisms of the borrowed vampire persona with practiced, old-fashioned politeness. Pale complexion, crimson eyes, hair of gray, fangs revealed just enough to be believable. The facade was one of harmless wealth and ancient lineage—a useful deception.

"My apologies for the intrusion," he offered. "I did not intend to overhear, but The Glass Atrium is among the rare structures in Aurevane that captures my interest, and your discussion proved more pertinent than this vendor's wares."

The alchemist knitted his brows, though curiosity registered before any suspicion could take hold. "That is a rather bold manner of joining another person's conversation. Might I inquire as to your identity?"

"A guest exhibiting poor etiquette, it would appear." Caelum lightly tapped two fingers against his chest. "Professionally, however, I introduce myself as Edran von Voss. My expertise lies primarily in mana architecture. I also dabble in alchemical stabilizers, particularly when individuals insist on rendering structurally sound constructions unnecessarily complex."

The alchemist's demeanor shifted instantly upon hearing the name.

"Edran von Voss?" he repeated, his interest visibly piqued. "The very von Voss who authored the resonance-lock treatise published in Virell?"

Caelum allowed a subtle, weary smile to grace the lips of his borrowed visage. "Indeed, though I would prefer not to be solely defined by work I completed many years ago. Scholars possess a rather unfortunate tendency to fixate on one's earliest publication while disregarding subsequent advancements."

"Ah, in that case, I can finally associate a face with the name." The alchemist extended his hand with newfound warmth. "Merric di Calvane. Alchemist, researcher, and, on occasion, the unfortunate recipient of engineers' grievances."

The mana engineer did not exhibit the same swift thaw. He appeared older than Merric, possessing a broad frame, hair streaked with silver upon a brown base, a neatly trimmed beard, and hands bearing the marks of prolonged use of conduit tools and mana-oil. His right thumb absently grazed the metallic ring on his middle finger before he spoke.

"Orven von Halbrecht," he stated. "Mana engineer. Your name is familiar to me as well, Master von Voss, although I confess I had envisioned you as somewhat younger."

Caelum reciprocated the handshake, first with Merric, then with Halbrecht. He noted the firmness of Halbrecht's grip, the slight hesitation before release, and the deliberate touch of the ring prior to speaking.

Orven von Halbrecht.

The surname suggested authority. The profession implied technical access. Underlying irritation was carefully restrained.

"A frequent source of disappointment," Caelum replied smoothly. "Individuals peruse a paper and presume the author must either be a prodigy or long past their prime. The reality rarely accommodates such neat categorizations."

Merric chuckled heartily. "I find myself liking him already."

Caelum shifted the grip on his cane to his other hand. "Are the two of you directly involved with the event's proceedings, or are you merely enduring it alongside the rest of us?"

Merric extended a hand. "I have a small presentation prepared on reactive binding agents, granted my assistant hasn't managed to ruin the samples before morning. Orven is present because Aurevane tends to panic whenever expensive wards are required to perform actual functions."

Halbrecht offered him a deadpan look. "I am here because several buildings have been modified for this event, and individuals who lack understanding of mana flow keep approving cosmetic changes near essential conduits."

Caelum emitted a soft hum. "That sounds painfully familiar. A beautiful hall often transforms into a technical disaster once nobles decree where the banners ought to be positioned."

Halbrecht's thumb paused on his ring.

"Precisely," he affirmed, with more approval than previously shown.

"I will be presenting a ward-stress regulator during the main day's proceedings," Caelum elaborated. "Nothing overtly theatrical. It identifies pressure inconsistencies before a structure begins compensating in an incorrect manner."

"Self-correcting?" Merric inquired.

"Self-warning," Caelum corrected. "Self-correcting devices are the promises ambitious fools make when they desire investors to cease asking pertinent questions."

Merric pointed at him with evident delight. "That is a very reasonable response, and I resent that it makes engineers sound sensible."

Halbrecht's lips moved slightly, bordering on a smile. "A rare triumph for our profession."

Caelum allowed the conversation to settle, but not to stray. "I was informed The Glass Atrium underwent further adjustments for the event. That came as a surprise to me. Glass structures do not react well to hurried confidence, particularly when security wards and guest barriers are introduced concurrently."

Merric leaned in closer. "That is precisely my point. The western section was sealed off earlier, and no one provides a coherent explanation when questioned about the reason."

Halbrecht's expression hardened. "The western section was sealed for load distribution inspections. That is hardly scandalous, Merric. It is standard maintenance."

"Maintenance does not typically necessitate two private guard rotations and a separate ward registry."

"It does when individuals of high standing are anticipated to traverse beneath modified glass structures."

Caelum tapped his cane lightly against the stone pavement. "Private guard rotations, a separate ward registry, and reinforced western conduits. That represents significant precaution for a venue supposedly hosting mere exhibitions."

Halbrecht studied him for a moment longer this time.

"There are lower technical levels," he conceded. "Most substantial structures in Aurevane possess them. The public perceives the glass, the illumination, and the opulent flooring. The actual engineering occurs beneath the surface."

Merric offered Caelum a look of satisfaction. "There now. You see? He claims everything is routine, yet each statement makes it sound increasingly extraordinary."

"Because you delight in misinterpreting practical engineering as some sort of conspiracy," Halbrecht retorted.

"No, Orven, I delight in observing when practical engineering becomes surrounded by armed personnel."

Caelum had gathered sufficient information to make a decision.

Merric di Calvane possessed influence, access to rumors, and a tendency for his words to precede his discretion. Useful, but with limitations. Orven von Halbrecht commanded access. More critically, he possessed a legitimate reason to be present in restricted areas without attracting undue scrutiny.

Merric consulted the brass pocket watch at his waist and uttered a low curse. "I must depart before my assistant once again stores thunder-salt adjacent to heating crystals. Master von Voss, I sincerely hope to witness your regulator during the main event."

"You might find yourself disappointed," Caelum replied. "It serves a practical purpose, rather than being aesthetically pleasing."

"Practical things are beautiful to those who dedicate their lives to their work." Merric gave both men a brief nod and proceeded down the street. "Do try not to insult each other into an unlikely friendship in my absence."

Halbrecht watched his departure with evident weariness. "He makes such pronouncements and then wonders why committees exclude him from official banquets."

Caelum turned his borrowed 'vampire' visage towards Halbrecht. "I have no inclination to return to my lodgings just yet, and you appear capable of discussing wards without transforming the subject into a dramatic spectacle. Would you perhaps care to continue this conversation over a drink? My invitation."

Halbrecht touched his ring once more, balancing prudence against ennui.

"It is the inaugural night of the event," he stated finally. "Refusing the company of a competent individual would be a regrettable expenditure of the evening."

"Then please, lead the way, Master von Halbrecht. I trust you know of an establishment with superior wine to that found on this street, and fewer merchants peddling finger-removal contraptions."

Halbrecht exhaled through his nose, finding himself amused despite his reservations. "There is a more subdued establishment two streets onward. The wine is adequate, and it is unlikely anyone there will attempt to sell us armaments."

"That alone renders it exceptional."