Trouble From HQ (1)

Alan entered Clara's office at the top floor of the Blue River Chamber of Commerce building.

The moment he entered, he was surprised to find, other than Clara and Laura, who was there, elder Yan sitting on the couch, everyone appeared tense, and the atmosphere was serious in the room.

Clara: "It is good to see your fine little brother. Come and have a seat."

Elder Yan: "Hoho, it has been a while, young man. I hope you have been well."

Alan: "Thank you both for your concern. I have never been better, so, big sis, could you tell me what happened?"

Laura: "An unreasonable prick that is trying to run away from taking responsibility is all that happened."

Elder Yan: "Relax, little Laura; getting angry won't solve anything, so you are calling my granddaughter big sis, huh? Then you have to call me Grandpa from now on.

With a smile on his face, Elder Yan added a little bit of humor to ease the tense nerves in the room.

Alan smiled back and responded:

Alan: "Then allow me to call your grandpa Yan from now on."

Elder Yan: "Good, good. To think my cold granddaughter, who did not give the light of the day to the young masters in the capital, has grown so close to this fine young man—can this old man consider this a happy occasion?"

Carla: "Grandpa!!!!"

Elder Yan: "Hahahahahaha."

With slightly red cheeks Carla said

Carla: "Getting back on the subject, this time a noble clan has approached the HQ of the Blue River Chamber of Commerce in the capital, making a request, which in turn someone high up in the chain accepted without verifying the details, unable to deliver on the promise and not wanting to take responsibility." He came up with a diverging sending the request to our small branch, and on top of that, along with the request, the princess of the noble plan is coming personally to verify and witness the request's completion.

Alan: "Can the headquarters just admit that they could not deliver on the promise?"

Carla: "I'm afraid they can't, as the person who was in charge of this had already signed a penalty agreement, which entails a huge loss for our Chamber of Commerce, so refusal is out of the table. That's why, using the reputation of Grandpa as an excuse, they sent the impossible request to this small branch."

Elder Yan: "I'm afraid it's not as simple as that."

Laura: "What do you mean, Grandpa?"

Elder Yan: "Lately I have made a breakthrough, reaching the 9th stage. There was a talk in HQ about giving me a more central, important position, and then this trouble came out of nowhere."

Carla: "Grandpa, you mean that this whole thing is a political move to stop you from getting that position."

Elder Yan: "Indeed, I think so; someone in HQ does not want me to get this position in the capital by using my reputation and diverting this unreasonable request to ensure failure, destroying my reputation in the process, and raising the question if I am qualified for the position in the capital."

Laura: "Such a black heart; those scheming profiteers really know how to play politics."

Alan, who digested most of the situation, looked at Elder Yan in surprise.

Name: [Yan Fairfax]

Class: [Beast Tamer]

Stage: [9th stage] [1%]

Talent: [pyrokinesis]

Description: [The talent to control fire in all its forms, the most desired talent for alchemists, as the holder grows stronger, his control over fire will grow. The holder of this talent has a great affinity with fire-type beasts.]

This was the first time that Alan had used his talent on Elder Yan. He was shocked to know that in front of him now was the 9th stage being.

Looking at the vibrant and full-of-life light in Elder Yan's eyes, signs of recent breakthroughs are clearly evident to the focusing eye.

Although everyone called him Elder Yan, it was by no means that he was old, or at least he did not look so at all. He looked like a middle-aged man with a few strands of white hair; calling him Elder was a form of utmost respect befitting of his status.

Alan: "I understand the problem, but what is this unreasonable request that this noble clan asked of HQ, and how do we know that Elder Yan can't solve this problem in the first place?"

Carla: "The Noble clan princess asked the HQ to help with the evolution of her tamed beast, and she did not ask for an ordinary evolution; she asked about one that was not confirmed. Right now in the HQ there is only a third-class evolution Master, although the HQ has two esteemed fourth-class evolution Masters, but right now they are on a trip in the wild with no way to contact them, and even if there was a way, our Chamber of Commerce can't order such esteemed individuals. If the third-class evolution Masters in the HQ could not solve it, Grandpa, who is also a third-class evolution Master, probably can't."

Alan froze in his place in shock as he looked at Grandpa Yan, this man in front of him not only a 9th stage being but also a third-class evolution master. This identity alone can put him in the clouds; such an esteemed individual was conducting an exam for appraisers. Who would even believe that?

Elder Yan: "Hahaha, look at your expression, like you have seen a ghost. How about it? You have a third-class evolution master who you can call Grandpa. Hahahahahaha."

Carla: "That's enough, Grandpa. Don't tease Alan.

Laura: "We don't even have much time to prepare any countermeasure."

Alan: "Why? When are they coming?"

Carla: "To fully entrap us, the higher-ups in HQ and the princess from the noble clan will both be here within the hour."

Elder Yan: "We can't stay here wallowing in misery. What may come will come anyway, so we can only face this challenge head-on. Even if it affects this little reputation that I have or this new position, it won't kill me, so you all don't need to be so tense. We will adapt to the situation as it's changing."

Carla: "Laura, prepare the meeting room so we can receive our unwanted guests."

….

One hour later, a luxurious Hoover vehicle stopped in front of the Blue River Chamber of Commerce building. From the vehicle, a man dressed in a suit who looked like a butler opened the back door to a 20-something young lady, who looked beautiful with the noble air radiating from her.

Standing in front of the building to receive them were Carla and Laura with Alan and a few staff.

Carla: "I am Carla, the president of this branch. Thank you for visiting us today, Ms. Johnson. We have prepared the meeting room. If you may, please follow me."

With a simple nod, the lady and the butler followed after Carla, and everyone else followed after them.

Inside the meeting room waiting for everyone was Elder Yan.

The moment Ms. Johnson saw Elder Yan, she greeted him immediately; that serves to say how noble the status of an evolution master is.

Miss Johnson: "Greetings, Elder Yan, Your reputation is truly magnificent; it's an honor to meet your esteemed self today. My hopes are very high with you here; my goal of evolving my partner is definitely a reality.

Elder Yan: "Greetings to you too, young lady. You have come from far away. Please have a seat. We prepare a few refreshments for you. Let's discuss your request after."

Inside the room there were only Alan, Carla, Laura, and Elder Yan.

Mrs. Johnson: "I have already stated my request for the headquarters of the Blue River Chamber of Commerce. I will be taking my partner out for you to inspect first."

Name: [Lyra]

Species: [deer type beast]

Stage: [3rd stage beast] [100%]

Potential: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Talent: [healing aura, emotional empath, wind manipulation initial]

Description: [A deer-type beast with healing abilities, it has a very good potential, with extreme speed and the ability to manipulate winds. Its mobility is one of its strongest points, with weak attacking ability, extremely gentle in nature.]

Evolution paths: [4]

It was a rare healing beast with a very good potential. Watching Elder Yan examining Lyra, information regarding this healing beast was displayed in front of Alan.

Elder Yan: "Ms. Johnson, you have a very good partner here. Gentle nature adapted at healing this little one is a treasure. Let's talk about the evolution, shall we?"

Miss Johnson: "When I was adventuring in the wild, I happened to see a winged antler deer beast. After searching for a while, there was a hypothesis that this is one of the directions my partner Lyra can evolve into. Although it was nothing but a hypothesis, I still want her to evolve into this form."

Elder Yan: "And that's why you are holding her advancement to the fourth stage."

Miss Johnson: "Elder, your reputation is indeed well deserved. Is it true that I want her to evolve before advancing to the fourth stage?"

Elder Yan: "I will be honest with you; I do not know, and I can't say that I am 100% sure to evolve your partner into the desired direction, especially after the HQ could not handle this request. I know of the penalty contract, but that's HQ's problem. In any way, seeing this precious beast, I can promise you that I will do everything in my power to help in its evolution, but I can't guarantee anything. I hope you understand."

Miss Johnson: "I have fully understood that before coming here, Elder, as the third-class evolution master at your headquarters, also could not do anything for my partner, but for the good reputation that has reached my ears, I know I can only do everything I can and hope for the best."

Elder Yan: "Thank you for being so understanding. If you don't mind, the process may take some time. Meanwhile, we have prepared accommodation for yourself; we hope to give you the most pleasant stay here."

Ms. Johnson: "Thank you for your consideration, but I would like to stay until the process is done if that is not a problem, of course."

Elder Yan: "Not at all, Ms. Johnson."